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Trustee - Finance and Strategy
school library association

Job Description

We are looking to recruit two trustees who can add to the skills that currently exist on the board, with a particular focus on finance and business knowledge and/or charity experience, and who has the dedication to commit to helping us support school staff as they promote literacy and research skills across the United Kingdom. Interviews will initially take place in early June, but should we need longer to recruit the right candidate we will keep looking. 

The School Library Association is a Registered Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee. Board members therefore also fulfil the function of Charity Trustees and Directors of the Company. For ease herewith they will be referred to as Trustees. The duties of a trustee are as follows.

· Ensuring that the Association pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in the governing document (2014 Articles) by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy

· Ensuring that the Association complies with its governing document (charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations)

· Ensuring that the Association has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and is focussed on achieving these

· Ensuring that the Association applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects (ie the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, however worthwhile or charitable those activities are) for the benefit of the public

· Ensuring that the Association defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets and that its governance is of the highest possible standard

· Safeguarding the good name and values of the Association

· Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the Association, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place

· Ensuring the financial stability of the Association

· Protecting and managing the property of the Association and ensuring the proper investment of its funds

· Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the chief executive

In addition to the above statutory 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 advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

A separate Person Specification is attached with this document but all trustees should be guided by the Nolan Principles of Public Life which are:

· Selflessness

· Integrity

· Objectivity

· Accountability

· Openness

· Honesty

· Leadership

SLA Management

The full SLA Board meets three times per year in addition to the AGM (normally held at the weekend course). In addition, the Management Team (Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, CEO) meets three to four weeks before each board meeting.

The CEO is responsible for the operational side of the business and reports to the trustees. The CEO is line managed by the Chair.

Details of tenure

To stand for election to the Board, a candidate should be a member of the SLA (if you are not working in a relevant setting, please discuss with the Management Team). A candidate must be nominated by at least one member of the SLA. The members’ vote (if required) will start the week commencing 8th June 2020, so the deadline for applying is 22nd May 2020. Results of the election are announced at the AGM in June. If this isn’t possible a trustee will be appointed by the board until the following AGM.

The term of office is three years with the option to stand for election again and be re-elected for one further term. Any resignation from the board, including at the completion of a term, should be put in writing to the Chair and CEO. Meanwhile, the expectations are as follows:

· Trustees must declare any conflict of interest or loyalty at the beginning of each meeting.

· Trustees should attend three board meetings per year and the AGM (normally held at the weekend course). Any apologies for absence should be notified to the CEO in good time.

· Trustees must act with reasonable care and skill which means being prepared to give enough time, thought and energy to the role by preparing for, attending and actively participating in all trustees’ meetings.

· Trustees may not always be in agreement with a board decision. If this is the case you should ask for your objection to be minuted.

· Trustees should be prepared to support the SLA where appropriate. This may include promoting the Association, attending events as agreed, researching particular areas for report to the board.

· Trustees should take part in the annual appraisal process

· In order to comply with the Companies Registration Act, any changes in name, status, address or occupation must be notified to the CEO (who also acts as Company Secretary) within 14 days.

Expenses

All duties are carried out on a voluntary basis. However, authorised travel, subsistence and overnight accommodation expenses are paid by the Association at the rate stated on the claim forms supplied. These include expenses for attending meetings. All other expenses must first be agreed with the CEO.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.