Election of New Trustees

6th June 2017

As several Trustees are now approaching the end of their terms of service, the Board of Trustees of the British Shakespeare Association wishes to appoint new Trustees to take up positions on the Board in September 2017. The position of Trustee is voluntary (with reasonable expenses covered) so we are looking for members of the BSA who are willing to give of their time to further the aims of the BSA across its four main constituencies of members: academic researchers, teachers, theatre practitioners and members of the public. Nominations (including self-nominations) should be made by 7 July and elections by the membership will be held electronically for 6 weeks (18^th August) so that new Trustees can be introduced at the Board meeting on 16 September)

The British Shakespeare Association is a registered Charity and its Trustees take joint responsibility to help the Board promote the Association’s objectives which are: to educate, promote, and foster a better understanding of Shakespeare and his works in a manner consistent with an educational charity limited by guarantee; and benefiting those individuals, members, charities, or institutions with an educational purpose toward the study of Shakespeare in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

In line with these objectives, and with its policy for diversity and equal opportunities, the Board warmly welcomes applications from any member of the Association, and from across all parts of the United Kingdom so that different constituencies are represented.

Trustees are required to attend three meetings of the Board of Trustees per year, which are normally held on a Saturday afternoon in Stratford-on-Avon in January, May, September, and to attend the Association’s AGM. The BSA will meet all reasonable expenses associated with attending meetings.

In addition, some of our Trustees also sit on sub-Committees of the Board (whose business is usually conducted virtually).

The BSA is a charitable company limited by guarantee and all Trustees share a responsibility as Directors to ensure that the BSA is managed well.

Trustees are elected by the membership for three years and may stand for re-election for a second term.

• For more information on the roles and responsibilities of a Trustee, please read the documents published by the Charity Commission.
• To make sure you are eligible to become a Trustee, please check the criteria on the Charity Commission website.

What are the benefits of joining the BSA Board?

• opportunities for networking, mentoring and collaboration with scholars, practitioners and education professionals in Shakespeare studies.
• professional development through contributing to a non-profit charitable organisation.
• a wider perspective on Shakespeare and advance knowledge of Shakespeare-related events and research.
• the opportunity to steer the organisation to better meet the needs of practitioners in theatre, radio, tv, film, education, and academia, and to engage members of the public with the work of Shakespeare.

In these elections the Board is particularly keen to recruit new Trustees with interests and or expertise in the following areas:

Theatre and Performance

The Board is setting up a Performance and Media Sub-Committee (chaired by Dr Paul Prescott) to better represent the interests of the theatrical community within the BSA. We seek to appoint a new Trustee who will, in addition to attending Board Meetings as outlined above,

• sit on the Board’s Performance and Media Sub-Committee (which normally converses virtually via email).
• inform the Board of the current interests and matters of concern amongst theatre practitioners of all types (performers, designers, directors, company managers) and TV), from individuals to larger-scale companies, and across media (live performance, touring, radio, tv and film).
• help in the planning of BSA events to meet the needs and interests of these groups
• help to develop strategies to engage theatre practitioners in BSA events

We wish to appoint someone with

• a keen interest in developing enthusiasm for performing Shakespeare’s work in a range of media (essential)
• direct experience of working in theatre, performance or media in some form (essential)
• an awareness of the different kinds of practice facing individuals, small-scale companies and larger companies or institutions (desirable)
• knowledge of Arts funding bodies and policies (desirable)

Website management

The Board wishes to appoint a Trustee with an interest website management to work alongside our Web and Communications Officer, James Harriman Smith. The new Trustee will

• help to manage the BSA website, updating it with BSA news and ensuring that BSA related events are given a high profile on the website. As our Web Officer, James will provide training on this and on other forms of communications with BSA members and partner organisations.
• contribute to the Website and Communications Officer’s report to the Board, which is a standing item at Board Meeting agendas.
• In coordination with the Web and Communications Officer and members of the Sub-Committees, make recommendations to the Board for the improvement and development of the website and communications, and the costs associated with these.

Minuting Secretary

The Board seeks to appoint one of its new Trustees with the designated task of taking minutes at each of the 3 Board meetings.  So far, this role has rotated amongst members of the Board and does not require specialist skills such as shorthand. At the Board Meetings the Minuting Secretary will

• record any apologies
• make a brief summary of reports by Officers (who may provide electronic versions that can be pasted into the minutes after the meeting),
• make a brief record of discussions on each point of the agenda, decisions taken, and action points for individuals
• Send a copy of the draft minutes to the Chair for editing

Skills required: word processing

How to Apply

If you wish to nominate yourself to become a Trustee please submit a 300 word (max) statement that outlines your interest in the role and your professional experience / affiliation by email to the BSA’s Chair, Alison Findlay (a.g.findlay@lancaster.ac.uk), by the 7^th July 2017.

Do contact Alison should you require any further information.