Becoming a Member of the SHRUB Board

Application pack

Becoming a member of the SHRUB board

SHRUB is looking for new Board of Director members!

The Board is a necessary component of all co-operatives. The role of the board is to collectively ensure the long-term success of SHRUB in accordance with its values and with the International Co-operative Alliance Statement on Co-operative Identity.

The Board is appointed by and accountable to the members who own and control the SHRUB co-operative. The Board represents the membership, making business decisions the interests of members. The Board acts as the custodian of the SHRUB’s assets to safeguard the organisation for the future.

The Board’s key responsibilitiesfall into the following areas:

●Vision and mission

●Strategy and objectives

●Culture and values

●Accountable leadership

●Control environment

●Governance processes

●Succession planning

And their main dutiesare:

●Duty to act within powers as set out by the SHRUB’s constitution

●Duty to promote the success of the SHRUB

●Duty to exercise independent judgement

●Duty to exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence

●Duty to avoid conflicts of interest

●Duty not to misuse the co-op’s information or property

Effective participation in meetings ensures that we can work well together and reach our hopes and expectations at SHRUB. It builds strong relationships and helps share the responsibility for this amazing project.

The Board of Directors currently meets fortnightly to discuss relevant issues. Theexpectations for BOD meetings is as follows:

●Attend every meeting of the board and of any committee or sub-committees of the board to which he or she is appointed, unless there is an unavoidable reason for non-attendance, in which case the director shall notify the facilitator of this. (See Meetings Policy)

●Prepare properly for every meeting by reading in advance any documents sent out for the purpose of the meeting.

●Arrive on time for every meeting fully prepared and able to take an active role in discussions and decision making.

●Follow SHRUB’s consensus decision-making process

Who can apply?

Anyone can apply (you don’t need to have any history with the SHRUB to qualify) - we are looking for the right combination of skills and experience.

As well as the skills laid out in the application form, personal qualities (such as commitment, time management, reliability, personable etc.) and diversity will be considered.

Time commitment

Being on the Board takes a certain time commitment. We have set out the different meetings you should attend below, but there will also be work outside of these times to contribute to projects and discussions. There is an expectation that if you cannot make a meeting you let people know.

Board meetings

When/commitment? Currently meetings run every other Wednesday 6:00pm - 8:00pm (twice per month) frequency is encouraged but timing can be agreed by the appointed Board

Who is expected to attend? Board

Who else is invited and welcome to attend? Staff

Who organises the meetings? Board

Open meetings

When/commitment? Meetings are currently run every other Wednesday 6:00pm - 7:30pm (twice per month)

Who is expected to attend? Board, staff, members, at least one representative to feed-back from each working group to report at least once per month. Board are expected to attend at least one open meeting per month

Who else is invited and welcome to attend?Anyone

Who organises the meetings? SHRUB Project Coordinators

Working group meetings

Board members are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one Working Group that is not the Board of Directors so that have clear participation and understanding of SHRUB activities that informs them to be an effective Board member.

When/commitment? If you are a member of a Working Group you are expected to attend a working group meeting once per month in accordance with the Working Group Policy.

Who is expected to attend? You are, and all members of that working group at least once per month but maybe more depending on the particular Working Group’s terms of working.

Holidays

Time off can be arranged among Board members, ensuring that there is a balance between Board members’ well being and SHRUB functioning.

There is also a Welfare working group which exists to ensure the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of staff, volunteers and members of the coop.

Relevant Documents

SHRUB Constitution - the legal structure of the SHRUB Co-operative

Accounts from previous years - 2016 - 2015

How do I apply?

Interested? Great! We have a short application form for you to fill in so that we can get an idea about why you’d like to be on the Board and what skills and experience you can bring to the mix. Please download the application form, fill it in and email it to with the email subject “Board application: “YOUR NAME”” by 20th October 2017.

Paper forms are available in SHRUB, where you can also receive help with filling in your application form.

Application form

What happens next?

You will be invited to come to the “meet the candidates” social meeting on 25th October, which all SHRUB members (including the appointment task group) will be invited to.

The Board appointment task group will then look through applications to come up with a suggested new Board. This will be presented to the SHRUB AGM on 20th November, where members will be able to discuss this proposal, suggest any amendments and agree by consensus on the new Board.

A board member’s term of office starts immediately after being appointed at the AGM and lasts until the next AGM (normally one year).

There will be a handover from the previous board to the new board as part of the induction process.

If you have any questions please get in touch - email us at or drop in to SHRUB!

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ADVERTISEMENT TO PUT UP IN PLACES

SHRUB is looking for new Board of Directors members!

Collectively responsible for the SHRUB, the Board is a necessary component of all co-operatives. The role of the board is to ensure the long-term success of SHRUB in accordance with its values and with the International Co-operative Alliance Statement on Co-operative Identity.

You can read more about the role of the Board here and attend one of our open meetings (see website or Facebook)!

Application form