WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A BOARD MEMBER
The overall role of the Board is to direct the organisation. The Board can do
this in a number of ways:
o Approving plans
o Agreeing budgets
o Setting policies
As a Board Member, your powers to carry out your role are set out in the Rules
of the Association. The Board is not permitted to exercise powers which are
reserved to the general membership (for example, it may not change the
Association’s Rules without the approval of the general membership). Each
Board Member must act in accordance with the Association’s objectives and its
Rules.
The Board can delegate its powers to a short life working group, sub
committee, staff or office bearers of the Association. This must be recorded in
writing (either in a formally approved policy or in the minutes of a meeting).
While there are no specific requirements to have short life working groups or
sub-committees most Association’s have a small group of their main Board who
have the delegated responsibility to deal with issues such as Audit and Finance
Committee.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU NEED TO BE A BOARD MEMBER?
Board Members do not need any formal qualifications; most Board Members in
Scotland are tenants or local residents. As a Board member, the most
important quality you can bring to the Association is common sense and a
commitment to helping the organisation meet its objectives.
As a Board Member you must always act in the best interests of the
Association. While you may also be a tenant or a local authority elected
member, you must set these other interests aside when it comes to making
decisions on behalf of the Association. If you have a Conflict of Interest which
could affect your ability to make an impartial decision, you must declare this
interest and not take part in the decision making process.
WHO CAN BE A BOARD MEMBER
Board Members (who are not regulatory appointees or co-optees) must be
members of the Association. The Housing (Scotland) Act lays down certain
criteria which states that a Board member may be removed if they are:
o Apparently insolvent (within the meaning of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act
1985)
o Subject to a disqualification order (under the Company Directors
Disqualification Act 1986)
o Incapable of acting by reason of mental disorder
o Not acting as a Board/Committee Member or cannot be found
The Association’s Rules also include additional criteria. For example you will
be ineligible for Board membership if you:
o Are bankrupt
o Are involved in an arrangement with your creditors
o Are unable to attend Board/Committee meetings for 12 months due to
mental or physical illness
o Have been sent to prison for a month or more or have been convicted of
a crime of dishonesty
o Are involved in legal proceedings with the Association (this could mean
you are being pursued through the court for rent arrears)
o Are unable to attend Board/Committee meetings for a period of 12
months or more
o Have been removed from the Board/Committee of another Registered
Social Landlord
o Have been removed from a charity
o Have been disqualified as a company director
WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A BOARD MEMBER?
As a Board Member your main responsibilities are to:
o Read the agenda and papers before you attend a meeting
o Attend meetings and contribute to the discussions
o Respect the role of the Chairperson and direct your comments through
the Chair
o Make decisions that are in the best interests of the Association
o Attend training courses so that you can learn about the business of
Registered Social Landlords
o Ensure that the Association promotes and delivers equality of opportunity
across all aspects of its business
o Show courtesy and respect to fellow Board members
o Observe the Association’s Code of Conduct when attending meetings or
representing the Association outwith
o The Board usually meets monthly, in Inveraray during working hours.
Travelling expenses are payable in accordance with the Association’s
Expenses Policy