Chair of Trustees

The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the board and acts as an ambassador for the charity.

Chair role

·     Provide strategic leadership to the charity and the Board, ensuring that the SCH achieves its mission.

·      To ensure that the charity’s financial dealings are systematically accounted for, audited and publicly available.

·      To ensure that the major risks to which the charity is exposed have been reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate these risks.

·      To ensure that board decisions are made in the best, long term interests of the charity and that the board takes collective ownership of these decisions.

·     Lead the board in ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation.

·     Optimise the relationship between the board and the SCH’s staff and volunteers.

·     Plan and chair the board meetings and the AGM, with others as appropriate.

·     Act as a spokesperson and figurehead for the SCH.

What we are looking for

Essential

●      Experience of being a trustee. You do not need to have been a Chair before.

●      A keen sense of strategic purpose.

●      An inclusive leadership style: able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing.

●      The ability to listen and engage effectively. You are comfortable with challenge and debate and can encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment.

●      Advocate - be able and willing to champion SCH’s work through personal networks, social media, and other channels.

●      A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

●      Be responsive and willing to “pitch in” when required. As a small charity, things sometimes come up that require the Chair to advise, support or give consent to.

In addition to the above, the Chair will have the responsibilities and qualities of all trustees:

Responsibilities of all trustees

●      Support and provide advice on SCH’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.

●      Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation.

●      Oversee SCH’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 SCH’s financial statements.

●      Keep abreast of changes in SCH’s operating environment.

●      Contribute to regular reviews of SCH’s own governance.

●      Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.

●      Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect SCH’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.

●      Contribute to the broader promotion of SCH’s objectives, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

 Essential qualities and attributes of all trustees

●      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 and work effectively as a board member.

●      Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.

●      A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

●      Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.

●      Willingness to lead according to our values.

●      Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership

Terms of appointment

Terms of office

●      This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Time Commitment

·      Estimated at 10-15hrs per month

●      Attending monthly Board meetings. Currently meetings are held in person at the Hub but joining remotely can always be accommodated. 

●      Attending Annual General Meeting with the flexibility to respond swiftly to the occasional ad hoc issue.