Board member recruitment pack

Contents:

  • Invitation to apply to become a member of the Board of trustees.
  • Outline of the skills we are looking for
  • Board member role profile
  • Outline of our stakeholders
  • Application pro forma

A review of MRC’s activities may be downloaded from:

Invitation to apply to become a member of our Board of Trustees

MRC Community Action (formerly North West Leicestershire Council for Voluntary Services) has over 25years experience of providing services for people and communities in and around North West Leicestershire. MRC has been very successful at securing and mobilising resources to ensure that our services, which would not otherwise be provided, reach the most vulnerable people in our communities and support the development of a socially, environmentally and economically sustainable place to live. More information about our services can be found in the annual review which accompanies this pack, (or at;

MRC’s work is very highly regarded by key stakeholders and by communities, with whom we have active and close working relationships. We have a highly skilled and experienced team of 25 plusstaff whose knowledge of our sector and of the needs of North West Leicestershire is unsurpassed. This is supplemented by about 100 volunteers and a wide network of partners, supporters and referral agencies

The financial and public policy contexts for our work havechanged radically over recent years and continue to change. We are in the process of re-shaping our business model in light of changes in the public sector and to meet the new challenges of attracting investment in our work. We need to find new sources of income if we are to maintain and enhance our current turnover of £650,000and we need to develop new ways of delivering services.

With this in mind,the Board of Trustees has decided to seek new Board members to join the current team of eight. The current Board have, between them, a wide range of skills and experience and a wealth of local knowledge. However, we have a lot to do over the next 12 months and are aware of some skills gaps that we should like to fill (these are outlined below).

If you share our passion to make North West Leicestershire the best district in the region, if you would like to play an active part in making a difference and if you feel you have the skills we are looking for, then we should like to hear from you. A pro forma for expressions of interest is attached. If you would like to discuss this further before applying then contact: The Chief Officer, Dave Ahlquist, on 01530510515, or the Chair of Trustees, Evan Rees.

n.b. as trustees of a charity, Board members are un-remunerated. We do, however, cover agreed expenses.

MRC Board Member skills and qualities

Members of MRC’s Board of Trustees are trustees of a registered charity (regulated by the Charity Commission) and directors of a Company Limited by Guarantee (regulated by Companies House). There is therefore a general duty to ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.Training on the technical side of this can be provided to Trustees however there are a range of generic skills that all trustees should possess:

  • a commitment to MRC and its objectives
  • a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to actively participate in monthly Board meetings and occasional other task and finish work.
  • An ability to work strategically
  • good, independent judgement
  • an ability to think creatively
  • a willingness to speak their mind
  • an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship and directorship
  • an ability to work effectively as a member of a team
  • an ability to communicate effectively
  • ability to advocate for MRC with third parties
  • Commitment to the principles of public life, expressed by the Nolan Committee as: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

It is useful if people know about and are well connected in relevant areas. This could be knowledge of the local communities of North West Leicestershire or the County and across the business, public or voluntary sectors or in fields in which we work such as:

  • Health sector, social Care & well-being
  • Voluntary Sector & Social Enterprise
  • Volunteering
  • Children & Young People’s services
  • Community Transport
  • Environment/ waste management
  • Food banks
  • Retailing

We are looking for skills & experience in areas including:

  • Human resources – including Safeguarding & Health & Safety.
  • Marketing
  • Social Impact measurement
  • Change management
  • Legal
  • Finance

MRC Board members role profile

1. Board Member Role and Requirements

MRC is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee.

The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for the management and operation of the organisation, ensuring that we act legally and within our own governance requirements.

The MRC Board meets monthly, for about 2-3 hours, in the afternoon/ early evening at MRC in Coalville. Board Members are expected to attend this meeting and so must be available to do so.

In addition to Board members are asked to attend the AGM and at least 1 or 2 other MRC events during the year. Board members are also likely to be involved in ad hoc working and advisory groups and may be asked to represent MRC at some public occasions and events.

The primary objectives of the MRC Board are to:

  1. Ensure that we comply with our governing documents, work to our objectives and to achieve our vision.
  1. Encourage and support the Chief Officer and Staff Team in pursuit of the MRC’s vision, mission, values and strategic objectives;
  1. to work as a team and take collective responsibility for the oversight of MRC: to lead by example in setting the values and culture of MRC; to show trust and respect in the organisation, its staff and stakeholders; to work in a transparent and timely way; and ensure that MRC’s decision-making processesare simple, effective and accountable to MRC’s stakeholders;
  1. to work at a strategic level to set the direction of MRC;
  1. to empower the staff team to operate the business;
  1. to represent MRC publicly and make time to develop, and make the most of, partnership and strategic relationships which will support MRC and its stakeholders;
  1. to undertake self and group assessment to ensure that the Board is operating effectively and accountably;
  1. to monitor and measure MRC’s progress in pursuit of its vision, mission, values and strategic objectives.

2. MRC Board Member Job Description

  1. to support MRC’s vision, mission and values;
  2. to agree MRC’s annual & longer term business plans and annual budget;
  3. to monitor and review MRC’s performance;
  4. to agree MRC’s policies and protocols;
  5. to maintain sufficient contact with MRC through attendance of Board meetings (a minimum of 50%), other meetings as agreed with the Board and interaction with the staff team to be able to be an effective Board Member;
  6. to ensure that MRC complies with all legislative and regulatory requirements and complies with its Memorandum and Articles of Association;
  7. to ensure that MRC complies with key requirements of funding and service delivery contracts;
  8. to ensure that MRC is a learning organisation and shares its learning with key stakeholders;
  9. to ensure that MRC uses good practice in the employment of its staff;
  10. to appoint the Chair, Chief Executive and ensure that they are properly supported;
  11. to undertake work that Board may from time to time delegate to members;
  12. to ensure that the Chief Executive is appraised on a regular basis;
  13. to work collectively and support the Board’s collective decisions;
  14. to ensure that the board has a healthy turnover and that new directors are nominated, appointed and inducted as is required;
  15. to ensure that MRC is able to work effectively with the full diversity of communities of North West Leicestershire;
  16. to ensure that MRC is accountable to and works in the best interest of the organisations, communities and groups it represents.

Outline of MRC’s key stakeholders

  1. Individuals & families in North West Leicestershire, particularly people who are vulnerable or in particular need. We provide a range of services to individuals to help them maintain or enhance the quality of their lives. Examples include community transport, Playbus, providing volunteering opportunities, job search etc.
  2. Communities in North West Leicestershire, ensuring that links between communities and service providers are developed, providing support to find volunteering opportunities etc.
  3. Leicestershire County Council, who grant fund some of our work and contract with us to deliver specific projects.
  4. North West Leicestershire District Council. Providing a range of services on behalf of or in partnership with NWLDC where they have found that delivery by an independent organisation can add value.
  5. Health & Care organisations, & commissioning bodies – Clinical Commissioning Groups , Public Health etc.
  6. Governmental departments and agencies. Working under contract to facilitate local delivery of national programmes that fit within our objectives.
  7. The business community of North West Leicestershire, supporting in the development of corporate social responsibility, providing space for business start ups and working with other key stakeholders to promote North West Leicestershire as a retail and commercial centre.

Application to be considered for membership of MRC’s Board of Trustees

Thank you for showing interest in our work and being prepared to support us.

Below, is a pro forma to help you to provide us with the information we need to select new Board members. Feel free to supply additional sheets or copies of other documents if this would be helpful. Be mindful however of the general rule that the more information that is provided, the easier it may be to overlook salient facts.

Once completed, this pro forma should be sent to:

Dave Ahlquist, Chief Officer.

Your name
Contact details / Address:
Telephone:
Email:
Are you /
  1. In paid employment – YES/NO
  2. In training/education - YES/NO
  3. Retired - YES/NO
  4. A volunteer - YES/NO
  5. A carer - YES/NO
  6. Not working - YES/NO

If in paid employment / Your job title:
Your employer:
If a volunteer / Your role:
With which organisation:
Please outline for us, experience you have which meets the generic requirements of the person specification.
Please outline for us, any skills you have relating to the 6 specific areas identified in the Board member skills paper.
Please tell us about your knowledge of North West Leicestershire.
Please tell us why you would like to become a Board member of MRC.
How did you hear about this opportunity?