Student TrusteeRecruitment Pack

February 2018

yourstudentsunion.com

WelcomeThank you for your interest in becoming a Student 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?We are looking for individuals with good decision-making skills, who can work well in a team and open to learning whilst respecting that certain discussions of the Board need to remain confidential.

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.

What’s in it for you?This is a fantastic opportunity to gain lots of skills and experience that will develop you. You will gain experience of all aspects of the Students’ Union as a functioning charity/business and you will be able to input into the overall strategic directions of the SU.

You will be a valued voice around the table and we will provide the support you need to be an effective trustee including an 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.

Commitment requiredAttendance: The key requirement is being willing and able to attend and contribute to the meetings of the board. The board will have 6 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 up to 4 student trustees to serve until June 2019.

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.

ApplicationsIf you would like to apply please follow the link to our online application.You will need to tell us a little bit about yourself and provide up to 200 words on why you would like to be a student trustee.

Please submit your application by Monday 12 March

Further informationFor more information, to discuss the role further please contact:

Tom Newman, Chief Executive

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

Interview ProcessShortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview with current members of the board. The panel will consist of independent trustees and student representatives. The planned date for the interviews is Monday 19 March.

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

Our Vision, Mission and Values

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.

About usThe 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.

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 student 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 student trustees and together with the 4 officer trustees and 5 external 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 student trustees to sit on Students’ Union sub-committees, including the Service Development Committee, Audit and Risk Committee and Personnel Committee.

Full-Time Officers 2017/18

University of Gloucestershire Students’ Union01242 714360 | su@glos.ac.uk

The Park, Cheltenham, GLOS, GL50 2RHUGSU 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

Find out more about the Students’ Union please visit: