Become a TRUSTEE
Being a Trustee is an incredibly important role that carries a lot of responsibility, but is also immensely rewarding. As a Trustee, you have to be mindful of the SCH constitution, which details our aims and guiding principles. There are various legal and moral responsibilities to bear in mind, and the SCH expects our Trustees to act within the guidelines for all Trustees within charities, as set out by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
As our Trustees make the big strategic decisions vital to guiding the SCH, it makes sense they have the relevant experience to be able to do so. Maybe you have a business or retail management background. Maybe you've worked with people, dealt with staff, or have previously worked in the voluntary sector. Maybe you run your own business and you're just a great all-rounder.
Trustees will personally attend board meetings, usually held once a month, as well as any other meetings which might be required, in person or remotely. They also should attend our Annual General Meeting, held once a year, at which point some of the Trustee roles come up for re-election.
The upside to all this work and regulation is that you, as a Trustee, get to take the wishes of our members for the SCH and turn them into reality. Maybe you'll be connecting with outside agencies to forge new links to make the SCH stronger, or directing the SCH staff to make the aspirations of the members a reality. As a Trustee, you really can make a difference to what the SCH does and its ability to benefit the people of Coupar Angus and the surrounding areas.
Can I be a Trustee and a member or volunteer?
Yes. All of our trustees have to be members, and there's nothing stopping you helping out with whatever needs doing in the SCH. In fact, this is a great way to meet our users face to face and get some insights not only to how the Hub runs day to day, but also to hear about what people want from the place, or what they think of it while they're using it.
What else do Trustees do?
As a Trustee you need to turn the wishes of the members into a reality. Use the monthly Trustee board meetings to brainstorm ideas with the other Trustees and come up with actionable plans you and the SCH staff can make happen. This is why your skills and experience are so valuable.
Maybe you can make contact with any outside agencies who can further the aims of the SCH. Or maybe you would be able to find out about grant funding, or make that grant application. On a practical level you might want to come down to the Hub and help us out – volunteering, maybe help with a one-off event or some fundraising.
By helping us with any of this, our Trustees are helping the SCH become a more integral part of the Coupar Angus community, and helping to achieve our aims of reducing people's social isolation and increasing their healthiness.
How do I become a Trustee?
Being a Trustee of any charitable organisation is a commitment and one you should know all the facts about. We would ask you to take a look at the OSCR 'Guidance and good practice for charity Trustees' web page.
Then email us and we will send you our Trustee application pack, or come into the SCH, talk to us, and we can give you one. On return of this application, it will be considered by the current Trustees and we will get back to you.
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