Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI)
Trustees (including Chair)
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About the role
The Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) works to advance the understanding and appreciation of wild plants and support their conservation in Britain and Ireland. Through our science and data, training and outreach, events and communications, we work towards a world where wild plants thrive and are valued. We welcome and support everyone interested in wild plants, from beginner botanists and non-specialists to renowned experts in the field. We have a growing membership – currently over 4,500.
We have an exciting opportunity for two Trustees to join our Board, with one of these roles taking on the additional responsibilities of Chair. As a Trustee you’ll have an essential role in contributing towards the future direction of our charity and making a real difference for botanists, botany and wild plants.
We are particularly looking for Trustees with skills, knowledge or experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Plant recording (with experience of the Vice-County Recorder role, or is an active recorder);
- Finance (with an interest in charity finance, in depth expertise not necessary but a willingness to learn);
- Education (academic, teaching or environmental education experience);
- Leadership and governance (Chair role).
Most of all we need Trustees with the enthusiasm and time to help us make a difference for botanists, botany and wild plants.
The Chair's role is to work closely with the Chief Executive, Trustees, President, and Chairs of the BSBI Standing and Country Committees, and ensure that the Board governs the Society effectively, in line with the BSBI Strategy, vision and mission. We are seeking someone with good leadership and communications skills, and experience of charity governance, as well as a strong commitment to our cause and an understanding and commitment to our members’ passion for plants. Further training and support can be provided in the role.
This is an unpaid, volunteer role.
What are we looking for?
Charity Trustees are the people who share ultimate responsibility for the governance of a charity and directing how it is managed and run. You will need to offer, or be willing to learn about the following:
- A commitment to the Society.
- A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
- Strategic vision.
- Good, independent judgement.
- An ability to think creatively.
- A willingness to speak your mind.
- An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of Trusteeship.
- An ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
- A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
For the Chair we are particularly looking for someone with:
- Experience of being on a board and good understanding of governance and the duties of trustees.
- Senior-level environment and / or voluntary sector background.
- A sense of strategic purpose.
- Leadership skills.
- The ability to listen and engage effectively. Comfortable with challenge and debate and able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment.
- Excellent communication skills.
- A strong interest in botany, botanists and wild plants and commitment to our vision and mission.
- Experience of involvement in a membership organisations is desirable.
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The role - responsibilities and tasks
As a Trustee you’ll contribute towards decisions to develop our charity and our work, in line with our Strategy and policy. You’ll also ensure our compliance with governance regulations. Our friendly team will provide you with support and training to develop in your role. Your role will be to:
- Ensure that the BSBI pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document (Articles of Association), by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy.
- Ensure that the BSBI complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
- Ensure that the BSBI applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects (i.e. the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, however worthwhile or charitable those activities are) for the benefit of the public.
- Ensure that the BSBI defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets.
- Safeguard the good name and values of the BSBI.
- Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the BSBI, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place.
- Ensure the financial stability of the BSBI.
- Protect and manage the BSBI’s assets and ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds (with guidance from the Finance Committee, Finance Manager and Investment Advisors).
- Follow proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the Chief Executive.
- Trustees need to follow guidance produced by the charity regulators (Charity Commission in England and Wales, OSCR in Scotland, Charities Regulator in Ireland).
- Trustees must comply with the BSBI’s related parties’ policy and declare any potential conflicts of interest on an annual basis and in relation to agenda items, at the start of each meeting.
In addition to the above statutory duties, each Trustee will use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have, to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise.
Committee Liaison Trustees: Trustees can also join one BSBI Standing or Country Committees as the designated “Liaison Trustee”. Their role is to act as a liaison and communication point between the Board of Trustees and that Committee. They work to ensure that the Board of Trustees understands what the Committee is doing and why, and that the Committee understands what the Board of Trustees is doing and why. Responsibilities include:
- Before each Board of Trustee meeting, the Liaison Trustee will work with the Committee Chair and Secretary to agree and finalise any papers or verbal updates that are to be brought to Board meetings. Examples include approval for new members joining Standing Committees, proposals that the Committee wants decisions on, or issues of particular concern that Trustees need to be aware of. Committee papers for the Board of Trustees need to be sent to the Honorary General Secretary at least one week before the Board meeting.
- Encouraging the Committee to plan and review their work in the context of the BSBI’s strategic goals and priorities.
- Encouraging the Committee Secretary to share minutes and a summary of their meetings and Country AGM in a timely manner, including for upload to the Committee pages of the BSBI website, to support communication across Committees.
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Trustees may also join Board Sub-committees or Working Groups.
Chair of the Board of Trustees: The overall role of the Chair is to lead the Board of Trustees in strategy, good governance and policy development. The Chair plays a key role in helping the Board of Trustees to discharge its responsibilities by overseeing the Society’s performance, its resources and assets. The Chair advises on minimising risks; ensuring that robust policies, systems, controls and budgets are all in place. As a Trustee, the Chair also contributes towards decisions to develop our charity and our work, in line with our Strategy and policy. The duties of the Chair include the following:
- Chair and facilitate Board of Trustee meetings, a minimum of 4 per year.
- Chair the Annual General Meeting and the Forum meeting (once a year) and where appropriate represent the BSBI at other functions and meetings.
- Active and committed membership in the Nomination, Awards and Governance (NAG) Committee (normally as Chair but chair role can be devolved to another member of NAG).
- Give a lead to the Trustees, Chief Executive and Committees (3 standing committees, 4 country committees) in ensuring we meet our charitable objectives, adhere to the BSBI Articles of Association and Governance Handbook and take forward the Society’s Strategic Plan.
- Undertake reviews with each Trustee to ensure they are able to maximise their contribution to the Society.
- Give direction to Board of Trustees policy-making, bring impartiality and objectivity to decision making and ensure implementation of policies and strategies of the society by Trustees.
- Maintain contact with and support the Chief Executive and key staff in delivering the Strategic Plan and associated work programme, for example through regular catchups with the Chief Executive and by occasionally joining staff meetings.
- Undertake the annual performance appraisal review of the Chief Executive.
- Maintain regular contact with the President.
- Attend other meetings as necessary including sub committees of the Board of Trustees and activities of particular relevance to the Society’s business such as revisions to the BSBI Strategy.
- With the Chief Executive and Hon Gen Secretary: plan the annual cycle of Board of Trustees meetings, the AGM and Forum meeting; set agendas for the Board of Trustees meeting and AGM; develop the Board of Trustees, including induction, training, appraisal and succession planning; in the event of any conflict arising within the Board of Trustees and within the Society, address this in liaison with relevant Trustees, President and staff.
- Should the Chair decide a Vice-chair role is necessary, this role will be put in place and the Chair and Vice- chair will work together to mutually agree their respective responsibilities.
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