Trustee Chair Volunteer Roles
Role: Chair of the Board of Trustees, West Smethwick Enterprise.
Salary: N/A - Voluntary Position.
Location: Birmingham/Sandwell.
Time commitment: Five x 3.5 hour Board meetings per year, plus the Mentorship of the Director of Childrens Services and occasionally representing the Charity at various events and meetings with key stakeholders.
The Chair is also expected to have regular meetings with the Director of Childrens Services to ensure that upcoming Board Meetings are well planned, efficient and the relevant information is available to enable Trustees to make timely and well-informed decisions. This would constitute approx. 8-16 hours per month in time commitment.
Closing date: 30th April 2024.
About West Smethwick Enterprise
West Smethwick Enterprise CIC is a community-based charity with an aim to improve outcomes for children and families in some of the most socially and economically challenged areas within the UK. We currently provide high quality Pre-Schools for children aged between 2-5, from 5 locations across Smethwick and Ladywood in Birmingham, as well as offering family support services for children and their families within the local community.
We are also building local professional capability for the Early Years sector itself through pioneering partnerships with Higher Education providers. This initiative is primarily driven through our Pre-School centre based in Ladywood, Birmingham.
As WSE’s Chair of the Board of Trustees (BoT), you will be responsible for engaging the Trustees to support our talented, committed employees to continue growing a sustainable, resilient and agile organisation, capable of delivering an ambitious strategy; developing talent and capability; building successful partnerships and attracting suitable investment/funding.
West Smethwick Enterprise in a nutshell
Pre-school settings – 5
Turnover - £800k
Staff numbers – 37
Our values: Kindness, Fairness, Determination, Collaboration and Imagination. These values are deeply ingrained in our culture and the way we work with our colleagues and with the children and families we serve
About the role
The operation and success of West Smethwick Enterprise is overseen by a capable, dedicated and experienced Board of Trustees and this is led by the Chair.
Working closely with their Board of Trustees, the Chair is responsible for ensuring that our WSE leadership team continue to deliver financial stability, strong operational grip, high quality children’s services and apply strong governance to the organisation. The Chair also plays a crucial role overseeing the development and successful delivery of the strategy.
The successful Chair will provide mentorship to the Director of Children’s services, who leads the organisation on a day-to-day basis, helping her to continue to create a climate where the wider team can thrive and achieve new heights.
The role is perfect for a leader who is an experienced people manager, passionate about supporting young children from economically disadvantaged areas to thrive, and wants to use their skills, professional network and experience for good.
It is a voluntary position, with reasonable travel costs and expenses being covered.
The Chair position is a central leadership role within WSE, with the successful candidate drawing on their skills and experience to ensure the organisation can develop to meet the growing requirement for high quality, low cost and/or grant funded pre-school education in the Birmingham Ladywood and Smethwick footprint. We are keen to hear from anyone who is passionate about our aims, has time to give and feels able to lead West Smethwick Enterprise through the next chapter of growth.
Please refer to the attached job description fro the full job specification.
Thank you for wanting to find out more about becoming a member of Age UK Lambeth’s Board.
Our Board members are unpaid volunteers called trustees. They fill an essential role in ensuring our charity improves the lives of older and vulnerable people around the borough of Lambeth. We hope that this pack lets you know more about the charity, the role of a trustee and how to apply to become one.
We currently have seven Board members with space for up to five more. We want to find people who have a desire to direct services that enable lives to be changed for the better. We want to increase the diversity of the Board bringing different life experiences which match the Lambeth community, broad and diverse as it is. Ideally we want people that bring new skills and experience or enhance those already in place, but this is not essential. It’s not necessary to have previous Board experience.
Please check the Recruitment Pack attached.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About the Role
The Bridge Project is a well-established Bradford based charity with over 35 years’ experience delivering services and projects addressing a range of issues such as substance misuse, risk taking behaviours, relationships, housing, physical/mental health, and employment. We work with individuals, families, partners, and communities to improve people’s lives in a sustainable way, empowering people experiencing multiple barriers to achieve positive change.
We currently employ over 120 staff, 40% of whom are ‘experts by experience’ and have joined us through our volunteering programme. We are recognised as being innovative and recovery focused, and our services have been highlighted nationally as examples of best practice in the sector. Our portfolio of services and projects are constantly evolving in response to the changing needs of our service users and our local communities. Currently this includes recovery focussed drug treatment services, housing and resettlement support, access to education, training, and employment (ETE), volunteering programmes, support for people engaged with criminal justice services and befriending/mentoring services for people with significant barriers to recovery and community reengagement.
What will you be doing?
Our Trustees play a pivotal role in governing the Bridge Project. They are responsible for setting our strategic vision and priorities, ensuring our financial sustainability, and providing guidance and oversight to our operations. Our Board is committed to excellence, and we are looking for new individuals to bring fresh knowledge and experience to join us in this important work. We’re committed to creating a Board which is representative of the communities we support, bringing together those with a variety of skills and experiences, to help shape what we do and how we work. We’re particularly keen to hear from candidates from ethnically diverse backgrounds and from woman, however, we would be pleased to hear from you if you feel you can add value to our Board and would like to help us to make a positive contribution. This is a rewarding role and you do not need to have experience of been a Trustee before, as there will be a comprehensive induction.
As a Trustee, you will have the opportunity to bring commitment, energy and enthusiasm to the role with a passion for doing your best. You will work alongside other talented Trustees, engage with our staff and stakeholders, and contribute to our collective mission of empowering people experiencing multiple barriers to achieve positive change.
Our Trustees play a vital role in making sure that the Bridge Project achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that the charity has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the senior leadership team to enable The Bridge Project to grow and thrive, and through this, achieve our mission.
Time Commitment
We ask that you are able to devote time to attend 4 Trustee Board meetings per year, 4 Sub-Committee meetings per year and 1 Planning meeting. These are a mixture of in-person meetings in Bradford and zoom meetings. Meetings are currently held in the evening. Trustees are also encouraged to visit our premises to meet with the staff team and meet the people we support.
What Difference will you make?
You will be joining a friendly, highly engaged, and passionate group of likeminded Trustees who are keen to deepen the impact of the Bridge Project in local communities. As a Trustee, you will have a real opportunity to offer your unique skill set to help the strategic direction of the charity and directly contribute to these objectives.
You will collectively be responsible for ensuring that the Chief Officer and his team not only grow our services to meet everyone that needs them, but that the service we provide is of the highest quality. Last year we provided treatment and support to 4,900 individuals.
You will also have an opportunity to expand your knowledge of the voluntary and community sector and give something back to the local community as well as developing new skills.
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Role Summary
We are looking for a new Chair of Trustees who will offer strategic and supportive leadership to our highly effective, collaborative and committed Board. The Chair leads the board, ensuring that it governs the charity effectively, in service of the charity's vision and mission. The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the Board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the Chief Executive. The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity.
Chair role & responsibilities
Provide strategic leadership to the charity and the Board, ensuring that Glass Door achieves its mission with the interests of Glass Door's guests at its centre.
Work collaboratively with the CEO, staff and volunteers to achieve our mission and optimise the relationship between the Board and Glass Doors's staff and volunteers.
Provide leadership within the Board, ensuring that it fulfills its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation and promoting governance among fellow Trustees, providing clarity around boundaries between governance, management and operations.
Plan and chair the bi-monthly board meetings and the AGM, with colleagues as appropriate and liaise with the CEO, Company Secretary and Governance Trustee with regard to setting up meetings, agenda items and annual report content.
Facilitate meetings ensuring all have equal involvement in discussions, clarifying any uncertainties, confirming decisions made and actions to be taken and ensuring effective time management of meetings whilst providing appropriate periods of discussion and reflection.
Act as a spokesperson and figurehead for Glass Door when required.
Support Glass Door functions and events eg attendance at supporter events.
Support the Head of Fundraising & Major Donors with the cultivation of high-level donors, occassionally attending meetings where value can be added.
Represent the Board at staff Town Hall meetings.
Support the team liaising with partner churches and statutory authorities as required and be the public face of Glass Door in the local community.
Liaise with the CEO and he Board to keep an overview of the charity's affairs.
Provide supervision and support to the CEO as necessary in addition to planned monthly/bi-monthly 'catch up' meetings and, with the People Trustee, lead the CEO's annual performance review.
To act as final stage adjudicator for disciplinary and grievance procedures if required.
What we are looking for
Experience of being a Trustee, ideally in the third sector, and an understanding of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of a Trustee/Director.
A keen sense of strategic purpose.
Strong leadership skills, able to foster and promote a collaborative team environment and an inclusive and collaborative leadership style; able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing.
An ability to facilitate, mediate, influence and respect the confidences of colleagues. The ability to listen and engage effectively. You are comfortable with challenge and debate and are able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment.
Excellent presentation and communication skills.
Advocate and ambassador - possess gravitas to lead the organisation and be able and willing to champion Glass Door.
Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to Glass Door's guests and ensure that the interests of our guests drive the decisions of the Board.
A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
A willingness to devote necessary time and effort to your duties as Chair and be available and responsive (e.g. when things sometimes 'come up' that require the Chair to advise, support or give consent to).
What's in it for the new Chair?
Our vision is a world where no one has to sleep on the streets of London and we're working every day to achieve this. Your role as Chair will offer you an incredibly reqarding experience to use your skills and collaborate with the rest of the Board and staff members for the benefit of people experiencing, or at risk of homelessness.
For more information please see the full role description and Glass Door information pack attached,
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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Our Trustees are a team of volunteers who use their diverse skills, experience, and perspectives to set the strategic direction of the charity and make sure it’s doing what it was set up to do in the best possible way.
For families facing tough times, a holiday is a much-needed break from the day to day, as well as giving space and time to breathe, think differently. A holiday is essential for building wellbeing and hope for the future, especially when the present is challenging.
About you
You'll have the energy, integrity, passion, and skills to work with the Board of Trustees, our CEO and staff team, and our community, to drive forward a successful and dynamic future for our charity and the families we support.
We’re particularly looking to add the following professional skills and experiences to our team.
- Developing digital products, tools and/or services.
- Directly supporting children and/or families on an ongoing professional basis.
- Fundraising in a charity through voluntary donations or commercial income.
You don’t need to have been a Trustee before, but you do need to be willing to do some training to help you understand the role and the responsibilities that come with it.
We actively encourage applications from under-represented, marginalised and racialised groups, and those with lived experience of any of the barriers families face to having time away together. That’s things like mental or physical ill health, disability, domestic abuse, being a young carer or living on a low income.
We will make adjustments to our schedule and processes to ensure new trustees can be included and supported in the role.
More diverse perspectives on our Board help us make better decisions for families.
What we offer you
The biggest thing we have to offer is the chance to put your skills and experience to good use making the lives of families who are having a tough time better.
You’ll join a team who really care about making a difference and approach it with real openness and drive. Right off the bat we’ll connect you with the other Trustees and staff so you can get to know everyone, and we’ll buddy you up with another Trustee, so you’ve got someone to help you navigate it all as you settle in.
Expenses
You won’t get paid for your time, but we’ll make sure you aren’t out of pocket by covering the cost of your travel to meetings, childcare or other care if you need it, and a range of other expenses you might have while doing the role. We’ll book and/or pay for these in advance if you prefer.
How to apply
When you click 'Quick Apply' you'll find a link to upload your CV and answer a couple of screening questions.
We will make adjustments to the recruitment process wherever possible to ensure that no applicant is disadvantaged for any reason.
- Monday 20th May - Applications close at 9am
- w/c 3rd June and w/c 10th June - First interviews with a panel of current trustees
- w/c 17th June - Second interviews with Jackie our Vice Chair of Trustees
After the interviews we’ll contact anyone we’d like to join the Board with an offer subject to references and checks.
If you accept, we’ll take up your references, do a DBS check and confirm your eligibility to act as a Trustee. If that’s all ok, you’re in! We’ll introduce you to the rest of the Trustees and get started with your induction.
Formal appointment happens at the next Board meeting which is on Thursday 5th August.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
GSTTKPA is going through an exciting period of change. As a result, we are seeking to recruit a new Chair to support our ambitious and innovative change programme, so we can continue to achieve the aims and objectives of the charity.
The Chair role provides leadership to the organisation and the Trustee board by ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes in order to ensure that GSTTKPA moves forward and continues to benefit kidney patients in the future.
The Chair will also need to set the strategy for the charity for the next few years which is vital for ensuring that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, the new post holder must understand that all the Trustees have a collective responsibility. This means that the Chair and the other Trustees must always act as a group and not as individuals.
As a Trustee, the new Chair must have a commitment to equality; celebrate diversity and be responsive to the needs of different groups and individuals within GSTTKPA and the wider community. In return, the successful applicant will join a warm and friendly team that works collaboratively to support each other as well as our kidney patients.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Birthrights was founded in 2013 with the understanding that at the heart of the poor experiences and outcomes of maternity care for so many, is a consistent failure to listen to the voices of women and birthing people and a complete disregard for their fundamental human rights. Our work has never been more urgent.
Are you excited by Birthrights’ ambitions to work towards long term, systemic change that empowers women and birthing people? This is an exciting time to join our organisation as we embark on a new 10-year strategy.
As our Chair you will work with a dynamic and passionate team of Trustees and Employees who champion the rights of women and birthing people. Come and join our small and caring team of change makers.
Our Board of Trustees meets quarterly, mostly virtually but we like to meet 1-2 times in person either in London or the midlands (as this is nearest to where most are currently based). Our Chair plays a role in supporting and developing our work and Co-CEOs as well so will meet virtually with them between meetings. Papers are prepared in advance and shared electronically. The Board is supported by and Finance and Risk Committee. We expect the time commitment to be 1-2 days per month and the reward to feel huge!
If you have the expertise for this role come and join us to transform birthing experiences for the better.
We would love for you to apply for this role which you can do by visiting our website and downloading the Chair to the BOT recruitment pack for the full information about the role, the requirements, the person specification and more. The details of how to apply for the role are also contained within this pack. You might also want to scroll down this page, to watch a short video showing you more about Birthrights’ work.
Deadline for applications:12:00pm (midday) on 22nd April 2024
Interviews: w/c 6th May 2024. Please let us know of any dates you are not able to make during this week, when you apply.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Tonic is seeking a new Chair to provide inclusive and collaborative leadership to the Board of Trustees. The Chair will be key in helping deliver Tonic’s charitable objectives and optimising the skills and experience of the Board.
For over a decade Tonic has been at the forefront of driving change within the performing arts and wider arts and culture, supporting the sector to achieve greater equality, diversity and inclusion. Our mission is to ensure that the broadest range of people can have art and creativity in their lives, whether engaging as professionals, amateur participants, or audiences. We do this via our thriving programme of sector-wide projects, one-to-one support for arts organisations, training, events and the creation and publication of books and resources.
Founded in 2011, we have successfully developed from an aspirational one-person start-up to a robust, mature charity which has steadily grown its income and workforce. We are now at a stage where we can further professionalise the way in which we operate and govern the organisation, providing a sustainable business model for our planned growth. We are seeking a Chair who will be excited to have the opportunity to review how the organisation is run and promote good governance and best-practise in all aspects of Tonic’s operations.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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Are you passionate about supporting people who have experienced homlessness? Do you believe in giving people a second chance?If so, then this opportuity could be for you!
Emmaus Leicestershire & Rutland, support people who have experienced or been at risk of homelessness, find a place where they can enjoy companionship and support.
We are about to embark on an exciting project to redevelop our Stockwell Head site based in Hinckely. If you enjoy a challagne and would like to be part of the new look Emmaus Leicestershire and Rutland - please get in touch.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Chair holds a pivotal role in guiding the board and the governance of Home-Start Blackmore Vale
Location: Our office base is currently in Sturminster Newton, Dorset with some remote work.
Renumeration:The role of Chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed.
Time commitment: Approximately 1 – 2 days a month
Attending Board Meetings every 2 months with short 1 hour subject focused meeting in the interim month. Meeting with the / supervising the Scheme Manager, other ad hoc meetings
Principle Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership - Provide leadership to the charity and its Board, ensuring the Charity has maximum impact for its beneficiaries and ensuring that Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the Charity
Compliance - comply with the Home-Start Agreement and Quality Assurance system and ensuring the Board is able to regularly review major risks and associated opportunities, and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities, and manage and mitigate the risks. Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability
Governance - Ensure that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way for the Charity. Develop the knowledge and capability of the Board of Trustees and encourage positive change and where appropriate address and resolve any conflicts within the Board
External Relations - Act as an ambassador for the cause and the charity. Maintain close relationships with key stakeholders and with key influencers.
Efficiency and effectiveness - Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process. Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the Charity and that the Board takes collective ownership.
further information on the role can be found on our website
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The School Library Association is a charity dedicated to supporting all who work within school libraries – primary, secondary and sixth form.
Our mission is to build a community to share best practice and to work towards all schools in the UK having their own (or shared) staffed library to help all children and young people build their literacy skills and fulfil their potential.
We are looking to appoint an experienced Chair for our Board of Trustees. We particularly want to hear from candidates with charity, business or membership development experience as we look to strengthen our brand, our membership reach, and financial growth.
Our Board currently has a mix of Trustees from business and the school library and educational sectors which helps to strengthen the range of skills and perspectives the SLA and its CEO can tap into. We have recently invested in a new Association Management system, members portal, website and back office system which will substantially improve our ability to personalise our offering to members and our potential reach to new members.
Our Board meetings are mostly online, either in an evening or on a Saturday morning. There are two in person board meetings planned for this year, for which all expenses will be reimbursed
In advocacy terms, our involvement in the Great School Library campaign (our CEO is the joint chair) and Awards, has raised the profile of school libraries considerably in recent years and we wish to continue this journey in the coming years.
The SLA has, over the last 5 years, made huge changes to its organisational and governance structure, Board strength, and employee skills base. Trustees joining us now will help to take us on the next stage of our exciting journey to reach more members and schools and help children achieve their full potential.
Applications will be taken through our website, where you can also access the role description and person specification for each role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
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This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Support U is a Reading based charity set up in 2010 to provide support to LGBTQ people in the Thames Valley. Our small team runs social, emotional and wellbeing support and social groups and provides some counselling services. We are looking to revitalise our Trustee Board and require a new Chair of Trustees.
This role description includes:
1. Your general statutory responsibilities as a Trustee
2. Specific Responsibilities for your role as a Chair of Trustees
1. Your general statutory responsibilities as a trustee:
· Ensuring that the organisation pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy
· Ensuring that the organisation complies with its governing document (ie its constitution), charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations
· Ensuring that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects (ie the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, however worthwhile or charitable those activities are) for the benefit of the public
· Ensuring that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
· Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation
· Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place
· Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation
· Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds
In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions.
This may involve:-
· scrutinising board papers,
· leading discussions,
· focusing on key issues,
· providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.
2. Your specific responsibilities as Chair of Trustees, including person specification
Your responsibilities as Chair of Trustees include:
· Providing leadership to the organisation and the board by ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes in order to provide greater public benefit
· Chairing and facilitating board meetings
· Giving direction to board policy-making
· Checking that decisions taken at meetings are implemented
· Representing the organisation at functions and meetings, and acting as a spokesperson as appropriate
· Bringing impartiality and objectivity to decision-making
· Planning the annual cycle of board meetings and other general meetings where required, for example annual general meeting
· Setting agendas for board and other general meetings
· Developing the board of trustees including induction, training, appraisal and succession planning
· Addressing conflict within the board and within the organisation, and liaising with the chief executive (if staff are employed) to achieve this.
Person specification for the Chair
· Leadership skills
· Experience of committee work
· Tact and diplomacy
· Good communication and interpersonal skills
· Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences.
In most circumstances, it would also be desirable for the chair/vice-chair to have knowledge of the type of work undertaken by the organisation and a wider involvement with the voluntary sector and other networks.
Your role also includes the following person specifications, which are universal for all trustees:
· A commitment to the organisation
· A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
· Strategic vision
· Good, independent judgement
· An ability to think creatively
· A willingness to speak their mind
· An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
· An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
· A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
We are looking for a new Chair of the Board at our community charity Friends of Windmill Gardens. You will have proven leadership skills working at a senior level (paid or voluntary), experience of chairing and facilitating meetings, and the ability to be both strategic and “hands on” in the role.
The Chair has the responsibility for governing the organisation through collective decision-making and leadership. Specifically they are required to:
- Lead the board and the organisation to enable it to fulfil its purpose
- Lead the long-term strategy and direction of the organisation
- Ensure an effective relationship between:
- the Board and the staff/volunteers
- the Board and the external stakeholders/community
- Act as a spokesperson and figurehead as appropriate.
- Plan and prepare the Board meetings and AGMs with others as appropriate.
- Chair Board meetings ensuring:
- A balance is struck between time-keeping and space for discussions.
- Business is dealt with and decisions made.
- Decisions, actions and deliberations are adequately recorded
- The implementation of decisions is clearly assigned and monitored.
- Ensure adequate support and supervision arrangements are made for FoWG employees (currently two part-time staff members) and any other staff/volunteers that are directly managed or report into the Board.
- Support long-term succession planning for the Board
- Fulfil all statutory requirements related to the role of Chair.
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We are looking for a Chair to steer our Board of Trustees, providing strategic oversight and governance. The Chair will be actively leading on shaping the future of our Hall, developing the business and setting its strategic direction to ensure financial viability for the future.
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with a wide variety of skills who can be an enabler to grow the business and build on the progress we have made to date. Ideally you will have experience in leadership, management and organisational development. Experience in the voluntary sector, community facilities or running community projects would be helpful.
As a ‘hands-on’ Chair, you will bring your experience and skills to the role and will be supported by the Trustee Board, plus an established staff team including the Hall Manager, plus the Treasurer and Company Secretary.
We are a village hall in heart of the Emersons Green community, offering rooms for hire to local businesses, charities, voluntary groups and individuals for recreation or business use. We also organise and run events for the local community such as seasonal fairs, family entertainment events, seniors' activities, childrens' craft and activity sessions and discos. Our village hall is at the centre of the Emersons Green community. As a large village hall, we are looking to the future to ensure that we can be financially viable in these challenging times.
The Board of Trustees is the governing body of our charity. It is where final decisions are made. The Board’s key role is to make sure that the charity is successful in working towards its aims and objectives. The Board oversees the management of the hall and its staff and is responsible for the larger decisions, keeping an eye on the budgets and generally helping to ensure the halls continued success. This may include approving improvements to the hall, enacting policies, supporting the Hall Manager and the staff in dealing with hirers and staging community events and activities, and planning and monitoring progress.
The day to day running of the hall is dealt with by the Hall Manager, with the support of staff, the Treasurer and Company Secretary.
We have 6 scheduled meetings a year and then usually a few ad hoc ones to look at budgets and staff meetings. These are usually in the evenings. The regular meetings tend to last about 2.5 hours.
For more information or an informal discussion about this role please get in touch.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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Role title: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Location: Flexible (travel to London will be required at least once a quarter)
Salary: N/A (Volunteer role)
Time commitment: 2-3 days per month
Contract: The Chair is appointed for an initial 3-year term with the option of renewal for up to 3 terms. The maximum term for all trustees (including the Chair) is 9 years.
Purpose of the role:
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to join a growing, impact-focused and ambitious charity supporting refugees to access meaningful employment and build a new life.
The Chair leads the board, ensuring that it governs Breaking Barriers effectively, in service of our vision and mission. The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the Chief Executive. The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity.
The Chair of Breaking Barriers provides visionary leadership and strategic direction, ensuring that the organisation effectively achieves its mission while adhering to its core values. This pivotal role involves governance oversight, board leadership, executive support, and serving as an ambassador for the organisation.
Key responsibilities:
- Strategic leadership and vision: Guide the organisation with a strategic vision, aligning the board and staff's efforts with the mission. Lead the development and review of long-term strategies to ensure responsiveness to community needs and adaptability to the changing environment.
- Governance and oversight: Ensure effective governance, oversee board operations, and ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and functional responsibilities. Monitor financial performance and adherence to non-profit management best practices.
- Resource mobilisation: Support and participate in fundraising strategies, leveraging networks, and engaging with donors and stakeholders to secure necessary resources for the organisation's work.
- Building and leading the board: Ensure the board comprises members with diverse skills and perspectives. Lead recruitment, orientation, and training of board members and facilitate effective meetings and discussions, ensuring productive governance to advance the purpose and values of the organization.
- CEO support and evaluation: Support and maintain a constructive relationship with the CEO, creating a positive and strong working relationship to jointly set and achieve appropriate targets, staying in regular contact and acting as a sounding board to discuss strategic or staffing issues - coaching, supporting and challenging as necessary. Ensuring accountability for organisational performance.
- Ambassadorship: Act as the primary ambassador, representing and promoting the organisation's mission, values, and interests to external stakeholders, enhancing its reputation, and fostering collaboration, fundraising and promotional opportunities.
To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accessible recruitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack.
Other considerations
- As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out pre-employment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.
- Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully considered when deciding action.
- We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.
How to apply
If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. Please apply via Charity Jobs by submitting a cover letter (up to approximately 2 A4 pages), referencing how you believe you best meet the person specification. You are also welcome to include any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process. Please view the attached recruitment pack for further essential information for candidates.
Closing date for applications is 11:59pm on Thursday 2nd May. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We belong to the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative, which advocates and supports organisations to employ more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience of seeking asylum and/or a refugee background. If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please reach out to HR Manager Dani Meier for further details (we are unable to include email addresses in this advert, but you can find contact details on the final page of the attached recruitment pack).
Breaking Barriers exists so that every refugee can access meaningful employment and build a new life.