Proposed changes to the structure of the Royal British Legion

Becoming a model charity

Further details of the proposed changes are given in TLF Newsletter 6

Proper governance

Board of Trustees
A new trustee body is being formed, called the Board of Trustees to replace the existing National Council. It will have full responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the Legion. The Board of Trustees will:

• Determine the strategic direction of the organisation
• Be responsible for strategy, governance and management including of assets and liabilities.
• Ensure the Legion complies with the Charities Acts and that internal controls conform to best practice
• Delegate authority for day-to-day management to the Executive Group
• Ensure that Executive staff prepare an annual corporate plan and budget
• Delegate certain functions to the Membership Council and other committees

The Board will comprise a mix of elected and appointed Trustees:/

President (appointed), Chairman (elected), Vice-Chairman (elected), 12 Trustees (elected), 1 Women’s Section Trustee, 6 Trustees (appointed)

To allow a new intake of 4 elected and 2 appointed Trustees every year, the election and appointment of new Trustees will be staggered over a three-year cycle. Trustees will be elected/appointed initially for a term of 3 years, with the option to be re-elected or re-appointed twice (making a maximum possible term of 12 years).

Listening to the voice of members

Membership Council
To give members greater involvement in Legion strategy and development, the new Membership Council ensures member concerns are heard. The Council will:

• Advise the Board of Trustees on the strategic direction of the membership organisation
• Act with the authority of the Board in areas of routine membership work, freeing up the Trustees to focus on more corporate matters
• Endorse
• Monitor the annual budget and objectives for all aspects of the membership organisation.
   

Consulting with others

Advisory Assembly
To give the Legion access to the best advice and help us to liaise with our stakeholders, a new Advisory Assembly of 60 people will be formed. The Assembly will not make policy but act as a source of external advice and focus of consultation.
The Assembly will also help the Legion inform a wide cross section of influential people about its work.

Effective management

Executive Group
The Legion’s executive team will report directly to the Board of Trustees. The Executive Group will:

• Be responsible for operational and day-to-day management
• Prepare a corporate plan with annual objectives
• Produce the annual budget
• Submit policy reviews, discussion papers and study reports
• Update the Trustees on operational, budget and management issues