We currently have several exciting opportunities for volunteers to join our experienced Trustee Board, which is responsible for the governance of our charity. The Board is seeking new trustees who have the potential to help define the direction of the organisation and support our staff and volunteers in the way it is run.
We are particularly looking for individuals with experience or an interest (or both) in the following areas:
- Communications
- Marketing
- Social media and IT
This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute your ideas, skills, and experience at a time when our services have never been more needed.
We want the Trustee Board to reflect Brent’s diverse community, and therefore encourage applicants from all backgrounds and ages to apply – including recent graduates, stay at home mums, individuals on a career break, experienced professionals, and retirees. We welcome applications from those who live and/or work in Brent, and particularly from underrepresented groups.
About Citizens Advice Brent
Citizens Advice Brent have been operating in Brent since 1939. Since then, we have helped close to a million people and in the last year alone we dealt with over 15,000 issues and generated over £2.5 million income for Brent Households. We give people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem we help people find a way forward.
- 90% of our clients said we helped them find a way forward
- 80% of clients said their problem was resolved following our service and
- 90% of our clients would recommend us.
Main duties and responsibilities of Trustees:
Each individual member of the Trustee Board has a responsibility to contribute to the effective discharge of the Board’s duties. They can do this by:
- Maintaining an active understanding of what Citizens Advice does
- Actively contributing to setting policy and strategic direction, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance
- Actively using their knowledge, experience and professional or community networks to support the organisation’s development
- Monitoring whether the service complies with its governing document, whether it meets Citizens Advice standards and how well the advice needs of the local community are being met.
- Monitoring the financial position and ensuring operation is within means and objects, and that there are clear lines of accountability for day-to-day economic management.
- Supporting the development of the organization through participation in agreed projects and sub-groups
- Actively seeking to further the strategic objectives of the organisation, and always acting in the best interests of Citizens Advice Brent.
- Alerting the Chief Officer to funding opportunities and using any personal contacts that might assist in generating funding or partnerships for the organisation
- Maintaining confidentiality about any sensitive or confidential information received in the course of duties as a trustee.
- Identifying experience and skill sets relevant to the wider Board activity and using them to support the goals of Citizens Advice.
Personal skills and qualities:
Each individual member of the Trustee Board brings skills and qualities to the Board. They add to the collective knowledge and experience by being:
- Committed to the goals and aims of Citizens Advice Brent
- Constructive about other Trustees’ opinions in discussions (and in response to staff members’ contributions at meetings)
- Able to maintain confidentiality on sensitive and confidential information
- Understanding of the importance and purpose of meetings, and being committed to preparing for them adequately and attending them regularly
- Able to analyse information and, when necessary, challenge constructively
- Able to make collective decisions and stand by them
- Able to communicate effectively and willing to participate actively in discussion
- Willing to gain knowledge of local needs and resources
- Committed to equality and diversity
- Willing and ability to act in the best interests of the organisation
- Able to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and employers
- Able to think creatively and strategically, and exercise good, independent judgement
- Able to work effectively as a member of a team
- Willing to comply with charity law and actively seeking to understand any changes in the law.
Additional information:
- Meetings are held every two months in the early evening in person.
- The role requires 4-8 hours work per month at a minimum; sub-group or committee work and other activities may require a considerably greater time commitment.
- Trustees are expected, where possible, to attend workers’ meetings, away days and other activities that support the work of Citizens Advice Brent.
- Trustees are expected to attend the annual AGM in September or October.
- Trustees are expected to join at least one subcommittee or sub-groups (at present the sub-groups are: Personnel and Finance.
- Trustee Board members are elected at the AGM and are expected to serve for a period of five years.
- This is an unpaid position and only out of pocket expenses can be reimbursed to Trustees.