BSA New Trustee: Minuting Secretary

21st January 2020

The Board of Trustees of the British Shakespeare Association wishes to appoint a new Trustee to take up a position on the Board in Spring 2020. 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. We are looking to appoint a new Trustee with the designated task of taking minutes at each of the three Board meetings and at the AGM.

Nominations (including self-nominations) should be made by email to the Chair of the British Shakespeare Association a.g.findlay@lancaster.ac.uk by 1 March 2020.

British Shakespeare Association Election of New Trustee (Minuting Secretary)

The Board of Trustees of the British Shakespeare Association wishes to appoint a new Trustee to take up position on the Board in Spring 2020. The position of Trustee is voluntary (with reasonable expenses covered) so we are looking for a member of the BSA who will 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.

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 in different venues across the country (usually Stratford-on-Avon, Leeds, Cambridge, London), in January, May, September, and to attend the Association’s AGM.The BSA will meet all reasonable expenses for UK travel. associated with attending meetings and accepts virtual attendance via videoconferencing by some Trustees at Board Meetings. In addition, some of our Trustees also sit on sub-Committees of the Board (whose business is usually conducted virtually).

Minuting Secretary

The Board seeks to appoint a Trustee with the designated task of taking minutes at each of the 3 Board meetings. It is important to remember that, as Minuting Secretary, you are normally required to travel and by physically present at Board Meetings. The role does not require specialist skills such as shorthand. At the Board Meetings and the AGM the Minuting Secretary will

• Record any apologies,
• Make a brief summary of reports by Officers and Committee Chairs (who will usually provide electronic versions of their reports 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, and
• Send a copy of the draft minutes to the Chair for editing.

Skills required: word processing.

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; and,
• 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.

How to Apply

If you wish to nominate yourself please submit a 300 word (max) statement that outlines your interest in the role and your professional experience / affiliation. Send by email to the BSA’s Chair, Alison Findlay a.g.findlay@lancaster.ac.uk, by 1 March 2020. Do contact Alison should you require any further information.