Trustee

We have an exciting opportunity for one Trustee to join our Board. As a Trustee you’ll have an essential role in contributing towards the future direction of our charity and making a real difference for botanists, botany and wild plants.

We are particularly looking for Trustees with skills, knowledge or experience in one or more of the following areas: plant recording (with experience of the Vice-County Recorder role, or is an active recorder); finance (with an interest in charity finance, in depth expertise not necessary but a willingness to learn); education (academic, teaching or environmental education experience); leadership and governance (Chair - see slightly separate role). Most of all we need Trustees with the enthusiasm and time to help us make a difference for botanists, botany and wild plants.

The BSBI aims to be transparent and inclusive in the way we recruit and support our Trustees. We welcome and value diversity and recognise that difference brings a wide range of perspectives that is valuable to our work.

The role - responsibilities and tasks

As a Trustee you’ll contribute towards decisions to develop our charity and our work, in line with our Strategy and policy. You’ll also ensure our compliance with governance regulations. Our friendly team will provide you with support and training to develop in your role.

Your role will be to:

• Ensure that the BSBI pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document (Articles of Association), by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy.
• Ensure that the BSBI complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• Ensure that the BSBI applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects (i.e. the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, however worthwhile or charitable those activities are) for the benefit of the public.
• Ensure that the BSBI defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets.
• Safeguard the good name and values of the BSBI.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the BSBI, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place.
• Ensure the financial stability of the BSBI.
• Protect and manage the BSBI’s assets and ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds (with guidance from the Finance Committee, Finance Manager and Investment Advisors).
• Follow proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the Chief Executive.
• Trustees need to follow guidance produced by the charity regulators (Charity Commission in England and Wales, OSCR in Scotland, Charities Regulator in Ireland).
• Trustees must comply with the BSBI’s related parties’ policy and declare any potential conflicts of interest on an annual basis and in relation to agenda items, at the start of each meeting.

In addition to the above statutory duties, each Trustee will use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have, to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise.

Committee Liaison Trustees

Trustees can also join one BSBI Standing or Country Committees as the designated “Liaison Trustee”. Their role is to act as a liaison and communication point between the Board of Trustees and that Committee. They work to ensure that the Board of Trustees understands what the Committee is doing and why, and that the Committee understands what the Board of Trustees is doing and why. Responsibilities include:

• Before each Board of Trustee meeting, the Liaison Trustee will work with the Committee Chair and Secretary to agree and finalise any papers or verbal updates that are to be brought to Board meetings. Examples include approval for new members joining Standing Committees, proposals that the Committee wants decisions on, or issues of particular concern that Trustees need to be aware of. Committee papers for the Board of Trustees need to be sent to the Honorary General Secretary at least one week before the Board meeting.
• Encouraging the Committee to plan and review their work in the context of the BSBI’s strategic goals and priorities.
• Encouraging the Committee Secretary to share minutes and a summary of their meetings and Country AGM in a timely manner, including for upload to the Committee pages of the BSBI website, to support communication across Committees.

Trustees may also join Board Sub-committees or Working Groups.