Board Of Trustees Treasurer Volunteer Roles

Joining Respond as a Trustee  - January 2024 

Background Information

Founded in 1991, Respond is a national charity that seeks to transform the lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people who have experienced trauma. We are committed to bringing about positive change for our clients and their families, enabling them to lead richer and more resilient lives.

Respond's services for children, young people and adults are:

• Survivors' psychotherapy 

• Family support services 

• Advocacy, including ISVA and domestic abuse services.

• Training, consultancy and reflective practice

Respond supports charities that campaign for equality and inclusion with the aim to prevent abuse and equip individuals and their families to come to terms with their experiences and live more positive lives. 

Our specialist training, supervision, reflective practice and consultancy equips agencies and health / social care providers to deliver trauma-informed services. This includes responding to and providing consultancy and training for significant events such as institutional abuse.

Our income base is diverse with trust funds and grants continuing to be a vital part of maintaining core services Respond offers, alongside donations from trusts and foundations. We also continue to have larger ongoing or spot contracts for our work for NHS commissioners and local authorities.

It is a good opportunity to join Respond's Board at this time, following our restructure and as we move towards the last year of our current strategy for 2022-25. Following a challenging period due to changing funding landscape and closure of some services, we will be focused on consolidation and improving impact measurement to secure long-term financial sustainability. 

The role of the Board of Trustees

The Trustees (or 'Board members') are trustees of the charity and directors of the limited company. They are responsible for the governance, setting the strategic direction and monitoring the implementation of the strategy. The Board ensures that the charity acts in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

The Board has responsibility for: 

• ensuring the charity acts in accordance with its charitable purpose and is providing public benefit and meets its legal obligations; 

• making decisions in the best interests of the charity; 

• developing the multi-year strategy; 

• monitoring the management of the finances and resources of the organisation (operations, budget, property, workforce and tenders); 

• monitoring performance, quality and impact;

• appointing and appraising the CEO. 

Who we’re looking for 

Following a recent skills audit within the current Board, the Board is seeking trustees with the following skills or experiences;

• Finance - This person will have a financial qualification and will enable the Board to ensure the sound financial health of the charity. The person will collaborate with the Finance Director to ensure that the organisation has systems that meet sector best practice and ensures financial accountability. This trustee will be the Treasurer and chair the Finance Committee.

• Human Resources (HR) - This person will have experience in working in HR roles, preferably in the voluntary sector. This person will help review and strengthen Respond’s HR policies, set up and lead the people committee and guide the Leadership team in dealing with complex HR issues including change management. 

• Fundraising, Marketing and Comms – This person will work closely with our Head of Development and Commissioning on our income strategy and communications strategy.

• Psychotherapy /working in a trauma informed setting – As an organisation providing psychotherapy and arts therapies for autistic people and people with learning disabilities, we are looking for a trustee with experience of working as a therapist with a systems-psychodynamic approach.

The Board wants to ensure that the charity's 'beneficiaries' are represented in its governance. We encourage applications from people who have lived experience of autism, learning disabilities and/or trauma-informed work (either directly or through family members).  How the Board carries out meetings will also be reviewed to accommodate adjustments requested by new trustees with learning disabilities or who are autistic. (Please refer to a separate document if you or someone you know with lived experience may be interested) 

Person Specification 

The following knowledge, experience and skills are essential for the role: 

• a commitment to the mission of Respond;

• senior experience, ideally including one or more of the following areas – finance, human resources, fundraising/marketing, legal, compliance, hard-to-reach communities, caring/social care, psychotherapy, commissioning.

• ability to identify creative solutions to problems within limited resources; 

• good analytical skills; 

• ability to think strategically; 

• independence and flexibility in thinking; 

• ability to communicate efficiently and connect with a wide range of people, internally and externally; 

• a willingness to meet the minimum time requirement (see below);

• an understanding of the legal duties of trusteeship set out in the Charity Commission's 'The Essential Trustee'; and

• an ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to make decisions for the good of Respond.

Trustees will be expected to demonstrate the following personal attributes: 

• good interpersonal skills including listening; 

• commitment to excellence and high expectations of self and others; 

• values people and the contribution of all stakeholders; 

• sound judgment;

• team-oriented with a supportive approach. 

Respond is dedicated to developing opportunities for Trustees to be appointed reflecting greater and varied diversity among our Board of Trustees, so we welcome applications by suitably qualified candidates irrespective of gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital or parental status, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. We particularly welcome applications from Black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented on the board.

What we offer 

New trustees will:

• Receive induction and training;

• Develop new skills and competencies; 

• Meet new people and develop professional networks;

• Contribute to ensuring that the charity offers high quality effective services to autistic people and people with learning disabilities who have experienced trauma, who are in need;

• An annual appraisal

Time requirement - What is involved? 

Trustees attend eight Board meetings per year approximately every six-eight weeks currently on a Tuesday evening 5:30pm to 8pm. Meetings are in London, and remote access is available for trustees who live/work outside London.

Each Trustee is expected to be an active member of the Respond community, committing 5 to 10 hours per month to the charity which may also involve being on a sub-committee such as; Finance Committee, Clinical Governance and Safeguarding Committee each of which meets four times per year, typically during normal office hours online or in London.

Trustees are expected to attend an induction session at Respond prior to their first Board meeting. Trustees are expected to attend all Board meetings. Other meetings are away-days over a weekend.

Trustees are invited to the annual general meeting, which takes place typically in November.

Trustees may claim expenses incurred in effectively carrying out their duties, in accordance with Respond’s Trustee Expenses Policy. 

Papers are distributed one week in advance of meetings. In addition, Trustees are expected to review documents and communicate with other board members and senior staff between meetings. Every effort will be made to ensure that trustees with learning disabilities or who are neurodiverse have access to documents in formats that they can understand or have the support available for them to fully participate as trustees.

Occasionally, circumstances may require urgent meetings (either face-to-face or virtual) to examine strategic issues or items requiring Board approval 

Duration of the role 

Board terms are for a five-year term following which the person can be elected to serve another three years.

• The Board of Trustees work with the Chief Executive at a strategic level to ensure the organisation is effective within its aims and objectives.
• The Board, made up of 6 Trustees, meet with the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive, approximately every two months, to discuss the wider obligations and challenges of the specific sector in which we work
• The Board have a joint responsibility with the Chief Executive to ensure the charity complies with good practice and legal obligations.
• The Board through the Chairman and Treasurer work with the Chief Executive and their Deputy to ensure finance and resources are adequate for the needs of the organisation
• The Board support the Chief Executive through the Chairman, in order for her to carry out the management of the Charity
• Trustees should act with integrity and in the interests of the organisation and its clients and staff
• The Board takes and gives advice and guidance to and from the Chief Executive as required.

We are especially interested in applications from people with some experience working or have worked in the following sectors:

• Medicine
• Social Work
• Local Government
• Religion

Please contact Jo Rising in the first instance for further information.

We are seeking a Trustee Treasurer to help to manage our finances and investments, as well as being involved in strategic decision-making and grant giving.

The Lipman Miliband Trust is a charity whose purpose is to support socialist research and education as well as “educational activities that raise public awareness and understanding of struggles and movements for peace, human rights and a more equal, diverse co-operative and democratic society.”

The Trust was established by socialist businessman Michael Lipman in 1974 and academic Ralph Miliband until his death in 1994. We are celebrating fifty years of the Trust’s existence this year – and looking forward to the next 50!

Having benefited from a significant increase in resources in recent years we have started on an exciting new phase of our development that has meant increasing staff support and expanding our outreach, fund-raising and grant-giving activities.

We are currently a Board of ten trustees and we are now seeking a Trustee Treasurer who shares our values and our belief in the vital importance of socialist education. You will work with our Trust Coordinator as well as external advisors and accountants in helping to manage our finances and investments, and be a member of our Governance and Finance Working Group. As is the case with all charities, our finances are critical to the success of our work so experience or understanding of financial management and accounting would be very welcome. This is a voluntary, unpaid post, but we are happy to pay for appropriate additional training and there will be a lot of support from the Trust Coordinator and other trustees. 

Being a Trustee is a significant commitment and responsibility, but it is also hugely rewarding. The role will require you to attend each of our four Trustee meetings a year, and to participate in regular online meetings of the Finance & Governance Working Group. You will be part of strategic decision-making about the Trust, contribute towards the Trust’s governance and take part in decisions about grant awards.

We are based in different locations around the country and most of our work is conducted online, however we aim to meet in-person as a Board at least twice a year.

Treasurer Role Description

About us

We are a global alliance of  47 local organisations in 38 countries, working on the front line with children and families in need. Our vision is a world in which children and families everywhere have access to the support they need to survive and thrive. Our mission is to make that happen through research, knowledge exchange, campaigning and humanitarian responses. We are registered as a charity under the Charity Commission for England and Wales and have two subsidiaries registered in New Zealand and in the US.

What we do

As local practitioners, we provide direct support every day to children and families in our communities, based on our frontline knowledge of what they need most. As an alliance, we use this local insight to inform research, practice exchange, campaigning and humanitarian responses. These lead to change nationally, regionally and globally. Through research, we gather and analyse evidence to discover and develop better ways to help children and families to live well. Through knowledge exchange, we maximise the reach of solutions that have been shown to work so they can be used to support even more children and families. Through campaigning, we influence and inspire others to take action for children and families worldwide.

For more information about our work and our members, please visit our website.

About the role

We are looking for a Treasurer with experience of working with not for profits in setting strategic financial direction and it would be desirable if they have experience in complying with the regulations of the Charity Commission for England and Wales or similar regulatory bodies.

You would be joining our board at an exciting time, as we implement our new strategy, build on our campaigns and broaden our advocacy to mobilise greater support and achieve change. In line with this, we have built our model on realistic income forecasts, we plan to maintain the net unrestricted funds available, we are building restricted funding streams to fund our thematic priorities, we continue to align income and expenditure on 6 month, 12 month and 18 month time horizons and we carefully manage the commitment of our remaining surplus reserves.

Responsibilities of the Treasurer

In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee (see below), the responsibility of the Treasurer is to maintain an overview of the organisation's affairs, ensuring its financial viability and that the organisation has policies and systems in place to ensure robust financial planning, implementation and reporting.  For example, by taking a lead role on behalf of the board in:

• Reviewing budgets, accounts and financial statements, and recommending them to the Board for approval

• Being assured that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs

• Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate reserves policy

• Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place

• Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate investment policy

• Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and the relevant statutory bodies

• Ensuring that the accounts are scrutinised through external audits and internal reviews and that any recommendations are implemented

• Keeping the Board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities

• Making a formal presentation of the accounts at the General Meeting and drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way

• Chairing the Resource Mobilisation and Communications Committee (formerly the Finance and Human Resources Committee) and leading meetings three times a year

• Ensuring that organisation has processes in place to meet any compliance requirements 

• Ensuring the organisation has a risk management process in place

• Reviewing and signing financial transactions and other documentation that requires board approval 

Family values mutual accountability and has a Responsibility Framework which outlines responsibilities and rights for board trustees, members and staff. The Treasurer has a key role in ensuring that mutual accountability is upheld in areas of finance by identifying and highlighting potential conflicts of loyalty..

General duties of a trustee of a Trustee of Family For Every Child 

• To ensure that Family for Every Child complies with its governing documents, UK charity law, UK company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations of a UK registered charity

• To ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its Articles of Association, and that it uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects

• To ensure that the organisation operates within the parameters laid down by the members in the Governance Manual

• To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.  In doing so, to ensure that the Board has taken account of input from the membership

• To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation

• To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation

• To ensure the financial stability of the organisation

• To monitor the performance of the Chief Executive Officer

• To represent the organisation externally

• To represent the board on relevant subsidiary entities

Person specification

We are looking for someone with the following experience and capability:

All trustees need to have the following: 

• Understanding, or commitment to acquire an understanding, of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trustees of a UK charity. Acceptance of these duties, responsibilities and liabilities, and a commitment to operate within them.

• Good, independent judgement and the ability to operate at a strategic level.

• An ability and willingness to work as a part of a team and to support the staff team.

• Understanding and empathy with Family for Every Child’s vision, mission, values and beliefs.

In addition to the trustee person specification, the Treasurer needs to have: 

• Financial and business experience at a senior management or director level

• An understanding of the charity sector, for example an appreciation of the operations, accounting (including SORP) and legal framework in the UK

• Experience in complying with the regulations of the Charity Commission for England and Wales or a similar regulatory body

• Significant experience of financial management and strategy

• Some experience of charity fundraising is desirable

• The skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences.

Desirable, but not essential requirements:

• experience of working with or on a board

• a qualified member of a recognised accountancy body 

• Experience of both local and international not for profits.

Time Commitment

This is a substantial and responsible role, and will suit someone able to commit about 18-20 hours three times a year. This includes about 18 hours a year for meetings (which are held on Zoom at a time which is most mutually convenient for attendees in different time zones), as well as time for reading and preparation. 

Board and committee meetings are three times a year, and there may be ad hoc meetings between the regular meetings. If the Treasurer also sits on the board of a subsidiary entity, there are additional three board meetings. In addition, trustees are requested to provide support and guidance to the CEO and other Secretariat staff on an ongoing basis. 

The initial term is a three-year period which can be reviewed by the Board.. 

Our commitment to diversity

We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. Family’s board is international and we wish to continue to strengthen representation of different cultures and world views. We are hoping to appoint a Treasurer to bring further diversity to our board, and who will enrich our governance by bringing different perspectives and experiences, which reflect our global alliance.  The Treasurer does not have to be based in the UK, or be a UK national, and we welcome candidates outside Europe and the US.

Remuneration 

Please note that this is an advisory role, with no remuneration. Expenses for travel, as

required, will be reimbursed by Family for Every Child in accordance with our policies.

Family for Every Child has zero-tolerance for abuse and exploitation of all people and all Trustees are expected to understand and comply with the Safeguarding policy (which includes the safeguarding code of conduct) and other related policies.

Are you passionate about mental health support and peer advocacy? Do you possess financial expertise and a desire to make a difference in the lives of others? If so, we invite you to become our Treasurer/Finance Trustee at The Anthony Seddon Fund!

At The Anthony Seddon Fund, we are dedicated to providing a safe and supportive space for individuals to connect, share experiences, and receive peer-driven mental health support. Our mission is to empower individuals on their journey towards mental wellness, and as Treasurer/Finance Trustee, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the financial health and sustainability of our organisation.

Why Join Us?

· Meaningful Impact: Your financial oversight will directly contribute to the continued growth and effectiveness of our peer support programmes, positively impacting the lives of those we serve.

· Flexible Commitment: With an approximate time commitment of 8-10 hours per month, this role offers flexibility to accommodate your schedule while still making a significant difference in our organisation.

· Collaborative Environment: Work alongside dedicated peers and volunteers who share your passion for mental health advocacy and support.

Key Responsibilities

· Financial Management: Oversee the financial operations of The Anthony Seddon Fund, including budgeting, financial reporting, and fiscal planning.

· Budget Oversight: Collaborate with the Board of Directors to develop and monitor annual budgets, ensuring alignment with our mission and strategic goals.

· Fundraising Support: Assist in developing fundraising strategies and initiatives to support our programmes and services, including grant applications and donor stewardship.

· Compliance and Governance: Ensure compliance with financial regulations and best practices for nonprofit organisations, providing guidance on financial policies and procedures.

Qualifications

· Financial Expertise: Demonstrated experience in financial management, accounting, or related fields.

· Commitment: Willingness to dedicate approximately 8-10 hours per month to fulfil the responsibilities of the role.

· Team Player: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with fellow trustees, staff, and volunteers.

· Passion for Mental Health: A genuine commitment to our mission of promoting mental wellness and peer support.

How to Apply

If you are ready to contribute your financial expertise to support our peer-driven mental health initiatives, we would love to hear from you! Please submit your resume and a brief statement of interest outlining your relevant experience and why you are passionate about joining our team.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of individuals living with mental health challenges! Together, we can create a community of support and empowerment.

Treasurer needed for an established psychotherapy charity. We are part way through a change process at Share having moved premises in 2023. We are developing and strengthening our clinical services, improving our administrative and business systems and strengthening our financial position. We want to build upon our position as a centre of excellence in psychotherapy and make an even bigger contribution to improving mental health in Sheffield.

Would you like to volunteer for an established psychotherapy charity? We work at the vital intersection of psychological distress and poverty in the city and provide an excellent learning environment for qualified and qualifying counsellors and therapists alike.

We’re looking for a suitably qualified accountant to join us as our Treasurer, taking the lead on financial matters but also playing a full role on the Board of Trustees in the overall management of the charity.

The role would suit an experienced accountant wishing to contribute on a voluntary basis to a valuable charitable cause. Equally it would provide excellent board level experience for a young professional at an earlier stage in their career.

We have strong clinical services, administrative and business systems in place and continue to seek to increase and diversify our income. We want to make an even bigger contribution to improving mental health in Sheffield and we’re especially keen to attract people from minority communities to the Board.

For an informal chat please contact one of the co-chairs, Lynn or Astrid.

Worcestershire Association of Carers (WAC) is a well-established charity with passionate staff and volunteers who have a good reputation for delivering. We provide an independent expert source of information, advice and support for the thousands of unpaid adult carers in and around Worcestershire. We understand the role of unpaid carers and the huge contribution they make to the community. We assist carers through a range of personalised services provided directly and through signposting to other sources of help. When carers receive the best possible services available to them, they are empowered to continue caring more effectively, continue to have a life beyond caring and are less likely to suffer health breakdown.

We are looking for an experienced financial manager who is based in a commutable distance from Worcester to join our Board as Treasurer. As well as being a trustee, you will oversee the financial administration of WAC, and advise the Board of Trustees on the Charity’s financial health, liaising with the Chief Executive and Finance Manager.

NNRF is seeking a new Chair to work in partnership with our members and trustee board to lead the organisation into its next phase of development. We are seeking someone with excellent leadership skills and governance experience, who is passionate about the needs of refugees and asylum seekers. 

Established in 2000, we are an independent registered charity set up to work with and for refugees and asylum seekers in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Our Vision is a society where asylum seekers and refugees are welcomed, receive fair and compassionate treatment and the support to rebuild their lives. 

NNRF currently employs 50 staff members and has a Trustee Board of 12 who ensure the charity runs according to its constitution and statutory obligations. Board meetings are held in person, bi-monthly. Most trustees also sit on one or more sub-committees reporting to the Board. 
Key Duties and Responsibilities of the Chair of NNRF 

The Chair along with the other board members has the primary function of holding the management team to account, ensuring they work effectively to promote the charity’s objectives. 

To this end you will provide inclusive leadership, ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity. The Chair will also support the Director and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the entire workforce, including volunteers, to achieve agreed objectives. You will act as an ambassador and the public face of the charity in partnership with the Director. 

Six Board meetings are held per year. The Chair is supported by an active Board and is expected to have regular meetings with the vice chair, the treasurer, and the director. The chair may be called upon to represent the Charity at occasional events with key stakeholders. The Chair sits on the finance and human resource committees which meet monthly, and is supported by the treasurer, vice-chair and secretary to the Board.

Process of selection

All trustees are elected by our membership at the annual general meeting in November. The current board will nominate candidates for election following an interview with the Chair and Vice-chair. The nomination would require the prospective Chair to attend board meetings as a co-opted member prior to the AGM. 
If elected as a board member, the new Chair will be mentored by the current Chair in the first few six months of the role. The Board will review the Chair’s appointment after six months.

Join our team! We are looking for two new trustees to join Solving Kids’ Cancer UK on its journey towards a future where no child dies of the childhood cancer neuroblastoma or suffers due to the treatment they receive. We are particularly looking for one new trustee with personal lived experience of neuroblastoma.

Solving Kids’ Cancer UK is a very special charity with a dedicated and passionate team of staff and trustees – we are proud of our parent-led ethos, which means that parents with lived experience of neuroblastoma work at every level of our charity to help ensure we remain focused on addressing the challenges faced by the people who need our support most.

In your role as a trustee you will use your skills, knowledge, and experience to support and have accountability for the oversight of the charity’s activities at a strategic level. You will apply commitment, focus, effective communication, and team working to help the charity achieve the greatest impact for children and families.

Although this is a role with significant responsibility, please do not be put off applying. You will receive a great induction to help you settle in and plenty of ongoing support and guidance to become successful in your role. If you’d benefit from an informal chat before applying, please get in touch with Claire - you will find details in the Trustee Pack. 

Summary of main responsibilities

Your overall responsibility as trustee will be to provide direction and stewardship for Solving Kids’ Cancer UK in support of its charitable aims, by:

· Setting the charity’s vision, mission, and values.

· Developing a strategy to achieve its objectives and monitoring its performance.

· Ensuring the charity seeks and considers the views of current and future users.

· Acting as guardian of the charity’s assets.

· Ensuring compliance with constitutional, legal, regulatory, and fiduciary requirements.

· Ensuring the charity’s governance is maintained to the highest possible standard.

You can find lots more information about the role and charity in the Trustee Pack.

Recruitment timetable

We aim to follow the schedule outlined below:

Applications close: 19 April 2024, 11:59pm

Shortlisting: End of April

Interviews: May – we will contact you to arrange a convenient time

Start date: ASAP but in agreement with successful applicants

If there are any adjustments that would help you to engage with the recruitment process, please let us know.

Safeguarding: As a safeguarding charity whose work and practice are underpinned by safeguarding principles to protect children and young people and enhance their welfare, we always work in accordance with legislation, statutory guidance, and best safeguarding practices. All our roles require a basic criminal record check.

Calibre Audio is a national charity providing an audiobook and audio content service to anyone who is print disabled.

Our members may be blind, partially sighted, have dyslexia or other learning difficulties or even be unable to hold a book. Whatever the reason for their struggle to access print, our vision is an inclusive society where everyone has access to audiobooks.

This pack outlines more about what we do and the impact of our work which we hope you find informative.

Our Board of Trustees is highly motivated with a genuine commitment to use their business and life experience to help make a difference. We are currently looking to appoint a new Trustee to take on the position of Treasurer, joining the Board to support the charity as it moves into an exciting period of growth and development. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2024, it is more important than ever that the charity is well positioned to broaden its membership and to maximise the opportunities presented by the ever-changing technology landscape.

To fulfil the position of Treasurer we are looking for someone who can oversee the monitoring of the organisation’s finances on behalf of the Board. A personal connection to the experiences of our members (visual impairment, dyslexia etc) is useful, but not essential. Other important skills include the ability to be visionary, think strategically and to influence key stakeholders, both within your sphere of expertise and more broadly. Strong communication skills along with a collaborative approach and a commitment to our aims are also vital.

If you have the enthusiasm, skills and experience to help us drive growth and increase our impact, we would love to hear from you.

We are excited to invite passionate and dedicated individuals to join us as Trustees and contribute to the establishment and development of our charity organisation. Our mission is to inspire humanity through education for change and growth, focusing on adulthood. If you are enthusiastic about shaping the future and making a meaningful impact, we want you on our team!

About believe-IN

At believe-IN, we are committed to being facilitators of change for individuals and organisations in transitions. Our mission is to provide lifelong educational services that empower adults to manage life changes effectively, fostering growth and preventing mental health declines. Grounded in humanistic principles, our values of Knowledge, Education, Leadership, Integrity, and Courage guide us in creating exceptional life outcomes for all.

We operate with a one-stop-shop concept, offering a variety of educational and training programs, activities, and initiatives to help individuals develop essential life skills, enhance personal development, and improve overall well-being during critical life changes.

Our Social Impact

Inspired by lifespan developmental psychology and human rights principles, believe-IN strives to create a brighter, more empowered future. We believe in providing a holistic and inclusive platform accessible to all, fostering a more harmonious and equitable society for everyone.

The Trustee Role

As a Trustee, you will be a key decision-maker, responsible for supporting the organisation's direction, values, and governance structure. Your dedication and leadership will be essential in shaping believe-IN's future. We are specifically seeking individuals for the following roles:

1) Treasurer:

 2) Fundraising Professional

 3) Community Development Professional

 4) Secretary

We are looking for individuals who bring energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to the role, broadening the diversity of thinking on our board.

Application Notes

Applications can be made by sending a conventional CV (2-page max) and a covering letter (2-page max) outlining your interest and suitability for the role.

Join us in creating a world where everyone believes in themselves and can make the life they wish and deserve happen!

ABOUT THE KEY
The Key is a North East charity committed to inspiring young people to believe in themselves, especially those living in deprivation and facing challenging personal circumstances. Our work is built upon four core beliefs that young people should be empowered to:

• Empowered to use their voice and be heard
• Trusted to lead and deliver projects meaningful to them
• Supported to build the skills and confidence they need to thrive
• Inspired to be active citizens by exploring enterprise or tackling social issues in their community

ABOUT THE TREASURER ROLE
We're looking for a volunteer treasurer to join our valued board of trustees and play a pivotal role in ensuring our organisation is well governed and complies with all financial legislation and good practice relating to charities and charitable income.

Our board meets 6 times per annum combining in-person with remote meetings to benefit all members. In addition, our finance & risk sub-committee meets ahead of main board meetings, approximately 2 weeks in advance, to fully review our financial position and any risks posed to the organisation, be they financial or otherwise.

The treasurer will work with our CEO, internal team and external accountant to ensure income and expenditure is in line with forecast / budget and will work to understand any variances. Our treasurer will support the team in ensuring that processes and systems are fit for purpose, reflective of the size of the organisation and do not add unnecessary burdens.

The CEO and treasurer will work together in reviewing monthly management accounts as well as supporting any requests to add expertise to project proposals and financial plans which differ to usual ways of working. The treasurer will be supported by our chair of trustees and will also maintain regular contact. Whether you're an experienced trustee or looking for your first trusteeship, we will provide the required support and training to help you take on this voluntary role.

Role Title: Trustee Treasurer
Salary: Unpaid (travel expenses paid)
Appointment: mid/end of May 2024
Start Date: June 2024

Counterpoints Arts is a leading national organisation working at the intersection of arts, migration and social change. For 11 years, Counterpoints Arts has been at the vanguard of cultural commissioning and practice, supporting and producing the arts by and about migrants and refugees, ensuring that their contributions are recognized and welcomed within British arts, history and culture.

The range of Counterpoints Arts’ work has grown considerably since it was founded in 2012 and we are now seeking a new Treasurer with a strong financial background and the skills and experience that will complement those of existing Board members. We are particularly interested in recruiting someone whose values align with the charity's mission and overall team culture.

Counterpoints Arts aims to attract and retain talented people from all backgrounds to its Board of Trustees. We particularly welcome applications from those who have been historically excluded from the cultural sector, including people with lived experience of displacement, people of colour and other ethnic minorities, people who identify as LGBTQIA, disabled people and people from a working class background.

About the role

The role of the Trustee Treasurer is to maintain oversight at Board level of Counterpoints Arts’ finances, and is primarily a governance and strategic role that does not involve any day-to-day involvement in bookkeeping. Please note that this is an unpaid role, with travel expenses covered.

Responsibilities:

• Contributing updates alongside other Trustees and the Director at quarterly meetings
• Supporting the Director with review of monthly management accounts and presenting financial reports at each meeting
• Leading on key policies at Board level, where relevant, for example the Reserves policy / Anti-Fraud policy
• Leading on risk management and reporting at each meeting
• Ensuring correct review and sign off of year end accounts and that accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and the relevant statutory bodies
• Acting as a signatory for other relevant forms, such as grant agreements
• Keeping the Board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities
• Sitting on recruitment and disciplinary panels, as needed
• Be available to provide ad hoc support and guidance outside of quarterly Board meetings and in exceptional circumstances, as needed

Essential Requirements:

• Alignment with and a commitment to the aims, overall mission and culture/values of Counterpoints Arts
• Experience in a senior role, for example Operations Director or similar in the private, public or not for profit sector
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the Board and to advocate for Counterpoints Arts’ vision and programme
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• An openness to share with Counterpoints Arts your extended expertise, pathways and networks
• An ability to work and contribute effectively as a member of a Board and to take decisions for the overall good of Counterpoints Arts
• Excellent references

In addition to the above person specification for a trustee, candidates for the role of Treasurer should also have the following experience:

• Financial qualifications and experience
• Some experience of fundraising and pension schemes
• Knowledge of the entities and processes that govern charitable organisations
• Skills to analyse proposals/documents and examine their financial consequences  

Desirable Experience includes:

• Experience of working in the charity sector or in the field of arts/migration.

The successful candidate for the Trustee Treasurer position at Counterpoints Arts will gain the opportunity to contribute strategically to an organisation at the forefront of promoting arts, migration, and social change. Additionally, they'll be able to benefit from working with a highly collaborative and dedicated team and from enriching their network and experience in the arts and charity sectors.

Time Commitment

The Trustee Board meets once each quarter for an average of 2 hours. Trustees are then required to commit the time necessary to follow up on agreed action points. In addition, Counterpoints Arts may organise more structured meetings to discuss specific matters and strategy directly or on issues that are urgent. Trustees are also invited to attend the events organised by Counterpoints Arts.

Values and Beliefs underpinning our work

Our work is organised around a set of core values and beliefs that guide our work and inform our decisions.

Our working culture, created through the interactions of our staff, volunteers, trustees, artists, partners and wider network, is based around the principles of mutual respect, collaboration, trust, care, generosity, transparency, accountability and deep commitment to our work.

We are dedicated to ensuring fairness and equity for all staff, regardless of their position, gender, age, race, religion, or background.

How To Apply

Please send the following documents to us by email with ‘Trustee Treasurer Application’ as the subject, by Sunday 28th April 2024:

• An up-to-date, comprehensive CV
• Covering letter (max one page) outlining how you meet the role and person specification criteria
• A completed Equality Diversity Form.

We encourage applicants to apply even if you don’t feel like you meet every criteria, and please contact us if you have any questions about the role.

We will review all applications by 5th May and then carry out interviews week commencing 6th May and we aim to recruit for this position by end of mid/end of May 2024.

We are a young charity that seeks to bring amazing people together to make stories to change the
world. Rewriting Earth, a global collaboration of the most influential storytellers on Earth united behind one cause, our planet. Our primary focus is on reaching those people who are less informed and indifferent to what is happening to all life on our planet and who are currently less committed to taking personal action. We use cool and viral content to connect disengaged audiences. 

We are currently working on an ambitious period of expansion and we are looking for a Treasurer with relevant experience to oversee the financial affairs of the organisation to ensure they're within accepted accounting practice. Please see the Application Pack for further information on the role specification.