British Shakespeare Association Election of New Trustee (Web and Communications Deputy)

1st November 2021

The Board of Trustees of the British Shakespeare Association wishes to appoint a new Trustee to further the Association’s aims to educate, promote and foster a better understanding of Shakespeare and his work. We are looking for someone who will be able to assist our Web and Communications Officer (Maria Shmygol) with work on the BSA’s website and our digital initiatives. Applications are open to any member of the BSA, and we particularly welcome applications from disabled applicants, those from BAME backgrounds, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Trustees work voluntarily (with reasonable expenses reimbursed) to further the aims of the BSA across its four main constituencies of members: academic researchers, teachers, theatre practitioners and members of the public.

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, inclusivity and equal opportunities, the Board warmly welcomes applications from any member of the Association, and from across all parts of the United Kingdom as well as our international members 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 online via Zoom in January, May, and September, and to attend the Association’s AGM. The BSA will meet all reasonable expenses for UK travel associated with attending any BSA meetings, and accepts virtual attendance via videoconferencing. In addition, some of our Trustees also sit on sub-Committees of the Board (whose business is usually conducted virtually).

Web and Communications

The Board seeks to elect a Trustee with an interest in helping to expand the Association’s digital initiatives and maintaining our new website, which is currently in development and which will be launched towards the end of this year. Digital initiatives are an expanding area of the Association’s work, and we are keen to make our new website an active hub for BSA members through a new blog, new educational content, and online events. In the first instance, the Trustee will assist our Web and Communications Officer (Maria Shmygol) with the implementation of these plans for the new website, building on the success of our recent virtual conference and other online BSA events. Web and Communications is a standing item on the agenda for our Board meetings.

At the Board Meetings and the AGM the Trustee will:

• Report alongside the Web and Communications Officer on issues relating to the BSA’s web content and technical running of the website.
• Assist with commissioning, receiving, copy-editing, and uploading content to the website (training will be provided), particularly the BSA’s new blog.
• Offer comments and advice from a web and communications perspective on other items and events discussed on the agenda .

In addition, we would like the Trustee to be prepared to:

• Assist in the organisation of virtual conferences and events, and act as a member of the BSA’s Conference Team, which provides an overview of plans for forthcoming BSA Conferences.

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 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3
• To make sure you are eligible to become a Trustee, please check the criteria on the Charity Commission website: https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/take-part/help-run-a-charity

What are the benefits of joining the BSA Board?

You will gain:

• 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.

Application process:

If you wish to nominate yourself please submit a 300 word (max) statement that outlines your interest in the role and any relevant experience. Please submit this by email to the BSA’s Chair, Alison Findlay by 10 December 2021.

Please contact Maria Shmygol should you require any further information about the role of Web and Communications Deputy.

In the event of there being multiple applications for the post, we will invite you to amend your statement if you wish to do so in preparation for an election (by electronic means) by BSA members.