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Experienced professionals sought as Trustees of the Refugee Survival Trust (Leadership, HR, Treasurer and other roles)

The vision of the Refugee Survival Trust is that all refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland receive just and respectful treatment and support appropriate to their needs. We've been working for more than 20 years to assist some of the most vulnerable members of our society, particularly those who are facing destitution.

RST is based in Glasgow, with an income of around £350k pa and fewer than than five full-time employees, providing grants and integrated support services to asylum seekers and refugees living in Scotland. These alleviate poverty and destitution, or help with access to education and employment, and thus to integration.

Our Treasurer and the head of the HR subgroup are standing down from our volunteer Board of Trustees, so we are now looking particularly for suitably experienced enthusiastic professionals with HR or Finance / Accountancy expertise to fill these incredibly important positions on our board.

Our Chair is also looking to pass on the role to someone with the skills to lead and guide the trustees to work most effectively and efficiently in our responsibilities to guide and oversee staff and ensure that RST is being well managed and operating within agreed policies, the law and its budget.

Those with suitable skills and experience in these and other areas (such as senior management, organisational development / strategy, fundraising and others) would be of interest. We are keen to recruit people with previous experience of charity or corporate governance. The board is made up of people with a variety of backgrounds and experiences who share our vision and who bring a range of skills essential to the successful governance of the charity, offering leadership, strategic direction, financial management and general oversight, along with a willingness to help as needed to promote the success of the Refugee Survival Trust.

Board meetings take place every 6-8 weeks, alternating between Edinburgh and Glasgow and board members should have the motivation and time to commit around 6-10 hours per month to help with the management and smooth running of the organisation. Travel and other expenses will be reimbursed.

Background

The Scottish Veterans’ Garden City Association (SVGCA) is a private charitable letting agent, which together with its sister organisation, the Scottish Garden City Housing Society Ltd (SGCHS), provides housing to disabled military veterans in Scotland. Founded in 1915, SVGCA is one of Scotland’s oldest military social housing charities and is extensively supported by a network of enthusiastic and committed Voluntary District Committees who are central to our success.

Our stock of nearly 650 houses of varying size and type is located throughout Scotland. Over the past five years, there has been a significant development programme to increase the number and type of houses we can offer, but SVGCA want to expand and improve our stock further to meet the current and forecasted demand and are committed to undertaking further housing developments.

Due to planned board succession, we are looking to recruit several new Non-Executive Directors onto the board of SVGCA and Trustees to the committee of management for SGCHS over the course of 2019.

The Role

The main function of the Board of Directors / Trustees is to work with the Chair, Chief Executive and leadership team to oversee the future strategy and direction of the charity. The Board of Directors / Trustees is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the charity, for leading and controlling SVGCA and for its governance, policy and affairs. Directors / Trustees have responsibilities under charity and company law, and under SVGCA’s Articles of Association, for directing the affairs of the organisation, ensuring that it is solvent, well run and delivers its objectives.

Statutory duties:

• To ensure that the charity, and its representatives, function within charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations and in line with SVGCA’s governing document, i.e. the Articles of Association;
• To ensure that the charity pursues its objects as defined in the Articles of Association;
• To contribute actively and provide firm strategic direction to the charity, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against those agreed targets;
• To safeguard the good name and values of the charity;
• To ensure the effectiveness and efficient administration of the charity;
• To ensure the financial stability of the charity, including ensuring that robust systems are in place for internal financial control and the protection of the charity’s funds and assets;
• To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds;
• To ensure a fully effective and appropriate system for the recruitment, appointment and monitoring of the work and activities of the Chief Executive;
• To act in the best interests of the charity, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries always;
• To avoid any personal conflict of interest;

Other duties:

• To undergo a thorough induction upon appointment and ongoing training to remain alert to, and aware of, their duties and responsibilities, and of the environment in which SVGCA operates;
• To monitor the implementation of internal policies, which must include equality and diversity as well as health and safety policies and grievance and disciplinary procedures;
• To ensure that risk assessments for all aspects of the business are carried out;
• To maintain effective Board performance and ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity including funding, insurance and premises;
• To maintain absolute confidentiality about all sensitive/confidential information received in the course of Trustee responsibilities to the charity.

In addition to the above, each Trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience s/he has to help the Board reach sound decisions. These may involve scrutinising Board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives and other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise.

St Joseph’s Services have been providing housing support / care at home services to adults with a learning disability in Midlothian and Edinburgh for over 95 years.

Key duties:

St Joseph’s Services are looking for committed, enthusiastic and inspirational Trustees to ensure the effective governance of St Joseph’s Services, setting our strategic direction in accordance with our objectives, vision, mission and Vincentian values.

Having recently launched an ambitious vision for the future we are seeking Trustees who will help us realise our aspirations and share our passion in delivering services to adults with a learning disability. All applications will be considered - we would particularly welcome applications from people with a: Financial, HR, PR or Third Sector background.

Do you want to improve your personal wellbeing?… and your career prospects? Do you want to play a role in improving the lives of others and the Clydesdale area? If the answer is “YES” then volunteering as a Management Committee member with us might be the thing for you!

We are looking to recruit people as voluntary committee members. We need people who are motivated by a positive desire to work with us in achieving our Vision of ‘Quality homes and excellent services for all – for today and the future’.

We are a Registered Social Landlord and Scottish Charity with 738 affordable rented homes across rural South Lanarkshire and the Clyde Valley. We have high tenant satisfaction levels and a track record of strong performance. Our current challenges include improving the energy efficiency of our homes, supporting tenants with money problems and developing new office and community hub premises.

We need new committee members who have a range of skills and personal qualities who will strengthen our leadership in achieving the best we can for tenants and other service users. We would welcome interest from individuals with a commitment to our objectives and who have appropriate skills, but in particular would welcome applications from people with experience and knowledge in one or more of the following areas:

Property maintenance/construction

Technology/computing

Human resource management

Finance

Community engagement

Although Management Committee work is unpaid, we will reimburse out of pocket expenses, including care and travelling costs. We also provide comprehensive induction training as well as supporting ongoing personal development. The main reward though is knowing that you are part of a team that is helping to improve the lives of others.

Our Management Committee meets monthly in Lanark (usually held on the last Wednesday of the month – between 6.00 and 8.00pm).

Are you looking for a new challenge and an opportunity to influence strategy?

ARK’s mission is to provide the best regarded care, housing and support services in Scotland for families, children and adults of all ages who require support to have a good life. We will build life long and life enhancing relationships and promote the right of people to have a life free from poverty and discrimination.

Established in 1977 ARK Housing Association Ltd provides 450 tenancies, and supports over 400 people through our dedicated and highly skilled workforce of 800+ staff. We operate in 12 Local Authority areas in the North and East of Scotland, and we also have services in The Western Isles.

Although a housing association the majority of ARK’s activity relates to the provision of care and support for people with long term and enduring conditions such as learning disability, mental health issues, dementia and autism. Our aim is to ensure that those who use our services receive the very best support from ARK to enable them to live a good life. For further information see ARK’s website: arkha.org.uk.

We currently have vacancies for Non Executive Board members at a very exciting time for ARK. We are entering a period of new direction with the recent appointment of a new CEO alongside a new Chair Person on the voluntary board whose focus is positive engagement with the wider organisation. As a new Board Member you will play a key part in the formalisation of business strategy for the next 5-10 years. This will be clearly focussed upon delivery of high quality Housing and Care & Support services.

We are looking for dynamic, forward thinking and enthusiastic people from a variety of backgrounds to contribute to ARK’s emerging future. We will provide tailored training and development and you will also work alongside a number of experienced Board Members who can share learning and experience.

Do you have 1-2 hours every 4-6 weeks and an interest in supporting your local Women’s Aid group?

If you have a strong interest and knowledge of gender based violence and gendered inequality, then one of the largest Women’s Aid groups in Scotland could put them to use.

Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire & East Renfrewshire (WASLER) has delivered domestic abuse services across South Lanarkshire for over 30 years and in recent years East Renfrewshire and are currently looking for women to join our Board of Directors.

For an informal chat, please contact WASLER’s CEO, Heather Russell directly on 01355 249897.

We are committed to equal opportunities and diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We would particularly welcome applications from women in black and ethnic minority and /or the disability community as these areas are currently under represented on the Board.

Please note that we can only accept applications from women under Schedule 9 (Part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 and successful candidates will be subject to PVG checks.

Grant Making Trust seeks Voluntary Trustees

Miss Agnes H Hunter’s Trust provides grants to registered charities that:

· help disabled people

· assist with the education and training of disadvantaged people aged 16 years or over

The Trust has an annual grants programme of around £400,000 a year.

The charity is looking to recruit two new Trustees to join the current Board, replacing two retiring members. In a voluntary capacity, these Trustees will attend all Board meetings in Edinburgh (typically 4-5/yr) and serve for a 5-year term, renewable for 3 years.

This is an exciting opportunity for candidates to assist in the progression of the Trust and the grant award process, and the Board is keen to develop its diverse representation.

In particular, the Trust is seeking candidates with experience in:

· legal matters, preferably in charity law

· the voluntary sector, particularly those who have lived experience and/or involvement in service delivery

Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association (ENSA) seeks a new external Trustee to join its Trustee Board. Volunteers from an HR background are especially welcomed.

ENSA’s Trustee Board is responsible for the governance of the association, sets the overall strategy for the organisation and evaluates its progress towards key goals. The Board is comprised of a combination of elected and appointed students and external lay trustees who bring in expertise and perspectives from a range of backgrounds.

ENSA is a registered charity. Its mission is to improve the student experience for around 14000 students based at Edinburgh Napier University’s 3 campuses. Its main activities are student representation, sports and societies, advice and support, volunteering, training and events.

Scotland’s women and labour market expert, Close the Gap, is looking for new trustees. Committed to women’s labour market equality, you’ll have the ability to think strategically and creatively, and to respond to the needs of the organisation. You’ll also be able to commit the time to fulfil the role of trustee, and help us meet our strategic objectives.

We’re particularly interested in receiving applications from people that have knowledge and experience in media/PR, marketing, and fundraising.

Close the Gap is deeply committed to equality, and recognises that diverse boards are more effective, and result in better governance practice. We would particularly welcome applications from Black and minority ethnic people, disabled people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people who are currently under-represented on our board.

Hamilton CAB is a trusted local organisation with a strong track record in supporting and working alongside our community. We have a clear vision and an ambitious strategic plan. Our primary focus is to ensure that all citizens have easy, free, independent, impartial and timely access to advice and representation. We use the evidence we gather to influence local and national social policy and practice. Our main areas of work include: access to justice, social security, health and social care, housing, energy / fuel poverty, debt and community justice.

As we head towards our 50th birthday, we are recruiting Trustees to join our Board of Directors.

Do you have recent senior management and/ or governance experience in our priority areas?

• Public Sector including Health and Social Care
• Business sustainability and growth
• Financial governance
• HR/ employment law

If yes, we would be delighted to hear from you.

You must be socially aware, comfortable with our values and principles, resident or working within Hamilton area and interested in us!