Job Description

FEAST With Us Chair of the Board Role Description

Since it was founded in 2017, FEAST With Us (FEAST) has grown from a grassroots project into a small food aid charity, supporting vulnerable people experiencing food poverty with regular nutritious meals, social opportunities, and practical cooking sessions. The founder and chair, Hannah, who is also a dietitian, is going to complete clinical nutrition research for FEAST in partnership with University College London. As such, FEAST is recruiting a chair of the board of trustees, to enable FEAST to provide more meals and nutrition support in its next phase of growth. 

Role Title: Chair of the Board

Liaises with: The Board of trustees and Operations Manager

Background:

FEAST stands for Feeding and Empowering All Sustainably Together. FEAST provides regular community meals for vulnerable people in North London in hostels and mental health day centres using locally sourced surplus food. Each meal (or FEAST) is a collaboration whereby volunteers and participants cook and dine together, as equals. For more information see our website.

Charitable Aims:

• Prevent malnutrition by enhancing regular access to meals and nutrition skills
• Minimise food waste and promote sustainable eating habits
• Enable community cohesion and togetherness

General Responsibilities as a Trustee:

• Take overall legal responsibility for the FEAST’s work.
• Actively contribute to policy setting, developing the strategy, goal and target setting, and evaluate performance against targets, budgets, plans and charitable objectives.
• Act in the best interests of FEAST, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times.
• Declare any personal conflict of interest while carrying out the duties of a trustee. 
• Ensure that robust systems are in place for internal financial control and the protection of the FEAST’s funds and assets. 
• Abide by the equalities policy and be inclusive 
• Safeguard the good name and values of FEAST, and act as an ambassador for FEAST
• Collaborate with and support trustees to act as a single body.
• Offer mentorship and support to the operational staff where appropriate.
• Represent FEAST at functions and proactively seek opportunities for FEAST
• Maintain absolute confidentiality about all aspects of the trustees’ business, bearing in mind the over-riding legal obligations placed upon trustees.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of FEAST 
• Ensure the financial stability of FEAST 
• Protect and manage the property of FEAST and to ensure the proper investment of the FEAST’s funds.
• Appoint and support the head of staff, respect the role of staff, and delegate authority for day to day activities to appropriate staff and/or volunteers.
• Trustees volunteer, and will be reimbursed out-of-pocket.

Purpose of the Chair: 

Oversight of operations team

Oversight of trustees activities

Overall legal responsibility for the FEAST’s work

Ensuring regular meetings and opportunities to share work

Ensure FEAST is meeting its charitable objectives

Lead the strategy and vision

Assess health and safety risk, and financial security of the charity

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Set and maintain vision, mission and values with the input of the Board of Trustees.
• Develop strategy with support of the Board of Trustees, and ensure decisions are implemented.
• Establish and monitor policies, and be responsible for implementation.
• Set up employment procedures, select, manage and support the head of staff, and act as the channel of communication between board and staff.
• Ensure compliance with governing document and law.
• Ensure accountability, and maintain fiscal oversight.
• Maintain effective board performance.
• Promote FEAST as an ambassador, and act as a figurehead for the charity at functions, meetings or in the press.
• Take urgent action when agreed with the board of trustees between board meetings when it isn’t possible or practical to hold a meeting.
• Attend FEAST sessions as available quarterly.
• Regularly attend board meetings on the second Wednesday evening of each month. 

Experience / Knowledge

ESSENTIAL

Supporting community-led projects 

Working in an inclusive and non-hierarchal way

Creative and strategic planning

Working as part of a small team with multiple stakeholders

Working autonomously and using initiative when required

DESIRABLE

Legal skills and experience working with small charities

Accounting skills and experience working with small charities

Familiarity with available technology and effective use

Fundraising / grant application for small charities

Time Commitment

• Attend FEAST sessions as available quarterly.
• Regularly attend board meetings on the second Wednesday evening of each month. 
• Maintain email correspondence with trustees and staff in between meetings.
• Estimated overall approximately 4-6hr per month

Be in touch to register your interest before 29th July 2022.

We look forward to hearing from you,

The FEAST Board