Trustees

As explained already, BSC is a club based on being a collection of members and is in fact an unincorporated association. We have a constitution and a committee that runs club affairs. We also have several assets - our clubhouse, our grounds, our boat fleet for example. It is a legal procedure that BSC appoints "Trustees" so that all the things we own can be vested in them, in trust for all members. They work to ensure that everything we own is used to the full for all of us. Our constitution requires us to have at least 2 Trustees but we actually benefit from having 3 and their experience and skills extend across club finances, insurance, training and development etc.

Trustees must be full members of the club and are appointed each year at the AGM. As well as overseeing all the club assets, they are also authorised to make purchases on behalf of the club, as long as the purchases are approved by the Main Committee. Like the members of the committee, the Trustees also volunteer their time and they meet with the main committee twice a year to review and debate the club's affairs. Typically, clubs retain Trustees over a number of years to benefit from continuity and to minimise any legal implications. This provides balance to the Main Committee which changes officers every couple of years generally.

Although this sounds very formal, the reality in BSC is that the Trustees play a very active role on a daily basis. As former Commodores themselves, they understand how the club functions and provide valuable insights and support to the Main Committee as well as the wider club.

Last updated 18:24 on 15 December 2023