TrusteeVolunteer Role Description

Role Description

Trustees are responsible for the general overall control of the charity and make sure it is doing what it was set up to do. Trustees serve as volunteers, and receive no payment. Trustees must be aged over 16.

Volunteer Responsibilities:

1. To lead JDI, establish its mission, vision and values and ensure it has a clear purpose and an overall framework of policies and standards.

2. To develop overall strategies to achieve JDI’s aims and ensure there is a clear system to delegate implementation of the strategies to the manager.

3. To monitor performance and ensure the highest quality of support, balanced with the effective, efficient and economic use of JDI’s resources and assets, ensuring money is used for the purpose given.

4. To ensure compliance with the law, Governing Document and accountability to JDI’s stakeholders.

5. To ensure that the Board itself performs effectively and contains people with the skills and experience it needs and that it makes plans to ensure the recruitment, induction and development of new trustees.

6. To support the Chair of Trustees by representing JDI at key functions such as the AGM.

Volunteering commitment

Trustees should be able to commit to attending a minimum of 4 Trustee Meetings a year, whilst also pledging time to contribute to the life of the charity. Times can be flexible and largely self managed.

Personal Qualities

Trustees come from all walks of life, and are united by their commitment to the aims and values of JDI.

The following criterion is a useful guide for anyone considering this role:

Quality / Necessary / Advantageous
Knowledge & Experience / An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship. / A knowledge and understanding of Youth Work, Counselling or other services for young people
Relevant experience for example:
Audit
Commercial
Education and training
Financial Management
Fundraising
HR Management
Knowledge of volunteering
Legal
Marketing and promotion
Youth Work
Housing
Organisational Management
Counselling
Property Management
Social services or social work
Strategic Planning/thinking
Specific Skills / Commitment to Nolan’s 7 Principles of Public Life: selflessness; integrity; objectivity; accountability; openness; honesty; leadership.
Core governance and management skills for example:
The ability to think strategically and creatively, and for the long term.
The capacity to serve on appropriate formal and informal committees/advisory groups relating to specific functions or projects.
The ability to be an effective ambassador and “influencer” for JDI.
The ability to work effectively as a member of a team. / The ability to harness the support of community or professional networks.
Personal Qualities / Passion for the work of JDI and a commitment to its philosophy.
Sound, independent judgement and a professional approach.
Excellent communication and listening skills.
Willingness to proffer and opinion
Willingness and ability to support staff and Trustees with any specialist advice and knowledge if needed
Willingness to be flexible and devote the necessary time and effort to Trustee duties / The ability to think creatively.

People who are legally barred from being charity Trustees include anyone who:

has an unspent conviction for an offence involving deception or dishonesty

iscurrently declared bankrupt, subject to bankruptcy restrictions or an interim order orhas an individual voluntary arrangement to pay off debts with creditors.

is disqualified from being a company director

have previously been removed as a trustee by either the Charity Commission or the high court due to misconduct or mismanagement

Just Drop-In Commitment to Trustees

In exchange for your time and enthusiasm we will aim to provide the following:

-Opportunities to serve the community while learning new skills and gaining new training.

-Reimbursed expenses such as bus fare or parking

-Opportunities to celebrate and be rewarded for your help.

-1-1 mentoring and support from another Trustee for the first 12 months

To Apply

The Trustee Body is responsible for the appointment of new Trustees. New Trustees are considered by invitation and only after due consideration is given to eligibility, personal competence and specialist skills. Consideration is also given to the diversity of the existing Trustee group. A six month trial period is undertaken prior the individual becoming a Trustee, this allows for mutual suitability to be assessed. Trustees will be approved by the Board and ratified at the next AGM. Trustees will be appointed for a period of 3 years but can be reappointed for subsequent periods.

If you would like to express an initial interest in becoming a Trustee you should initially approach the Chair of Trustees Bruce Taylor.