Psalm 119.105 (NIV)
The Trustees have legal responsibility for the activities of Bible Society. The duties they owe to Bible Society are those of fiduciaries, and of charitable Trustees in particular.
Legal responsibilities
In legal terms, the Charity Commission has stated that the key responsibilities of Trustees are to:
Ensure their charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
Comply with their charity's governing document and the law
Act in their charity's best interests
Manage their charity's resources responsibly
Act with reasonable care and skill
Ensure their charity is accountable
Leadership responsibilities
In leadership terms, and as set out in Bible Society's Governance Manual, the key responsibilities of Bible Society's Trustees (individually and collectively) are to:
Steward core purpose and identity
Discern and understand the 'Times'
Sponsor, guide and oversee the development of strategy and operating plans
Focus on desired impact and outcomes
Steward organisational health and culture
Ensure legal and regulatory compliance
Nurture governance effectiveness
This includes selecting and supporting the Chief Executive, governing risk and conflicts of interest, ensuring financial viability, and regularly reviewing the Board's own effectiveness.
Trustees are appointed for a term of three years, extendable by mutual agreement for up to two further three-year terms (a maximum of nine consecutive years). The roles are unpaid but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.
The time commitment is likely to equate to approximately 10 - 12 days per year, including:
Five Board gatherings per year - four Board meetings and a retreat in January - held in person. These are usually overnight, with an optional dinner the evening before
Reading Board papers and liaising with the Board and Executive by email, video call and phone
Committee membership: Audit & Finance meets four times a year; People & Remuneration meets twice a year, both with a mix of online and in-person meetings
For the two committee chair roles, an initial significant shadowing period alongside the outgoing committee chair, ahead of formally taking on the chairship
Occasionally representing Bible Society at events and meetings with key stakeholders
We are recruiting for three Trustee roles simultaneously. All three carry the full responsibilities of a Bible Society Trustee, together with the specific responsibilities set out below. Successful candidates for the two committee chair roles will be invited to shadow the outgoing committee chair for a period before formally taking on the role as chair, supporting a smooth handover.
In addition to the role-specific criteria of each of the roles, we are seeking individuals who have:
A spiritually mature Christian faith, a passion for the Bible, and a genuine commitment to Bible Society's vision, mission and values
The ability to speak their mind, and to challenge and be challenged constructively
The confidence to engage and contribute in areas outside their specialism
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to both empower and challenge supportively
The ability to work well as part of a diverse team of Trustees and in support of the Executive team
An ability and willingness to represent Bible Society in an ambassadorial capacity
An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of Trustees, and clarity on the difference between governance and management functions
The Trustees have legal responsibility for the activities of Bible Society. The duties they owe to Bible Society are those of fiduciaries, and of charitable Trustees in particular.
Legal responsibilities
In legal terms, the Charity Commission has stated that the key responsibilities of Trustees are to:
Ensure their charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
Comply with their charity's governing document and the law
Act in their charity's best interests
Manage their charity's resources responsibly
Act with reasonable care and skill
Ensure their charity is accountable
Leadership responsibilities
In leadership terms, and as set out in Bible Society's Governance Manual, the key responsibilities of Bible Society's Trustees (individually and collectively) are to:
Steward core purpose and identity
Discern and understand the 'Times'
Sponsor, guide and oversee the development of strategy and operating plans
Focus on desired impact and outcomes
Steward organisational health and culture
Ensure legal and regulatory compliance
Nurture governance effectiveness
This includes selecting and supporting the Chief Executive, governing risk and conflicts of interest, ensuring financial viability, and regularly reviewing the Board's own effectiveness.
Trustees are appointed for a term of three years, extendable by mutual agreement for up to two further three-year terms (a maximum of nine consecutive years). The roles are unpaid but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.
The time commitment is likely to equate to approximately 10 - 12 days per year, including:
Five Board gatherings per year - four Board meetings and a retreat in January - held in person. These are usually overnight, with an optional dinner the evening before
Reading Board papers and liaising with the Board and Executive by email, video call and phone
Committee membership: Audit & Finance meets four times a year; People & Remuneration meets twice a year, both with a mix of online and in-person meetings
For the two committee chair roles, an initial significant shadowing period alongside the outgoing committee chair, ahead of formally taking on the chairship
Occasionally representing Bible Society at events and meetings with key stakeholders
Psalm 119.105 (NIV)
We are recruiting for three Trustee roles simultaneously. All three carry the full responsibilities of a Bible Society Trustee, together with the specific responsibilities set out below. Successful candidates for the two committee chair roles will be invited to shadow the outgoing committee chair for a period before formally taking on the role as chair, supporting a smooth handover.
In addition to the role-specific criteria of each of the roles, we are seeking individuals who have:
A spiritually mature Christian faith, a passion for the Bible, and a genuine commitment to Bible Society's vision, mission and values
The ability to speak their mind, and to challenge and be challenged constructively
The confidence to engage and contribute in areas outside their specialism
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to both empower and challenge supportively
The ability to work well as part of a diverse team of Trustees and in support of the Executive team
An ability and willingness to represent Bible Society in an ambassadorial capacity
An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of Trustees, and clarity on the difference between governance and management functions