For this role we are looking for someone who is able to do some or all of the following:
- Support the CEO and Chair to ensure Emmaus is compliant with relevant standards of governance including Company Law and Charity Commission requirements.
- Work with the Chair and CEO to ensure they understand the requirements of charity governance.
- Support Trustees to fulfil their legal duties through the provision of up to date information and ongoing support in their roles and assist with induction of new trustees.
- Support the Board with administration such as minute taking.
- Complete and submit the required documentation including annual returns to Companies House, the Charity Commission.
- Work with CEO/ chair where appropriate to advise on organisational policies.
- Provide support / advice on legal issues which may arise from time (if comfortable to do so and within expertise) and advise on external legal support if needed.
Company secretarial experience would be useful, but not essential, as we can provide training.
We would like new trustees who can bring different perspectives to our board to help Emmaus achieve its plans for growth, and who are representative of the wider UK community that we serve, so we are committed to increasing our diversity. Applications from minority communities, but also people living with disabilities, from a broad age-range, and all types of backgrounds are encouraged. Currently minority groups and under 30s are under-represented on our board and we would very much like to change this, so we especially welcome applicants from those groups and any with lived experience of homelessness.
Whatever your background may be, we are looking for:
- Commitment to the work of Emmaus and the role of trustee/director;
- A willingness to contribute fully to all the meetings and dedicate the time required;
- Good, independent judgment;
- An ability to think creatively;
- A willingness to speak your mind;
- Willingness to learn and take on the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship;
- An ability to work effectively as a member of a team;
- A commitment to the seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Main Responsibilities:
Like many charities, Emmaus St Albans is both a registered charity and a limited company, so if successful you will be appointed as both a trustee and director. Emmaus St Albans is the operating company which employs the staff and runs the businesses. Emmaus Hertfordshire is a dormant limited company and has the same trustees/directors as Emmaus St Albans. Although Emmaus has paid employees who are responsible for managing the day to day running of the organisation, the trustee/directors are the people who lead the organisation and decide how it is run. Trustee/directors have overall control of the organisation and are responsible for making sure it is doing what it was set up to do.
Trustees and directors have various legal duties and responsibilities, (some of which are listed in the annex to this document.) However, you are not expected to have full knowledge of charity and company law and governance before you apply. If appointed, you will be provided with an induction and training from time to time and in that process you will be expected to familiarise yourself with the role and duties of a trustee/director. We will provide you with the support that might need to fulfill your role, and you will not be expected to know everything from day one!
In the meantime, the Charity Commission website is the best place to look for a clear explanation as to what is involved in being a trustee: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charity-trustee-whats-involved.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charity-trustee-whats-involved
Free introductory webinars and training for 18-30 year old prospective trustees can also be found here; https://www.gettingonboard.org/future-trustees-programme
Time Commitment:
The expected time commitment varies a lot, depending on your availability, how much time you are able to offer , and what is going on , but normally includes 5 main board meetings, (currently Wednesdays 6-9pm,) 4-5 ad hoc subcommittee or project meetings, and 1 Strategy Day p.a, plus attendance in some cases at appraisals /disciplinaries or events. Meetings are at Emmaus St Albans and can be attended in person or online. The ability to attend on site in person/face to face from time to time would be helpful in this role but not essential.
If you would like an informal conversation about what the role is likely to involve, or what you might be able to bring to it, then email our chair, Heather Hurford: [email protected],or the existing trustee, Julia Elson: [email protected] who is currently fulfilling this role, and we would be happy to chat.