Members have a largely hands-off role
They sit above the board of trustees, similar to a company's shareholders in relation to its board of directors.
Members can be trustees, but the model articles of association include a requirement that the majority of members must not also serve as trustees (see article 12B).
Their main responsibilities are:
- Furthering the trust's charitable objects
- Appointing some trustees
- Holding trustees to account for the successful governance of the trust
Check your own articles of association for your trust's rules on members, and find out how members are appointed.
Members have a limited liability of up to £10 in the case that the academy trust is wound up. It applies to current members, and those who have been a member within a year of the trust being wound up (see articles 7 and 8 of the model articles of association).
Key responsibilities
Are signatories to the articles of association (if