Do you have time to spare and skills to share? Are you interested in contributing on a voluntary basis to the management of a local charity?

Neilston Windfarm Legacy (NWL) is a small charity which distributes funds for community projects, large and small, which benefit Neilston residents and improve the village environment (neilstonlegacy.org). We look after a fund of about £1.6million pounds and distribute over £100,000 per year. Our chair is retiring this autumn and there is a further vacancy, so we need two enthusiastic and energetic new trustees to join our small Board to bring additional capacity and expertise. A background in the voluntary sector including as office bearers, or in financial management, administration, environmental planning or architecture, website management or journalism, or community arts would be relevant.

Our Board meets in Neilston about every five weeks and occasionally trustees are involved in other activities. Trustees also undertake most of the administrative, financial and PR tasks needed to run the Charity as no staff are employed. We do however retain specialist financial advisers to manage our investments, and independent legal and accountancy services are used as and when required. No fund-raising is undertaken.

A Role Description is available for download below.

Community House Ltd is a well-established charity in Alloa, Clackmannanshire with its roots in the local community for over 20 years. Supporting some the most vulnerable families, it employs two part-time Practitioners, 2 part time practitioners Assistant, a part-time Senior Practitioner and a full-time Chief Officer, a cleaner and volunteers

Currently our service delivery consists of groupwork, and we offer a variety to woman and children within our demographic area. Every day we offer an after-school group where children attend from local primary schools via referrals and engage in a fun activity and receive a healthy nutritious dinner. We offer baby massage, Thrive, own my Life and will be running PPP groups for parents. We are expanding our service delivery and hope to be engaging in outreach working supporting families and women who have been the victims of Domestic Abuse. We have an adult helping hands groups which supports adults with additional needs and their carers, offering some respite, fun activity, and lunch. We have a dining area, crafting area, movie room and sensory area along with a large outside space for playing that we are currently looking at developing.

Community House Ltd is seeking committed volunteer Trustees and specifically a Treasurer to join the Board to support the charity in fulfilling its objectives.

Trustees must understand that they are accountable to the Community House Ltd mission as contained in the charity’s constitution ensuring the effective governance of the charity and in collaboration with the Chief Officer.

Specifically, the Board of Trustees are looking for individuals with professional experience in any of the following fields: finance, business, or legal although any other professional vocations will also be considered. Currently the Board of Trustees meets monthly, normally for no more than two hours and when necessary, meetings can be facilitated via Zoom so internet access is vital. All documents are stored on a one drive so access to online facilities is crucial to delivering a supporting role as a trustee. There is also an AGM once a year around September.

Principle Responsibilities

In conjunction with the other Board of Trustee members, the Trustees will: -

• Ensure appropriate governance arrangements are in place and are working effectively for the organisation.
• Ensure Community House Ltd compliance with OSCR requirements.
• Ensure stewardship of Community House Ltd financial position.
• Ensure the Board of Trustees' knowledge base of issues relevant to the charity is kept up to date.
• Ensure the Board of Trustees is regularly refreshed by encouraging the recruitment of new volunteers.
• Work within Community House Ltd agreed policies and standards.
• Address any conflicts which may arise within the charity in a fair and timeous manner.

The Treasurer role is an Office-Bearers role for which there are extra responsibilities: -

• Supporting the Chief Officer of Community House Ltd in financial planning, preparing a budget and monitoring actual expenditure/income against the budget
• Preparing annual financial information for the Community House Ltd accountants
• Monthly Reconciliations

It is not a requirement that applicants are resident in Clackmannanshire, but it is hoped they have a genuine desire to help its communities and believe in the Community House Ltd mission.

Trustees are appointed for a period of one year, extendable annually at the AGM for a maximum of a further three years with board approval.

SKILL AND QUALITIES

Essential Qualities

• Trustees must be supportive of and comfortable with the Community House Ltd mission
• Trustees should demonstrate a strong commitment to the main aims and purposes of Community House Ltd
• Trustees should have good interpersonal skills and relationship and team building abilities
• A good knowledge of administrative procedures
• Ability to provide clear advice on procedural and relevant legislative matters.
• Ability to communicate clearly
• Ability to work with a team

For the Treasurer role:-

• Ability to support the preparations of budgets
• Monitoring and reporting of expenditure/income against budget to the accountants
• Ability to prepare financial information for the annual accounts
• Be a second authority for approving banking payments

Desirable Qualities

• Experience of third sector is helpful but is not necessary for the person taking on this role.
• Previous experience of charity governance would be an advantage but is not an essential requirement for the post.
• A working knowledge and understanding of the Scottish Governance Code for the Third Sector, an understanding of good governance, OSCR, Companies House requirements, relevant legislation, and statutory requirements is desirable.
• An understanding of the challenges facing small charities in maximising income streams, maintaining sustainability, and developing new business.
• An understanding of the Community House Ltd constitution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of the local voluntary sector.

This is an interesting, challenging and exciting opportunity for a forward thinking, self-motivated and highly driven individual to join the Board of Edinburgh Science Ltd.

We are a not-for-profit enterprise that delivers activities in the UK including Edinburgh Science Festival, the learning programmes Generation Science, Careers Hive and a variety of climate /sustainability events and activities.

About us:

Our mission is to inspire, encourage and challenge people of all ages and backgrounds to explore, understand and engage with the world around them and to communicate the educational, social and economic benefits of science and technology. As leaders in our field of Science Communication, we work year-round to create and deliver dynamic hands-on workshops and exhibitions and inspirational shows, discussions, debates and performances that continually push the boundaries of public engagement with science. Communication and engagement is at the core of all our work and we strive to ensure that this is embedded in all aspects of our organisation.

About the role:

We aim to have a Board which covers the key areas in which we work, and we are now seeking to appoint an additional member. We are also looking to diversify the Board. We encourage applications from the whole breadth of our ethnically and culturally diverse communities, and from people at all stages in their careers.

A summary of the role, tasks and responsibilities and other background is available here: https://bit.ly/3JKEcFM

Priority will be focussed on potential new members who have experience and skills in:

• Finance and Accountancy

Our non-executive board have ultimate responsibility for the operation and development of the organisation, including employability, compliance with legislation, fundraising, public relations and financial control.

There are four full board meetings of Edinburgh Science Ltd you would be expected to attend. Other sub-committees may meet on an ad hoc basis.

About you:

• Proven executive experience, ideally in an environment where managing change has been required.
• A strong strategic and commercial background.
• An interest in the work of Edinburgh Science.
• An excellent ability to work in collaboration with other stakeholders.
• Experience of formation, implementation and achievement of a business vision and strategy.
• IT literacy.

If you have the skills, experience, and time to commit to this role, then we would love to hear from you.

We would be particularly interested in applicants who are:

• Women
• From BME or under-represented groups

Edinburgh and Lothian Trust Fund (ELTF) is recruiting for a new Chair to join our Board. This is a great opportunity to make a difference to the lives of people in poverty in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Most of our grant making directly benefits individuals and families in need and we aim to respond quickly to requests for support. We have links to over 100 charities locally and work in partnership with many of them. If you are committed to helping the poorest in society and have relevant experience as a Board Member or Chair, then you could be the person we are looking for. Experience and understanding of board and charity governance is a key requirement; a good understanding of issues relating to poverty and inequality would also be welcome. The current membership of the Board can be seen on our website eltf.org.uk/trustees

About the Trust

ELTF is a very active grant making trust whose core aim is the relief of poverty. We operate three funding streams:

• The General Fund which provides small grants to individuals in need and grants to small local charities throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians.
• The Edinburgh Police Fund for Children which provides grants for shoes and warm jackets for school age children in Edinburgh
• The Edinburgh Fire Fund which provides larger grants to individuals who have experienced a house fire in Edinburgh

In addition, we distribute small grants to vulnerable young people on behalf of the Ponton Trust.

See eltf.org.uk for further information and a copy of our Annual Report and Accounts.

The Trust has an investment portfolio of around £8m which is managed on its behalf by Investment Managers. Total income of around £250k annually is used to fund grant giving and meet overhead expenses.

The Board has a minimum of five Trustees and a maximum of nine. Trustees are appointed for an initial term of up to 4 years and may be re-appointed for a subsequent term of up to four years.

The role is voluntary and unpaid but we hope that working with ELTF will be a rewarding experience, helping to support vulnerable people in need as well as building links with other charities working with those in poverty.

Time Commitment

The Trustees meet four times a year to approve larger grant applications, to discuss and decide on policy, strategy and governance issues and to provide oversight of the Investment Manager that manages the investment portfolio. In addition, there may be one or two additional meetings on specific topics if the need arises. Between meetings, there will be a small amount of business conducted by email, perhaps once a month on average. The day-to-day operations of the Trust are managed by a full-time Administrator. The Administrator reports to the Chair who liaises with them on a regular basis on policy and operational issues.

Are you interested in contributing to the work of Health in Mind, a mental health and wellbeing charity based in Edinburgh, working across Scotland? Health in Mind strive for people in Scotland to live in a supportive and resilient community where mental health is understood and people lead fulfilling lives. We work together to deliver trauma support and training, counselling and talking therapies, and early intervention community based support.

We are seeking new volunteer Board Directors to help us deliver our vision.

Health in Mind Board meets six times a year, via video conferencing or in Edinburgh and is supported by a number of focussed committees, currently meeting quarterly by video conference.

We are currently seeking applications from people who have lived experience of mental health difficulties, health and social care, finance or other relevant expertise and experience. You don’t need to have been on a Board before- we offer a full induction and ongoing learning and development opportunities.

We are committed to reflecting the communities we serve and would particularly welcome applications from people who are currently under-represented on our Board, including disabled people, those from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic communities and people aged under 50.

This is a voluntary position but offers an exciting opportunity to assist a dynamic charity to develop its conservation and science work in the UK.

Description: The Trust is looking for two Trustees with expertise in science and conservation to join our Board. Trustees work well together, and with the executive team with a spirit of openness and trust. We recruit individuals passionate about nature, species conservation and bumblebees. We’re very proud of our inclusive culture at the Trust – we care as much about what you have the potential to do as what you have already done, we want to hear how your lived experience will give us a better representation of the diverse audiences we seek to inspire to take action for bumblebees. We are keen to hear from people early in their careers as well as those well established.

East Lothian Housing Association - Management Committee Members

Are you interested in using your skills to make a bigger impact? Do you have passion for overcoming challenges, sharing knowledge and learning from others?

As a Management Committee Member at elha, you will play a key part in supporting and enabling the ongoing growth of the organisation as a Registered Social Landlord, continuing to develop new homes, encouraging sustainable rural communities, addressing economic challenges and improving energy efficiency.

We pride ourselves on our progressive service provision and have been recognised for many years now across the UK for our sector leading digital services. We continue to break new ground in digitally enabling our tenants to access services from home, work or when on the move. Through our subsidiary R3, we provide maintenance services to elha, other social landlords and private and commercial clients.

We are now recruiting for two new management committee members. A summary of the role, tasks and responsibilities and other background is available here: elha.com/vacancies/management-committee-members

Priority will be focussed on potential new Committee Members who have experience and skills in:

• Finance and Accountancy
• Digital and Information Systems
• Sustainability

Scottish Ministers are looking to appoint a new Chair to the Board of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC).

About Us

SLCC provide a single point of contact for all complaints against Scottish lawyers (solicitors, advocates, commercial attorneys and licensed conveyancers). They investigate and resolve complaints about services and refer conduct complaints to the relevant professional body for investigation.

As a small and focussed public body this is an ideal opportunity for someone stepping up to a chair role for the first time or for an experienced chair wanting to feel they are making a direct and immediate contribution to an organisation. Knowledge of the legal sector is not essential, although we are looking for someone with good experience of governance and decision making.

What are we looking for in a new Chair?

The Chair plays a vital role in leading the oversight of the organisation and the Executive Team, engaging with stakeholders, ensuring a strategy is in place, risk and financial controls are appropriate. To enable the SLCC Board to work effectively and efficiently it is vital we have people with a variety of skills and experience from all walks of life.

Close working with the Chief Executive ensures an effective link between the Board and Executive Team. The Chair also sits on Determination Committees deciding on the outcome of complaints.

The SLCC need a Chairing Member with specific skills along with generic personal qualities. You may have gained your experience / knowledge by working, being active in your community, in a voluntary capacity or just through your own personal life experience – we have explained in the application pack exactly what we will be looking for and how they will be tested in the appointment process.

Training and support

Because of this varied role, the new Chair will be offered a full induction along with regular training. All members are supported by the management team, clerks and investigators, and the other staff of the SLCC and have taken on board members from a large variety of backgrounds.

Time commitment

In total, the time commitment for all work will be:

• around 30 days of fixed attendance (meeting or video calls, although with each meeting usually being a half day).
• around 8 days of work you can complete at home, at a time to suit yourself, and usually in one or two hour blocks.

Length of the Appointment

Appointment will be for a single term of five years. Therefore you can only apply to be a Board member again after a minimum gap of three years. No re-appointments are made to the SLCC Board, however, you can apply to be a Board member again after a minimum gap of three years.

If appointed you will be expected to take up your position on 10 July 2023.

Remuneration and Expenses

The Chair of the Board receives £323.29 per day. Expenses incurred as a result of carrying out the duties of the appointment, including reasonable travel and subsistence costs and dependant carer and childcare expenses, will be reimbursed.

The appointment is non-pensionable.

The National Trust for Scotland is looking for four individuals to join our Board. Our Trustees are crucial to the work of the Trust and collectively, their backgrounds, skills and experience reflect the diversity of the organisation’s activities.

This year, we are inviting applications from people with experience in the following fields:

• Natural Heritage, Wildlife and Environment
• Formal Education, Learning and Research
• Historic Buildings Conservation and Contemporary Design
• Commercial and Entrepreneurial Activity in a Consumer Environment

We encourage applications to the four trustee positions from the whole breadth of our ethnically and culturally diverse membership and from people at all stages of their careers.

If you share that commitment, and are interested in this opportunity, we look forward to hearing from you!

TRUSTEES SOUGHT TO TAKE THE MONTESSORI MESSAGE ACROSS SCOTLAND

Trustees of the newly formed Montessori Scotland Foundation – affiliated to Edinburgh Montessori Arts School - are looking for additional volunteer trustees to help take this exciting project further.

It is not change itself that poses challenge, but how we cope with change. Using Maria Montessori’s insights, which are practised across the globe, we believe we can help communities of all kinds - children, young people, neurodiverse people, older people and diverse communities - to learn, develop and grow stronger. The aim is to benefit communities in Scotland and our living environment.

• Experience: we are particularly interested in Trustees with knowledge or experience of business / legal / marketing & PR / finance / voluntary sector / community initiatives including the natural world & caring fields / fundraising or grant seeking. We encourage applications from a range of backgrounds, and you do not need Montessori or previous Board experience. Passion and/or lived experience are also interesting for us.
• The Trustee role is about bringing your enthusiasm and experience forward. Your support will help ensure robust growth so the new Foundation can make an impact in communities for decades to come.
• Benefits:fascinating work with an enthusiastic team. Scope to help set strategic direction.
• Time Commitment: we meet online each fortnight (1 hour) and 2-3 times per year in person. This is a volunteer role and is not paid. Agreed travel and associated expenses will be reimbursed.
• Service: Trustees serve for a 3-year term (renewable).