CharityComms is looking to appoint two elected trustees from organisational member charities to its board.
We’re looking for senior comms professionals with experience of the charity sector to join our board to make an active contribution to the development of our growing organisation. We’re after enthusiastic, inspiring communicators who can help ensure CharityComms continues to offer services which enhance the professional and personal development of charity communications professionals.
Candidates must be from charities which are organisational members of CharityComms. Voting to elect the two board members will be open to the full CharityComms membership.
If you would like to put yourself forward for election, please email our director Vicky Browning on vicky@charitycomms.org.uk with your CV and 250 words on why you would like the position and what you feel you can bring to the board. This will be circulated to the full CharityComms membership to enable them to vote for their preferred candidates.
The deadline for nominations is Monday 26 November 2012. Elections will take place between 5 and 14 December with the elected candidates announced on 21 December and formally appointed to the board at our AGM on 30 January 2013.
Q: What does a charity trustee do?
A: Charity trustees are the people who serve on the governing body of a charity. They are responsible for the general control and management of the administration of a charity. Trustees have, and must accept, ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of a charity, and ensuring that it is solvent, well-run, and meeting the needs for which it has been set up. You can find out more about being a trustee from the Charity Commission.
Q: What does being a CharityComms trustee involve?
A: The CharityComms trustee board meets four times a year for reasonably informal meetings at a venue in central London, usually between 5.30 and 7.30pm. You will be expected to attend these meetings, to prepare for them by reading board papers prior to the meeting and to contribute to the discussions during the meeting. Throughout the year, you will be invited to various CharityComms events, such as our member lunches, which are optional to attend. You may be asked to contribute your thoughts and advice on matters which arise between meetings, usually via email or telephone.
Q: Can anyone apply to join the CharityComms board in this election process?
A: No. At this point, we are looking to appoint two people who work for charities which are organisational members of CharityComms. To check if your charity is an organisational member, email Sarah Clarke on sarah.clarke@charitycomms.org.uk.
Q: Do trustees have to be a director of comms at a charity?
A: No, but they should have relevant experience in both comms and the charity sector so they understand the challenges and opportunities facing charity communicators and can help us shape CharityComms’ services to meet these.
Q: Can trustees be based outside London?
A: Yes if they are prepared to travel into London for meetings as required
Q: Who else is on the board?
A: You can find out about our current trustees in our About us section.
Q: What will CharityComms offer the successful candidates?
A: Trustees will be rewarded with the knowledge that they are helping an organisation deliver key skills within the communications discipline, a vital function for charities. The position is not paid, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
Q: Why are these positions available?
The vacancies have arisen as a result of two trustees stepping down, Judith Barnard and Ben Matthews, and the appointment of our new chair, John Grounds, to replace our existing chair, Joe Saxton.
Q: How long do trustees serve?
Trustees serve a three-year term on the board, for a maximum of two consecutive terms.
Q: What additional information is available?
A: Candidates may request CharityComms’ latest accounts, vision, mission and values statement and constitution. If you would like to be sent these, please email Vicky Browning at vicky@charitycomms.org.uk or phone the CharityComms office on 020 7426 8877.
Q: Who can I contact if I have further questions?
A: Contact Vicky at vicky@charitycomms.org.uk or 07979 464108.