Legal Volunteer Roles

As a Secretary to the Board of Trustees, you will be able to donate your skills, time and attention to our worthwhile and rewarding cause. In return, we can offer the opportunity to be part of a small, friendly and committed team with a dedication and passion for its work and every dog that arrives in need of care and a brighter future. We would welcome someone as a trustee but it is optional for this role.

The main purpose of the role is to provide support to the Board of Trustees with administration particularly with regard to ensuring compliance with the statutory and regulatory requirements and assist the Board in complying with the charity’s governing document.

Duties include but are not limited to:

Being familiar with the charity’s governing document, the legal responsibilities of charities under the Charities Act 2009 and the charity’s internal governance rules

Ensuring that charity trustees file all relevant statutory returns and information with the Charities Regulator (e.g. annual reports, changes to the charity’s details and/or trustees’ details);

Ensuring that the board of charity trustees are aware of the requirements to comply with the relevant codes such as the charity’s Code of Conduct for Charity Trustees and the Charities Governance Code;

Ensuring that decisions and actions of the board of trustees are accurately recorded and implemented;

Assist the Chairperson(s) of the board with the agenda for each board meeting including the management of any agenda items received from other charity trustees; sending notification of board meetings; circulating board papers/pack in advance of meetings and dealing with any associated matters;

Taking the minutes at board meetings and maintaining the records of all meeting minutes; keeping a record of all issues discussed, decisions taken and any actions required to implement a decision;

Working with the Chairperson(s) to ensure that the draft minutes are accurate; Issuing minutes to charity trustees for consideration after board meetings and dealing with any subsequent requests for corrections to be made before they are  formally approved;

Ensuring that minutes are stored safely and are accessible by the Chairperson(s) of the board and any other charity trustee if required;

Provide support in setting up and running any Annual General Meeting (AGM) or Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) as required.

Person Specification:

Relevant board secretarial experience;

Well-versed in legal and corporate governance to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements;

Good facilitator of meetings;

Capable of producing accurate and reliable minutes;

Adept at managing the follow up actions to ensure board decisions are implemented

Organised and methodical, with an eye for detail;

Understanding of and adherence to matters of confidentiality;

Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship;

Empathy for SDR’s purpose and work and a willingness to be an ambassador for the charity;

Integrity and good judgement;

Ability to work effectively as a member of a team;

Willingness to speak one's mind and listen to the views of other