Trustee

Iprovision is the benevolent fund of The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). Iprovision is currently looking for new volunteers to join its Board of Trustees.  

You don’t need to be a member of the CIPR to become a Trustee of Iprovision, but you do need to be willing to donate your time – and your understanding of the challenges life can throw at us – to consider the plight of those less fortunate.  

The role Iprovision plays in helping members in need is really important. For example, Iprovision provides the funding for the CIPR’s mental health hotline that gives members access to expert advice and online materials. CIPR members coping with stress, with job loss, family illnesses or other challenges can turn to Iprovision for expert advice, counselling and, in many cases, financial support. To mark CIPR’s 75th anniversary we also established an education fund to help people get into the PR profession. We plan to continue with this fund in future years.  

As a registered charity, Iprovision is led by its small board of up to 12 volunteer Trustees who consider the applications from CIPR members for support. Based on advice from a professional Support worker – the Trustees make the final decision on the type and level of support to be provided. This might be a straight cash grant, or the Trustees might elect to pay for some training and coaching to help someone get back into employment.  

Each applicant for support is presented to the Trustees anonymously, and decisions are taken purely on the facts presented, the situation being experienced, and the types of support that are available.  

As a charity, Iprovision depends for its funding purely on the voluntary annual donations that some members pay on top of their CIPR subscriptions, and fundraising activity and events.  

The Trustees have a vital role to play – driving awareness of the fund, arranging and supporting fundraising activity, and of course considering applications for support. The Trustees meet four times a year (mix of in person and hybrid meetings) and are responsible for ensuring that the charity manages its funds wisely.  

Knowledge, experience and attributes  

Charitable Trustees have a general obligation to:  

• Act in the charity’s best interests 
• Manage the charity’s resources responsibly 
• Act with reasonable care and skill.  

Trustees should understand the purpose and activities of the charity and ensure they are in line and complying with the governance documents (the Memorandum and Articles of Association).  

We are particularly keen to hear from people with experience or knowledge of:  

• Fundraising 
• Governance and charity law 
• Accountancy and financial planning 

Support & Training 

We will provide opportunities for you to learn new skills and grow your expertise as we develop our plans. We encourage a culture of learning amongst our trustees, encourage and support them to develop existing skills, which help you flourish as a trustee on our board.  

Benefits 

This is a volunteer role so no material rewards are offered. Benefits are non-material and include experience, the opportunity to contribute, to learn and become part of a dynamic community. You will gain lasting relationships, insight into a benevolent fund, experience of non-executive leadership and the rewards of contribution. We will reimburse out of pocket expenses, including travel to attend any Iprovision meetings. 

Liability  

Iprovision is a separate legal entity (it is incorporated) and this acts as a mitigation to any personal liability.  

For more information: see the essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do. Charity Commission England & Wales.  

Our terms of service 

Trustees are elected to serve terms of three years with an expectation that they will serve no more than 2-3 terms of three years.  

We encourage applications from all sections of society and locations and are keen to ensure continued diversity brings constructive challenge and adds to the governance and work, of the charity.