Become a Trustee

We’re looking for a treasurer. Read about the opportunity below.

Sew Positive is currently a small charity, therefore all trustee roles require a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on involvement in order to shape the future direction of the charity. Each trustee appointment is for a term of three years.

Summary of Trustee responsibilities

• Ensuring that the organisation pursues its purpose, as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy

• Ensuring that the organisation complies with its governing document (ie its trust deed, constitution or memorandum and articles of association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations

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

• Ensuring that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets

• Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation

• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place

• Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation

• Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s 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.

Person specification

• A commitment to the organisation

• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort

• Strategic vision

• Good, independent judgement

• An ability to think creatively

• A willingness to speak their mind

• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship

• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team

• A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

All trustees must be able to commit to four Board meetings and one strategic planning day per year in Cambridge. The role generally also requires an average of one day per month for trustee responsibilities.

All trustee roles are voluntary but reasonable expenses, such as travel costs, will be reimbursed.

TREASURER

The Treasurer will oversee the financial and assurance matters of the charity in line with good practice and in accordance with the governing document and legal requirements. The Treasurer will report to the Board of Trustees at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation to enable the Board to better make strategic decisions. The Treasurer will ensure that effective financial and other risk measures, controls and procedures are put in place, and are appropriate for the charity.

Summary of responsibilities

• Oversee the presentation of budgets, internal management accounts and annual financial statements to the Board of Trustees

• Lead the Board’s duty to ensure that proper accounting records are kept, financial resources are properly controlled, invested and economically spent, in line with good governance, legal and regulatory requirements

• Monitor and advise on the financial viability of the charity

• Oversee financial controls and adherence to systems, regularly liaising with the Chair and Chief Executive to ensure that policies are observed and operational risk is minimised

• Act as the Trustee lead on the appointment of and liaison with professional advisors, to include, but not limited to, external accountants

• Act as a counter-signatory on large payments

• Liaise with the Chief Executive to keep an overview of the organisation’s affairs and to provide support as appropriate including business development

• Liaise with the Chief Executive to develop the financial understanding of the Board of Trustees.

Please note that the Treasurer also has the general responsibilities of a Trustee.

HOW TO APPLY

If you’re interested in applying for one of the roles, please send the following to trustees@sewpositive.org:

• an up-to-date CV, biography or LinkedIn profile
• a short supporting statement explaining how you believe your skills and experience would add value to Sew Positive
• Details of any business or other interests which might give rise to conflict of interest, and how you could address this should your application be successful.

If you have any queries about any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information or would like to have an informal and confidential discussion then please contact trustees@sewpositive.org

We look forward to hearing from you!