Scotland Trustee
Recruitment Pack
2016
Letter from Gordon Anderson, Chair of the Trustee Board and
Debbie Weekes, Chair of our Appointments Committee
“The pain is my constant companion and at times I get extremely tired and
depressed”.
“My life has been taken away from me by arthritis, it dominates my everyday
thoughts and makes me feel so unwell all the time. There is hardly ever a good day,
only bad days”
And after people have received the support of Arthritis Care they say:
“It has given me the information I needed to do something about my arthritis”.
“I am now more aware of which exercises are better suited to me”.
“I have gone from being desperate and lonely with no hope of ever achieving
anything again to being part of a big family that cares for its members, giving them
information and the tools they need to live life at today’s manic pace. I would like to
thank Arthritis Care for being there in my hour of need and helping me find my way”.
This is the transformation we aim to bring about for all those living with arthritis
across the UK. And if you think you can help us then you could be just who the
Trustee Board is looking for.
Arthritis Care’s vision is of a world where people with arthritis can lead full and active
lives. In so many ways it doesn’t seem that much to ask for. But we know that we
have to find a new way to realise this vision against a backdrop of significant
changes, within healthcare and within our sector. And that’s exactly what we’ve
been doing, thanks to the leadership of Judi Rhys and her dynamic and driven
Leadership team. We finished 2015 with a defined core service offer across all four
Nations; with a clear vision for increasing our impact and reach locally through a
network of well supported Branches and Groups; with a realistic evidence-based
fundraising strategy; and with a new website that is already making a difference.
Our path is firmly set for 2016 and we are rightly approaching it with a great deal of
confidence and self-belief. Confidence in our Trustee Board, our Leadership team,
our volunteers, members and supporters.
There couldn’t be a more exciting or rewarding time to join the Trustee Board. You
can find out more about the specific skills and backgrounds that we’re looking for in
this pack.
Also in this pack you can read more about our recent achievements and find out
more about our impact goals, along with finding copies of our Strategic Plan and
Annual Report. If these are the issues that interest you, and if you can offer us the
dedication and commitment that we’re looking for, then we really hope you will
consider applying to join us.
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We really look forward to reading your application and thank you for your interest
and commitment to our work.
Gordon Anderson
Chair of the Trustee Board
Debbie Weekes
Trustee and Chair of the
Appointments Committee
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About Arthritis Care
Our impact goals
Impact goal one: To increase the number of people with arthritis who are able to
manage their pain on a daily basis.
Impact goal two: To improve the health and wellbeing of people with arthritis and
ensure more have the confidence to manage their condition.
Impact goal three: To reduce the physical and emotional isolation felt by many
people living with arthritis.
Impact goal four: To ensure more people with arthritis can live an independent
life, receiving the support they are entitled to.
Impact goal five: To improve services and ensure the voice of people living with
arthritis is heard and acted on.
A taster of our achievements in 2015
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In 2015 we reached and benefitted over 8,000 people living with arthritis
through our self-management support. This reach has been achieved
alongside wholesale change in the delivery of our services across England
and Wales.
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Information is a valued service for people with arthritis and this year almost
100,000 of our booklets, information and factsheets have been sent to
individuals, hospitals and health centres throughout the UK.
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Over 7,500 contacts have been made with our Helpline team and thanks to
our monitoring and evaluation work we know more about our callers and
the quality of our responses that we have ever known before.
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We have over 35,000 followers on Twitter and our new website is
receiving over 80,000 monthly visitor sessions.
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Our Governance
About our Board
Our Board has a maximum of 13 Trustees, plus two optional co-opted Trustees.
Four Trustees must be National Trustees – one from each of the Nations.
Amongst the Trustees there are five Officers - Chair, Deputy Chair, Treasurer,
Deputy Treasurer and Honorary Secretary.
Our Board meets six times a year and works to a clear and pre-determined set of
agendas that have standard items including reviewing the financial management
accounts, reviewing delivery against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), receiving a
report from the Chief Executive, along with service and fundraising updates. Board
meetings usually take place in London. The Board has three formal sub committees:
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Appointments – that leads on recruiting new Trustees.
Performance and remuneration – that leads on appraising the performance of
the Chair and Trustee Board and in making recommendations on the Chief
Executive’s salary.
Audit and risk – that leads on overseeing the corporate risk register.
We also have a Trustee-led Governance Review Group.
Becoming a Trustee
This year we are recruiting a National Trustee for Scotland. We welcome
applications from anyone living in Scotland and from any age group or background.
This includes existing members along with those who aren’t yet members but who
are interested in our work. All applications will be reviewed by our Trustee-led
Appointments Committee, who will interview shortlisted candidates.
Interviews will take place in London on Tuesday 12 and Monday 18 April.
Successful candidates will be recommended to the Board. The Board will appoint the
new Trustees, who will then be elected by members at the next AGM.
Terms of office formally start following confirmation by members at the AGM in
September 2016. As part of their induction, we hope the new Trustee Board member
will be able to attend meetings before this date.
Enclosures:
Strategic Plan 2014 to 2017
Annual Report 2014
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The role of an Arthritis Care Trustee
The Board of Trustees are individually and collectively responsible for the overall
governance and strategic direction of Arthritis Care, our financial health, and the
probity of our activities. They are responsible for developing Arthritis Care’s aims,
objectives and goals in accordance with our Articles of Association and taking full
account of legal and regulatory guidelines.
Principal responsibilities:
Strategic leadership
 To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees' role in giving firm strategic
direction to Arthritis Care, setting overall policy and defining goals.
 To set and agree targets and regularly monitor and evaluate performance
against these.
Governance
 To ensure Arthritis Care’s governance is of the highest possible standard and
fully complies with its Articles of Association.
 To safeguard the good name and values of Arthritis Care by ensuring the
organisation complies with charity law, company law and fulfils all legal and
regulatory requirements.
 To work within any agreed policies adopted by Arthritis Care.
Financial probity
 To ensure the financial stability of Arthritis Care and ensure systems are in
place to ensure financial accountability.
 To protect and manage the property of Arthritis Care and to ensure the proper
investment of the organisation's funds.
 To ensure Arthritis Care applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its
charitable objects.
External relationships
 To act as an ambassador for Arthritis Care including acting as a
spokesperson when appropriate.
 To represent Arthritis Care at meetings and events as required, including with
our Branches and members.
Extra duties
 To fulfil additional duties as agreed with the board in accordance with the
terms of reference communicated.
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Core competencies
All candidates must be able to demonstrate:
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Commitment to the organisation
Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
Strategic vision
Good, independent judgement and an ability to focus on arriving at a decision
A willingness to speak their mind
An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and
liabilities of trusteeship
An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
Appreciation of Nolan's seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity,
objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership
Leadership Skills
Experience of committee work
Tact and diplomacy
Good communication and interpersonal skills
In addition, all candidates should be able to demonstrate at least one competency
from each of the two lists below:
Skills and knowledge (demonstrate at least one)
 Organisational development and cultural change
 Setting targets, monitoring and evaluating performance and programmes in
commercial and non-profit organisations
 Strategic finance
 Strategic planning
 Fundraising
 An understanding of how to motivate and enthuse volunteers
Experience (demonstrate at least one)
 Successful experience of operating within a board in a charitable, public
sector or commercial organisation
 Experience of building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders and
colleagues to achieve organisational objectives
 A history of impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences
 An understanding of the respective roles of the Chair, Trustees and Chief
Executive
 A track record of commitment to promoting equality and diversity
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Specific requirements of the National Trustee
We are specifically looking for a National Trustee for Scotland.
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The National Trustee will act as an ambassador for Arthritis Care in Scotland.
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They will ensure that the Arthritis Care Board is informed of the circumstances
and perspective of Scotland:
o This might include during preparation for Board meetings or as part of
Board discussions and deliberations. It might also include establishing
working relationships with particular staff from our team in Scotland or
volunteers to ensure the National Trustee is informed of relevant
issues.
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The National Trustee will have a permanent but non-voting role on the
Scotland Committee.
o The National Committee works closely with our staff team in Scotland
to ensure our activities are well planned, supported and delivered. The
Committee forms a vital link between the National Office in Scotland
and our Branch, Group and membership network.
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The National Trustee will report on the work and views of the Scotland
Committee to the Board of Trustees; their role is to share the views of the
Committee as distinct to representing or advocating on behalf of those views.
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As with all Trustees, the National Trustee will have shared responsibility for
the decisions of the Arthritis Care Board.
Support will be offered to the National Trustee in developing this role.
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Application form
Please complete details in type or black ink and in CAPITALS. The space provided is just a
guide unless otherwise specified.
Title (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Dr/other)
Surname
Forenames
Other names (eg. maiden name) that you
may have been known by
Contact details
House name and/or number
Street name
Town
County
Post code
Email address
Telephone
How did you find out about this role? (please circle or highlight)
Arthritis Care website
Charity Jobs
Do It
Getting on Board
Good Moves
Volunteer Scotland
Other – Please specify:
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MOTIVATION
Why are you interested in this role?
STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
Please explain how your skills and life experience meet the competencies of the role as set
out in the role description. As a guide this statement should be approximately 1 – 2 sides.
Please also explain how you will ensure the Board are informed of the nation-specific
context and perspective.
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Please return your completed application forms to Debbie Weekes, c/o Chief Executive’s
office at Trustees@arthritiscare.org.uk or Arthritis Care, Floor 4 Linen Court, 10 East Road,
London N1 6AD.
Closing date - Friday 18th March 2016, 5pm
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