LET'S TELL YOU MORE ABOUT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR...

WHO WE ARE

We are 60+ societies, we're a bite to eat in Liberty's, and a pint in Geordies. We are support from the Advice Hub, Therapets, and Class Reps & School Officers. We're Freshers Week, Beer Fest, and volunteering.

We are a lot of things, but our purpose is to put our students first. We aspire to be the best student union in Scotland so that our amazing students receive the experience they deserve. We want to have fun, are open to change and empower our students to make a difference.

We do this by representing, supporting, advising and promoting the interests, health and welfare of students at Heriot-Watt University. We are a charitable company limited by guarantee and run charitable and commercial services including an advice centre, bar, shop, club and café.

We have our strategy, aka our "Big Plan", which guides us as we shape our Union, its objectives and activities as we continually learn how best to deliver our services in a changing world. This is an exciting time of transformation and we are looking for a trustee with HR expertise to join our Board and help us on our journey.

We are a democratic organisation which means we have an elected student parliament, including four paid full-time student officers who are also trustees and directors. We have a career staff team of around 25 and a senior management team of four, led by the Chief Executive Officer. Our turnover is in the region of £3M with a block grant of around £845k and the remainder made up by trading income.

OUR TRUSTEE BOARD

We have an established and well-performing board which is made up of:

• One President and three Vice Presidents who are all full time elected officers;

• Two student trustees, normally one undergraduate and one postgraduate;

• Between three and six external trustees, one of whom must be an alumni; and

• One university nominated trustee.

Our external trustees come from different backgrounds and bring experience in a range of areas including finance; students and the university sector; human resources and project management. It is someone with HR experience that we are keen to see join the Board.

We are a registered charity in Scotland and our board's role is to ensure that the Union works effectively in how it achieves its aims. We're student-focused but if we spend all our money on Freshers Week and can't open our doors for the rest of the year, then we're not putting students first.

You can find more information about the role of charity trustees on the OSCR web site at

oscr.org.uk

WHO ARE WE SPECIFICALLY LOOKING FOR?

We are looking for an individual with HR/People experience, passionate about making a difference. We are keen to talk to individuals who have expertise in Human resource management, organisational design, reward and employment legislation.

You'll sit within our wider board of trustees, as well as being a subject matter expert in your area. If you bring your enthusiasm, we will provide the procedural support and development opportunity.

You will need to be able to make the time commitment, which isn’t huge but shouldn’t be underestimated.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications from students who work for the Student Union or hold a position on Student Parliament.

If you are appointed, we will ask you to confirm that you are legally able to hold the position of Trustee and Director.

TIME COMMITMENT

The Trustee Board meets about four times a year in the evening,

usually between 5:30pm and 7:30pm.

You are sent papers for the meeting one week in advance.

There is usually a planning meeting day around January

You are invited to attend the Union AGM which takes place around March.

Occasionally you will be asked to contribute to a specific discussion

or decision by email.

WHAT USUALLY HAPPENS AT A TRUSTEE BOARD MEETING?

The Trustee Board meeting usually follow the same format. You will receive reports on the Union’s financial performance and also reports from the Full Time Officers and Leadership Team.

There are also usually items of business on strategic projects ranging from strategy to operational issues. Occasionally there are parts of a Trustee Board meeting that take place in camera and are therefore confidential.

However most of the business of the meetings is made public through the minutes and can be viewed at hwunion.com/reference/trustee-board-minutes.

WHAT DO I GET FROM BEING A TRUSTEE?

Being a Trustee and Director is an excellent opportunity to develop a number of valuable skills that will be useful for your CV.

You will develop:

• Communication and team work

• Understanding and using financial statements

• Strategic thinking and developing strategic plans

• Understanding of legal and business matters

• Governance and compliance

• Problem solving

• Time management

• Decision making skills

• Meeting skills and confidentiality

As a member of the Board you will also join a group of experienced and influential people who have a broad range of skills and industry contacts.

JOB DURATION

The position is for a maximum of two, 4 year terms.

Scotland’s leading theatre company for actors and theatre makers with a learning disability and autism is seeking new Trustees to join our Board on a part-time, voluntary basis.

Since its inception in 1984, Lung Ha Theatre Company has worked with over 400 actors, created over 50 original productions, and worked with many leading artists and organisations from across Scotland’s creative industries. We produce award-winning productions and work with a year-round, large ensemble to develop their practice and remove barriers to participation in the arts.

This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to get involved with Lung Ha during our 40th anniversary year as a Member of the Board of Trustees. We are an inclusive organisation and we seek applications from those with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. We are particularly interested in hearing from people who have skills and experience in: finance, research, learning disabilities, environmental adaptation (particularly climate justice) and fundraising. We are also interested in hearing from those who have historically been marginalised from board representation.

This is a voluntary position; however, reasonable expenses can be agreed in advance. Reasonable expenses might include travel, childcare costs or access costs. If you are unsure about what constitutes a reasonable expense, please ask.

Please note that there will also be a requirement to complete a Disclosure Scotland check, with at minimum a Basic Disclosure being required.

Time commitment

– 4 or 5 meetings per year in Edinburgh (or online). Regular meetings are 1-2 hours in length. There is usually 1 full day meeting a year with staff and board. Breaks are included.

– An additional 3-4 meetings per year if part of one of our subcommittees (presently EDI, Environmental, Fundraising and Staffing & Governance).

– Papers will be sent approx. seven days in advance to give trustees the chance to review. Papers include the meeting agenda, minutes from the previous meeting, financial reports and occasional policy documents. Prep time must be factored in to read these papers ahead of the board meeting.

– Some email conversations between meetings if an important area needs actioned (recruitment, funding news, etc).

– An occasional phone call where specific advice is needed in relation to an area in which the trustee has specialist experience/knowledge.

– Trustees are invited to see the work of the company where feasible. While optional for trustees, this is strongly encouraged.

Regional Screen Scotland is seeking to appoint new Trustees who share our passion for cinema, and who have the skills and experience to guide our work in creating a sustainable future for our services.

Regional Screen Scotland brings great shared screen experiences to remote communities in Scotland that otherwise have no practical access to cinema. Our core service is the Screen Machine, a mobile 80-seat cinema that tours the Highlands & Islands of Scotland.

We invite applications from anyone who is interested in our work and feels their involvement could benefit the charity through a governance role. We are particularly keen to hear from people who have an enthusiasm for film and film exhibition, have an interest in our rural communities, or who have experience of fundraising and capital projects.

Reports To:Chair of the Board of Directors

Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity providing unique support to people with severe and enduring mental ill health. With over 50 years’ experience across Scotland, we believe people affected by poor mental health and illness deserve the highest quality of support in the community and that every person has the right to be valued and to share in the opportunities, challenges, and joys of everyday life.

The primary responsibility of trustees is to provide the organisation with strategic leadership and maintain a governance perspective to ensure it is well managed and administered, and resources are used appropriately.

In addition to the above statutory and specific duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions.

This may involve:

• Scrutinising board papers
• Leading discussions
• Focusing on key issues
• Providing guidance on new initiatives
• Time Commitment
• 4 board meetings per year, from 4-6.30pm, and up to two board away days, normally taking place on a Saturday.

All Trustees are required to attend at least 75% of board meetings annually.

Statutory Responsibilities:

• To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• To ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document
• To ensure the organisation uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects: the organisation must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are
• To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation
• To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation
• To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds
• To ensure the Board operates effectively and:
• Contributes to the establishment of the organisation’s strategic direction and goals and the monitoring of any strategic plans.
• Evaluates the organisation’s performance on a regular basis and holds the Chief Executive Officer accountable for outcomes
• Ensures the financial stability of the organisation and understands and acts upon financial and other monitoring information presented to it, questioning such information when appropriate
• Defines the boundaries of management authority
• Delegates the implementation of its decisions to the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, supporting them as required to carry out their work
• Ensures the performance and development of the Chief Executive Officer is reviewed annually
• Reviews its performance annually and that all Trustees actively participate in this evaluation
• The Board’s agreed position is represented when speaking publicly on behalf of the organisation
• Acting in the best interests of the organisation at all time
• Respect the confidential nature of all information relating to the business of the charity in accordance with information governance and data protection policies
• Working together and not pursuing personal or sectional interests at the expense of organisation interests

Other Duties:

In addition to the above statutory and specific duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions.

This may involve:

• Scrutinising board papers
• Leading discussions
• Focusing on key issues
• Providing guidance on new initiatives

Time Commitment:

4 board meetings per year, from 4-6.30pm, and up to two board away days, normally taking place on a Saturday.

All Trustees are required to attend at least 75% of board meetings annually.

General Duties

• Act in accordance with Data Protection legislation. Ensure all records, personal, staff and client data are managed in line with Data Management and Information Governance policies
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements such as provisions set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• As with all employees, workers and volunteers; to encourage people to join Change Mental Health as a member, donor or activist
• To act in accordance with the charity’s Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies and to notify your line manager promptly if there are any concerns
• To participate in regular supervision and appraisal and undertake any relevant training as appropriate to the role
• To work in accordance with the charity’s national policies and local operating procedures and those of external regulators or professional bodies