• Do you love animals and want to help young people?
• Would you enjoy helping people and dogs to improve each other’s lives?
• Do you have excellent administrative skills?
• Could you offer us 4 hours a month? We offer a flexible schedule, and this role can be completed outside of working hours.
• Then we want to hear from you!

Paws for Progress is a local organisation seeking a motivated volunteer to join our team as a Secretary to the Board. This is an exciting opportunity to play an essential role in the smooth running of our board meetings and supporting us with administration, enabling Paws for Progress to improve the lives of more people and dogs.

About the organisation:

Paws for Progress is an innovative and ambitious Community Interest Company dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable people and dogs. Our specialist team provide educational, therapeutic, and interactive dog-assisted services for people most in need of support, in prison and within community settings.

About the role:

The purpose of this role is to provide a secretariat service to the members of the board, ensuring the smooth running of meeting, taking of minutes, and following up on any actions.

We are looking for a self-motivated individual with strong communication and organisational skills. The flexibility to adapt, confidence working independently, and minute taking experience are essential for this role. You will also undertake other duties as determined by the evolving nature of the organisation.

This role will be predominantly remote working and you will be required to use your own laptop / computer to undertake your duties.

MND Scotland’s vision is a world without MND. Until that day comes we’re on a mission to ensure everyone affected by MND across the country has our support every step of the way. Our current three-year strategy builds on the achievements of the last forty years and also seeks to correctly position MND Scotland for a sustainable future to ensure we deliver our mission. We’d like your help to do that.

We are recruiting three new Trustees to join our Board. Whilst we’re always interested in receiving applications from a wide range of backgrounds, at this time we’re particularly keen to hear from individuals with the skills to fulfil the following roles;

• Treasurer,
• Fundraising Trustee
• Research Trustee.

As a Trustee you will play an important role in setting the strategic direction of the charity whilst providing support, guidance and constructive challenge to the Board and the CEO. You will also act as an ambassador for MND Scotland and help us ensure that everyone right across the country knows of the work we do and how we can help them if they need us.

Becoming one of our Trustees is not something to be undertaken lightly. It takes commitment, passion and dedication. You may be pushed out of your comfort zone on occasion or indeed frequently. If that makes you uncomfortable then you’re probably not who we are looking for. If however, you are looking to help make a real difference to people’s lives and to grow both personally and professionally then we’d be really keen to hear from you, particularly if you have a background in any of the specified areas we are looking for.

Previous Board experience would be great but it’s not essential. You don’t have to have a personal link to MND. Nor do you have to have a charity background, however, this may be beneficial. What is much more important is your passion, ability to think strategically and your desire to get involved and make a difference. It’s also important that you know MND Scotland has a strong commitment to embracing diversity and inclusion.

This is an exciting opportunity for three professionals to join Youth Theatre Arts Scotland as voluntary Board Members/Trustees. In 2023 we are seeking applications to fill three vacancies on our board with a high calibre of people. Previous board experience is not necessary, and we welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds.

Improve the lives of young people through youth theatre with us.

We are recruiting to three voluntary positions to join Youth Theatre Arts Scotland as Board Members/Trustees.

We are a pioneering national youth arts development charity with a vision for universal access to quality youth theatre activity across Scotland and universal recognition of its impact.

Helping others is at the heart of our work in supporting, connecting and inspiring youth theatre participants across Scotland and the adults who work with them.

We do this by delivering a combination of sector support, sector training and development, youth theatre events and projects, and research and advocacy.

Whether you’re an experienced board member/trustee, or wanting to take your first step at board level, we want to hear from you.

In 2023 we are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience or skills in one of the following areas:

• youth theatre

e.g. as a manager, facilitator, freelance artist, volunteer or participant (aged 16+);

• professional theatre

e.g. as a CEO, Artistic Director or similar of a venue or theatre company;

• digital communications

ideally with third-sector experience; and/or

• public relations/advocacy

e.g, experience as policy officer.

As a Board Member/Trustee you will have:

• Full induction, relevant training and reimbursable expenses.

• Opportunities to make strategic decisions and develop new skills.

• Opportunities to network with senior professionals.

• Influence to shape innovative projects.

• The chance to help improve the lives of young people in Scotland through youth theatre.

The time commitment for Board Members/Trustees is four two-hour online board meetings per year, plus one full-day in-person board and staff away day (usually held in Edinburgh or Glasgow).

Fife Law Centre is currently seeking to recruit Board members with various skills, including financial management, Third Sector organisations and their purposes in Fife, and statutory bodies e.g. local government and health.

Fife Law Centre was established in 2009 and is a registered charity, constituted as a company limited by guarantee. It is the product of the vision of local agencies and providers who saw a need for accessible and specialist legal services for clients served by the Third Sector in Fife. These founding agencies are now our partners as we seek to provide for those with unmet legal needs.

We operate as a Board which sustains and supports a private legal firm, Fife Community Law Ltd, which itself is regulated by the Law Society of Scotland.

The purpose of the Board is to set the strategic direction of, and secure the resources for, Fife Law Centre, and to work with the Principal Solicitor to support the delivery of services. Our principal funders are Fife Council and the Scottish Legal Aid Board, under the Making Justice Work Project. We are also receiving grants from the Volant Trust, the Robertson Trust and the National Lottery Improving Lives Fund.

The current focus of legal work is on cases of homelessness, welfare law and supporting victims of domestic violence. The firm now also accepts employment related cases. Matters in other fields are dealt with at the discretion of the Principal Solicitor.

The Board meets 5/6 times a year in a formal setting, with Board members taking a lead in different topics, occasionally in work groups. The pandemic required the firm and the Board to work differently, and new trustees will join a Board reflecting on the demands which may face Fife Law Centre in the future, how they might be met, and how proper governance should be discharged.

Scottish Book Trust is recruiting up to three Trustees to the Board to aid our ongoing development as one of Scotland's best loved charities.

Have you got what it takes?

Scottish Book Trust believes that reading and writing for pleasure has the power to transform lives, from supporting mental health and wellbeing to breaking the poverty cycle, improving employability, and inspiring creativity.

As Scotland’s only national reading charity, our mission is to ensure people living in Scotland have equal access to books and, every year, we deliver our world-class programmes and annual awards to well over two million people. From introducing books and storytelling to pre-school children to inspiring and empowering adult readers and writers, we believe it's never too early – or too late – to begin a magical journey with words.

We believe that Trustees with different backgrounds and experience are more likely to encourage debate and to make better decisions. We are looking for people who will be passionate supporters of our mission, whose lived experience can help shape the impact of our programmes and improve how we engage with our beneficiaries.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience of:

• working for or in partnership with local authorities
• the social and educational effects of poverty
• fundraising and building a donor base
• financial planning and oversight
• working for or in partnership with the Scottish Government.

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).

North Berwick Coastal Community Connections is a charity tackling social isolation in the North Berwick Coastal area. NBCCC has funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and the North Berwick Trust. We have five part-time members of staff working with over 40 volunteers and 100+ members.

Our services include the Scone Café weekly drop-in, Befriending, Buddy Walking, a monthly ‘Community Connections’ newsletter, Coffee Connections meet-ups and the Compassionate Community project on death, dying and bereavement.

We are currently recruiting for new Trustees to join the Board. We are particularly looking for a Secretary, Safeguarding Officer and Co-Chair, but roles are negotiable according to the candidate’s background and interests.

Trustees govern the charity. We aim to have a Board which covers the key areas in which we work, and we are now seeking to appoint additional Trustees who, ideally, have experience in any of the following areas:

• Small voluntary organisations
• Charitable Board trustee roles
• Safeguarding of vulnerable adults

That said, we also welcome applications from individuals with other relevant experience. Our Trustees have ultimate responsibility for the operation and development of the charity, including employability, compliance with legislation, fundraising, public relations and financial control.

This is an exciting time to join NBCCC as a Trustee as we launch new partnerships and explore new opportunities to help us respond to the ever-increasing demand for our support.

The principal responsibilities of a Trustee include attending and actively participating in regular Board meetings (usually held on a Tuesday evening, both virtually and face-to-face). Trustees bring their professional experience to help govern the charity and actively support the Project Manager. The time commitment required is a minimum of one day per month, including the Trustee meetings (of 1.5-2 hours per meeting). All Trustees are expected to share a passion and commitment to supporting socially isolated adults in the North Berwick Coastal area. Please note that this is voluntary, although reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

If you think this opportunity sounds like you and want to help a unique local charity, please join us as a Trustee.

Are you passionate about promoting equality and human rights in Scotland? Do you have experience operating at a senior level, with a commitment to good governance? If so, we have a unique opportunity for you to make a difference as a Scotland Committee Member for the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Our Scotland Committee is responsible for overseeing and guiding the Commission's work in Scotland, advising on policies and programs affecting people living in Scotland, contributing a Scottish perspective to the Commission's strategic and business plans, and advising on matters relating to equality and human rights.

As a Committee Member, you will work closely with the Scotland Commissioner, Dr Lesley Sawers, and support the Commission's important work of promoting equality and human rights for the people of Scotland. You will have the opportunity to shape the development of policy and strategic priorities in Scotland, represent the Commission in Scotland, and engage with other Committees to learn and contribute.

But being a Committee Member isn't just about the work you'll be doing. It's about the impact you'll be making. Our current Committee Members have shared how being a part of the Committee has given them a unique opportunity to make a difference, to influence the equality and human rights agenda in Scotland, and to develop their personal skills through interesting and thought-provoking debate on current equality issues.

To be considered for this unique opportunity, we are looking for individuals with significant experience operating at a senior level, ideally within the business or private sector, with a proven knowledge of the context of the equality and human rights agenda in Scotland, a practical understanding of the social, economic, cultural, legal and political context in Scotland, and a commitment to good governance. We particularly welcome applications from people who belong to disadvantaged groups.

If you have a passion for promoting equality and human rights, along with the necessary skills and experience, we invite you to apply. You will have the chance to work with dedicated and expert colleagues, shape policy and strategic priorities, and make a real difference in the lives of people in Scotland.

Award winning children’s music charity Fischy Music (fischy.com) supports the health and wellbeing of children through songs and music. Our resources are widely used in schools, organisations and churches across the UK and beyond. We write songs for and with children that enable children to express, explore and manage a wide range of emotions. Our Health & Wellbeing songs and resources are inclusive and appropriate for all children regardless of outlook on life or religious belief.

We are looking for new Board members with good experience and knowledge of the following areas:

• Music or arts scene
• Finance/business
• Third sector

What is involved?

• Attendance at quarterly Board meetings, a mixture of in person and on Zoom. These meeting typically last around 1.5 hours (this includes AGM that is usually on same day as one of the quarterly Board meetings. In person Board meetings take place at the Fischy Music office/studio in Edinburgh
• Attendance at yearly strategy meeting with the Fischy staff team
• Occasional sub group meetings

What are the benefits of being a Fischy Music Board member?

• Being part of an innovative, effective and positive movement
• Making a difference in helping to support the wellbeing of thousands of children across the UK and beyond
• Meeting and working with new people
• Developing your governance skills
• Adding to your CV
• Having fun, sharing your enthusiasm and doing something new!

Glasgow ESOL Forum is a charity based in Glasgow that supports asylum seekers, refugees, and New Scots to learn English. We deliver SQA accredited classes as well as less formal community-based learning opportunities. This is an exciting time as we develop a new strategic plan and look forward to the recruitment of a Chief Executive Officer, and a period of consolidation and change.

We are looking for people to join our Board to bring their skills, expertise, and perspectives. We particularly welcome applicants from underrepresented groups and those with lived experience of ESOL services.

We would like to further strengthen our Board in the areas of finance, income generation and fundraising, and marketing and communications. Most importantly, we want applicants who are passionate about what we do and have a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The commitment now we are looking for is around 3 hours per month, preparing for and attending our Board meetings. We meet annually for a strategy and training day. We are currently reviewing the frequency of our meetings.