News from Tourism Concern

Tourism Concern is currently seeking new Council Members, including an Honorary Treasurer, to provide senior strategic support and guidance to the organisation during an exciting and challenging period of growth. Council Members are Directors of the Company and Charity Trustees.

To apply to join the Council as the Honorary Tresurer please send a you current CV and short covering letter to Kathleen Edie by February 18th 2013. 

To apply to join the Council please send your current CV and a short covering letter to Sarah Harrington by the 18th February 2013.

Council Members

The role of Council Members (Board of Trustees) is to govern the organisation and provide overall policy direction to achieve its aims in the most efficient and effective manner, consistent with the organisation’s values and approach.

Council Members are ultimately responsible under the Memorandum of Association for the management and administration of the charity. However the Charity Commission guidance recognises that because of the scale of work undertaken by a charity such as Tourism Concern, decision-making on management is delegated to the Executive Director and through them to the employees.

The Council will normally meet 4 times a year in addition to the Annual General Meeting. In addition to the business meetings Council Members may spend time together at occasional away days.

The meetings are timetabled to achieve the following:

1. April – annual reports; outcome of the previous financial year; progress against targets.
2. July – approval and signing of audited annual report and accounts (AGM)
3. October – long-term plans and budgets. 
4. January – establishes performance targets for the coming year; approval of plans and budgets

The role of the Council Members is to:

• Ensure that the Charity has a clear vision and a strategy focused on its achievement 
• Ensure that the Charity meets its objects as set out in the Charter and retains its ethos and values 
• Ensure that the Charity complies with its legal and regulatory requirements 
• Ensure that expert advice is taken from members, Advisory Group, Executive Director and standing committees before decisions are made. 
• Act as guardians of the Charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, and ensure the financial stability of the organisation 
• Agree performance targets for the Executive Director and hold them to account.

The following qualities and skills are sought in Tourism Concern’s Council. Overall a willingness to work together as part of a Board committed to helping Tourism Concern achieve its aims is critical.

COUNCIL MEMBER PERSON SPECIFICATION

1. Committed to Tourism Concern’s vision, mission and values and a way of working that demonstrates this. Able to communicate this enthusiasm to others.
2. A good understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of trustees and clear on the difference between governance functions and management functions. Previous Board experience is desirable.
3. Able to work well as part of a diverse team.
4. Strong environmental and strategic awareness and experience of high level strategy development.
5. A good communicator with excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, able to both empower and challenge supportively.
6. Well networked and willing to engage with contacts and/or fulfil an ambassadorial role for the benefit of Tourism Concern.
7. An understanding of the context in which Tourism Concern works (and a willingness to learn more) with an interest in international affairs.
8. Able and willing to devote the necessary time to the role.
9. Able to attend meetings in central London.

The term of appointment is for three years with the possibility of renewal for a further three years. Council Members work on a pro bono basis, and are asked to give around 8 days a year to Tourism Concern.

Honorary Treasurer 

We are also seeking a new Council Member who can be the Honorary Treasurer. With a current annual income in the region of £300k, derived from both individual giving and grant funding, the Honorary Treasurer will work closely with the Executive Director and Council Members to steer and implement a strategic plan.

HONORARY TREASURER ROLE DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

• To govern Tourism Concern in line with its charitable objectives and to maintain oversight of the organisations financial affairs as a Council Member. 
• To provide guidance to the Council and Executive Director on financial stewardship of the organisation in line with the strategic aims.

Responsibilities as Honorary Treasurer

• To oversee Tourism Concern’s compliance with the legal and financial requirements required of a company limited by guarantee and Charity Commission, budgets and accounts before these are presented to the Board of Trustees.
• To be a sounding board for the Executive Director and Finance Officer to look at organisational budgets and accounts before these are presented to the Board of Trustees.
• To draw any major financial concerns to the attention of the Board of Trustees and Executive Director
• To propose and monitor the reserves, controls and risk management policies.
• To meet with the external auditor at least once annually
• To present the accounts to the Annual General Meeting and draw attention to the important points.

Honorary Treasurer Person specification

1. Professional background in accountancy or financial management.
2. Experience of financial management in a similar organisation.
3. Prepared to make difficult and demanding recommendations to the Board.
4. Experience of risk management – preferably in a not for profit organisation (desirable).
5. Understanding of financial and cash management.
6. An understanding of needs and challenges of financial management and accounting in a small voluntary organisation.
7. Experience of management and legal requirements of a UK registered charity and Statement of Recommended Practice (desirable).
8. Experience as a trustee of a charity (desirable).