9–13 November 2026
Trustees’ Week is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of trustees across the UK and recognise the important role they play in supporting charities, community groups and voluntary organisations.
Good governance is essential to building strong, sustainable organisations, and continuing to develop your knowledge and skills can help you feel more confident in your role as a trustee.
Taking place from 9–13 November, Trustees’ Week 2026 offers a range of opportunities to learn more about charity governance, trustee responsibilities, effective board meetings and much more.
We’ve brought together some upcoming training sessions, webinars and events that may be of interest to trustees, board members and anyone thinking about taking on a trustee role.
Monday 9 November
Governance Essentials
10am–11.30am | Online
This webinar covers the basics of roles and responsibilities for Development Trust boards. The session will explore the duties of directors, what these mean in practice and what good governance looks like.
There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and raise any issues.
Who should attend? Directors of Development Trusts, whether you’re new to the role or looking for a refresher.
Tuesday 10 November
An Introduction to Social Investment
10am–11am | Online
Is your organisation looking to expand or grow? Would you like to understand whether social investment could be right for you?
Delivered by investment specialists Social Investment Scotland, this introductory session will explore what social investment is, who provides investment finance, the options available and how it fits alongside other sources of funding.
How to Hold Effective and Engaging Meetings
10am–12.30pm or 2pm–4.30pm | Online | Free
Effective meetings are an important part of good governance. This practical session will explore different types of meetings, how to choose the right format and ways to make board and other organisational meetings more engaging.
The session will also look at holding meetings online. Participants are encouraged to have a copy of their organisation’s governing document available.
Register for the morning session | Register for the afternoon session
Being a Charity Trustee: The Basics
12pm–1pm | Online
Thinking about becoming a charity trustee, or recently taken on the role?
This introductory webinar explores the essentials of being a charity trustee in Scotland, including key duties and responsibilities, what is expected of you and where to find help and guidance.
Whether you’re new to the role or looking for a refresher, this session will help you better understand good charity governance and the important role trustees play in ensuring charities are well-run.
Thursday 12 November
Understand Your Role as an Office Bearer
10am–12.30pm or 2pm–4.30pm | Online | Free
Whether you’re an existing office bearer or considering taking on the role, this session will explore the responsibilities and expectations associated with being an office bearer.
Topics include common misconceptions about office bearer roles, governing documents, governance and compliance, and the potential impact of poor governance on an organisation’s reputation, sustainability and succession planning.
Register for the morning session | Register for the afternoon session
Beyond the Basics: Understanding Board Dynamics
12pm–1pm | Online
Good governance involves more than understanding trustee duties. This webinar explores some of the challenges and dynamics that can arise within charity boards and how trustees can navigate them effectively.
Topics include managing conflicts of interest, dealing with dominant trustees and understanding the respective roles of the chair and chief executive.
Ideal for trustees looking to build on their existing knowledge.
Stirling & Clacks Third Sector Finance Forum: Knowing Your Charity’s Finances – What Every Trustee Should Know
6pm–8.30pm | The Golden Lion Hotel, Stirling | CTSI and SVE members
How do you know your organisation’s money is being managed properly? This practical session will explore the fundamentals of good financial governance, including financial controls, authorising payments, managing expenses and the financial information boards should receive.
Through practical examples and discussion, trustees and senior staff will explore the questions they should be asking to help oversee their organisation’s finances effectively.
No financial background is required.
More opportunities throughout Trustees’ Week
Festival of Trusteeship 2026
9–13 November | Online
The Festival of Trusteeship, hosted by Eastside People, brings together a programme of online discussions, workshops and events for current and aspiring trustees.
The programme explores a range of topics, including charity finances, fundraising, financial sustainability, board dynamics, diversity and representation, and the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence.
With sessions aimed at both experienced and aspiring trustees, there’s plenty to explore beyond the traditional topics of governance and trustee responsibilities.
Some sessions are free, while others require a paid festival pass.
Explore the programme and book your place
Continuing your development: Trustees for Impact
Trustees for Impact: Practical Governance in Action
25 November 2026 – 10 February 2027 | Online | Five-session programme
Looking to build your confidence as a trustee and develop your understanding of good governance?
SCVO’s Trustees for Impact: Practical Governance in Action is a five-part online programme designed to help current and aspiring trustees develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to govern effectively.
Delivered through a series of practical workshops, the programme explores real-world governance challenges and provides opportunities to learn from sector experts and connect with trustees from across Scotland.
The five sessions will cover:
- 25 November – Getting Ready to Govern: Understand the role of a trustee, your legal responsibilities and what good governance looks like in practice.
- 9 December – Good Governance and Effective Decision Making: Explore good governance principles, effective board behaviours and collective decision-making.
- 13 January – Practical Financial Management: Build confidence in charity finances, including budgets, reserves, financial reporting and the questions trustees should be asking.
- 27 January – Risk Management: Learn how to identify, assess and manage risks to help your organisation make informed decisions and plan for the future.
- 10 February – Board Dynamics: Explore board culture, managing conflict, handling difficult conversations and building positive relationships between trustees, staff and volunteers.
The programme is suitable for aspiring and new trustees, existing trustees looking to refresh their knowledge, and chairs, treasurers and other office bearers. No previous governance training is required.
Cost: £425 per person (£295 for SCVO member organisations).
Organisations that are members of SCVO can benefit from a £130 discount. Check your organisation’s eligibility when booking.
Places are limited to one delegate per organisation, and participants are asked to attend all five sessions as part of the same cohort.
Only a few places remain!
Find out more and book your place
For enquiries, contact SCVO’s training team at training@scvo.scot.
More training and support for CTSI members
Trustees’ Week is a great opportunity to think about your own development and the skills your organisation needs to thrive. However, learning opportunities are available throughout the year.
Through CTSI membership, member organisations can also access training provided by Stirling Voluntary Enterprises (SVE) free of charge. This gives trustees, board members and volunteers across Clackmannanshire access to further opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge.
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your understanding of governance, build confidence in your role or develop wider skills to support your organisation, there’s plenty of support available.
Visit the CTSI training page to explore upcoming opportunities and find out more about accessing training through your membership.
