Become a Board Member
Many thanks for your interest in becoming a WomenCentre Board Member as a trustee/director of our charity.
We are currently looking to recruit new board members and below is some useful information about the responsibilities within the role. Also, for more general information visit The Charity Commission – GOV.UK and especially the linked guidance below.
Charity trustee: what’s involved (CC3a) and The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do (CC3)
If you wish to discuss this opportunity further our CEO or another member of our team will be happy to talk to you too about the work of our charity and how to become a trustee prior to you completing an application form. Please send an enquiry to info@womencentre,org.uk
Responsibilities of all WomenCentre Board members as Trustees of the Charity/Company Directors
• To ensure full organisation compliance with charity commission guidance.
• To meet at least six times a year as a main board to include AGM.
• To attend subgroups quarterly to ensure all compliance is in place
• To elect a Chair, Treasurer and other officers as needed.
• To apply for and manage funds and employ staff as necessary to carry out their objectives.
• To approve an annual budget.
• To review and approve the organisational strategic plan.
• To approve policies and procedures as needed.
• To review and approve the organisational risk register.
• To ensure data protection compliance.
• To receive reports from the Chief Executive staff, sub-committees and others as relevant to their work.
• To keep themselves informed of the work carried out in their names across all contracts and organisational work and seek expert advice where needed.
• To report on the year, (what has been achieved and carried out on their behalf) to the membership at the Annual General Meeting.
What our board members say about being involved with WomenCentre:
“I have lived locally Huddersfield most of my life but haven’t worked in the town and wanted to make a contribution to helping women and girls in my community.
I had never thought about being on board of an organisation before, but when it was suggested to me as something I might be able to do I decided to give it a go!
I have gained so much knowledge about how an organisation in the charity sector runs and the challenges it faces. I have learnt what a fantastic impact WomenCentre makes to women and girls and that being a board member can be very rewarding and challenging but also very enjoyable.
Being a board member is about more than just attending board meetings. You have the opportunity to see it’s work in action and get to know the staff volunteers and the service users and feel part of the WC team.”
What our board members say about being involved with WomenCentre:
“When I first heard about WomenCentre I was interested in helping with a particular fundraising project they were working on and felt that my experience could help with that. I never considered that I would have skills and experience which would be of value on the Board.
I have no background in social sciences, or domestic abuse or women’s issues at all – except for being one and having been brought up in the 70’s I have seen my share of unfair treatment and reduced options for women.
I was surprised when I was asked by the CEO if I would be interested in joining the Board but I had been looking for a charity to support in this way, so decided that if she thought I could be of help I would give it a go.
It has been a steep learning curve and there have been times when I am not sure I am making a difference, but the team always set my mind at rest and reinforces the need for there to be a diverse group of experiences and views on the Board.
It makes me feel like I am involved in something of vital importance which is making a huge difference to the lives of local women. The team are so dedicated and it is a joy to feel a part of this amazing organisation.
Thanks for believing I could be a part of WomenCentre.”