External TrusteeRecruitment Pack

January 2018

yourstudentsunion.com

WelcomeThank you for your interest in becoming an External Trustee of the University of Gloucestershire

Students’ Union. This pack contains an overview of the role and information about how to apply.

Who are we looking for?The individual appointed as trustee will need to be sympathetic to the aims of the organisation and more generally share a commitment to the broader values of the student movement: student representation, student rights and the student experience – and the importance of students having a platform to organise together to help make these values a reality.

The role requires a careful balance: trustees need to respect the democratic will of the membership where possible but also be willing to think creativity and point out potential risk in any proposals. An eye for detail to ensure the Union is being well governed and the ability to see future opportunities are also important.

For this particular role we are looking for an individual with experience and expertise in financial management of organisations. Ideally you will be a qualified accountant as we are seeking an individual to chair our audit and risk committee that meets quarterly in addition to our 5 trustee board meetings. We will consider applications from all backgrounds but for this post, we are particularly interested in people with a background in

• Audit and Risk

• Financial Management

• Accountancy

Recent experience of the further or higher education sector or of Students’ Unions themselves is particularly useful but is not essential.

Commitment requiredAttendance: The key requirement is being willing and able to attend and contribute to the meetings of the board. The board will have 5 scheduled meetings each year, with other meetings added if required. The individual will chair our audit and risk committee that will meet quarterly. Board members will also need to be available to approve decisions electronically between meetings as required. Each meeting will have some reading and preparation work to do beforehand.

Terms of Office: We are recruiting 1 external trustee to begin serving on the board from March 2018. Each term lasts for 3 years and trustees can serve a maximum of 2 consecutive terms which is dependent on re-election to the board.

Training: We utilise the support that is available from the University, the National Union of Students (NUS) and the Charities Commission to ensure all trustees are fully informed of the responsibilities associated with being a charity trustee.

RewardsThe role is as an unpaid volunteer, however we will provide the support you need to be an effective trustee including a annual appraisal, induction and opportunities to attend external training. We hope that trustees will regard the role as an excellent opportunity to develop their own skills and experience, as well as the rewards inherent in knowing you are helping the Students’ Union in its work in enhancing the experience of the 10,000 students we represent.

All reasonable out of pocket expenses such as travel to board meetings will be reimbursed.

ApplicationsIf you would like to apply please send a copy of your current CV, along with a covering letter which should identify the relevant experience and expertise you would bring to the role and why you would like to be a trustee, to:

Tom Newman University of Gloucestershire Students’ UnionUniversity of GloucestershireThe ParkCheltenhamGloucestershireGL50 2RH

or by e-mail to tnewman@glos.ac.uk

The deadline for applications is 31 March at noon

Further informationFor more information, to discuss the role further or to arrange a visit to University of Gloucestershire Students’ Union, please contact:

Tom NewmanChief Executive

by calling 01242 714368 or e-mailing tnewman@glos.ac.uk

Interview ProcessShortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview with a panel of board members. The panel will consist of independent trustees and student representatives. The planned date for the interviews is during the first week of April. Please let us know your availability for interview dates and times in your cover letter.

Trustee job description• To act as voting members of the Board with full authority and responsibility to develop policies,

procedures and regulations for the operation of University of Gloucestershire Students’ Union, and to monitor the union’s finances, projects and overall performance.

• To ensure the Union follows and implements the policies adopted by its membership.

• To evaluate the Union’s performance against the University of Gloucestershire Students’ Union strategic plan on an annual basis.

• To review, discuss and formally approve all applications for charitable grants the Union wishes to make.

• To discuss and approve any matters that are discussed by sub-committees of the Board.

• To annually appoint the external auditors.

• To interpret and rule on the Articles of Association as required.

Evaluation of• The Union’s progress in meeting the targets set out in its Strategic Plan, at regular intervals

within the 3 year scope of the Plan.

• The job description and performance of the Chief Executive, at least annually.

• The value for money achieved in the allocation of Union resources, together with assessing the impact of different areas of the Union’s work.

• The effectiveness of individual trustees, and of the Board as a whole.

• Any changes to the mission and purpose of University of Gloucestershire Students’ Union that they feel may be required.

Establishing and/or overseeing• Union wide policies such as the Equal Opportunities and Sustainability policies, so that they

cover all areas of the Union’s work.

• Policies in relation to recruitment, staffing and personnel.

• Policies relating to financial practice and reporting.

Financial oversight• Defining financial goals and targets.

• Monitoring expenditure in line with the agreed budget.

• Approving the long-term financial plan of the Union.

Knowledge and experience

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Experience of Financial management, governance & oversight

• An understanding of financial audit best practice

• An understanding of and commitment to the values and principles of student representation and democracy.

• A commitment to act in accordance with the Nolan principles for ethical conduct in public service.

• An understanding of and sympathy with the aims of University of Gloucestershire Students’ Union.

Essential

• A willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort to attend Board and other meetings, including preparing and reading for those meetings

• A willingness to speak your mind & contribute

• Understanding and acceptance of the role of a Board of Trustees for a charity (including the legal, duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship)

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Analytical ability and good independent judgement

Desirable

• Qualified chartered accountant

• Experience of Higher Education or not for profit organisation

• Understanding of business management

• Understanding of charity law

• Strategic development

Desirable

• Strategic thinking and vision

University of Gloucestershire Trustee Person Specification

About usThe University of Gloucestershire Students’ Union (UGSU) is the primary organisation representing the interests of the University of Gloucestershire’s 10,000 students to the institution and beyond. The campuses which now form the University all have rich histories as educational providers in their own right, but only came together to form the Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education in 1992. The College gained research degree awarding powers in 1998 and University status in 2001. Mirroring its parent institution, the Students’ Unions for the previous colleges merged in 2001 to form UGSU.

The University operates on 3 campuses; the Park Campus and Francis Close Hall campuses are located in Cheltenham, and Oxstalls Campus is in Gloucester. The Students’ Union office at Park campus is the largest office, hosting many of its staff members, but the union maintains some presence on every campus. The University is undergoing an exciting phase of expansion, with a new student village opened at Pittville in 2017 and a new business school, sports facilities and halls of residences being constructed in Gloucester ready for September 2018.

Following an academic re-structure, the University now operates 8 Schools: School of Education, Business School, School of Natural and Social Sciences, School of Art and Design, School of Health and Social Care, School of Media, School of Sport and Exercise and the School of Liberal and Performing Arts.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Stephen Marston, took office in August 2011, and has taken great effort to liaise with the Students’ Union through regular meetings with the Students’ Union Full-Time Officers.

The Students’ Union is an organisation for students, led by students. With 4 Full-Time Officers, 17 members of staff and a team of student staff, the Union already punches above its weight in terms of the impact it is able to make, but is ambitious to develop further. As well providing representation, advice and support for students, the Union also provides a number of opportunities, including volunteering, the Job Shop, over 50 societies and 40 different sports clubs. The Union also sells University branded clothing from a variety of suppliers.

Full-Time Officers 2017/18

Students’ Union Aims and GoalsThe Students’ Union launched its new strategy in August 2017 setting out its ambition to enhance the lives of all its members. We have listened to hundreds of our students who told us clearly that we must be an organisation that listens to them, helps improve their teaching and learning, supports them in developing their employability and enables them to have a life changing University experience.

As a trustee you will be vital in helping to ensure our new strategy is implemented and that the Students’ Union is focused on being relevant to our members whilst ensuring our impact is big.

The OpportunityAs with all charities, the Students’ Union needs to be overseen by a Trustee Board. The Trustee Board reviews the finances of the SU, receives updates from the sub-committees, and discusses and makes executive decisions on any matters that have arisen. The hope is that the trustee board will be forward thinking, and support the development of the Students’ Union.You would sit as one of 5 external trustees and together with the 4 officer trustees and 4 student trustees would comprise the membership of the board.

This is an opportunity to become an active participant in the 6 meetings of the board that will take place each year, as well as being on hand to take decisions between meetings when the need arises. There is also the opportunity for some external trustees to sit on Students’ Union sub-committees, including the Service Development Committee, Audit and Risk Committee and Personnel Committee.

You can find more information about the Students’ Union Strategy by visiting yourstudentsunion.com/strategy

University of Gloucestershire Students’ Union

01242 714360 | su@glos.ac.ukThe Park, Cheltenham, GLOS, GL50 2RH

UGSU is a part of the National Union Of Students UGSU represents students from the University of Gloucestershire

© 2018 All Rights Reserved

The University of Gloucestershire Students' Union is a registered charity No.1148393 and registered company No.8155140.

yourstudentsunion.com

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