YOUR VOICE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES YOUR COMMUNITIES
www.UndebBangor.com
UNDEB BANGOR (BANGOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ UNION) IS A SUCCESSFUL, VIBRANT AND EXCITING ORGANISATION WITH A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD. Located in North Wales between the mountains and the sea we represent around 11,000 students. We have a great relationship with the University, and our Clubs and Societies were named best in the UK at the ‘WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2018’, and our work on the Student Voice and Student Representation is sector leading. We have a team of five Sabbatical Officers elected to ensure that student ideas, needs and wants are being acted upon and a team of 18 staff who support the Sabbatical Officer Teams to deliver our Union wide strategy and plans. At the heart of our governance is our Trustee Board and at the heart of our Trustee Board are our Trustees. These 12 people make crucial decisions about the Union and our External Trustees bring particular expertise and experience to the Board. We have four places reserved for external trustees on our board (who sit alongside our five Sabbatical Officers and three Student Trustees).
We are looking for one new external Trustees to help us develop Undeb Bangor, challenge decisions, ensure we are financially solvent and governed in the right way. We are keen to increase the diversity of the Board and are looking for particular expertise in financial matters, and strategic planning. Find us online, find out more information about the University, find us on the Charity Commission website. At this stage, we are looking to appoint one external trustee to join the existing three, and the role will begin immediately upon completion of the recruitment process. This pack will provide you with everything you need to understand more about the role and complete your application. To apply you will need to send us an up to date CV and covering letter (no more than two A4 sides please) telling us a bit about yourself and why you want to be a Trustee for Undeb Bangor. Send this to llinos.gashe@undebbangor.com by February 28 and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
Thanks and any questions please get in touch UNDEB BANGOR SABBATICAL TEAM 2018-19 RUTH, MARK, GETHIN, LOUISE, MUHAMMAD
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT UNDEB BANGOR…. We are a democratic charity led by students and funded (mainly) through a block grant from Bangor University. Whilst we do work closely with the University, we are a separate and distinct organisation and decisions are taken internally by our members.
AND, WE ARE DRIVEN BY OUR VALUES:
WE ARE THE STUDENT VOICE AT UNIVERSITY AND THE HOME OF STUDENT LIFE AT BANGOR!
We have a team of five Sabbatical Officers elected to represent around 11,000 students of Bangor, to ensure that students’ ideas, needs and wants are being acted upon and a team of 18 staff who support the elected Sabbatical Officer Team to deliver our Union wide strategy and plans.
WE EXIST FOR BANGOR STUDENTS AND WE WORK TO AMPLIFY THEIR VOICE, ENABLE THEIR OPPORTUNITIES AND DEVELOP THEIR COMMUNITIES.
• COLLECTIVISM–doing it with you not for you • DEMOCRATIC – accountable and transparent • CYMRAEG – proud to be here • CHALLENGING – for a better society • BRAVE – embracing innovation
Our Trustee Board provide governance and oversight to the Union, ensures that we are legally compliant and are spending in line with our plans and budgets. As a Union, we have achieved some huge changes and development over the last few years and by working with the University, we have been able to secure:
• Free Clubs and Societies
WE HAVE A BOLD AND SIMPLE VISION: TO BE COMPLETELY RELEVANT TO STUDENTS
• 24 hour Library Opening • Wednesday Afternoons Free for Sport • Improved Student Study Spaces • Student Representation on All University Committees
OUR GOVERNANCE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR WORK AND WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN PLACE, WE CAN DO FANTASTIC THINGS.
WHY BE AN EXTERNAL TRUSTEE…. The role is a voluntary role and you would give your time to ensure that we make sound financial decisions and obey legal frameworks and adhere to requirements laid down by our regulators (the Charity Commission & the University). Most importantly, the Trustee Board makes sure that Undeb Bangor responds to the changing needs of our students. Key responsibilities of a Trustee:
Specific Duties:
• Ensuring that all aspects of Undeb Bangor work is legal and meets the regulatory requirements, including those described in the 2010 Charities Act and the 1994 Education Act, which specifically relate to Charities and Students’ Unions.
• Attend at least four meetings of the Trustee Board per academic year. Options for attendance include by electronic means.
• Ensuring that all work undertaken by Undeb Bangor relates to the organisation’s charitable objects - making sure that everything has a benefit to the students experience whilst at Bangor. • Determine the overall strategic direction of the Students’ Union and develop the organisation in line with the principles of good governance. • Assist the development of the Students’ Union by overseeing clear strategic planning based on a coherent understanding of the environment in which the organisation operates. • Ensure that the Students’ Union operates in an effective, responsible and accountable manner within the legal and financial requirements of a charitable organisation. • Maintain sound financial oversight and control of funds and resources to ensure that the organisation remains viable. • Identify and oversee the management of significant financial, legal or other risk to the Students’ Union.
• Read thoroughly in advance of meetings all papers sent out for discussion and prepare ideas and contributions, and maintain confidentiality at all times. • Embody the values and mission of the Students’ Union throughout the course of their duties. • Set the direction for staff and make decisions on matters relating to the strategy, policy, financing and functioning of the students’ Union • In conjunction with other Board members, set the strategic objectives for, and review the work of the Director of Undeb Bangor. • Participate in sub-committees and project group relevant to your expertise. • Undertake an induction and any other training identified to support you to carry out the above duties.
WE’D LIKE YOU TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING QUALITIES... ESSENTIAL
• Students’ Union as a democratic, Enthusiasm for the values of Bangor participative, student-led organisation. Commitment to devoting necessary time and attention to the role of External Trustee. Ability to think strategically. Understanding of the role of External Trustee, including legal and financial responsibilities. Ability to work effectively as a member of a team with diverse levels of experience. Ability to make and express independent judgements. Ability to communicate effectively. Adherence to Nolan’s seven principles of public life – selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. Specific technical knowledge and practical experience in one or more of the following fields: organisational finance, strategic planning
DESIRABLE Knowledge and experience of previous trusteeship. Understanding of Students’ Unions, Universities or the Higher Education Sector. Appreciation of the importance of the Welsh Language and a commitment to working in a bilingual environment. Experience or knowledge of the working of charities. At least five years’ experience in a relevant field. Proven commitment to issues relating to societal inequality. Experience of encouraging involvement and engagement
SOME GENERAL INFORMATION…
HOW WILL THE RECRUITMENT This position is not BE CONDUCTED? remunerated but reasonable out of pocket expenses can be • All applications will be considered by Undeb Bangor Appointments Commitpaid in accordance with the tee and a shortlist of candidates will be Undeb Bangor Financial Poliinvited to an informal interview to meet some of current trustees and Students’ cies and Procedures. Union Director. • Interviews will focus on your background, experience and knowledge.
INDUCTION, TRAINING AND SUPPORT Each trustee will receive an induction to the work of Undeb Bangor and be invited to attend Trustee Board Training. Our induction programme is flexible and designed to support and develop the individual trustee.
LENGTH OF APPOINTMENT External Trustees are normally appointed for a four year term.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Undeb Bangor is committed to Equality and Diversity. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
HOW DO I APPLY? Send us an up to date CV and covering letter (no more than two A4 sides please) telling us a bit about yourself and why you want to be a Trustee for Undeb Bangor. Send this to llinos. gashe@undebbangor.com by February 28 and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
IF I’M SUCCESSFUL WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT? • You will be invited to begin the induction process with the Undeb Bangor President and Students’ Union Director • You will be asked to complete a Charity Trustee Declaration Form to confirm you are not disqualified from acting as a charity trustee. This will be followed up with a Basic Disclosure Check. • We will ask the Undeb Bangor Council to formally accept you as a Trustee. • You will be invited to the next Trustee Board meeting.
MORE INFORMATION For more information and a discussion about becoming a Trustee, please contact: • Ruth Plant – Undeb Bangor President and Chair of the Trustee Board ruth. plant@undebbangor.com • Mair Rowlands, Students’ Union Director mair.rowlands@undebbangor.com We would welcome an opportunity to talk to you personally if you are interested and we can provide more detail on the role etc. Get in touch to arrange a visit.
THANK YOU & GOOD LUCK...