Chair Of Trustees Volunteer Roles

NIDAS supports women and families with all aspects of domestic abuse with confidential support and a variety of bespoke services. NIDAS, located in Mansfield, helps women to stay safe, grow their self-esteem and go on to build happy, healthy relationships. We believe being free from abuse is only the start of the journey.

Role Description

The role of the Chair of Trustees is to give leadership to the board and to make sure the board fulfils its duties and responsibilities. Additionally, the Chair of Trustees works closely with the CEO to support her/him to achieve the aims of NIDAS, and, at times, represent NIDAS at functions, meetings and in the press, and broadcasting media. 

Level of Commitment

• Six-weekly board meetings
• Participating in a sub-committee and/ or ad hoc groups
• Regular meetings with the CEO
• Represent NIDAS at various events and meetings with stakeholders

Duties

In addition to the responsibilities of a trustee, the Chair of Trustees' duties are to: 

• Provide leadership to the organisation and the board by ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of its charitable purposes in order to deliver the greatest public benefit. 
• To ensure that the Annual Reports and accounts are produced at the end of each year for presentation to the Annual General Meeting and to ensure that they are forwarded to the Charity Commission within the appropriate time period. 
• Chair and facilitate board meetings and the Annual General Meeting encouraging full participation by all attending. 
• Establish sub-committees and working groups to address specific issues/tasks as deemed appropriate by the board, and to call upon specialist skills of his/her fellow Officers and Trustees in relation to those groups, and to participate in such groups as appropriate. 
• Give direction to board policy making. 
• Check that decisions taken at meetings are implemented. 
• Represent the organisation at functions and meetings and act as a spokesperson when appropriate. 
• Bring impartiality and objectivity to decision making. 
• Liaise with the CEO to keep an overview of the organisation’s affairs. 
• Lead the process of supporting and appraising the performance of the CEO. 
• Sit on senior appointment, and disciplinary panels. 

The Chair of Trustees will also work with the CEO to: 

• Plan and set the agenda for the Annual General meeting with the Secretary. 
• Plan the annual cycle of board meetings and agendas for each meeting with the Secretary. 
• Develop the board of trustees including induction, training, appraisal and succession planning. 
• Address conflict within the board and within the organisation, and liaise with the CEO to achieve this.

Person Specification

In addition to the specification for a trustee, the Chair of Trustees requires the following qualities: 

• Strong leadership skills 
• Experience of chairing meetings and/or committee work 
• Ability to balance tact and diplomacy with willingness to challenge and constructively criticise 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Impartiality and fairness
• Good understanding of legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship. 
• Previous trusteeship 

Chair of Trustees

Voluntary

Location: Shrewsbury, Shropshire (Office)

Can be located within a commutable distance 

Approximately equating to 4 days per month on average for a four-year term + Council Meetings and AGM

Closing Date: 7 June 2024

1st Interviews: 18 June 2024

Second interviews:  26 or 27 June 2024

Our client are at an exciting time in the Trust’s development. In 2022 they adopted a new theory of change and impact measurement framework setting out how we will implement The Trusts’ strategy for 2030 in Shropshire. They build on the Trust’s strong reputation and detailed experience to develop ambitious new programmes to deliver the strategic goals in Shropshire, and in partnership with other Trusts in the Severn basin and the Wilder Marches.   

Our client are looking for a forward thinking and inclusive Chair, who can combine personal humility with an urgency to achieve the Trust’s strategic goals and the drive to support ongoing organisational development. This is a demanding, yet rewarding, role suited to someone who can navigate through complex relationships and communicate well at all levels.

Experience of conservation is not essential. More important is an understanding of governance and of the charity sector, an ability to see the strategic picture, lead change, and harness the skills of talented board members.

What you will be doing:  

Our cleint are looking for those who can lead the trustee board in ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation by ensuring that the organisation acts in accordance with its constitution, the Charity Commission Code of Practice and by managing its activities. You'll work in partnership with the Chief Executive helping them to achieve the Trust’s strategic goals, and with the trustee board ensure appropriate line management of the CEO. 

Further to this they’re looking for those who can optimise the relationship between the board and staff/volunteers; and between our client and the other Trusts and attend all board meetings plus events such as open days, conferences and leaders days where appropriate. 

What our client is looking for:  

• Experience as a Chair

• A natural team player and good listener

• Leading, motivating, and empowering others

• Building trusting relationships – diplomatic, gutsy but caring

• Rational, clear thinker who forms judgements independently

• Developing strategy and effecting change

• Leading with a visionary and strategic perspective

• Some understanding of relevant legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities (although training will be given)

• Financial acumen

It would be advantageous to have experience in a not-for-profit/public sector organisation, however this is not essential.

The role requires a time commitment – approximately equating to four days per month on average for a four-year term, which can be renewed by mutual agreement. In addition, there are four council meetings and an AGM to chair annually (currently there is no vice-chair). This is a voluntary position; it is not remunerated although expenses are reimbursed.   

Our client value passion, respect, trust, integrity, strength in diversity, and pragmatic activism. Whilst they are passionate in promoting their aims, they are not judgemental and are inclusive. They want their people to be as diverse as nature, so they particularly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented within their sector, including people from minority backgrounds and people with disabilities. They are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities.  

The Trust is committed to building an equal, diverse and inclusive workforce they encourage applications from a diverse range of suitably qualified candidates.

No enquiries from agencies or for further advertising will be taken. 

Who our client are 

Our client has a vision of a thriving natural world, where Shropshire's wildlife and natural habitats play a valued role in addressing the climate and ecological emergencies, and people are inspired and empowered to take action for nature. They combine projects across Shropshire (including Telford & Wrekin) with advocacy and campaigning to restore nature and to engage people. They manage over 40 nature reserves and have almost 50 staff, 300 volunteers, and over 9000 members. Our client are an autonomous charity, but they are increasingly working collectively, as part of The Trusts, to ensure that their local actions have a national impact and help to address global issues. 

Chair of Trustees

Role description:

We’re looking for someone with experience of working as a chairperson to join us as our Chair of Trustees, to help provide excellent leadership and ensure that everyone remains focused on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes.

About YBTC:

Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity began in 2003. It was originally named ‘Andrea’s Gift’, set-up in memory of Andrea Key, who died from a brain tumour aged 42.  Our vision is to cure a devastating disease that affects so many people, of all ages and background. Whilst we’re working to find a cure, we provide the best patient and family support network we can. We fund dedicated research projects across Yorkshire into treating and curing child and adult brain tumours to try to change those statistics for the better. At the same time, we support patients, carers and their loved ones who are impacted by this devastating disease now through our specialist support services.

Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour is currently unincorporated. We are currently undergoing the process of moving the charity structure to a CIO, which will provide limited liability for Trustees to third parties. This process will take approximately 6 months to complete, and our current reserves policy is to cover 6 months of expenditure.

What we’re looking for:

Personal competencies

The YBTC Chair of Trustees is expected to demonstrate all the following personal competencies and the capacity to apply these to the strategic development of a local charity:

Commitment

· Ability to understand and accept the duties and liabilities of being a Chair of Trustees

· Empathy with the vision, mission and strategic development of YBTC

· A willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort

Focus

· Ability to think and apply knowledge strategically and give direction to board policy-making.

· Ability to think creatively

· Ability to keep mission-focused

· Developing the board of trustees including induction, training, appraisal and succession planning

· Ability to analyse and evaluate management information and other evidence

· Willingness to listen and learn

Communication and team working

· Chairing and facilitating board meetings

· Representing the charity at functions and meetings

· Bringing impartiality to decision-making

· Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively and to take an active part in discussions

· Addressing conflict within the board and within the organisation, and liaising with the Charity Director to achieve this

· Ability to influence and engage

· Working with the Charity Director to plan meeting cycles and plan agendas

· Ability to lead a group effectively

· Willing to express their own opinion in a reasoned way, while also listening to the views of others

· Ability to challenge constructively and ask questions appropriately

Accountability

· Liaising with the Charity Director to keep an overview of the organisation’s affairs and to provide support as appropriate

· Ability to exercise sound and independent judgement

· Checking that decisions are implemented

· Willingness to make and stand by collective decisions, including those which may be unpopular

· Ability to manage difficult and/or challenging situations, sitting on appointment and disciplinary panels as required

· Ability to maintain confidentiality on confidential and/or sensitive information

· Leading the process of supporting and appraising the performance of the Charity Director

Skills and Experience

Management and Governance

· A chairperson’s role of a similar organisation

Specialist Expertise

· Charity Finance or Operations

· Fundraising

· Research Funding and the development of YBTC’s current funding strategy

· Patient Support & Service

· Human Resources or Legal

· PR, Marketing & Communications

The Paddy Holmes Foundation is a new charity that aims to raise money for funding transformational bursaries and funded scholarships.  Children who would otherwise not be able to attend an independent school will benefit from a Ditcham Park School education and develop into confident young people who go out into the world with the skills and desire to improve it.  This is a wonderful opportunity to lead this new Foundation from its very inception.

We are currently looking for a dynamic, creative and inspiring Chair of Trustees who can bring their energy and expertise to the organisation.

We are particularly keen to recruit a Chair who is experienced in the following areas:

• Previous experience in another small Charity
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of Charity governance
• Knowledge of fundraising, financial management, or legal matters is desirable but not essential
• An understanding of the independent school sector
• Experience in bid writing

This is an exciting time for Ditcham Park School as we develop and expand our offer and explore opportunities to identify and support exceptional young children in the Petersfield area, regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or financial means.

The inspirational peer to peer mental health charity is looking for an experienced Chair of Trustees to help us increase our fundraising and service reach.

We are developing an ambitious ten year startegy to grow our reach, embed service excellence in mental health and have a strong financial base for operations.

If you are passionate about mental health and have experience in governance, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Interviews with the interim Chair and Chief Executive will be on a rolling basis, so please dont delay putting in an application. Please send us your CV and a short covering letter to apply

                                                          Become Chair of Trustees for Suffolk Family Carers

Voluntary

                                                                                     Claydon/Hybrid

Suffolk Family Carers is seeking an exceptional candidate to be our new Chair of Trustees. This is an outstanding opportunity to oversee a dynamic and highly respected charity.

About us

Suffolk Family Carers is an award winning organisation, recognised for innovation, leadership and partnership working and for being an excellent employer. For over 35 years Suffolk Family Carers has been helping family carers of all ages across Suffolk get the support they need to live fuller lives. We provide information, advice, guidance and advocacy to thousands of family carers each year.

Our understanding of family carers’ needs enables us to campaign on issues that affect them, to ensure their voices are heard. We will keep driving change across society to enable family carers to have a life of their own alongside their caring role.

We are now looking for an experienced and collaborative leader to take on the role of Chair of the Trustee Board.

About the role

The new Chair will be experienced, skilled and motivated and share our commitment to the individuals, communities and partners we work with. Your role will be to preside over the established Trustee Board and work closely in partnership with the Chief Executive to deliver our strategic aims.

The Trustee Board consists of the Chair, Treasurer and 7 other members. Board members are responsible for overall governance of the organisation, including oversight of its strategic direction and financial management.

Our existing Chair is stepping down in December 2024 which will allow a handover time with the new Chair. 

In terms of time commitment, there are 5 board meetings per year, 2 development meetings and an AGM. Additionally the Chair will meet regularly, either in person or virtually, with the Chief Executive and other Trustees. This is an unpaid position but all reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

We welcome applications from all interested parties who feel they match well with the criteria in the person specification of the Chair role description.

To apply please send a detailed expression of interest stating why you would like to be the Chair of Trustees at Suffolk Family Carers and include your relevant professional experience as well as any experience or knowledge you may have around family carers to Suffolk Family Carers or if you would like to know more, please call and ask to speak to Kirsten Alderson, CEO.

Closing date: 2nd June 2024

Please find the full role description, person specification and further details on our website.

Caberfeidh Horizons is a vibrant social enterprise, working with adults and young people who have  learning disabilities, at the heart of their local community. We are looking for a new Chair and Trustees to join our Board. Applicants must live within the Badenoch and Strathspey area.

Our mission is to improve the future prospects of the adults and young people we work with by providing training, work experience and social opportunities to increase their confidence, health, life skills and community involvement.

We currently run three shops in Kingussie, a Charity Shop, Bookshop and Community Hub. Between them, they sell everything from books, clothes, children’s toys, furniture, bric-a-brac and more. Our main shop, The Hub also houses the Community Food share. For further information about who we are and what we do, please visit our website.

Trustees are appointed on a voluntary basis, and do not receive any remuneration. As a board member you will play a critical role in the future governance of the charity.  You will help to oversee the activities of the charity ensuring it remains compliant with regulations, help to set strategic development and help to shape its future.

This is a great opportunity for individuals with a passion for supporting our cause and gives the potential for the development of new/existing skills, to meet new people and support our community and to enhance the lives of those we support.

We are looking for people with H.R, I.T, Legal, Governance, Leadership, Strategic Planning and Fund Raising skills, who believe that they can really make a difference to our community. If this is you we would love to hear from you, contact details as per our website.

The closing date for these posts is on-going.

Chair of Trustees - Sansara

SANSARA is a vocal collective making choral music that matters, giving voice to powerful human stories.

It is recruiting for a new Chair of Trustees to chair its board that has strong governance, public health, finance, and creative arts experience, from the 1st of August 2024 or earlier, as the current Chair resigns on the 31st July 2024.

Choirs are living, breathing instruments with unmatched expressive potential. SANSARA channels this creative force to present compelling choral experiences at the highest level, from intimate a cappella performances to immersive electronic soundscapes and critically acclaimed recordings. Its core projects fuse artistic excellence with social engagement.

The Magpie Project are looking for a new Chair of Trustees to support their Board make strategic decisions for the benefit of the families the Magpie Project helps every day.

This is a wonderful opportunity for a charismatic leader to bring their charity experience and leadership skills to support the Board and the leadership team to ensure our organisation can continue meeting the increasing demand for our services.

Who we are

We believe all children have the right to a secure, safe place to play, healthy food, engaged, informed parents, and access to support, no matter what their family circumstances.

We provide a safe and fun place for mums and pre-school children suffering in temporary or insecure accommodation.

What will you do

• Provide leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees that enable the Board to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of The Magpie Project.
• Ensure that The Magpie Project pursues its objects as defined in its governing document, charity law, and other relevant legislation/applicable regulations.
• Work with the Board of Trustees to support the staff and volunteers, and mums’ steering committee, to ensure the Magpie Project adheres to its core values of coproduction, compassion, and trauma-informed work.
• Lead by example to enable the Board of Trustees to practice collaborative, informed, carefully considered, strategic decision making.
• Embody our commitment to active anti-racist, trauma-informed, child-centred, relationship-based working with women and children experiencing multiple disadvantages.

Who we are looking for

• Previous experience on the Board of a UK charity (essential).
• Knowledge of UK charity governance (essential).
• Fluent in written and spoken English (essential).
• Previous experience as Chair of a charity Board of Trustees (desirable).

We are keen to hear from those whose background and experience resonates with that of the women we support; applicants from a West African, Middle Eastern, Albanian heritage and those with experience of forced migration or homelessness.

Time commitment

Average 2-3 hours per week, although this will vary depending on the schedule of meetings and other events.

Chair of Trustees - Eggcup

Chair of trustees wanted to drive transformation from emergency food support to a sustainable model with a wider customer base. We seek someone with creative energy, analytical and communication skills to offer strategic leadership. Online/remote or Lancaster

Eggcup has supported about 1000 households weekly through its outlets and food coop. The charity has worked with the city council to deliver hardship schemes, including the Household Support Fund.  Over the next financial year, it expects to refocus away from low-cost commercial food management and onto acquisition of surplus food throughout the region. Its aim is to continue its food club outlets as it grows the affordable meal-production operation and opens a city centre cafe.

The ideal candidate would have knowledge of commercial food systems, as well as an interest in food sustainability, and would also hold values around fairness in society and the reduction of inequality and poverty.   They must confidently represent Eggcup to external organisations,  can offer light-touch supervision to the charity manager, analyse data effectively, and communicate clearly in meetings and in writing. The role is likely to require 2-4 hours per week as well as monthly meetings which take place via Zoom. It would be helpful to be able to visit the operation but the role can be undertaken remotely. The chair role does require commitment but the organisation has all the pieces in place for an enthusiastic person to come in and help to grow and shape the next stage of its food adventure. Energy and creative problem-solving are at least as important as experience, and Eggcup encourages anyone who is interested to get in touch for an informal chat with thecurrent Chair of Trustees.

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The Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology (TIMP), trading at Tavistock Relationships (TR) is looking to recruit a Chair of the Board of Trustees.
 
The Chair of Trustees is a key role in our organisation. Your leadership and commitment will ensure we continue to meet our aims and objectives. Please see the job description for full role details. 

Tavistock Relationships has been helping individuals, couples and families since 1948, and now provides more than 20,000 therapy sessions to individuals and couples every year, online and in person. 

Healthwatch Lambeth is looking for a new Chair of Trustees to be a credible and effective ambassador for the organisation in Lambeth. Healthwatch Lambeth is the independent champion of local people who experience or need health or social care. Its vision is that people have their health and social care needs heard, understood and met. To achieve this vision HWL works to bring the voices and experiences of local people to bear in decision making.

HWL is governed by a Board of trustees which provides effective, skilled oversight and direction to the organisation. The Board is a supportive group who will work closely with a new Chair to ensure HWL fulfils its vision and responsibilities.

The successful candidate will be excited at the prospect of joining HWL and working with a passionate and experienced staff team, as well as a skilled and committed Board, to raise HWL’s profile, ensure it is strategically positioned to influence and advocate for improvement in health and social care.

Due to the current Chair of the board's term ending in early 2024, Healthwatch Lambeth wishes to recruit a Chair of the board. We are also seeking new members to the Board of trustees including trustees with HR experience, finance experience and other skills relevant to Healthwatch Lambeth's work. We are particularly interested in appointing trustees who reflect the diversity of our borough. If you have not been appointed to a board role before, we encourage you to apply and we will provide mentorship and training to ensure you can fulfil the role. 

Please do not hesitate to ask any questions and if you think this could be for you.

Application instructions

You are welcome to speak informally with the CEO or present Chair to find out more. 

Please send a CV and covering letter explaining why you are interested in applying for the Chair role by midnight on 7th March.

Please get in touch if you are interested in a general trustee role.

Appointment process

Following receipt of your application, we will arrange an informal discussion with our Chair and CEO. The next stage is we will then interview individuals with 2 or 3 board members and if successful we will take up references. Following this, a recommendation will be made to the board on your appointment, and if successful you will be co-opted to the board and then formally elected at our AGM.

Our board of trustees work together to lead Pause, and have the ultimate responsibility for our success. They meet on a regular basis to discuss Pause’s progress, problems and the future. They listen to, support and challenge the Chief Executive and leadership team, to make sure they stay on track and meet all their legal obligations. They also work with the Pause Advisory Group, which is made up of women who have completed the Pause Programme, to ensure that women are consulted on and involved in crucial decision-making.

Pause currently has eight trustees who all have different skills, experience and expertise. What brings them together, is their passion for improving the lives of women who’ve had children removed from their care.

We are looking to recruit two new trustees and a new Chair. If you are interested in both roles, please apply via the Chair link.

Trustees will be engaged in:

• Strategy – thinking about the bigger picture and the future of Pause, and making sure there is a clear plan for getting there.  

• Support – making sure Pause employees feel well supported, listened to and understood.  

• Stretch – making sure the people in the organisation are ambitious.  

• Scrutiny – making sure the organisation is well run and safe.  

• Stewardship – to take care of the organisation and its people.  

Please see the recruitment pack on our website for more information.

We’d like to make this process as easy as possible for all candidates. We are happy to send out the Applied questions separately, for you to submit responses directly to us in writing or on video, or to find another approach that makes sense for you. We look forward to hearing from you.

If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to talk about an alternative way of applying, please contact us via our website. 

About BelEve UK

BelEve engages with girls and young women to support them in gaining skills, confidence, and self-belief to fulfil their potential, despite barriers in their lives that might suggest otherwise.

Through carefully crafted programmes, mentoring, events, and campaigns, bringing individuals and groups together helps to motivate them, reduce isolation, combat differences, and build strength across communities from the girls who are at the centre of these. Through the programmes, beneficiaries improve their social mobility, as well as their life and career prospects.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Chair who can lead our Board and support our Chief Executive to drive our charity’s long-term success, sustainability, and impactful growth.

Our new Chair will be an ambitious and visionary leader with a strong track record of governing complex organisations through change.

We are open to your professional background if you bring effective governance experience, strategic thinking and a good understanding of issues affecting the lives of girls and young women.

We are looking for a Chair with experience and expertise in the following areas:

• Experience of being a Chair
• Track record of relationship building, with stakeholders, partners, decision-makers, team, and Board
• Governance and organisational leadership experience
• Experience in creating strong partnerships with stakeholders and successfully influencing decision-makers
• Understanding of risk management and mitigation
• Ability to encourage positive change and innovation where appropriate.
• An understanding of the key challenges the organisation aims to tackle from issues impacting various communities of young women and girls
• Extrovert, Fun, Dynamic, and Engaging
• Values Led

For more information, please access the attached recruitment pack, our contact information can be located there.

How to Apply

If this role is of interest, please submit your CV and supporting statement via the link below.

Your statement should be up to 2 pages long (no more than 900 words), addressing the following statements:

• Please outline your demonstrable commitment to BelEve UK's mission and purpose and your motivation for applying.​
• Detail your previous experience and capabilities which you believe make you suitable for this Chair role.

Closing Date: Sunday 19th May 2024 at 23.59hrs

Our Commitment

BelEve is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from people from all sections of the community. We would like to encourage applicants from black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and those with disabilities.