Lead Trustee – Wales (volunteer)

Join us for an exciting volunteer opportunity to make a difference.

Role Description for Lead Trustee – Wales 

 
As a volunteer Trustee with an understanding of Welsh life and knowledge of the health and social care challenges in Wales, you will represent the interest of our members in Wales on Shine’s national Board of Trustees, also ensuring that the collective responsibility for the charity’s governance is maintained.

The statutory duties of all trustees are: 
To ensure that the charity complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations. 
To ensure that the charity pursues its objects as defined in its governing document. 
To ensure the charity uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives. 
To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction to the charity, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets. 
To safeguard the good name and values of the charity. 
To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity. 
To ensure the financial stability of the charity. 
To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds. 
 
In addition to the above statutory duties, a Trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve: 

• Promoting the interests of the charity at all opportunities.
• Providing guidance on new initiatives.
• Other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise.

Ideally, the lead Trustee for Wales will contribute one or several of the following aspects of knowledge, skills and influence to further our work in Wales:

• An understanding of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, or disability in general. 
• An understanding of Wales’ strategy and policies that shape the health, social care and/or education agendas in Wales.
• An insight into the structure and practices of the Local Health Boards and Local Authorities 
• Knowledge of charity governance and management. 
• A network of contacts to increase our reach across services in Wales.
• A network of contacts to increase our potential for income generation.

Essential for all Trustees 
Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship and adhering to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. 
Commitment to the charity’s objects, aims and values and willingness to devote time to carry out responsibilities. 
Strategic and forward-looking vision in relation to the charity’s objects and aims. 
Good, independent judgement, political impartiality and the ability to think creatively in the context of the charity and external environment. 
Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to respect the confidences of colleagues. 
Balancing tact and diplomacy with a willingness to challenge and constructively criticise. 
 
 
Desirable for all Trustees 
To have spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus or direct knowledge of the conditions through personal or professional connections (and/or disability in general) and an understanding of the impact of the conditions on people’s lives 
Prior experience of committee/trustee work. 
Knowledge of the type of work undertaken by the charity. 
A wider involvement with the voluntary sector. 
Experience in chairing meetings and committee work 
Leadership skills exercised through a period of change. 
 
Time Commitment 
Up to 6 days a year, which includes 4 days for Committee meetings. These dates will be planned well in advance. Board meetings usually take place in Shine’s Head Office in Peterborough.
Travel expenses and subsistence will be paid in accordance with Shine’s travel and subsistence policy.
Phone calls or meetings with the Chief Executive, who is based in South Wales. Location can be flexible.
There will also be opportunities to attend Shine Cymru events.
 
This is a non-paid position
 
For a discussion about the volunteer trustee role: 
Please contact Kate Steele, CEO at Shine on 07767 376384 or email kate.steele@shinecharity.org.uk 

To apply:
Please submit a CV and covering letter to Steve Ellen, Director of Finance at steve.ellen@shinecharity.org.uk