Young Speakers Scotland (YSS): seeking a Treasurer

Young Speakers Scotland is an educational charity which works with young people throughout Scotland, to develop the skills and capacities that will help broaden their opportunities in life and enable them to realise their potential. We do this through the medium of debate and public speaking; we offer speech and debate workshops for pupils, competitions, and training for teachers, all supported by resources and training materials.

Through our outreach programmes, and especially our flagship programme, ‘Speak Up Scotland’, we target schools and pupils in areas of high deprivation, who would not otherwise have access to this activity, providing a fun and supportive learning environment. The transferable long-term skills that pupils gain boost exam performance, day-to-day confidence and future employability.

We have recently appointed new Trustees to enhance the diversity of our Board and are now seeking to appoint 1 more Trustee to take on the role of Treasurer. The role would involve producing monthly management accounts, initiating bank payments for authorisation, liaison with our accountants, preparation of a report to members at the AGM. We would emphasise that this role does not involve the preparation of annual accounts as this is handled by our external accountants.

Previous Board experience is not essential. We are also very open to receiving applications from young people aged between 18 and 30.

The Trustee roles are not remunerated. We meet as a Board approximately 6 times a year, usually in central Edinburgh; where possible we meet in-person but also conduct online and hybrid meetings to ensure we consider the needs of all participants.

Trustees are encouraged to attend YSS events and to become involved in aspects of the charity’s activity.

Young Speakers Scotland (YSS): seeking 2-3 new Trustees

Young Speakers Scotland is a charity which works with young people throughout Scotland, to develop the skills and capacities that will help broaden their opportunities in life and enable them to realise their potential. We do this through debating and public speaking; we offer speech and debates workshops for pupils, competitions, and training for teachers, all supported by resources and training materials.

YSS is the operational arm of ESU Scotland, formed as a separate SCIO in 2020. It builds on the long traditions and experience of its parent organisation and through those is part of the wider family of English Speaking Unions across the world.

Through our outreach programmes, and especially our flagship programme, ‘Speak up Scotland’, we target schools and pupils in areas of high deprivation, who would not otherwise have access to this activity, providing a fun and supportive learning environment. The transferable long-term skills that pupils gain boost exam performance, day-to-day confidence and future employability.

This is an exciting time for YSS. Having navigated the demands of Covid-19 and moved our programmes online, we are now working on an ambitious new strategy, and looking for new Trustees to help us realise and develop our vision further.

We are seeking to appoint 2-3 new Trustees and ideally to enhance the diversity of our Board. We particularly welcome applications from young people under 25 and those with skills in the following areas:

● Finance

● Legal matters

● Digital and other means of communication and marketing

● Fund-raising

Previous Board experience is not essential.

The Trustee roles are not remunerated. Before Covid-19 struck, we met approximately 6 times a year in person, usually in central Edinburgh; since the beginning of the pandemic, we have met online and anticipate maintaining regular (probably minimum monthly) contact online as well as gathering together in person when circumstances permit.

Trustees are encouraged to attend YSS events and to become involved in aspects of the charity’s activity.