Volunteer Trustee and Chair Board

Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation are recruiting for a volunteer Trustee to join as Chair of the board.

The Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation (SCF) was established in February 2000 to support registered charities throughout the UK.

Skipton Building Society (Skipton Building Society | Founded on Fairness) makes an annual payment to the Charitable Foundation to fund these donations.

Independent of Skipton Building Society, the Charitable Foundation's decisions are made by its Board of Trustees.

The Charitable Foundation is run by eight trustees, including six who are independent of Skipton Building Society. The Trustees meet 4 times a year to decide which worthy causes will benefit from the Charitable Foundation's support. The Charitable Foundation is also supported by volunteer administrators provided by Skipton Building Society.

Further information about the Foundation can be found here:
Skipton Charitable Foundation

The Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation has identified two focus areas through which it aims to drive social impact.

Helping people experiencing hardship and/or underserved groups to:

access a place to call home; and

improve financial wellbeing

The trustees select charities to fund based on their alignment with one or both focus areas and the Foundation has committed to fund UK registered charities, where successful, up to a maximum of £5,000 (subject to change).

SCF are looking for a volunteer Trustee to join as Chair of the board.

As a trustee and Chair of the SCF board, you will play a crucial role in leading the Board of Trustees, overseeing the foundation's activities and ensuring that it operates in accordance with its stated objectives and values.

Main duties and responsibilities include:

Governance:

• Ensure the foundation's activities and decisions align with its objectives and values.
• Support SCF to ensure the Board of Trustees comply with all legal and regulatory requirements governing charitable organizations.
• Review and approve the foundation's budget, working with Skipton Building Society and financial statements as part of the board.
• Monitor the foundation's financial performance and ensure adherence to the terms of reference and budget.
• Ensure that the foundation uses its resources effectively and efficiently to achieve its charitable goals.

Programmatic Oversight:

• Review and approve charitable applications that will be provided by SCF administrators at board meetings.
• Use best endeavours to review and research charitable applications to ensure monies are deployed where they can best achieve the stated goals and objectives of SCF.
• Ensure that the foundation's programs are aligned with its objectives and strategic priorities.
• Ensure correct allocation of applications to Trustees.
• Identify and mitigate risks that may affect the foundation's operations or reputation.
• Contribute towards establishing policies and procedures to manage risks effectively as part of the wider SCF board governance responsibilities.
• Ensure that the foundation complies with ethical standards and best practices in the non-profit sector.

Board Engagement:

• Regularly attend and chair board meetings currently held four times a year and actively participate in discussions and decision-making.
• Collaborate with other trustees when required to achieve common goals.
• Determine and agree training requirements of Trustees.
• Promote a culture of transparency, accountability, and collaboration within the board and the foundation.
• Build a strong relationship with key stakeholders at Skipton Building Society (sole funder of the Foundation).

Overall, as a Trustee and Chair of the Skipton Charitable Foundation board, you will be responsible for stewarding the foundation's resources, supporting the other Trustees and ensuring that it makes a positive impact on the community it serves. Your role is essential in guiding the foundation towards achieving its charitable objectives while upholding the highest standards of governance and accountability.

Board members will serve an initial three-year term and be eligible for re-appointment for a maximum of two additional three-year terms.

Trustees are expected to attend four Trustee meetings a year at their principal office in Skipton, North Yorkshire, three of which will focus on grant making and one of which will focus on board matters. Occasionally an extraordinary meeting of the board may be called.

You will be able to demonstrate the following characteristics.

• A commitment to the values and mission of Skipton Charitable Foundation.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills.
• Sufficient time and commitment to fulfil the role.
• Flexibility in thinking.
• Knowledge or commitment to gaining knowledge of charity governance.
• Be collaborative, enthusiastic, and empathetic.

To compliment the skills of the board, we are keen to receive applications from individuals with any of the following knowledge and…