Cymraeg

What is a Trustee ?

What is a Trustee: Undeb Aberystywth Description?

"Your Union is governed and strategically led by the Board of Trustees. They are ultimately responsible for making sure that we operate in line with our charitable objectives. Undeb Aber Trustee Board is made up of 12 members and meets at least four times a year to carry out its business on behalf of you"

More information about the Unions Trustees Board here. 

Who are Trustees in the Union?

  • Llywydd Academic (from July 1st 2026)

  • Llywydd Opportunities (from July 1st 2026)

  • Llywydd UMCA (from July 1st 2026)

  • Llywydd Wellbeing & Liberation (from July 1st 2026)

  • 1 Undergraduate Student Trustee

  • 1 Postgraduate Student Trustee

  • 5 External Trustees (based on professional skills experience and knowledge)

Chair of the Board of Trustees

An elected Full-Time officer is apointed the Chair of the Board of Trustees during the first meeting of their term. (from July 1st 2026)

Their Role: 

  • Keep the structure of the meeting.
  • Keep the pace of the meeting flowing.
  • Allow everyone to speak and share their mind.
  • Make sure all members are being treated with respect.
  • Keep order and make sure only one person speaks at a time.
  • Keep discussions on topic.
  • Highlighting proposals that are made in the meeting summarising what committee members have said.
  • Summarise what has been said and indicate clear decision.
  • Help find common ground with opposing views.
  • Clarifying what members are voting on and casting a vote in the event of a tie

What makes a good chair? 

A good chair is someone who allows people to contribute, ensures everyone understands the discussion and gets a decision made within the time available.

A chair should understand the constitution and the rules relating to meetings, understanding how structured those meetings should be.

How does it all fit in? 

An elected Full-Time officer is apointed the Chair of the Board of Trustees during the first meeting of their term. 

  1. Board of Trustees: Meet 4-5 times per yeaar. Includes Full Time Officers, Student Trustees and External Trustees. 
  2. The Big Meeting: Held once per year and is open to all members. Needs 100 students to be Quorum*. 
  3. Senedd: Meets 4 times a year (including the AGM) and sets policy for the Union. Only elected students can vote and needs 50% +1 of elects to be present to be Quorum. 
  4. Advisory Boards: Meet 2 times a year to advice the Union and bring up issues. Advisory Boards: International Students, Disabled Students, Clubs, Societies and Volunteering Projects, and Liberation and Wellbeing. 
  5. Forums: Academic Reps and Welsh language and Culture, chaired by relevant Full Time Officers to collect feedback. 

How is the Trustee Board different from Democratic meeting within the Union?

Unlike other areas of the Union, the Trustee Board is not democratically accountable to members. Instead, trustees act in the best interests of the Union, ensuring compliance with charity law and other legal requirements, and safeguarding the Union from financial risk.

As a result, the Trustee Board may reject a policy proposal that has been approved through a student democratic meeting if they believe it could expose the Union to unnecessary legal, financial, or reputational harm.

The Board reports back to members annually at the AGM, and full minutes of meetings are published on the website to ensure transparency. Trustees operate collectively, making decisions as a team. This collective responsibility means that if you personally disagree with a decision that has been approved or rejected by the Board, it should not be publicly opposed, as the Trustee Board is expected to present a united position.

Will I Recieve Training? 

Yes, all elected full-time officers will receive training on their responsibilities as trustees and on how to contribute effectively in meetings.

Want to know more? 

Check out these great websites for more information: