Wanted: Trustee with Event Experience

The Caroline Walker Trust is growing rapidly and aims to achieve its strategic objectives with high profile events within the next 18 months.

Consequently, we are expanding our Board of Trustees to meet our objectives and are looking for someone with event experience to join the board.  The candidate must be available to attend 4 – 6 board meetings per year and the occasional ad-hoc committee meetings.  They will act in good faith to carry out the duties of the Trust in accordance with the objects and be accountable to their fellow trustees on the Board of Trustees.  

Minimum Time Commitment:

• Trustees are expected to attend all board meetings. Board meetings are held 4 – 6 times a year after regular office hours.  Board meetings last for approximately two hours.
• Meeting dates are arranged two to four months in advance.
• Trustees may be asked to join the following committees: Event Committee, along with acting as an advisor for the Strategy Committee and World’s Healthiest Afternoon Tea Committee.
• Trustees can claim out of pocket expenses incurred in travelling to meetings.

The role of a Caroline Walker Trustee includes;

• Promoting and administering the charitable object above by the specific powers outlined in the Trust’s governing document.
• Assessing the changing environment and approve the organisation’s strategic direction.
• Contributing actively to the Board of Trustees by giving firm strategic direction to the CWT, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• Appoving major policies, major actions of the organisation such as capital expenditure and major changes in activities and services.
• Each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve leading discussions, identifying key issues, providing advice and guiding new initiatives, evaluating or offering advice on other areas, such as finance, marketing, law or public relations in which the trustee has particular expertise.

In the case of a person with Event Expertise, the Trustee is also expected to;

• Take responsibility of the CWT flagship annual events (Lecture Series and Annual Awards), reporting to the CWT Board on progress, as Chair of the Annual Awards and Lecture Series events sub-committee.
• To work with others (volunteers, staff and other trustees) as part of a sub-committee to support the delivery of the Annual Awards and Lecture Series.
• To work with the Treasurer to provide a budget for each event.
• To provide market intelligence to the CWT board to enable all Trustees to engage in evidence-based decisions on the running of the CWT annual events.
• To ensure the promotion of the CWT annual events, including on-line copy, press-releases and liaison with external partners organisations.
• To liaise with external venues and speakers for events.
• To work closely with CWT Trustee responsible for the business relationships and corporate sponsorship.
• Ensure event and sponsorship products are consistent with the Trust’s strategic objectives, partnership aims, and support in maximising opportunities for any cross-promotion of the event, sponsorship and partnership programmes.

Person Specification

• A commitment to the objectives and aims to the CWT,
• A willingness to attend board meetings and committee meetings,
• Integrity and strategic foresight,
• Good, independent judgement without conflict of interest or self-interest,
• A willingness to speak your mind and to challenge any information put forward,
• Provide candid and constructive criticism, advice, comments and praise,
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship,
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to make collective decisions for the good of the Trust, and
• Previous Board experience.

In addition to the above, we are seeking someone with

• Knowledge of the health professional, charity and/or academic sectors.
• Experience of planning and running high quality, high profile lectures, fundraising events and award receptions.
• Experience in undertaking market research and working on event budgets.
• Interpersonal skills to influence and negotiate across teams and externally.
• A practical approach and a proven ability to work well with limited resources would be an advantage.
• Membership of the Institute of Fundraising, Chartered Institute of Marketing, or a member of a relevant professional body.

If you feel you can contribute as a Trustee to The Caroline Walker Trust’s objectives, then please apply with a covering note and CV to [email protected]