Hope for the Future - Chair of Trustees

Hope for the Future - Chair of Trustees

Hope for the Future brings together local politicians, churches and communities to take decisive action on climate change. The charity was established in 2013 to equip faith communities, local groups and individuals across the UK to raise awareness of climate change.

We help with letter writing, accompany people to meetings and organise events around the UK encouraging communities to take action. In four short years our work has gained national recognition as we have grown into the UK’s leading specialists in supporting citizens to work with their MP on climate change.

With voter turnout and political party membership at a historic low in 2013, our work is also vital in equipping everyone to be able to get involved with politics and have their opinion heard on the issues that matter to them most.

Our small, dedicated team are based in Yorkshire. We employ two members of staff and currently have six individuals who sit on the Board of Trustees, including academics, ordained clergy and third sector employees. Our patron is the Rt Revd. Steven Croft, the current Bishop of Oxford, who also sits in the House of Lords.

We are looking for a Chair of Trustees to take over from Michael Bayleyand lead the trustees and work in close partnership with the Director as we enter an exciting stage of our development as an organisation.

The responsibilities of the role -

•Take a lead in determining future strategy and operational priorities.

•Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation

•Ensure the accountability of the Director and provide appropriate support and development opportunities to the whole staff team

•Develop appropriate governing documents in order to comply with charity law and other relevant legislation and regulations

•Work towards establishing the financial stability of Hope for the Future

•Liaise closely with the Director to keep an overview of the organisation's activities and affairs

•Plan the annual cycle of board meetings

•Set agenda for board meetings

•Chair and facilitate board meetings

•Annually review the performance of the trustees

•Give direction to board policy making and monitor that decisions are implemented

•Bring impartiality and objectivity to decision making

•Represent the organisation at events and meetings, and act as a spokesperson as appropriate

Skills, knowledge and attributes required -

•Commitment to the purpose and sympathy with the values of the organisation

•Strategic vision

•Good independent judgement

•Ability to think creatively

•Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship

•Good communication and interpersonal skills

•Willingness to give the necessary time and effort

•Previous experience as a trustee desirable

•Living within reasonable reach of Sheffield (perhaps about an hour’s journey)

Additional details –

Voluntary role

Time commitment – 4 days per month

Notice period – 1 month

Probationary period – 6 months

Expenses - Any reasonable expenses incurred of the course of Trustee business will be reimbursed.

References – 2/3 required

Interview – with current chair (Michael Bayley) and one other trustee

Contact – Michael Bayley ( Tel:0114 258 5248) for more information

Apply by mail to Michael Bayley, 27 Meadow Bank Avenue, Sheffield S7 !PB

or e-mail (as above) with CV and covering letter. Closing date Friday 2 February 2018

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