Governance and Organisational Structures

One of the most important tasks for any trustee is to know about their own organisation’s legal and governance structure and make sure it is suitable for what the organisation was set up to do. The legal structure, and the governance arrangements it sets in place, are a vital part of making solid foundations and keeping an organisation safe and secure. It means that those who get involved in its work are protected, whether staff, volunteers, trustees or service users. It also means the wider community and society can see the basis on which it operates.

This publication, produced by the Governance Hub and Co-operativesUK outlines the various legal structures available to organisations in the Third Sector. If your organisation needs to review or change its structure, either because it has grown or in order to take on new areas of work, this guide indicates directions and possibilities. It will also be useful to small associations who are just reaching the point where governance needs to be more formal and organised, or to those starting up new ventures.