External Trustee Recruitment Pack 2022

EXTERNAL TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT PACK

2022 www.UndebBangor.com

UNDEB BANGOR (BANGOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION) IS A SUCCESSFUL, VIBRANT & EXCITING ORGANISATION WITH A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD. Located in North Wales between the mountains and the sea we represent around 13,000 students. We have a great relationship with the University, and our Clubs and Societies were named top 3 in the 2021 Student Crown League Table as well as being in the top ten Best Students Union League Table.

We have a team of four Sabbatical Officers elected to ensure that student ideas, needs and wants are being acted upon and a team of 15 staff who support the Sabbatical Officer Team 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 13 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 four Sabbatical Officers and four 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 governance matters, and candidates with experience in the Higher Education and Students’ Unions sector.

Find us online, find out more information about the University on their website, as well as find us on the Q U website.

ALITY IS Charity Commission At this stage, we are looking to appoint one External T existing H E three, B Eand S the T role will begin Trustee to join the immediately upon completion of the recruitment process.

BUSINESS

This pack will provide you with everything you need to understand more about the role and complete your application. P L A N .

To apply you will need to send us your CV along with a covering letter (no more than two sides of A4) 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 the 31st May 2022 and we'll get back to you.

If you have any questions please do get in touch with us.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT UNDEB BANGOR….

WE ARE THE STUDENT VOICE AT UNIVERSITY AND THE HOME OF STUDENT LIFE AT 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.

Our organisational Purpose, Promise and Principles, are outlined in our Strategy. Our strategy identifies various priorities and areas of focus for Undeb Bangor over the period 2021-24. Collectively these form the approach we will take to delivering our strategy and the way in which we intend to improve the student experience for our members. See a copy of our strategy here.

OUR PURPOSE

We represent, empower, and support you at Bangor University, setting you up for your future.

OUR PROMISE We promise to listen to you, adapting to your needs in order to support you.

OUR PRINCIPLES Our principles will frame and underpin our work and approach over the time of this strategy and our culture will be led by these principles: 1. WE ARE ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TO ALL STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY: This means that we are there for you irrespective of your gender, ethnicity, social class, sexual orientation, physical ability, identity and cultural background.

2. WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU: We're sure that you will have an amazing time at Bangor University, but we want you to know that when life throws a curveball, we will be here to provide you with support.

3. WE ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF STUDENTS: This means that by holding elections each year we have student leaders who will represent your voices to the university, the community and the country!

4. WE CHAMPION THE WELSH LANGUAGE: We are proud to celebrate the cultural and historic importance that helps makes us so unapologetically Welsh.

5. WE VALUE DIVERSITY: We fully recognise the differences between our members and how this can build strength, we want to build multicultural communities and bonds that will stay with us forever.

We have a team of five Sabbatical Officers elected to represent around 13,000 students, to ensure that students’ ideas, needs and wants are being acted upon and a team of 15 staff who support the elected Sabbatical Officer Team to deliver our Union wide strategy and plans.

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 24 hour Study Spaces A brand-new Activities Hub for our student groups Funding to support student Wellbeing and Health during Covid-19 Free access to Period Products across Campus 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 follow 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: Ensuring that all aspects of Undeb Bangor’s 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.

Ensuring that all work undertaken by Undeb Bangor relates to the organisation’s charitable objectives - making sure that everything has a benefit to the students experience whilst at Bangor.

SPECIFIC DUTIES: Attend at least four meetings of the Trustee Board per academic year. Options for attendance include by electronic means.

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.

Determine the overall strategic direction of the Students’ Union and develop the organisation in line with the principles of good governance.

Set the direction for staff and make decisions on matters relating to the strategy, policy, financing and functioning of the Students’ Union

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.

In conjunction with other Board members, set the strategic objectives for, and review the work of the Director of Undeb Bangor.

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.

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 Enthusiasm for the values of Bangor Students’ Union as a democratic, 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: HR, finance or legal matters.

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.

Good understanding of Governance matters 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… This position is not remunerated but reasonable out of pocket expenses can be paid in accordance with the Undeb Bangor Financial Policies and Procedures.

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.

HOW WILL THE RECRUITMENT BE CONDUCTED? ·All applications will be considered by Undeb Bangor Governance and Appointments Committee and a shortlist of candidates will be invited to an informal interview to meet some of current trustees and Students’ Union Director.

Interviews will focus on your background, experience and knowledge.

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.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

MORE INFROMATION

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.

For more information and a discussion about becoming a Trustee, please contact:

HOW DO I APPLY? Send us an up to date CV and covering letter (no more than two A4 sides) telling us a bit about yourself and why you want to be a Trustee for Undeb Bangor. Send this to

James Avison – Undeb Bangor President and Chair of the Trustee Board james.avison@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 an online meeting.

llinos.gashe@undebbangor.com by the 31st of May and we’ll get back to you ASAP.

THANK YOU & GOOD LUCK...