Have you considered becoming a trustee of The Friends of Penlee House Gallery and Museum?
This is an interesting and rewarding opportunity to take an active part in protecting, developing and promoting the cultural and artistic heritage of West Cornwall. We welcome and support new trustees. Here is some information about what we do, how we work, and what the role and responsibilities are.
·Who are the Friends, and what do we do?
We are an organisation with around xxx members which supports Penlee House Gallery & Museum. Our aims are:
“To advance the education of the public in the history and cultural heritage of West Cornwall by the provision of support and assistance to Penlee House Gallery & Museum, in particular by:
(a) making grants to Penlee House Gallery & Museum to assist in the acquisition and conservation of artistic works and items of heritage, educational and outreach activities and costs associated with exhibitions.
(b) making grants to assist in the provision of staffing and the development of facilities for the collections and educational activities, excluding the maintenance and repair of the buildings and furnishings.
(c) organising lectures, talks and other activities and publishing a magazine to extend the public’s knowledge and engage the public in the collections.
(d) maintaining communications between the trustees and Penzance Council to develop a shared understanding of the needs of the Penlee House Gallery & Museum.”
· What is the legal basis for the Friends?
We are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), a type of charity regulated by the Charity Commission. We have up to 12 Trustees who are elected for a three-year term of office, which can be renewed. We have a Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. No Officer or Trustee is paid for their service. You can find the details in our constitution, which is on our website, or please just ask.
· What are trustees responsible for?
The Charity Commission publishes guidance on the responsibilities and obligations of all trustees, and this is on our website. It’s a good idea to read this. Please don’t let the formality put you off and do ask if you have any questions or would like more information. The Friends’ Trustees are responsible for managing our organisation to fulfil the aims above.
· How do the Trustees work and how much time is involved?
We have 5 Trustees’ meetings a year, each lasting two hours (held in Penzance in the daytime). Together with the AGM, the attendance commitment is a minimum of 12 hours per year.
We do much of our work outside the meetings, using email or meeting informally. Typically, this might be to develop ideas and policies or take decisions on funding an acquisition or organise talks. We aim to work in a collegial way, taking decisions by consensus.
Different Trustees take the lead (with support from other Trustees) for particular matters. We have lead Trustees for editing Artefact, organising and staffing the talks and activities programme, and social media. Individual Trustees might also lead in developing a proposal for the Trustees’ meeting to consider.
So we do need trustees to give time outside the meetings, but the amount will differ from person to person and from time to time.
· What’s the relationship with Penlee House Gallery & Museum?
We work closely with Penlee House and the Director attends our meetings. We aren’t involved in managing Penlee House and its activities. Some Trustees choose as individuals to volunteer there and Trustees and Friends support outreach by the Gallery & Museum and appeals for help.
At a practical level we pay Penzance Council for membership administration and marketing support from the Gallery & Museum.
· What help do I get in being a Trustee?
We can offer training for some aspects of the role – usually provided through the National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), of which we are a member. We can also seek advice from them.
We can link you with a current Trustee to answer questions and act as an informal and friendly sounding board.
We do not pay travel expenses, but we do reimburse other out of pocket expenses, and we can provide you with more information about this if you have any questions.
We have insurance cover for Trustees’ liability.
· What next?
We’re really grateful for your interest. We are looking for trustees with enthusiasm for the arts and heritage of West Cornwall and for a wide range of experience and talents – so please consider taking your interest further.
We have a procedure for appointing trustees, and you’ll find more information about this on our website.
The first step is to contact the Secretary to arrange an informal discussion with one or two of the Trustees.
Contact the Hon Secretary, Judith Summers: judithmarybosavern@gmail.com
September 2025
