YOUR VOICE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES YOUR COMMUNITIES
Student Trustee Recruitment Pack
2018
WWW.UndebBangor.COM
Dear Bangor Students, We’re looking for a new Student Trustee and we’d like you to consider applying for the role. Undeb Bangor (Bangor University Students’ Union) is a successful, vibrant and exciting organisation with a very bright future ahead. We have a great relationship with the University, have been voted ‘What Uni Best Clubs and Societies’ twice in the last three years and our work on the student voice and student representation is sector leading. However, we can’t be complacent and with student needs and demands ever changing we have to ensure that we are continuously striving to improve and better serve you, our members. Full student input into our decision making and governance structures is how we’ll ensure this.
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 your Union and our Student Trustees bring student focus and an understanding of student Life at Bangor. We have three places reserved for students on our board (who sit alongside our five Sabbatical Officers and three External Trustees) and following our recent comprehensive governance review we have re-shaped how we recruit and this is the first time that we’ll be inviting applications for this role. At this stage we are looking to appoint one Student Trustee to join the existing two (who will be replaced at the end of their academic year) and the role will begin immediately upon completion of the recruitment process. To apply you’ll 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 the 11th May 2018 and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
This pack will provide you with everything you need to understand about the role and complete your application.
Thanks, and if you have any questions please get in touch.
YOUR SABBATICAL TEAM 2017-18
Ruth, James, Tatenda, Mirain & Helen
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 you, our members. WE ARE YOUR VOICE AT UNIVERSITY AND THE HOME OF STUDENT LIFE AT BANGOR!
WE EXIST FOR YOU
BANGOR STUDENTS AND WE WORK TO AMPLIFY YOUR VOICE, ENABLE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES AND DEVELOP YOUR COMMUNITIES.
WE HAVE A BOLD AND SIMPLE VISION: TO BE COMPLETELY RELEVANT TO YOU
AND, WE ARE DRIVEN BY OUR VALUES: • 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 We have a team of five Sabbatical Officers elected to represent the 10,000 students of Bangor, to ensure that your 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. 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 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. Here’s a link to our 2016-19 Plan – hopefully it’ll give you a flavour for our future and how we intend to get there
www.undebbangor.com/strategicplan/
Why be a Student 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 you, our students.
Key responsibilities of a Trustee include: »» 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. »» Recommending a draft annual budget to the Annual General Meeting, considering regular financial reports and information, and overseeing and approving the annual audit process.
»» 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. »» Managing, supporting and appraising the Students’ Union Director. »» Identifying areas for development and creating mechanisms to support change and facilitate improvement.
»» Making sure that Undeb Bangor remains financially solvent and secure year on year. »» Ensuring that decision-making is clear and that governance structures are appropriate, transparent and fit for purpose. »» Creating, and monitoring progress towards, goals outlined in the Undeb Bangor Strategic Plan. »» Monitoring mechanisms to manage organisational risk and performance.
The Trustee Board makes sure that Undeb Bangor responds to the changing needs of you, our students.
As a Trustee you will use your skills and experience to make sure the Union runs efficiently. Trustees are encouraged to get advice from external sources like solicitors or other experts if they need to. All trustees make decisions about the Union collectively, working as a team. Decisions don’t usually need to be unanimous so long as the majority of trustees agree. The Board meets 4 times through the academic year to set, and monitor progress towards the Union’s aims and objectives. Collectively the Board reviews the impact of activities, monitors the management of resources, and ensures that the Union is delivering clear benefit for its members. Trustees will attend all meetings either in person or virtually (or send apologies in advance if unable to attend), ensure that they are well prepared by reading documentation and asking questions, maintain confidentiality at all times, and embody the values and mission of the Students’ Union throughout the course of their duties. Trustees must make decisions based on the considerations of the organisation as a whole, and to ensure that the Union continues to exist for the benefit of students at Bangor University. Trustees are expected to declare any potential conflicts of interest in line with our Conflict of Interest Policy.
We’d like you to have the following qualities: • Be committed to the mission, vision and values of the Union • Be constructive about others opinions and contributions • Be inquisitive and able to analyse and challenge information • Be able to act reasonably and responsibly • Be able to maintain confidentiality • Be ready to contribute in a meeting • Understand the difference between strategic and operational involvement • Embody the Nolan Principles – standards of behaviour in public life
Check out Charity Commission guidance on the responsibilities of Trustees: www.charity commission.gov.uk/detailed-guidance/trustees-staff-andvolunteers/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3/#b2
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.
Some individuals are prevented from acting as a Trustee because they: »» have an unspent conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or deception »» are currently declared bankrupt (or subject to bankruptcy restrictions or an interim order) »» have an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) to pay off debts with creditors »» are disqualified from being a company director
Eligibility Requirements We are looking for a Student Trustee and as such this role can only be filled by an individual who is a current student of Bangor University
»» are subject to an order made under section 429(2) of the Insolvency Act 1986 »» have previously been removed as a trustee by the Charity Commission, the Scottish charity regulator or the High Court due to misconduct or mismanagement »» have been removed from management or control of any body under section 34(5)(e) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (or earlier legislation) »» are disqualified from being a trustee by an order of the Charity Commission under section 181A of the Charities Act 2011
If any of the above affects you come and talk to us and we’ll talk through your options.
Induction, Training and Support
If I’m successful what will happen next?
Each trustee will receive a comprehensive induction to the work of the Undeb Bangor and be invited to attend Trustee Board Training. Our induction programme is flexible and designed to support and develop the individual trustee.
»» You’ll be invited to begin the induction process with the Undeb Bangor President and Students’ Union Director
Length of Appointment Student Trustees are normally appointed for a one year term running from July to July but this specific vacancy will run from June 2018 – June 2019. We’ll then open recruitment again in April 2019 for three positions that will run from July 2019 – July 2020.
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 the 11th May 2018 and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
»» You’ll 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’ll ask the Undeb Bangor Council to formally accept you as a Trustee »» You’ll 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 We’d 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.
How will the recruitment be conducted? »» All applications will be considered by Undeb Bangor Appointments Committee and a shortlist of candidates will be invited to an informal interview to meet some of current trustees and our Students’ Union Director. »» Interviews will focus on your background, experience and knowledge.
Thanks & Good Luck