Role Title: Trustee – We Get It (WGI) Trustee Board

About our Trustees

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that We Get It achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that the charity has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the charity team to enable the charity to grow and thrive, and through this, achieve our mission.

Board members have a collective responsibility. This means that trustees always act as a group and not as individuals.

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board.

As a small charity, we rely on contacts and introductions to potential supporters, funders, volunteers or businesses in our region and beyond, so this is a key requirement of Board members.

You do not need previous governance experience – we will provide a full induction and training.

General Trustee responsibilities

• To ensure that WGI complies with its governing document (i.e. its Memorandum and Articles of Association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations or requirements of regulatory bodies which govern the activities of the charity.
• To ensure that WGI pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document and focuses on the strategic direction of the charity.
• To ensure that WGI applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives, i.e. money must not be spent on activities which are not included in WGI’s objectives, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are.
• To contribute actively to the Trustee Board’s 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 support the appointment of charity employees and monitor their performance.
• Through this key relationship, create conditions in which the WGI team are confident and enabled to provide information, advice and feedback necessary to the board.
• Support and provide advice on the charity’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee the charity’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Review and approve the charity’s financial statements.
• Provide support and challenge to the charity’s Manager in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
• Keep abreast of changes in the charity’s operating environment.
• Contribute to regular reviews of the charity’s own governance.
• Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect the charity’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.
• Contribute to the broader promotion of the charity’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

As a small charity, there will be times when the trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Trustee – Personal skills and qualities

• Understanding of and commitment to the charity’s vision and mission.
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Willingness to lead according to our values
• Willingness to speak their mind
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Preparedness to make unpopular recommendations to the board
• Willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis.

Trustee - Desirable skills and knowledge

• Fundraising/income generation knowledge and/or business development background.
• An understanding of the challenges facing small to medium UK charities in maximising income streams & donor cultivation.
• Experience of diverse fundraising practices, including trust and foundation grants, corporate and philanthropic giving, and fundraising events would be valuable.
• Knowledge of the voluntary sector.
• A personal network in the Bath area that can be accessed for the benefit of the charity.
• Strong networking and communication skills.

Terms of appointment

Terms of office

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• Trustees are appointed for a three-year term of office, renewable for further terms with the consensus of the Board.
• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

Time commitment

• Attending four Board meetings annually, one of which to be the Annual General Meeting. Currently meetings are held remotely via Zoom, occasionally in person in Bath.
• Completion of appropriate trustee governance training on an annual basis.

Committee membership

• Ad hoc and occasional support through working groups and/or support to the charity team.