Trustee

Bexley Citizens Advice is a charity which provides free impartial advice about a range of issues including social security, debt, housing, employment and immigration. Our service is delivered by a team of paid staff and trained volunteers.

As a trustee you will be able to support and develop this important work.

What will you do?

• Complete an introduction for your role
• Maintain an awareness of how the local Citizens Advice is operating
• Read papers for board meetings and attend meetings
• Work on specific projects with other trustees or staff within the local Citizens Advice to further the strategic objectives of the local Citizens Advice

Take an active discussion during board meetings and work with other trustees to:

• Set policy and strategy direction, set targets and evaluate the performance of the local Citizens Advice
• Monitor the financial position of the local Citizens Advice ensuring that it operates within its means and objectives, ensuring that there are clear lines of accountability for day-to-day financial management
• Ensuring that all the finances and supporting financial control systems of the local Citizens Advice are in order, including that full financial records are kept for all transactions, that money is only spent for the purpose given, and that proper financial controls are in place to safeguard the organisation's resources
• Seek the views of all sections of the community and monitor how well the service meets the needs of the local community
• Ensure that the service plans for the recruitment and turnover of staff and volunteers
• Review its own work and how effectively it operates including action for improvement

What skills do I need?

What do you need to have?

You don't need specific qualifications or skills but you'll need to:

• understand and accept the responsibilities and liabilities as trustees
• be non-judgemental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own
• have good listening, verbal and written communication skills
• be able to exercise good independent judgement
• have good numeracy skills to understand accounts with the support of the treasurer
• be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection
• be willing to undertake training in your role

What's in it for you?

• make a positive impact for people in your local area by ensuring the local Citizens Advice is sustainable and meeting the needs of the community
• meet people and build relationships with trustees, staff and other volunteers
• build on your governance, leadership and strategy skills
• increase your employability

And we'll reimburse expenses too.