Are you organised? Can you take notes for our charity Board meetings?

Do you have an interest in supporting a charity that supports people living with dementia?

You could be the Honorary Secretary for Understanding Dementia, a dynamic charity based in Twyford, RG10, and help us to enhance our work.

About our organisation:

Understanding Dementia exists to promote a clear understanding of dementia and to lessen the impact on people living with it. Our small but growing organisation provides training for care workers, health professionals and family carers in a new and very simple approach that anyone can use.

The charity needs an organised and efficient Honorary Secretary to assist our Board with meetings and our governance; some previous experience of charity trusteeship or Committee membership would be highly valued!

The Board meets quarterly in Twyford; it is expected that all trustees offer a minimum of 4 hours per month in their role, although more is always welcome.

You need to be over 18, and will need to provide two references who are not family members.

This is a voluntary role but we reimburse approved reasonable travel or other appropriate expenses.

General expected duties of an Understanding Dementia trustee

Trustees are a collective body, with everyone equally responsible for all aspects of our governance. The following are the expectations from all trustees, followed by specific skills, abilities or experience you will need to undertake the role of Honorary Secretary.

Ensuring that our organisation pursues its stated objects (its purposes), as defined in our governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy
Ensuring that our organisation regularly reviews its strategy, examines risks and opportunities, and revises its plans and operations accordingly
Ensuring that our organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
Ensuring that our organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects for the benefit of the public
Ensuring that our organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed measures
Safeguarding the good name and values of our organisation, as well as of our beneficiaries
Ensuring the effective and efficient governance of our organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place, and reviewing those regularly

Specific expectations of our Honorary Secretary

Working with our Chair to make sure all trustees have access to an agenda and other documents in advance of meetings
Ensuring accurate records of Board, General Meetings and any other meetings are made and securely kept
Attending and recording the proceedings of these meetings in an efficient and effective manner in formal Minutes, asking for clarification of discussions and decisions made, wherever necessary
Providing draft Minutes to the Chair of the meeting in a timely manner; once agreed by the Chair, distribute these and any other documents to all trustees and to other people when appropriate
Helping to ensure communication with and between trustees is effective and efficient by assisting and encouraging use of online media including video platforms
Taking part in training sessions provided for the Board

Person Specification
Secure personal access to digital communication technology and the ability to competently and efficiently use those resources, including use of up-to-date video platforms is essential
Previous charity or other not-for-personal-profit organisation experience would be highly-valued, particularly with Minutes of meeting
Skills and ability to take concise and accurate notes, produce formal Minutes from those notes
Ability to use and encourage use of digital distribution methods
Reliability; punctuality, approachability, friendliness & diplomacy
An understanding of dementia and how it affects individuals and groups in society would be welcome, but is not a prerequisite
Commitment to our organisation; willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
Strategic vision; good, independent judgement
An ability to think creatively and to work cooperatively as part of our team
Willingness to speak your mind and appropriately challenge other trustees; able to make unpopular recommendations to the Board, if necessary

What can you gain from volunteering as our Honorary Secretary?
Exercise your note-taking and summarising skills and knowledge, possibly in a different context
Develop new skills
Expand your experience of charities
Develop your understanding of dementia and how it affects people
Network and meet new people
Make a positive difference to your community
Boost to your career or CV, if needed
Induction, training, support from our organisation and from charity-support organisations

What do Understanding Dementia gain from your help?

Your organisational skills
Your digital communication skills & efficiency
Accurate Minutes of meetings, which helps our good governance and organisational growth
Your enthusiasm

Understanding Dementia website

Understanding Dementia on Facebook

Charity Commission database entry

Applications for the role of Honorary Secretary are welcome and an informal & no-obligation discussion with our CEO can be requested via info@understandingdementia.co.uk

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Understanding Dementia – Honorary Secretary

Understanding Dementia – Honorary Secretary

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