STUDENT TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT PACK
2021
www.UndebBangor.com
DEAR BANGOR STUDENTS, WE'RE LOOKING FOR A NEW STUDENT TRUSTEE AND WE'D LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER APPLYING. 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' three times in the last four 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. There are 13 trustees, who make crucial decisions about your Union and our Student Trustees bring student focus and an understanding of student life at Bangor. We have four places reserved for students on our board (who sit alongside our five Sabbatical Officers and four External Trustees. We are looking to appoint one Student Trustee to join the trustee board and the role will begin immediately upon completion of the recruitment process.
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 5th of November, 2021 and we'll get back to you. This pack will provide you with everything you need to understand about the role and complete your application. If you have any questions please do get in touch with us.
Undeb Bangor Sabbatical Team 2021-22 Katie, Mabon, James, Tabitha & Harrison
We are looking for one new External Trustee 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 HR, financial and legal matters. If you want more information, you can find us online, find out more information about the University on their website, as well as 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.
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.
WE ARE THE VOICE OF STUDENTS AT BANGOR UNIVERSITY! WE EXIST FOR BANGOR STUDENTS AND WE WORK TO AMPLIFY THEIR VOICE, ENABLE THEIR OPPORTUNITIES & DEVELOP THEIR COMMUNITIES.
WE HAVE A BOLD AND SIMPLE VISION: TO BE COMPLETELY RELEVANT TO STUDENTS. 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 around 11,000 students of Bangor, to ensure that students’ ideas, needs and wants are being acted upon and a team of 17 staff who support the elected Sabbatical Officer Team to deliver our Union wide strategy and plans. Our Trustee Board provides 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 Developed a student led mental health strategy Wednesday afternoons free for sport Improve 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 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 our students.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF A TRUSTEE: 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. 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.
Monitoring mechanisms to manage organisational risk and performance. 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.
Creating and monitoring progress towards, goals outlined in the Undeb Bangor Strategic Plan.
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 f Interest Policy.
Check out Charity Commission guidance on the responsibilities of Trustees.
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
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.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS We are looking for a StudentTrustee and as such this role can only be filled by an individual who is a current studentof Bangor University
SOME INDIVIDUALS ARE PREVENTED FROM ACTING AS A TRUSTEEBECAUSE 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 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 section34(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 we'll talk through your options
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 Student Trustees are normally appointed for a one year term running from July to July
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) 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 5th of November, 2021 and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
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 the current trustees and Students’ Union Director. Interviews will focus on your background, experience and knowledge.
IF I’M SUCCESSFUL WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?
MORE INFROMATION For more information and a discussion about becoming a Trustee, please contact:
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.
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.
THANK YOU & GOOD LUCK...