Friends of St Nicholas Fields

York Environment Centre

Rawdon Avenue

York YO10 3ST

Tel: 01904 411821

Email:

Registered Charity No 1068909

TRUSTEE - ROLE DESCRIPTION

Main Purpose

To act with the other Trustees to ensure that the charity fulfils its objects and is run prudently and effectively in accordance with the governing documents and charity law.

Term of Office

The term of office is up to three years, but at the end of the first three-year term the Trustee must retire by rotation and be re-elected for a further three-year term by ordinary resolution at the relevant AGM.

Main Tasks

A Trustee is required to act in the charity’s best interests, without regard to his or her own private interests, and to safeguard the good name and values of the charity. Trustees use any specific knowledge or experience they have to help the Board reach sound decisions. This will involve scrutinising papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, and providing advice and guidance, as requested, on new initiatives or other issues relevant to the area of the charity’s work in which the Trustee has special expertise. The performance of the Board is reviewed annually and Trustees may ask for informal discussions with the Chairman about their performance.

The main tasks of a Trustee are:

  • To contribute actively to the Board’s role in giving clear strategic direction to Friends of St Nicholas Fields, including setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets.
  • To monitor Friends of St Nicholas Fields performance against targets.
  • To ensure that resources are applied exclusively in pursuance of Friends of St Nicholas Fields objects.
  • To ensure that Friends of St Nicholas Fields complies with its Memorandum and Articles, charity law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
  • To safeguard the reputation and values of Friends of St Nicholas Fields.
  • To ensure the effective and efficient administration of Friends of St Nicholas Fields.
  • To ensure the financial stability of Friends of St Nicholas Fields.
  • To protect and manage the property of Friends of St Nicholas Fields and to ensure the proper and prudent investment of funds.
  • To contribute to the appointment, support and performance monitoring of the Chief Executive.
  • To sit on appraisal, recruitment and disciplinary panels as required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION – SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Friends of St Nicholas Fields are currently recruiting Trustees from the local community with skills and experience in the following areas:

  • Marketing
  • Education
  • Legal
  • Finance/Administration
  • Business Development/Management
  • Health & Safety
  • Nature Reserve/Land Management

In addition each Trustee should have:

  • A commitment to Friends of St Nicholas Fields and the principles of sustainable living
  • A willingness and the ability to devote the necessary time and effort
  • Strategic vision
  • Sound independent judgment
  • The ability to think creatively
  • Willingness to speak their mind
  • An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
  • The ability to work effectively as a member of the team
Time Commitment

Trustee Board

Meetings of the Trustee Board take place monthly, however the Chair of the Board is currently assessing the opportunity to reduce the frequency of these meetings to bi-monthly. These meetings are held at Friends of St Nicholas Fields office, based at the Environment Centre, York. Meetings usually last for 2hrs and are scheduled in the evening.

Annual General Meeting/Other Events

Trustees are expected to attend the Annual General Meeting which takes place in August and is a half-day event. A programme of public events and activities will also take place during the year. Trustees will be expected to attend one of these events a year. In addition an annual strategy day is also held with staff and volunteers, which some Trustees will be required to attend.

Recruitment Process

Friends of St Nicholas Fields is an equal opportunities organisation and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. A CRB disclosure will be required for successful candidates.

To apply please submit a one page A4 expression of interest stating what particular skills and expertise you could bring to the organisation. Please email your statement to: marking in the subject line ‘Trustee Nomination’. Alternatively please post it to: Friends of St Nicholas Fields, York Environment Centre, Rawden Avenue, York, YO10 3ST. If you require any further information please see our website or call (01904) 411821, asking for Tina Funnell, Chair of the Board. The deadline for submission of applications is 5pm Tuesday 31st July 2012.

St Nicholas Fields Nature Reserve Environment Centre Sustainability Projects