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Election of New BSA Trustee (and Chair of Events Committee)

8th August 2022

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 join the Board and serve as the Chair of the Events Committee. 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 are also Directors and 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, from any part of the United Kingdom as well as from our international members so that different constituencies are represented.

Trustee profile and duties

Trustees are required to attend three meetings of the Board of Trustees per year, which are normally held via Zoom in January, May, and September, and to attend the Association’s AGM. The BSA will meet reasonable expenses for UK travel associated with attending any BSA meetings where necessary, 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).

The Board seeks to elect a Trustee who will also take up the role of Chair of the Events Committee. This Committee was set up by the Board of Trustees to liaise with the organisers of the BSA conferences on behalf of the Board and to oversee applications for the BSA’s Small Events Fund. Its aims include: to function as the first and regular point of contact for the organisers of BSA conferences; to promote and oversee Small Events Fund applications; to encourage the organisation of events to bring theatre practitioners, teachers, and academic specialists together.

At the Board Meetings and the AGM the Chair of the Events Committee will:

  • Report to the Board about the discussions and activities of the committee.
  • Raise any initiatives suggested by the committee to fulfil its aims (outlined above).
  • Convene the committee (virtually) and implement measures to further the committee’s aims (outlined above).
  • Liaise with the Chair of the BSA and other members of the Board.
  • Issue and coordinate the call for applications to host the BSA conference, and actively promote applications among potential academic hosts.
  • Perform the preliminary assessment of applications to host the BSA conference for presentation of candidates to the Board.
  • Oversee the preparations for the conference at all stages in conjunction with the Chair and other members of the Board.
  • Receive applications for the Small Events Fund (two calls per year: March and September), and liaise with committee members in order to select awardees.
  • Invite Small Event Fund awardees to write a short report about their event (for the BSA blog).

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

  • Occasionally organise and/or host online BSA events (such as book launches, in memoriam events, etc).
  • Encourage their committee members to organize and/or host BSA events, in-person or 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.

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 CV and a 300-word (max.) statement that outlines your interest in the role and any relevant experience. Please submit this by email to José Pérez Díezand Maria Shmygol at the BSA’s email address by Monday 12th September 2022.

Please contact Karen Eckersall (current Chair of the Events Committee) or Maria Shmygol (Web and Comms Officer) should you require any further information about this role.

The new Trustee will be expected to take up their role from October 2022.

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.

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