The Joseph Thomson Maasai Trust

Charity No: SCO46831

Founded: 2016

Standing Orders (this draft approved by the board 15th November 2025)

Documents and Media

Constitution: This is the document that underpins all governance, having been approved by OSCR. It is likely to have a timespan of about 10 years, followed by a review. It can only be altered following a due review process with OSCR.

Website: This is the shop window for public engagement and generating support for all key activities www.maasaigirlseducationproject.com.

Memorandum of Understanding: This document governs our partnership with the Across Maasai Land Initiative and outlines the nature of its operation, particularly the fundraising and grant-giving processes for the Maasai Girls Education Project. It may require review from time to time.

A further MoU may be created to formalise the relationship with Joseph Thomson Group, which runs the Penpont Heritage Centre.

Social Media: The Facebook page is Maasai Girls Education Project and should form the online portal for widespread interaction with the public. The aim should be to continually grow membership and followers. In time, it may link with Instagram and other media. It should be used by all Trustees and supporters for the dynamic public face of events, projects and partnership development.

Five-Year Plan: This sets out all plans, priorities and key operational objectives for the ensuing five-year period.

 

Operation and Administration

Maasai Girls Education Project: With advice from Ezekiel Katatao, Maasai Elder, the most valuable form of support the Trust can give is to enable chosen girls and young women to receive secondary, further and higher education. For this, we will provide the necessary funding, based on a detailed five-year budget.

Education Outreach: With support from www.adventura-scotland.co.uk, it has been possible for highly experienced self-funded volunteers to visit the Maasai Girls Education Project. This has generated invaluable professional feedback and information for the Trust`s effective delivery of the Project. It has the promise of creating networking amongst the girls, with all of the benefits this brings.

Drought Aid: The area in which the Maasai live in Kenya is subject to severe drought from time to time. It has been possible for the Trust to provide aid in these circumstances. In future, it will be necessary to fundraise specifically for this to be able to make a rapid response when called for.

Expenditure: Particular Trust projects for which funds have been obtained will include direct spending and what may be seen as clearly related project administrative on-costs.

Fundraising: This underpins all possible activity by the Trust. It will come from events, appeals, donations, membership, and legacies, etc. It should always be clear which activity or project a particular form of fundraising is being carried out for. All Trustees should be actively involved in this core activity.

The Trust will operate the main public focus of its fundraising through a relevant fundraising platform, which also offers donors the opportunity to add a Gift Aid option. It is acknowledged that some such platforms may levy a small fee for this.

Individuals, whether Trustees or general supporters, who are undertaking fundraising ventures, will bear all their own travel and subsistence expenses. Gift Aid received, may at the behest of the board be applied to running costs, insurance and media devlopment, etc. 

Accounts: The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining the ongoing and annual set of accounts. These will be formally verified before submission to the AGM and to OSCR. Some funds may be held in restricted budget form to reflect the purposes for which they have been obtained or donated.

Minutes: All formal meetings will be recorded and a set of minutes kept, ready for subsequent approval.

Reporting: The main reports each year will be those submitted to the Annual General Meeting, from the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Requisite annual reporting to OSCR will then be submitted to meet necessary deadlines.

Trustees: These together form the body that is collectively and legally responsible for the administration and operation of the Trust. They are nominated and registered individually as per the relevant section of the Constitution. They must function as a coherent body and foster a high level of active engagement in order to carry out the work of the Trust.

Insurance: The Trust will hold standard public liability insurance cover. This will also set to protect Trustees.

Google Docs: The Trust has agreed to move towards keeping all documentation on this secure platform.

 

Peter Wright, General Secretary

27th November 2025