Trustees week conference 2024: Good governance – future proofing for trustees

Join us at the Third Sector Governance Forum's free Trustees’ Week 2024 conference where we’ll be bringing together trustees and charity and governance expert speakers in Edinburgh to celebrate the work trustees do and share all of our experience and knowledge. There will be lots of opportunities for networking, learning and sharing your own experiences. Lunch and refreshments provided.

Scotland’s Third Sector Governance Forum brings together a range of people with knowledge and expertise in governance issues. The partners work together to improve governance and leadership in the sector through a strategic approach. We're grateful to Foundation Scotland and CCLA whose support has made this event possible.

This event will bring together trustees committed to good governance and future proofing their organisations to share their experience and learn from each other. We’ll be hearing from experts looking at why good governance is key to sustainability and success, at the important changes to charity law that will affect your organisations, and how to develop financial sustainability and resilience for the future.

It will be an interactive, participatory event with a range of ways to join in discussions and access further support.

As well as opportunities for networking and sharing your own experiences, there will be three sessions with a panel of expert speakers which will be followed by the opportunity to breakout into discussion groups with your peers. They are as follows:

Why good governance is key to sustainability and success

In this session we will look at the new updated Third Sector Governance Code, what's changed, and what you can do to ensure good governance in your organisation. We will hear from one of our sponsors, Foundation Scotland, about the critical role trustees have in embedding meaningful climate action within their organisation. We will find out how trustees can create an inclusive culture through their own behaviour and embed equality, diversity and inclusion across all aspects of their organisation to be more effective and informed, and to make better decisions.

New Charity Law in Scotland

The Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Act 2023 is a new piece of legislation that builds on existing charity law in Scotland. Parts of the new Act came into force in April 2024, and parts of the Act will be introduced in the next few months. Changes include a new register of charity trustees and extensions to the list of disqualification for being a trustee. Hear from the Scottish Charity Regulator and Kenneth Pinkerton, Partner and Head of Brodies Charities & Third Sector Team, on what the changes might mean for your organisation.

Developing financial sustainability and resilience for the future

In our current economic climate voluntary sector organisations are facing increased challenges, from a changing funding landscape to increased demand on service delivery. The role of the Chair and the board of trustees in managing the additional pressures has meant it’s more important to understand the charity’s financial viability and be prepared to consider how to do things differently for the long term. All of this involves organisational and personal resilience and the board being prepared to make some difficult decisions along the way. ACOSVO will facilitate a leadership panel sharing their experiences and answering questions on how to plan ahead and be prepared to ensure all decisions align with your organisation's values, mission and purpose.

One-to-one support sessions

There will also be an opportunity for you to have a one-to-one advice session with experts in cyber resilience, investment management, trustee recruitment, and where you can access more free in-depth support for your organisation.

Full programme and speakers will be published soon.

Trustees of Scottish charities and voluntary organisations.

Please note that due to capacity issues, only one trustee per organisation can attend this free event.