LETTER FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for considering applying for the external trustee role and being part of

our team here at Durham Students’ Union.

Durham SU is looking for people who can demonstrate a passion for our work but

are also prepared to challenge and help us think strategically about our future. We

are particularly interested in people who have experience of:

- Governance - HR - Financial oversight - Law - Identification and management of risk - Income generation

This recruitment pack will give you all the information you need on the recruitment

process including the role description and person specification.

Should you wish to have an informal chat about this opportunity please contact

Gary Hughes, Chief Executive on gareth.j.hughes@durham.ac.uk or Lauren

Hodgson, Executive Assistant on lauren.a.hodgson@durham.ac.uk

Yours sincerely,

Board of Trustees

Durham Students’ Union

ABOUT DURHAM STUDENTS’ UNION

Our purpose

Durham SU exists for a purpose: We’re the champion of every Durham student.

We’re interested in the things that matter to them. We stand up for their rights.

We bring them together. We celebrate their success. We know how we want to

see the future. We’re working to make sure that students have the power and

opportunity to transform their time at Durham. Our job is to make our vision into

reality. We know where we’re heading, but we’ll definitely face new opportunities

and challenges on the way. We’ll always be guided by our principles; they’ll ensure

make the right decisions, and help us hold ourselves to account.

Our Principles

We champion students:

we’re a student rights organisation, our collectivism makes us stronger.

We trust students to make the best decisions about things that affect them.

We’re proud of Durham:

We always recognise success, while we always strive for better.

Our collegiate University means we do things differently here. We like that.

We make the future better:

We’re a students’ union with a purpose, relentless in pursuit of our mission.

We make change for students, with students, in their interests.

Our governance

Durham Students' Union is a company limited by guarantee (07689815), and

registered in England and Wales and is a registered charity (1145400). The

registered address is Dunelm House, New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3AN. Durham SU is a

separate organisation to Durham University and its charitable governance is

overseen by its' Board of Trustees. Under charity law and The Education Act 1994

both the Charity Commission and Durham University have obligations and

requirements to and for Durham Students Union, which the Trustees are

responsible for ensuring these are upheld. Durham SU's governing documents -

our Code of Practice, Articles of Association, and Standing Orders seek to make

sure this is done in services of Durham SU's charitable objects. Our Annual Report

provides an understanding of the work we do each year and an overview of our

finances.

Find out more about us on our website https://www.durhamsu.com/

BEING A TRUSTEE

As a charity Trustee, you will be a member of the Trustee Board that ensures

Durham SU has the necessary financial and structural stability to carry out its aims

effectively. On a practical level this means you need to be able to contribute to

major decisions on legal and financial issues and ensure that Durham SU is

delivering on the strategic aims set out.

As a Trustee you will have a legal responsibility to act in the best interests of

Durham SU putting its interests before any of your own.

Trustees are expected to act in accordance with the Nolan Committee’s Seven

Principles of Public Life, namely: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability,

openness, honesty and leadership.

It is important that you are aware of the legal responsibilities of being a Trustee

before you apply. There is more information about the role of Charity Trustees on

the Charity Commission website.

Durham SU will give you comprehensive training on how to carry out these duties.

A message from our current Trustees

THE ROLE OF BOARD MEMBERS

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the governance and strategic

management of Durham SU. The Board consists of five Durham SU Officers, four

students, and five lay trustees. The Board has three Committees which have

delegated authority in particular areas of strategic management:

- Performance and Delivery Committee ensures that Durham SU is

accountable for the successful implementation of its strategy, with

particular focus on campaigning and service activities.

- People and Culture Committee ensures that Durham SU’s Officers, staff, and

volunteers are supported and effective, with particular focus on the

performance of the Chief Executive.

- Fundraising Committee will ensure that Durham SU’s fundraising by student

groups is well governed and students are supported to undertake exciting

and ambitious activity.

Appointment of Trustees

Officers and student trustees are elected in cross campus ballots of the entire

student membership for a term of office of one year. The election rules are

established in the Articles of Association and the Standing Orders. The lay trustees

are appointed by the Board, on the recommendation of the People and Culture

Committee, and require the ratification of the Assembly. The lay trustees are

appointed to a term of up to three years and may be reappointed once, so no

person may serve more than a total of six years.

Remuneration

These are voluntary roles and no financial remuneration is offered to any Board

Member.

Time Commitment

There is a minimum of six Board meetings per year (usually Wednesday afternoons

in Durham or on Zoom) and an Annual Board Development Day. You may also be

required for occasional individual meetings with Senior Leadership Team or Chair.

Trustees are appointed to Trustee Board sub-committees which meet three or four

times a year. There may also be a small amount of work involved outside of

meetings but overall commitment should be no more than equivalent to half a day

per month.

Remote Participation

Attendance in Durham is not essential for Trustees and Durham SU welcomes

applications from all locations.

Recruitment Timeline

- Advert out 30 April 2021

- Allow interested people to have an informal chat with Chief Executive

- Applications close 28 May 2021

- Formal meeting with President and Chair for submitted applications

- Shortlisting and invite people for interview

- Optional pre-interview chats with relevant staff/officers for areas of interest

- Interviews

- New Trustees observe May Board meeting

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Role: Lay Trustee

Responsible to: Board of Trustees

Purpose of the Role:

To oversee the effective management and administration of Durham SU with particular responsibility for legal issues and budget.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure Durham SU is carrying out its purpose for the public benefit - Know what Durham SU can and can’t do within its purposes. - Know how Durham SU is fulfilling its purposes and benefiting the public. - Know what difference Durham SU is really making.

Comply with Durham SU’s governing documents and the law - Be familiar with governing documents. - Be up to date with filing accounts, returns and any changes to Durham SU’s

charity registration details. - Be aware of other laws that apply to Durham SU.

Act in Durham SU’s best interests - Make balanced and informed decisions. - Recognise and deal with conflicts of interest. - Ensure trustee benefits are allowed. - Be prepared to question and challenge. - Accept majority decisions.

Manage Durham SU’s resources responsibly - Manage risks, protect assets, reputation and people. - Get the resources that Durham SU needs. - Have and follow appropriate controls and procedures. - Deal with land and buildings. - Be responsible for, and to, staff and volunteers.

Act with reasonable care and skill - Use your skills and experience. - Decide when you need advice. - Prepare for meetings. - Get information you need (financial, management). - Be prepared in case something does go wrong.

Ensure Durham SU is accountable - Meet legal, accounting and reporting requirements. - Be able to show Durham SU complies with the law and is effective. - Be accountable to members and others with an interest in Durham SU. - Ensure that staff and volunteers are accountable to the board. - Welcome accountability as an opportunity not a burden.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Our behaviours are important as they describe ‘how’ we will deliver our work so

that we all behave in a way that is consistent with our purpose and values.

HOW TO APPLY

Essential

We champion students We’re a student rights organisation. Our collectivism makes us stronger. We know

students make the best decisions about things that affect them. We trust our members.

- Works collaboratively with students to help them make their ideas better. - Tries to say yes to students and their ideas. When can’t, explains why and

gives alternatives. - Where possible, encourages / empowers students to lead. - Questions how work is adding value for students. - Makes time to talk to students about their experience and views of the

Students’ Union. - Celebrates student successes and achievements. - Bases decisions and priorities on evidence about students rather than

assumptions.

We’re proud of Durham

We always recognise success but we always strive for better. Our collegiate University means we do things differently here. We like that.

- Is inquisitive about Students’ Union and University events and activities and attends, when appropriate.

- Takes time to find out about our successes and share them with others; - Builds understanding about the Union and University. - Proactively works to make Durham better. - Respects the diversity of Durham – both the people and its communities. - Uses positive language to describe the University and Students’ Union

publicly.

We make the future better

We’re a students’ union with a purpose. We’re relentless in pursuit of our mission. We make change for students, with students, in their interests.

- Gives praise and positive feedback to colleagues when things go well. - Learns from past mistakes and issues but don’t get stuck and dwell. - Clear about priorities and how they impact on overall aims. - Plans and delivers effectively. - Open and supportive about change. - Willing to constructively challenge if there might be better options or

decisions available. - Experiments and suggests new ways of doing things. - Takes personal responsibility for solving problems / issues.

To apply please send a copy of your CV and covering letter or whatever

format best suits your needs but please do not use more than 4 pages.

Please outline your reasons for applying and the skills and experience that

you can bring to the role to lauren.a.hodgson@durham.ac.uk

The closing date for applications is 28 May 2021.