Voluntary Volunteer Roles in Berkshire
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Vacancy - Chair of the Board of Trustees Barbara Bus Fund, Stanmore
The Barbara Bus Fund is recruiting for a new Chairperson.
The Barbara Bus Fund is a registered charity, which was set up in 1968 to help people who cannot get out or use public transport or an ordinary car, because they have a disability that necessitates full-time use of a wheelchair.
Today the BBF operates a fleet of 15 specially converted vehicles from Stanmore, Aylesbury and North Wales. The BBF is operated by a combination of paid and volunteer staff with head office at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore.
The role of Chair is a voluntary position with the requirement to commit to one to two days per month, attend online meetings every 6-8 weeks and the AGM. The Chair will lead the Board of Trustees, chair committee meetings and the AGM.
Previous trustee / charity experience is required and the commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. Previous experience within the health / care / transport sectors will be a distinct advantage however, other relevant experience and the right attributes will also be considered.
The BBF holds an annual meal to thank the volunteers and staff, and there are other periodic meetings and events throughout the year.
Please see the full Application Pack for further information.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
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International Humanity Foundation (IHF) is seeking experts and learners in Fundraising & Grant Writing.
Volunteer Globally from your home. Whether an hour a month or an hour a day, whether experienced or new; your help is needed. Meet many people from diverse cultures and socio- economic backgrounds globally, while helping children seeking a brighter future.
We seek experts, volunteering online 1-2 hours a month. You will meet and get to know generous people from many countries around the world, in all socio-economic backgrounds.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Join the EAUC board and help lead and empower the post-16 education sector to embed sustainability in everything it does: equipping learners for their lives and shaping society for the better.
This is a unique opportunity for someone to bring an external perspective to our charity. We are looking for someone who is passionate about sustainability and education. You don’t need years of experience - we’re seeking someone with a keen eye on what’s important to us: impact, quality, engagement and accessibility. We particularly welcome early-career candidates and those familiar with the further education and skills sector.
Position: Trustee and director
Location: Remote within UK and Ireland
Salary: Unremunerated with reasonable expenses paid
Positions available: One
Closing date: 16th May 2024
The EAUC is the leading body for sustainability in the post-16 education sector in the UK and Republic of Ireland. We represent 300+ institutions with collectively over 2 million students, nearly 400,000 staff and a spending budget of over £25 billion. We exist to lead and empower the post-16 education sector to embed sustainability in everything it does: equipping learners for their lives and shaping society for the better.
The EAUC board is made up of twelve volunteer trustees. We have one long-standing trustee who reaches the end of their tenure at the July 2024 AGM so we have ONE available trustee position.
The new trustee we are seeking will be passionate and innovative with knowledge or experience in the further education sector, whether this is a college, adult education, employment-based learning or a community-based provision.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are seeking dedicated individuals to join our team as Volunteers. As a Volunteer, you will have the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of others by providing support and assistance in various areas. This is an unpaid position that offers valuable experience and the chance to contribute to meaningful causes.
About the project and role
Prevention Matters help adults regain confidence, maintain independence and help them get out and about. The Community Support Workers support clients by finding help, signposting to other services, connect with others in the local community and provide encouragement to get involved in social events.
You can make a difference to people’s lives as a Prevention Matters volunteer by:
Increase or maintain social links such as attend local events, transport to coffee mornings
· Accompany clients on GP or hospital appointments
· Teach clients new digital skills such as email, Skype or how to search the web.
· Practical support in the garden or a spot of DIY in their home
· Assistance with hoarding disorder
· Support to a carer who is feeling isolated
Volunteers will have their traveling and out of pocket expenses covered. Opportunity to complete NVC National Volunteering Certificate and other in-house training.
At Connection Support we feel that nobody can do everything but everyone can do something so volunteering is flexible to suit you.
We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds to join our diverse team, if you have any disabilities or health conditions, we will do everything we can to help you access this opportunity.
Please note that this is an unpaid volunteer position. However, it offers valuable experience, the opportunity to give back to the community, and the chance to make a difference in the lives of others.
The Irish Chaplaincy is a leading social action charity, rooted in faith, providing high quality services and support to excluded, vulnerable and isolated Irish people in England and Wales. As we reach out, we hope we're contributing to a fairer, more just society, one person at a time. The Irish Chaplaincy is the oldest Irish Catholic welfare charity in Britain and our aim remains to galvanise the whole Irish community to work together to improve the lives of those most vulnerable of Irish emigrants and ensure that no member of our community is forgotten.
There are three main strands to the work we do:
Prisoners: A prison visiting, information and advocacy service for Irish prisoners in Britain and their families.
Travellers: Research, advocacy and education to improve the situation of Travellers within the criminal justice system.
Seniors: Pastoral outreach and befriending to alleviate the social exclusion and loneliness of older Irish people, and to offer a knowledgeable, compassionate and comforting presence for end-of-life issues and funeral arrangements.
To help us navigate the next stage of our charity's development, we are seeking to recruit two new trustees. We welcome applications from those with experience in our sector and beyond. In particular it would be beneficial if applicants have particular expertise in fundraising or with strong connections in the Irish community in the UK.
Please send your CV and covering letter to our Chair of Trustees by Friday 31st May 2024.
Please send your CV and covering letter for attention of Chair of Trustees, Clare Coffey by Friday 31st May 2024.
The Irish Chaplaincy is a leading social action charity, rooted in faith, providing high quality services and support to excluded Irish emigrants.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About StreetVet
StreetVet is a growing national charity, committed to providing free vet care to the pets of people experiencing homelessness and to keep pets and owners together to maintain their unbreakable bond. StreetVet relies on its team of over 500 vet and nurse volunteers in twenty three locations around the UK to deliver free medical treatment, funded by grants, partnerships, corporate and individual donors. Since its inception in 2016 the charity has treated more than 2400 pets, and has won numerous awards.
Role Description
StreetVet are looking for a volunteer Finance Assistant to work with the CEO, Operations Manager and Head of Fundraising to help monitor the financial administration of the charity and report to the CEO at regular intervals on its state of financial health, in line with best practice, and in compliance with the governing document and legal requirements.
You will single handedly help support StreetVet’s patients and their owners by strengthening StreetVet’s finance and governance.
What can you expect to be doing?
· Preparing budgets.
· Keeping accurate financial records.
· Reporting financial records via Xero accounting software.
· Review and approve payments (including payroll).
· Being part of a team which ensures there are sufficient funds to meet expenditure.
· Updating and advising others on income received, expenditure and available funds.
· Managing and monitoring donations made to the group.
· Following financial procedures e.g. Gift Aid returns and VAT claims.
Responsibilities and duties:
· Overseeing and supporting the CEO with budgets, internal management accounts and annual financial statements for the Board of Trustees, and making sure that they understand what the accounts are saying.
· Leading StreetVet to ensure that proper accounting records are kept, financial resources are properly controlled, invested and economically spent, in line with good governance, legal and regulatory requirements.
· Supporting the CEO with the production of StreetVet’s Annual Report and Accounts.
· Oversee the development and implementation of financial reserves, cost management and investment policies.
· Lead on the Charities duty to ensure that proper accounting records are kept, financial resources are properly controlled, invested and economically spent, in line with good governance, legal and regulatory requirements.
· Liaising with the CEO and Operations Manager on the day-to-day financial activities of the charity.
· Monitor and advise on the financial viability of the charity.
· Monitor the financial administration of the charity and report to the CEO on its state of financial health, in line with best practice, and in compliance with the governing document and legal requirements.
· Overseeing the implementation of and monitoring specific financial controls and adherence to systems.
· Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan, and supporting the CEO with presenting an annual budget to the Board.
· Set up the StreetVet Finance committee, ensuring effective and inclusive meetings, facilitating discussions to which everyone can contribute and ensuring well founded, considered decision making.
· Oversee and scrutinise budgets, management accounts and annual financial statements and provide advice on these and the financial implications of the charity’s strategy and plans to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team.
· In partnership with the CEO ensure sound financial management of StreetVet - that proper accounting records are kept, financial resources are properly invested and economically spent; and that we have sound reserves and other finance and fundraising policies.
· Overseeing the charity’s financial risk‐management process.
· Liaise with the external auditors or independent examiner on specific issues such as the auditor’s or examiner’s management letter and the related board representations.
Skills/qualifications required
· Experience or knowledge of accounting, book keeping and/or good numeracy skills.
· The ability to collect and present information clearly and logically.
· A professional accountancy qualification (ICAEW or equivalent).
· Some understanding of charity finance and the fundraising landscape.
· Sound independent judgement, an ability to analyse information and communicate this in clear accessible ways to those without financial backgrounds.
· Good communication and leadership skills.
· A willingness to speak their mind and engage in open debate while working effectively as part of a team.
· To be honest and objective in their scrutiny of the organisation, seeking to ensure that the quality of service to clients remains paramount at all times.
· Commitment to the vision, mission and values of StreetVet.
· Willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort to meet the responsibilities of the post.
· Preferably experience of using Xero software.
Desirable
· Experience in charity finance.
Time Commitment
Streetvet employs a CEO and Operations Manager who are responsible for day to day financial management of the charity. The Finance Assistant’s involvement will play a key support role overseeing the financial affairs of the organisation, supported by the CEO and Operations Manager. This strengthens the Charity’s efficiency and strengthens their ability to create lasting impact on the communities we support. We love you to be able to give us 2-4 hours a week. More hours may be required at certain times, such as towards the end of the financial year.
StreetVet is a national charity, committed to providing free vet care to the pets of people experiencing homelessness & to keep pets & owners together
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
It’s an exciting time for the Employers' Initiative on Domestic Abuse: momentum is growing, with heightened public awareness of domestic abuse following the pandemic, increased government focus, and employers increasingly recognising their crucial role in enabling employees to recognise the signs of, and seek support on, domestic abuse.
The Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (known as EIDA) is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in our mission to empower employers to act effectively against domestic abuse.
Our aim is to ensure that all team members, volunteers, trustees, job applicants and the people we come into contact with are given equal opportunity and that our organisation is representative of all sections of society.
We want our board to be representative of our society and membership and particularly welcome applications from people with lived experiences of domestic abuse, people based outside the southeast of England and in the nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and from people with experience as a people manager or employer, large or small.
Who we are
We are a free-to-join members' network of employers and a registered charity supporting over 1,500 large and small employers to take effective action on domestic abuse. Our members collectively employ over 25% of the UK workforce.
Our mission is to equip employers to support their employees affected by domestic abuse and to share best practice with other employers.
We endeavour to bring about constructive change, leading to a society where survivors thrive, and where domestic abuse is not tolerated.
Our Trustees are volunteer board members who play a vital role in making sure that EIDA achieves its mission. As a group, they:
- Oversee the overall management and administration of the charity.
- Ensure that EIDA has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision.
- Provide support and challenge to the executive team, enabling EIDA to grow and thrive.
We are seeking up to four new Trustees to join the existing group of eight.
EIDA has a UK-wide remit with a membership made up of employers, and we want to reflect that across our Trustees.
Trustee duties
Trustees are the people who lead our charity and decide how it is run. We envisage the trustee duties broadly as:
- Support and provide advice on EIDA’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
- Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
- Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
- Oversee EIDA’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
- Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
- Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
- Review and approve EIDA’s financial statements.
- Provide support and challenge to EIDA’s CEO.
- Keep abreast of changes in EIDA’s operating environment.
- Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect EIDA’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.
- Participate in periodic appraisals of the performance of the Board of Trustees, collectively and individually.
- Represent EIDA at external functions, meetings and events.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will contribute to the diversity of thinking on our board.
Whether you are an experienced trustee or are looking to take your first step at board level, we would like to hear from you. We ask for:
- Commitment to tackling domestic abuse and EIDA’s mission.
- Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
- Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement.
- Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussions.
- A strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and EIDA’s core values of Collaboration, Empowerment, Versatility, Openness and Kindness.
- Time to commit to supporting the organisation, including attendance at Board meetings (2 hours, 5 times annually), virtual and in-person events (4-6 annually) and any sub committees.
- Ability to build and maintain a healthy network that promotes the aims of EIDA across the business community, to drive member growth, and to enhance EIDA fundraising activities.
- Some experience as an employer or people manager.
Terms of appointment
Position: Trustee
Location: This is a hybrid role, with occasional travel required to Board and network meetings held in central London
Terms: A maximum fixed term appointment of one three-year term followed by a further three-year term
This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.
Time commitment: EIDA’s Board of Trustees meets 4-5 times a year within the working hours of 10-5pm. Currently meetings are held in London and remotely (Zoom).
Closing date
9am, Monday 10 June 2024.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received, so early applications are appreciated.
Our mission is to equip employers to support their employees affected by domestic abuse and to share best practice with other employers.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Harlow & District Sports Trust
We are seeking a Non-Executive Board Member to Join our Board of Trustees. The position is voluntary.
The leisure Trust was established in 1957 as a Charitable Company Limited by
Guarantee. The Trust currently operates Harlow Leisurezone which is a large
state-of-the-art Community wet and dry leisure centre, with annual attendances in excess of 1.5 million. The organisation’s mission is “To provide a high quality sport and
leisure experience that is sustainable and responsive to the needs of the community“. Our facilities are very popular within the local community and this trend continues and is reflected in our high attendance levels to date.
The leisure Trust was established in 1957 as a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee. The Trust currently operates Harlow Leisurezone which is a large state-of-the-art Community wet and dry leisure centre, with annual attendances in excess of 1.5 million. The organisation’s mission is “To provide a high quality sport and leisure experience that is sustainable and responsive to the needs of the community“. Our facilities are very popular within the local community and this trend continues and is reflected in our high attendance levels to date.
The Trustee Board consists of 12 non-executive Board members. Due to retirement the Board is seeking to recruit a new trustee to fill our current vacancy. As a Board member, you will have the opportunity to take part in the Trust’s financial and strategic planning designed to drive the organisation forward, and the development of the future policy and strategy of an organisation which makes a difference in the local community, while at the same time developing your own skills working as part of a successful team.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Responsibilities:
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Updating the events calendar
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Planning events in advance - particularly face-to-face events
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Promoting events through email
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Assisting with the monthly newsletter, including the latest events and liaising with IT to get it sent out
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Creating graphics on social media for events and partnerships with other organisations
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Liaising with the social media team, ensuring that events are promoted on Twitter, TikTok and Instagram
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Thinking up new event ideas
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Working to ensure the smooth running of the monthly book club
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Identifying new organisations and individuals who are queer Muslims and allies to collaborate with
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Contacting organisations and venues
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Working with others in the team to arrange in-person events
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Sending thank-you emails after all events
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Updating contact/partner database
Experience/skills required:
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Working in a team but also independently, using initiative
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Organisation and time management skills
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Ability to use OutSavvy, Google Suite (including Google Calendar and Google Meet), HootSuite and Discord (or willingness to learn)
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Familiarity with social media platforms (or willingness to learn)
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Teamwork and collaboration with other individuals and organisations
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Strong communication
Reporting to: Programmes Officer
Our mission is to provide support and welfare for LGBTQI+ Muslims
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
WEB DESIGNER - VOLUNTEER ROLE
We are looking for a volunteer to join us at Unlock YOUR Potential in the volunteer role of WEB DESIGNER (Remote), where you will lead on the design of visually appealing one page holding web page for our new start up not-for-profit.
About Us:
Unlock YOUR Potential is a dynamic and impact-focused startup charity committed to empowering individuals from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Our mission is to provide meaningful programmes that span employment, education, life skills, mentoring, personal development, and holistic support. We believe in building new pathways for those seeking positive change.
Role Overview:
As the Volunteer, Web Designer, you will play a crucial role helping us get recognised by creating a visually appealing web page/holding page for Unlock YOUR Potential that will get us recognised and give us some online presence while we work behind the scenes to get fully set up and up and running.
We just need a one page website that gives information in a well presented and visually appealing way.
Qualifications and Experience:
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. We are especially interested in candidates who have:
- Web design experience with the ability to create an uplifting positive branded web page that we can use in the interim while we are getting set up.
Time Commitment:
We are looking for something pretty soon but there is no set deadlines as this is a volunteer role you will manage your own workload and as long as you keep us updated on the progress thats all that matters.
Join Us:
If you are ready to make a lasting impact, help us create some needed branding identity, we invite you to apply. Together, we can unlock potential and transform lives.
Unlock YOUR Potential is an equal opportunity organisation.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Do you have a passion to make a difference to the lives of children and families? Spurgeons Family Charity is seeking three or four new trustees to join our current Board in bringing prayerful wisdom and strategic guidance over the coming years.
Spurgeons is one of the UK’s leading children’s charities, supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families for 150 years. Inspired by Christian faith and our founder Charles Spurgeon, we’re here for all families. Together, we create Family Hubs in communities where we’re needed most, with counselling, early years and family support. We partner with local councils and churches to care for every family, putting children and young people first in everything we do. Our services also include helping young carers, providing parenting advice and working with families affected by domestic abuse, and imprisonment.
These services are needed more than ever, particularly as local authorities with tight budgets make difficult choices on where to spend their limited resources. As we prepare for the launch of our new five-year plan in 2025, we are ambitious and hopeful about how we can use our strong financial position and robust level of assets to make a significant impact on many more children’s lives in the future.
To support Board succession planning, we are seeking to appoint new trustees with experience and skills such as:
· Lived experience: we are particularly looking to hear the voice of young people on our Board and especially those with lived experience of children and young people’s support services. We will provide the necessary training, mentoring and support to fulfil the role.
· Fundraising/marketing: this trustee will bring a clear understanding of best practice in fundraising and/or marketing.
· Children’s services: we are looking for someone with senior management or leadership experience in the children’s services sector e.g. within social services/ the care sector, health, education, local authorities or charitable contexts.
· Counselling: this trustee will have understanding and/or experience in counselling, bringing wisdom and insight at a governance level.
· Digital: we seek a leader with experience of digital transformations and entrepreneurship, to provide a strategic view of how Spurgeons can thrive in a digital, audience-focused context.
Given an occupational requirement for these roles to be filled by Christians, we are seeking candidates with a personal and active Christian faith who are comfortable and aligned with the statement of faith outlined on our website.
Spurgeons values diversity, promotes inclusion, and encourages applications from a diverse range of candidates, including those with lived experience of children’s support services. We recognise the need to increase the diversity of the Board, for example in terms of age, ethnicity, disability, gender and LGBTQ+ representation. Our goal, and a key priority in this recruitment process, is for the Board to become more closely representative of our service user community.
The time commitment required of a trustee is likely to equate to approximately 12 days per year.
This is a hybrid role: at present, Board meetings take place in London and committee meetings take place virtually via Teams.
For further information, including full details of how to apply, please see our Appointment Details Pack which can be downloaded in the Application Resources section of this advert.
Application is by submission of CV and cover letter to Laura Bagley at Macaulay Search by the closing date of Friday 24th May 2024. Please contact Laura if you have any questions about this opportunity (please see appointment details pack for contact details).
Every community across the UK deserves equitable access to trees and the benefits they bring; from reducing air and noise pollution, alleviating stress and anxiety, making our neighbourhoods more attractive places to live and work, and boosting local ecosystems. However, while some urban areas enjoy abundant greenery and tree cover, others lack these essential natural assets. Our new Tree Equity Score tool, developed in partnership with American Forests, has been developed to help us understand where disparities in urban tree cover lie.
Now we need your help to collect data from remote urban areas across Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to complete our map of tree equity across the UK. Between February – May 2024, we need your help to complete over 500 tree canopy cover assessments. Do as many or as few as you like, pick any available location from our list, and complete the assessment at a time that suits you - they only take around 1.5 hours to complete. Send us your findings by the end of this project and we will add them to our database. No specialist technical knowledge is needed and guidance is provided.
This is a 'Drop-in-Days' volunteering opportunity for people that lead busy lives, or that just want to volunteer ad-hoc or for a one-off event or project. Registering to take part in this project will provide you with access to our volunteer news and we will let you know about other volunteering opportunities in your area for up to to 12 months after the initial event. You can opt out anytime.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our partner supports individuals and research institutions in the Global South to produce, share and use research and knowledge to transform lives, and provide support to researchers globally through their online community platform.
They are seeking a new Treasurer to join their existing board in leading the organisation through their next exciting period of change. While they are seeking someone with knowledge of UK charity finance and legal requirements, they are particularly interested to hear from candidates from the Global South, wherever their current location.
The Treasurer will monitor the financial administration of the charity and report to the board of trustees at regular intervals on its state of financial health, in line with best practice, and in compliance with legal requirements.
The Treasurer role will require approximately 10-12 days per annum, including three Board meetings, two of which are usually virtual, and occasional virtual meetings with the Executive Director, Finance Manager, and Auditor. In addition, the Treasurer will chair the Finance and Audit sub-committee.
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For more Trustee and Treasurer roles please visit the AfID website.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our partner believes that stable, flourishing communities are based on thriving couple and family relations, and dedicates itself to the worldwide dissemination of knowledge about such relationships and to activities promoting their well-being.
They are seeking a Treasurer to take on a hands-on role in the monitoring and administration of the organisation's finances.
The role will include monitoring their online bank accounts, maintaining their income and expenditure spreadsheet, submitting an income and expenditure report to Trustees ahead of meetings, and assisting the Trustees with the preparation of an annual budget and the financial report to the Charity Commission.
The ideal candidate will be a competent Excel user with experience of preparing accounts. The time commitment required for the role is approximately 1 hour per week, with the Trustees meeting 3 times a year.
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For more Trustee and Treasurer roles please visit the AfID website.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Vision Action is a unique organisation, that works in low- and middle-income countries, supporting national governments to deliver and strengthen their eye health strategies. We work in partnership with local governments, civil society organisations, international and national NGOs, and the private sector. Our ambition is to increase equitable access to eye care services and glasses, and accelerate achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal.
The role of the Board is to oversee the overall direction and activities of the charity, including its policies and procedures, to ensure that they are consistently in accordance with the charitable purposes defined in the objects clause in its Constitution. The Board sets and monitors the strategic direction of the charity, although the implementation of strategy is achieved through the executive team. The Board must always act in the best interests of Vision Action, taking decisions as a group and not as individuals.
1. Terms of service
For Vision Action the Trustees are Members who have been elected to serve on the Board. Vision Action’s constitution allows for up to 12 Trustees, who can serve a maximum of three consecutive terms of three years. Vision Action is a company limited by guarantee and the Trustees are its legal directors. The Trustee role is voluntary but out of pocket expenses are paid.
Trustees are appointed by the Vision Action Board of Trustees annually at the Board meeting following the Annual General Meeting. The time commitment in being a trustee involves attendance at four Board meetings per year, one of which will be an all-day strategy session. Otherwise, Board meetings are usually half a day in the afternoon of a weekday with at least half the meetings online. Papers are circulated for reading in advance.
In addition to this, it is expected that trustees attend the AGM held on a weekend and occasional Members’ Forums or other Vision Action events, which are usually arranged on the same day as a Board meeting in the evening. There may be other ad hoc meetings or online events to discuss specific topics. Trustees will be expected to commit time to receive a proper induction.
2. Main tasks
Charity Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the charity and ensuring it is solvent, well-run and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up. Each Trustee will be expected to join one of the three sub-committees (Fundraising and Investment; Programmes; Finance, Administration and Remuneration). The Committees meet (in person or remotely) at least four times per year, usually timed with or in advance of the board meetings.
3. General Responsibilities
- Ensure that Vision Action complies with its governing document (i.e. its Constitution and Byelaws), charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
- Ensure that Vision Action pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
- Ensure Vision Action applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects, i.e. it must not spend money on activities which are not included in the objects, however worthwhile they may be.
- Contribute actively to the Board’s role in the formulation and review of strategy, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
- Safeguard the good name and values of Vision Action and maintain good relations with its members.
- Ensure that all policies are implemented, monitored and reports are acted upon, (including the policies on Harassment and Misconduct, Safeguarding, Recruitment of ex-offenders, Child Protection and Anti- Bribery).
- Strive for Vision Action to reflect the full diversity of society in all its activities.
- Ensure the financial stability of Vision Action.
- Protect and manage the property of Vision Action and ensure the proper investment of its funds.
- Appoint and support the Chief Executive Officer and monitor his/her performance.
In addition to the above statutory responsibilities, each Trustee should attend Board meetings and use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board reach sound decisions. This may involve leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, evaluation or other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise; and then always upholding the decisions taken by Board. Trustees are also expected to support Vision Action’s fundraising initiatives.
4. Additional Specific Responsibilities
In addition to the above, we are looking for a Trustee who can be the Chair designate and assume the role of Chair in November 2024.
Vision Action is looking for a Trustee who will be able to support us in 3 key areas:
1) Provide advice and experience at the level of Chair so that they can provide leadership to the Board of Trustees as well as the CEO
2) Act as the Chair designate until they assume the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees in November 2024.
3) Provide insight, knowledge and connections to help us build our reputation and position as a worthy international charity in the eye health sector in the UK and Internationally so that Vision Action can grow its relationship with individuals, bodies and corporates in the sector.
Person Specification
Each Trustee must have:
- A commitment to the mission and value base of Vision Action.
- A commitment to the key policies of Vision Action – on Harassment and Misconduct, Safeguarding, Whistle-blowing, Recruitment of ex-offenders, Child Protection and Anti-Bribery.
- A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
- Integrity.
- Strategic vision.
- Good, independent judgement.
- An ability to think creatively.
- A willingness to speak his/her mind.
- An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship (training/information will be offered in this area).
- An ability to contribute effectively to the workings of the Vision Action Board and any sub-committees or working groups.
In addition to the above, this specific appointment is looking ideally for Trustees who have:
- Previous experience of leading and Chairing at the senior level in an organisation;
- Previous experience of governing and managing at the Board level;
- Previous Board level experience in the charity sector;
- Willingness to undertake obligatory tasks with the Charity Commission on behalf of the organisation;
- Willingness to stay updated on changes to governance issues and policies that might impact Vision Action;
- A willingness to engage in activities in the vision sector as it relates to the work of Vision Action, including fundraising.
We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds as well as those who may have a connection to the vision sector either through personal or professional experience and those who might come from one of the countries that Vision Action is currently active in – Zambia, Ghana, Sierre Leone, and Ethiopia.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.