Since its launch at the end of 2021, MILA has functioned as an informal association. This arrangement has worked well during its foundational stages, but it is now time to move on and to set the Alliance up on a more formal basis with a legal personality of its own. This should enable MILA to achieve better recognition, giving it a greater sense of purpose and enhancing its credibility. Crucially, it is hoped that charity status will also put MILA in a better position to bid for funding and thereby to attain financial sustainability.
At its meeting in January, the MILA Board concluded that becoming a registered charity represents the best option; and more specifically, it was agreed that MILA should become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
As with any charity, setting up a CIO necessarily involves a process, not least to register with the Charity Commission. This is likely to take several months. One of the key elements of the process is the appointment of Trustees, who will have a legal responsibility for MILA’s management and administration, and for managing its resources effectively. We are therefore seeking expressions of interest from anyone who would consider becoming a Trustee. At this early stage, we are eager to speak to individuals who may wish to take on the role, subject to approval by the Board and a formal appointment later in the year. If anyone reading this is interested, or knows of anyone interested, please contact Stéphane Goldstein at sg@informall.org.uk , who is also happy to answer any questions.
As outlined in Charity Commission guidance, trusteeship can be rewarding for many reasons – from a sense of making a difference to the charitable cause, to new experiences and relationships. It’s also likely to be demanding of Trustees’ time, skills, knowledge and abilities. The guidance outlines the duties and responsibilities.
