Board Member & Chairperson - Role Profiles
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Please scroll down the page for Chairperson of the Board's role profile or download through this link - Chairperson.
Board Member
Venture Scotland’s aim is to empower disadvantaged young people aged 16-30 to achieve their potential and make an active contribution to society. We help young people to develop new skills and confidence, improve their mental and physical health and increase their access to employment, training and education.
We do this by providing a long-term and intensive programme of personal development and volunteering called ‘The Journey’. Our team of development professionals work in partnership with volunteers from all walks of life to lead the Journey, which consists of outdoor activities, conservation and challenging personal development work. Our programme takes place in both urban and wilderness settings, including at our remote bothy in Glen Etive.
Role Purpose:
To work as part of a team of Board of Trustees who provide effective governance for Venture Scotland ensuring that all activities fall within the charity’s purpose and that we adhere to our constitution document.
To provide strategic direction to Venture Scotland and monitor progress and achievement against the organisation’s Business Plan.
To act as a guardian of the charity’s assets and ensure the charity is solvent.
To ensure the charity is run properly, responsibly and lawfully.
Main duties:
Governance role
Preparing for and contributing to 4 Board Meetings a year, an annual Away Day and AGM.
Using your knowledge and experience to help the Board reach sound decisions and providing advice and guidance in areas where you have particular expertise.
Monitoring progress against the Venture Scotland Business Plan.
Monitoring the financial position of the charity and agreeing the annual budget.
Monitoring the organisation risk assessment.
Monitoring the support and development of the Venture Scotland staff team.
Ensuring that the interests of vulnerable young people and our volunteer community are represented in decision making.
Working with fellow Board members to review Board performance and ensure the Board has the skills/knowledge it needs to perform its role.
Strategic role
Representing at least one specific skill/knowledge area within the Board and carry out a limited number of strategic tasks relating to your role.
At this time, we have a particular interest in recruiting people with a background in:
o Youth Work
o Fundraising/Marketing
o Media/PR
o Social Enterprise
o Local or Scottish Government policy development
o Volunteering
Influencing the long-term direction and sustainability of Venture Scotland through participating in Board sub-committees where appropriate and/or engaging in organisational Business Planning.
Representative role
Representing the Board at key Venture Scotland events e.g. the AGM and regular Achievement Award Evenings.
Attending external conferences and events on behalf of Venture Scotland.
Accompanying the Director to meetings with key partners such as the Scottish Government and Big Lottery Fund.
Person Specification:
Essential attributes
An interest in the ethos and aims of Venture Scotland and in the issues facing excluded young people.
To ensure that you are not disqualified from being a trustee for any reason.
An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
Commitment to preparing for meetings thoroughly and attending them regularly.
Ability to maintain confidentiality on sensitive and confidential information.
The ability to work as a team with your fellow trustees in order to reach sound and fair decisions.
Ability to assimilate and analyse complex information often in report form.
Ability to contribute to the strategic planning process.
To be able to represent at least one key skill/knowledge area on the Board.
Commitment to representing the interests of young people and volunteers in your decision-making.
Desirable attributes
Qualifications and or membership of professional bodies related to your area of expertise.
Past experience of serving on a Board of Trustees or Directors.
Time commitment:
You will need to commit to serving on the Board for a minimum of two years. Members can serve for a maximum period of three years before requiring re-election to the Board.
Approximately one hour preparation time for each meeting. Meetings take place from 4pm-6.30pm.
To attend the AGM (an evening event) and an annual Away Day (historically at the weekend).
To represent Venture Scotland at other internal and external events depending on your availability.
To carry out a limited amount of strategic level work relating to the specific role you take on. The time commitment here depends both on the role and your own availability.
To attend any other exceptional meetings by agreement of the Board.
Support for Board Members:
An induction meeting with the Chair of Venture Scotland, who will also check in with you on a regular basis to ensure you are comfortable with your role.
You will receive a written induction pack containing background information about Venture Scotland and the role of a trustee.
You will be invited to meet key members of staff during your induction period and staff will also be available to answer any ongoing questions you have relating to your specific role.
You will be invited to attend Venture Scotland activities and events in order to help familiarise yourself with the organisation.
You will be offered training relating to good governance and have the opportunity to pursue training relating to your specific role.
You will be part of a supportive team with the other members of the Board.
Board member benefits:
To know you are playing an essential role in the running and development of Venture Scotland, enabling the organisation to continue its work with disadvantaged young people.
To build up new and existing skills and knowledge relating to the development of a small, dynamic voluntary organisation.
To learn more about a range of issues including social exclusion, youth work, volunteering, conservation to name but a few!
To be part of the Venture Scotland community and be invited to a range of fun and inspiring events.
Location:
The majority of meetings take place at Venture Scotland’s Edinburgh office, Norton Park. Occasionally meetings and away days will take place at other locations of the Board’s choosing.
Application process:
Firstly, register your interest in this role by calling our office on 0131 475 2395 or by emailing admin@venturescotland.org.uk. You can also use these contact details if you have any questions about the role.
Application is by CV with a covering letter to explain your interest in joining our Board.
If you are short listed for the post, we will invite you to attend an interview.
Successful candidates will then be invited to sit in on a Board meeting and to an AGM when possible, depending on the time of year.
Please visit www.venturescotland.org.uk for more information about our work.
Chairperson of the Board
Venture Scotland’s aim is to empower disadvantaged young people aged 16-30 to achieve their potential and make an active contribution to society. We help young people to develop new skills and confidence, improve their mental and physical health and increase their access to employment, training and education.
We do this by providing a long-term and intensive programme of personal development and volunteering called ‘The Journey’. Our team of development professionals works in partnership with volunteers from all walks of life to lead the Journey, which consists of outdoor activities, conservation and challenging personal development work. Our programme takes place in both urban and wilderness settings, including at our remote bothy in Glen Etive.
Role Purpose:
To provide leadership for the Venture Scotland Board of Trustees ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities relating to the governance of Venture Scotland.
To work in partnership with the Venture Scotland Director to set a strategic vision for the organisation and to support him or her in achieving this vision.
To ensure an effective relationship is maintained between the Venture Scotland Board and its staff and volunteers.
Main duties:
In addition to the regular duties of a Board Member, you have the following responsibilities:
Meetings
To work with the Director to agree an agenda for 4 Board Meetings a year, an annual Away Day and AGM.
To chair Board meetings ensuring that key governance items are covered, that members contribute effectively and that meetings run to time.
To monitor the implementation of actions agreed at Board Meetings.
To work with the Director to agree an annual calendar of Board Meetings and events for the year.
Board Leadership
To work in partnership with the Director to ensure that the skill set of the Board is fit for purpose for Venture Scotland.
To work with the Director to recruit Board members with specific skill/knowledge sets as required.
To work with the staff team to provide new Board members with an effective induction and ongoing support as and when they need it.
To lead work to evaluate Board performance on an annual basis.
To develop the work of Board sub-committees in priority areas including Finance, HR, Volunteering and Young People.
Staff Management
To carry out the Director’s annual appraisal and one half-yearly support and supervision session.
To support the recruitment of senior staff members as required.
To reflect any concerns staff members have in regard to the Board of Trustees and vice versa.
Representative role
To play a proactive role in representing Venture Scotland at internal and external events.
To build an understanding of Venture Scotland’s diverse stakeholders of young people, volunteers, funders and partners and ensure that their interests and concerns are adequately represented at Board level.
Person Specification:
Essential attributes
Outstanding leadership skills.
Willingness to devote time and commitment required for role (see below for more details)
Excellent people management skills.
Experience of chairing effective meetings.
Tact, diplomacy and influencing skills.
A commitment to the ethos and aims of Venture Scotland and an interest in the issues facing excluded young people.
To ensure that you are not disqualified from being a trustee for any reason.
An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
Commitment to preparing for meetings thoroughly and attending them regularly.
Ability to maintain confidentiality on sensitive and confidential information.
Ability to assimilate and analyse complex information often in report form.
Ability to contribute to the strategic planning process.
Commitment to representing the interests of young people and volunteers in your decision-making.
Desirable attributes
Past experience of chairing a Board of Trustees or Directors.
Time commitment:
You will need to commit to serving as Chair for a minimum of two years. As Chairperson you can serve for a maximum period of three years before requiring re-election to the Board.
Approximately one hour preparation time for each meeting. Board Meetings take place from 4pm-6.30pm.
In addition, the Chair is required to carry out additional work outside of meetings in order to fulfil their duties as described above. In most cases this work can be carried out on a flexible basis and outside of office hours.
The Chair will contribute to the preparation of the AGM (an evening event) and an annual Away Day (a weekend event).
To represent Venture Scotland at internal and external events depending on your availability.
To attend any other exceptional meetings by agreement of the Board.
Support for the Chair:
An induction programme led by the Director of Venture Scotland and other senior staff.
You will receive a written induction pack containing background information about Venture Scotland and the role of a trustee.
You will be invited to attend Venture Scotland activities and events in order to help familiarise yourself with the organisation.
You will be offered training relating to good governance and have the opportunity to pursue training relating to your specific role.
You will be part of a supportive team with the other members of the Board.
Role benefits:
To know you are playing an essential role in the running and development of Venture Scotland, enabling the organisation to continue its work with disadvantaged young people.
The opportunity to hone your leadership skills within a dynamic voluntary organisation and play a key role in the strategic development of Venture Scotland.
To learn more about a range of issues including social exclusion, youth work, volunteering, conservation to name but a few!
To be part of the Venture Scotland community and be invited to a range of fun and inspiring events.
Location:
The majority of meetings take place at Venture Scotland’s Edinburgh office, Norton Park. Occasionally meetings and away days will take place at other locations of the Board’s choosing.
Application process:
Firstly, register your interest in this role by calling our office on 0131 475 2395 or by emailing admin@venturescotland.org.uk. You can also use these contact details if you have any questions about the role.
Application is by CV with a covering letter to explain your interest in joining our Board.
If you are short listed for the post, we will invite you to attend an interview.
Successful candidates will then be invited to sit in on a Board meeting and, if possible depending on the time of year, to an AGM.
Please visit www.venturescotland.org.uk for more information about our work
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