This is a volunteer agreement for the role stated below and is not intended to be a legally binding contract of employment. AFRIL will pay the volunteer for out of pocket expenses and provide suitable training as required.
AFRIL will also carry out adequate risk assessments and treat volunteers in accordance with its equal opportunities policy. Volunteers agree to follow the rules and policies of the charity and are requested to do their best to meet time commitments, giving adequate notice if this is not possible.
Role title: / Chairperson
Role purpose:
-Leading the management committee, ensuring that key decisions are made when appropriate and that the management committee functions effectively.
-Developing and monitoring delivery of the strategic plan for 2015-18.
-Representing the vision and mission of the charity to the public; as well as taking the lead in planning and development activities.
-Providing regular supervision to the Manager, including carrying out appraisals and offering support and advice as required.
-Ensuring that maximum funding is secured.
-Ensuring all charity resources are used appropriately.
Knowledge, skills and experience required: / Essential / Desirable-Experience of managing and delivering partnerships /
-Experience of working in the not-for-profit sector /
-Good understanding of the statutory duties pertaining to the charity sector /
-Previous experience of acting as a trustee /
-Effective leadership, planning and organisational skills /
-Experienced public speaker /
-Able to make a regular time commitment to the role (up to 8 hours/month) /
-Understanding of the benefits and challenges of a
volunteer led organisation /
Main duties:
- Taking the lead role in the development and delivery of AFRIL’s strategic plan, including providing regular active support to the Manager in order that they can successfully scope, plan and maintain this activity.
- Providing ongoing supervision to the Manager, including appraisal.
- Chairing meetings of AFRIL’s management committee, including liaising with the secretary regarding meeting agendas, approving minutes before circulation, and managing theagenda/controlling discussions during meetings.
- Acting as a conciliator between two or more parties in order to resolve any disagreements and utilising casting vote when agreement is not reached.
- Maintaining contact with the management committee in order that AFRIL’s priority strategic issues are kept in the forefront.
- Inducting new trustees. The management committee comprises several board members new to being trustees; therefore,in conjunction with the Manager, the Chairperson must ensure that all committee members complete a full induction.
- Liaising with the treasurer to ensure that funds are spent appropriately and in the best interests of the charity.
- Attending fundraising sub-group meetings and contributing to fundraising activity.
- Preparing and presenting the annual report alongside the secretary.
- Acting as a point of reference/spokesperson for external agencies, in conjunction with the charity secretary.
- RepresentingAFRIL at funders meetings, external events and presentations.
- In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience s/he has to help the board reach sound decisions. These may involve scrutinising board and focus group papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives and other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.
A trustee is required to act reasonably and prudently in all matters relating to the charity and must always bear the interests of AFRIL in mind.
Section 72(1) of the Charities Act 1993 disqualifies anyone who:
has been convicted of an offence involving deception or dishonesty, unless the conviction is spent an undischarged bankrupt, has previously been removed from trusteeship of a charity by the court or the Charity Commissioners is under a disqualification order under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986
It is an offence to act as a charity trustee while disqualified unless the Charity Commission has given a waiver under section 72(4) of the Charities Act 1993.