Board of Trustees
- Management Board
- Unpaid
- Hybrid: Edinburgh
- Closing 31st October 2025
- Advertised from 22nd September 2025
Role
SCVO is inviting board of trustee nominations from our membership community
At SCVO we're passionate about what the voluntary sector can achieve. Along with our 3,700+ members, we believe that charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups make Scotland a better place.
SCVO is a trusted organisation, with a critical role to play in supporting the voluntary sector. As a member of the board, you can be part of something special.
Six of our trustees are elected from our membership. This year we have five vacancies for trustees elected from SCVO's membership. We're now inviting nominations from our membership so we can hold a members' vote. We'll announce the outcome of elections at our AGM on 9th December 2025.
Trustee responsibilities:
Trustees make sure the governance of the organisation is maintained to a high standard. The role is both rewarding and challenging, as we operate in an ever-changing environment with precarious funding – just like most other voluntary organisations.
Our trustees play a key role in making sure that SCVO stays true to our mission and values, serving the interests of our members and the wider voluntary sector.
As a trustee, your responsibilities include:
- Being responsible for the strategic direction of SCVO
- Upholding SCVO’s values
- Promoting the role of the voluntary sector wherever appropriate
- Receiving reports from the Chief Executive and other staff on SCVO’s operations and finances, making recommendations as required
- Making sure that all statutory requirements for SCVO are met
- Agreeing on co-opting Board members to the Board of Trustees.
We want our board to be inclusive, and to reflect the diversity of the voluntary sector and Scottish society. That means striving for our board to be a mix of people with different characteristics, knowledge and experience, from different organisations and places, and with different perspectives.
Time commitment:
Being a trustee is hugely rewarding and there is a time commitment involved. We ask trustees to be available for:
- Quarterly meetings of the Board of Trustees
- The board’s annual away day – which normally includes an overnight stay
- Ad hoc meetings of the board and working groups which progress SCVO’s strategic objectives
- Key internal and external events such as our AGM, the Gathering and the Scottish Charity Awards
Our draft calendar of events for board members will give you more details about what to expect.
Application notes
How do I apply?
Complete a trustee nomination form (attached) and return it to us (details on the form) by 5pm on 31st October 2025. If you would like support to complete the form we're happy to help, please email us or call us on 0800 169 0022.
Downloads
Would you like to contribute to the vital supports in place for local families to thrive in Clackmannanshire? Home-Start Clackmannanshire are looking for vibrant, enthusiastic individuals, particularly those with knowledge/ skills relating to the Scottish Health system or Communications and Marketing, to join our board of trustees.
About us:
Home-Start offers guidance, friendship and practical support to families across Clackmannanshire who have at least one child under the age of twelve. We work with families to help them overcome issues impacting their lives, through a range of family support services. Our families are each unique, however common issues we support include: isolation and loneliness, mental health difficulties, bereavement, family breakdown, addiction, and physical ill-health. We’ve been supporting local families across Clackmannanshire since 1988. The Home-Start team (staff, volunteers and trustees) are committed to ensuring that children are given the best possible start in life as #childhoodcantwait.
The role of our trustees:
Charity trustees are responsible – and accountable - for the governance and strategy of their charity. They are responsible for making sure that their charity is administered effectively and can account for its activities and outcomes.
As a trustee on our board, you will contribute to:
1. Providing leadership and direction within the ethos of Home-Start.
2. Ensuring the scheme has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction.
3. Being responsible for the effective performance and management of the scheme.
4. Ensuring the scheme complies with legal and regulatory requirements, the objects of the scheme, the governing documents including the Home-Start Standards and Methods of Practice, the Home-Start Agreement and quality standards.
5. Securing and guarding the scheme’s assets and taking care of their security, deployment, and proper application.
6. Ensuring that the scheme’s governance is of the highest possible standard.
7. Undertaking an ambassadorial role for the scheme.
8. Appointing sub-committees and agreeing their terms of reference and membership.
Time Commitment:
Our board meets every 7-8 weeks, a hybrid approach where trustees can attend in-person meetings at our offices in Alloa or via Teams. Our offices are fully accessible.
As a trustee, you would also attend our Annual General Meeting (AGM) once a year.
Support:
Volunteers are the heart of Home-Start, and so in return for your time and commitment, you will be fully supported in role by our Chair. A full induction will be provided, and opportunities for both training and networking are also available.
All reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Treasurer
- Management Board
- Unpaid
- Hybrid: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth and online
- Closing 8th December 2025
Treasurer - Cruse Scotland Bereavement Support
A unique opportunity to contribute your financial expertise to an organisation making a profound difference to bereaved people across Scotland
About the Role:Cruse Scotland is currently seeking a new Trustee to take on the key role of Treasurer who as well as fulfilling the duties of a general Trustee, would undertake the added responsibility of providing strategic oversight of Cruse Scotland’s financial affairs.
The role of Treasurer ensures that effective and appropriate financial measures, controls and procedures are adhered to, and will prepare and present reports to the Board and its Financial and Audit Committee. The Treasurer will work closely with fellow board members in discussing the financial health of the organisation and consider options for ongoing sustainability. The Board meet quarterly as does the Finance and Audit Committee.
About Cruse Scotland:We are Scotland’s leading bereavement charity, providing bereavement support to anyone in Scotland who needs us. Bereavement is often one of the toughest experiences that people will face in their lifetime and for some it can be truly debilitating and completely overwhelming. The range of support we offer includes our Free Bereavement Helpline, GriefChat (instant web-based support), individual and group counselling support, children and young people’s services, training to workplace support and more. See our Get Support section for more information
The most remarkable thing about Cruse Scotland is the fact that our client services are delivered purely by a volunteer workforce - all of whom - are trained to professional standards. It’s fair to say that their motivation and commitment is contagious, and as such, we value their contributions highly.
Our volunteer workforce of 250 people are located in communities across Scotland, and are supported by a staff team of 23, the majority of whom are employed part time. Without our volunteers our organisation simply would not exist. This of course includes the contributions of those who oversee the governance of our charity - our trustees - all of whom are volunteers too. Our trustees comprise a broad range of professions and expertise and are an engaged, committed and friendly bunch. Meet them here: Our People : Cruse Scotland
Next Steps:
For more detail about the role please see the following documents:
- role descriptor (see attached Treasurer Role Descriptor) (pdf)
- OSCR | Guidance and good practice for charity trustees
- Cruse Scotland Annual Accounts 2024-25
- Cruse Scotland Strategy 2022-27
About Ramblers Scotland
Ramblers Scotland is a registered charity and the leading voice for walkers in Scotland. We exist to help everyone, everywhere enjoy walking. We know how much it contributes to improvements in individual and community wellbeing, and our strategy sets out to tackle the barriers that prevent more people from enjoying those benefits.
Vice Convener – Ramblers Scotland Strategic Committee
About the Role
As Vice Convener of the Ramblers Scotland Strategic Committee (RSSC), you’ll play a key role in supporting the Convener and contributing to the strategic direction of our work. The committee oversees our activities in Scotland, helping to ensure that walking is accessible, enjoyable, and open to all.
This is a strategic and advisory role — there is no operational decision-making responsibility. You’ll collaborate closely with fellow volunteers and staff to help shape our campaigns, policies, and priorities, aligning your leadership with the organisation’s refreshed strategy — which emphasises removing barriers to walking, improving access for under-represented communities, and safeguarding natural spaces.
This volunteer role also provides an excellent career development opportunity — offering experience in governance, strategic planning, and leadership within a national charity.
This is a national volunteer role that involves quarterly in-person meetings, with occasional ad hoc sub-committee meetings (often online). While the role is unpaid, reasonable expenses (e.g. travel and subsistence) will be reimbursed.
Convener – Ramblers Scotland Strategic Committee
About the Role
As Convener of the Ramblers Scotland Strategic Committee (RSSC), you will play a key leadership role in guiding the strategic direction of our work in Scotland. The committee oversees our activities across the country, helping to ensure that walking is accessible, enjoyable, and open to all.
This is a strategic and governance-focused role, with no operational decision-making responsibilities. You will collaborate closely with fellow volunteers and staff to help shape our campaigns, policies, and priorities, aligning your leadership with the organisation’s refreshed strategy — which emphasises removing barriers to walking, improving access for under-represented communities, and safeguarding natural spaces.
Serving as Convener also offers a valuable career development opportunity, providing experience in charity governance, strategic planning, and leadership at a national level.
This national volunteer role involves quarterly in-person committee meetings and occasional ad hoc or informal sub-committee meetings (often held online). You will also represent Ramblers Scotland as a full member of the Ramblers GB Board of Trustees.
While the role is unpaid, reasonable travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed.
About Ramblers Scotland
Ramblers Scotland is a registered charity and the leading voice for walkers in Scotland. We exist to help everyone, everywhere enjoy walking. We know how much it contributes to improvements in individual and community wellbeing, our strategy sets out to tackle the barriers that prevent more people enjoying those benefits.
About the Role
We’re seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join the Ramblers Scotland Strategic Committee (RSSC) as Ordinary Members. Whether you have experience of effective committee work or are keen to develop new skills, this is a great opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the future of walking in Scotland.
The RSSC plays a key role in overseeing our work, helping to shape strategic direction, guide campaigns, and ensure that walking remains open, accessible, and enjoyable for all.
As an Ordinary Member, you will:
- Contribute to strategic discussions and decisions affecting walking across Scotland
- Work collaboratively with fellow committee members and staff
- Provide insight and advice on key issues related to our mission
- Support our campaigning, policy, and governance work where relevant
This is a national volunteer role involving quarterly in-person committee meetings, with occasional online subgroup or ad hoc sessions. We welcome applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, especially those who share our passion for walking, nature, and inclusive access to the outdoors.
While the role is unpaid, reasonable travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed.
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