Board Secretary - Music of Life Foundation

Who They Are
Music of Life is a charity dedicated to building and strengthening the skills, well-being, and confidence of children and young people with disabilities through music-making. The organisation envisions a world in which all children, regardless of ability, have equal access to music education and participation.

To achieve this, Music of Life provides high-quality music education and performance opportunities. As children progress, the charity supports their transition into community-based activities, such as joining a youth choir or playing in a band, fostering long-term engagement and inclusion.

The Role: Board Secretary (Voluntary)
To further enhance its governance and effectiveness, Music of Life is introducing a new voluntary position: Board Secretary. This is a meaningful opportunity to contribute to a focused, impactful organisation that is making a real difference through music.

Role Summary
The Board Secretary plays a vital role in supporting good governance and ensuring the smooth operation of the charity. This prestigious and purpose-driven role is suited to a highly organised individual with a passion for music, education, and supporting children with disabilities.

Working in close collaboration with the Chair, Vice Chair, and CEO, the Secretary ensures clarity, continuity, and compliance within the charity’s leadership. As a key member of both the Board and the Advisory Council, the Secretary enables these bodies to operate efficiently and to meet their legal and statutory obligations.

The organisation is open to discussing whether the Board Secretary will also serve as a trustee and welcomes thoughts from prospective candidates.

Key Responsibilities

Board Meeting Management

• Coordinate Board meetings, including preparing agendas and distributing materials in advance

• Attend meetings, take accurate minutes, and manage the approval process

• Maintain an action log and ensure all relevant records are submitted to the external Examiner

• Coordinate the annual Board and Chair appraisal process

Trustee Management

• Maintain up-to-date records on trustees, including roles, appointments, and declarations of interest

• Oversee trustee recruitment, reappointments, and terminations

• Develop and implement annual trustee recruitment and succession plans

• Support the onboarding of new trustees and coordinate ongoing training and development

Advisory Council Support

• Coordinate Advisory Council meetings, including agenda setting and distribution of materials

• Attend meetings, take minutes, and manage the approval process

• Ensure clear and timely communication between the Advisory Council and the Board

Person Specification
This role is best suited to someone with exceptional organisational skills and keen attention to detail. The ideal candidate will be collaborative, have strong communication abilities, and be capable of fostering cooperation to ensure timely outcomes. They should be calm under pressure, particularly when working to deadlines.

Experience with—or a willingness to learn about—charity governance and regulatory requirements is essential. Being based in the South-East of England would be an advantage.