Community Action Suffolk
Trustee Recruitment Pack
2024-2025
Trustee Recruitment Pack 2024
Contents
An Introduction from our Chair of the Board of Trustees
About Community Action Suffolk
Background of the role
Time Commitment
Trustee Role Description
3
4
5
5
6
How to Apply
9
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An Introduction from our Chair of the Board of Trustees
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Trustee with Community Action Suffolk
(CAS).
CAS was formed in 2013 through the merger of ten Suffolk voluntary and community
organisations which provided services to rural communities and volunteers among
others. With the merger celebrated as one of the first of its kind, CAS has since
developed and transformed to continue to meet the needs and changes of the
sector. However, its mission and vision of supporting and strengthening the voluntary
and community sectors still remains at the heart of what we do.
Now supporting around 2312 voluntary and community organisations CAS’s main
challenge is to continue to support the sectors organisations which now have ever
increasing demands on its time and services due to economic climate changes. CAS
will continue to champion and promote the voluntary and community and act as a
voice for our members to ensure their views are heard.
This trustee recruitment pack provides further information about CAS and the work
that we do along with details on the trustee roles required and how to apply.
Kevin Ward
Chair of Trustees, Community Action Suffolk
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About Community Action Suffolk
Our Vision:
Community Action Suffolk’s vision is that Suffolk is a county where every community aspires, thrives
and grows.
Our Mission:
Community Action Suffolk’s mission is to strengthen and champion community action in Suffolk by
supporting the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector in its work.
Our mission is underpinned by the following strategic priorities:
Supporting a diverse and resilient VCFSE sector to build capacity and sustainability
Stimulating and developing impactful community and voluntary action
Creating and maintaining influential and equitable beneficial relationships between
public, private and VCFSE sectors
Develop CAS as a sustainable and essential business in Suffolk, driven by continuous
improvement and innovation
Addressing Inequalities
Tackling the Climate Emergency
We believe that our role in helping both sectors to work more closely together will make Suffolk a better
place for everyone.
Our Values:
Collaborative - Collaborating with others to achieve the best common outcomes
Responsive - Reacting flexibly to need(s) in a timely manner
Enabling - Empowering and facilitating appropriate action
Trusted - Being the ‘go to’ organisation for the VCFSE sector
Person Centred - Keeping people & communities at the heart of all that we do
Our Services:
CAS offers a range of services to support voluntary and community organisations across Suffolk. Our
development staff provide funding, governance and management advice to organisations as well as
help to start up new organisations. Our volunteering team helps individuals and organisations to find
suitable volunteers or volunteering opportunities. We also provide services such as IT support, DBS
checks and Insurance.
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Background of the role
Our Trustees work with the Chief Executive to take overall responsibility for Community Action
Suffolk, acting collectively and effectively in its interests by giving strategic direction, and
determining our mission and vision.
They make decisions required for CAS’s control and management, ensuring compliance, good
governance and adequate financial resources for our services, and protect our assets and
property. They also ensure we manage risks carefully, act as a responsible employer, and
uphold the principles of equality and diversity.
The Board of Trustees currently comprises 8 members with a skill base in: leadership,
volunteering, social care, finance and business.
In a continuing changing environment, the Board and Chief Executive have worked hard to set
priorities and create a clear strategic focus.
New Trustees will be joining a Board with energy and expertise in many areas, who work with
and support the Executive Team to achieve the sustainability and growth required to meet the
needs of the voluntary sector.
Time Commitment
Board meetings take place four times a year for all trustees. We also have additional
specialised sub-committees that meet between three to four times a year. These sub-
committees compromise of trustees with those specialised skills for that area. All board
meetings are held during the day.
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Trustee Role Description
Role:
Trustee
Time Commitment:
Four times a year with the possibility of additional three to four meetings as
part of a specialised sub-committee
Remuneration:
The role of trustee is voluntary however reasonable out of pocket
expenses will be reimbursed
Location:
Term:
Meetings will be held in Ipswich or hybrid
Six years over two terms
Reporting to:
Chair of Trustees
Purpose
The Board of Trustees is responsible for overall governance and strategic direction of CAS,
developing CAS aims, objectives and goals in accordance with its governing documents, and
legal and regulatory requirements.
Duties of a Trustee
Establishes and maintains vision, mission and values
The Board of trustees is responsible for establishing and maintaining the vision and aligning it
with the mission of Community Action Suffolk. The current vision is that “Suffolk is a county
where every community aspires, thrives and grows”. Our mission is “to strengthen and
champion community action in Suffolk by supporting the voluntary, community, faith and social
enterprise sector in its work”. It is through this support that we aim to improve the economic,
health and social wellbeing of communities and individuals in Suffolk. Trustees are required to
make themselves familiar with and uphold Community Action Suffolk’s statement of values that
underpin all aspects of the organisation’s activity:- Collaborative, Responsive, Enabling,
Trusted and Person Centred.
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Develops strategy
The Board of trustees and the Chief Executive are responsible for developing the long-term
strategy and keeping it under review through regular updates at Board meetings and taking
necessary action to keep the organisation on track. Board members have an important
individual and collective role in working with the Chair and the Executive Team to evolve the
strategic direction of CAS and to ensure delivery of the organisation’s goals.
Establishes and monitors policies
The Board of trustees agrees a range of policies which govern organisational activity, the
systems for monitoring and reporting the implementation of those policies and a code of
conduct for trustees. Trustees are responsible for monitoring performance and asking
challenging questions.
Ensures accountability
The trustees are responsible for ensuring that the charity is solvent and run in accordance
with best practice. They should be familiar with the Articles of Association, Charity
Commission governance documents and their responsibilities under Company Law. They
should ensure that Community Action Suffolk fulfils its legal obligations for accountability
which includes publishing annual reports and accounts. Community Action Suffolk is also
accountable to its stakeholders: members, staff, volunteers and the general public.
Ensures compliance with the law
Trustees are responsible for checking that all the charity’s activities comply with current laws
and regulations.
Maintains proper fiscal oversight
The trustees are responsible for managing the resources and funding of Community Action
Suffolk so that it can deliver its strategic objectives and annual budget commitments. In order
to do this the Board of trustees ensures there are plans in place to secure sufficient resources
to fulfil the mission, monitors spending, approves the annual financial statements and budget,
protects the charity against liabilities by managing risk and by providing insurance, and
ensures compliance with the law.
Respects the role of staff and volunteers
The Board of trustees recognises and respects the roles and responsibilities of the Chief
Executive, the staff and volunteers and does not seek to interfere with their work. At the same
time it creates policy to guide the activities of staff and volunteers and safeguards the
interests of the charity.
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Maintains effective board performance
All trustees are responsible for engaging productively at Board meetings. This means attending
regularly, reading and considering Board papers in advance of meetings and making an active
contribution. Board members should be professional and constructive in their challenge, always
acting in the best interests of the charity. When a decision has been reached by a majority of Board
members then the Board should adopt this in a collective manner. Trustees should be willing to play
an effective role in committees.
Promotes Community Action Suffolk
Trustees are expected to be good ambassadors for Community Action Suffolk. Their behaviour at
all times should enhance and protect the reputation of the charity and be in accordance with the
Charity Commission’s Code of Conduct and Nolan Principles. They should take every opportunity to
champion Community Action Suffolk and support its activities.
Skills and Competencies
Knowledge and Experience
A clear understanding of the role of a trustee and corporate Board member
Experience of operating in a senior role
Broad knowledge of management and governance issues
An understanding of the work of the voluntary and community sector would be extremely
helpful
Skills
A strategic thinker
A sharp mind who exercises good judgement
An effective communicator
Pro-active, willing to offer constructive challenge and support judgements
A team player who respects different views and is able to work with Board colleagues and the
Executive Team
An ability to build strong relationships and champion Community Action Suffolk
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Personal Qualities
Demonstrates drive and determination
Brings the commitment necessary to devote sufficient time, preparation and effort required
to meet the responsibilities of being a trustee
Demonstrates integrity, honesty and flexibility
Demonstrates active listening skills and is open to the views of others
Shows commitment to inclusion and diversity
What next?
If you would like a discussion with the Chair of Trustees or the Chief Executive,
please contact belinda.couldridge@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk to make an
appointment.
To apply for a Trustee role please complete the accompanying application form and
submit together with your CV.
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