Job description
Role: Assistant to the Secretary of the Board of Trustees
Responsible to: Secretary of the Board of Trustees
Key contacts: Chair of Trustees, Company Secretary, Centre Manager
Remuneration: Voluntary basis
Who we are
The Avon Riding Centre for the Disabled is a c£300,000 turnover not-for-profit organisation committed to enhance lives through equine assisted techniques. We deliver our mission through our dedicated team of 13 staff, supported by over 200 volunteers who help us to create opportunities for people throughout Bristol and the surrounding areas. We have 25 horses and occupy 100 acres of land in North Bristol where we deliver a range of equine activities including horse riding, unmounted sensory sessions, and Hippotherapy. We are a member group of the RDA and are recognised as a Centre of Excellence both regionally and nationally.
This is an exciting time to join the organisation as we look to grow our income streams across a range of disciplines to keep the charity alive. We are looking for Trustees to help the Board to identify and mobilise new ways of using our land for horticulture, small scale agriculture and other related rural business opportunities. Our aim is to increase wider benefits of access through volunteering and participation to the local residential and business community, while ensuring we keep our RDA riders at the centre of anything we do and also continue to offer riding lessons for able bodied individuals, which is currently our main source of funding.
Overview of the role
The Assistant to the Secretary of the Board of Trustees will perform the duties of Secretarial Assistant and manage the business of the Board, advising Trustees and the Centre Manager on governance and compliance, reviewing governance policies and procedures, and maintaining the risk register and related documents. Key responsibilities include:
• In consultation with the Chair and Centre Manager, produce a schedule of meetings and plan of business for the Board of Trustees
• Prepare, in consultation with the Chair and Centre Manager, agendas for Board meetings and co-ordinate the timely provision of supporting papers in line with the Board’s requirements
• Attend Board meetings, take minutes and note actions required, and prepare timely minutes in a professional manner and in line with Charity Commission guidance. Arrange for those responsible for follow-up actions from Board to be prompted as necessary
• Keep up-to-date with charity legal requirements and guidance on matters relating to governance and compliance, and advise the Board as necessary, providing appropriate briefing notes and arranging training as required
• Be conversant with, and ensure that the Charity is in compliance with its Memorandum of Association at all times
• Maintain the Trustee succession plan and ensure that Trustees serve in accordance with the guidelines laid out in its memorandum
• Advise as necessary on the need for changes to terms of reference of the Board and the and any other aspects of the Board’s work to promote effective governance
• Arrange all necessary filing at with the Charity Commission, including changes in trustees and their details
• Undertake such other work as might be required effectively to promote effective governance and compliance, including reviewing governance policies and procedures, assisting in the review of governing documents and risk registers, assisting in the preparation of Trustees’ Annual Reports and assisting in the induction of new Trustees and Senior Managers
What skills do you need to have?
You will need to share our charity’s aims, and the core attributes we are looking for include:
• A willingness and capability to allocate sufficient time, on a flexible basis, to carry out effectively the duties and responsibilities of the post
• High level of administrative and organisational skills
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to communicate effectively with people at different levels
• Detailed knowledge of governance and compliance requirements affecting a charity
• A good understanding of relevant legislation/guidance affecting the governance and compliance aspects of a charity
• Experience of working for / supporting the secretariat functions of a charity or corporate would be advantageous
What is the time commitment?
The role is unpaid and will typical require between 7 to 15 hours per month. While some availability during working hours is desirable, trustee’s meetings usually take place in evenings and a highly flexible approach can be taken regarding other duties and tasks.
Interested?
We welcome applications from individuals that have experience of mental or physical health conditions. The Avon Riding Centre for the Disabled welcomes applicants who can bring a diversity of thinking to our work and organisation, based on their personal characteristics and experience, be it of disability, ethnicity, faith or sexuality. Our facilities are accessible, and if you require any special adjustments please let us know.
We are happy to arrange informal conversations for anyone who wants to find out more about the role and you can also visit our website for more information about the Centre at www.avonridingcentre.org.uk
If you would like to be considered for the role, please email us at trustees@avonridingcentre.org.uk with a copy of your CV and a covering letter to explain why you are a good fit for the organisation.
The closing date is November 30th and we’re looking for the induction process to start as soon as possible.