Birmingham Friends of the Earth (BFoE) exists to promote positive environmental change by increasing awareness of environmental issues. It does this particularly through campaigning and through practical activity at its community environmental building, The Warehouse.
We have recently completed a major development of The Warehouse funded by a community share issue. We are looking for enthusiastic people with useful skills to help us fulfil our ambition for the building by joining our Management Committee.
The Management Committee meets 5 – 6 times a year and is responsible for setting strategy and overseeing the operation, development and staffing of the organisation. More information on BFOE’s activities can be found on this website.
We are particularly seeking people with skills in the areas of project and building management, finance including community finance, and HR.
If you feel that you have the skills, time and enthusiasm to contribute to shaping BFOE’s future in this vital way, please email karen@localisewestmidlands.org.uk attaching your CV or call 0121 685 1155 to find out more.
What Impact Will You Have?
You will be instrumental in ensuring Birmingham FOE can use all its resources in the best way to support our mission above – changing our environment for the better and holding to account those who damage it.
What’s In It For You?
Practically, you will gain experience of any aspects of governance that are new to you. You will also have the satisfaction of being part of collective action to tackle the world’s numerable environmental crises and playing a part in handing on a healthier planet to the next generation.
What do we need from you?
See role description below.
Management Committee Member role description
The statutory duties of a management committee member are:
1. To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
2. To ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
3. To ensure the organisation uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects: the organisation must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile those activities are.
4. To contribute actively to the management committee’s role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
5. To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.
6. To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation
7. To ensure the financial stability of the organisation
8. To protect and manage the property of the organisation and to ensure the proper investment of the organisation’s funds
9. If the organisation employs staff, to appoint the chief executive officer and monitor his/her performance
Other duties
In addition to the above statutory duties, each Board member should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of directors reach sound decisions. This may involve:
• Scrutinising Board papers
• Leading discussions
• Focusing on key issues
• Providing guidance on new initiatives
• Other issues in which the Board member has special expertise
Skills
The general skills and attributes required are:
- Commitment to the concept and values of BFOE Ltd
- Willingness, ability and availability to devote the necessary time and effort.
- Understanding of the important legal role of a non-profit board member
- The ability to carry out their role with sufficient independence and without major conflict of interest.
We are currently looking for members with the following skills:
- Property Management
- Business Development
- Accountancy
- Auditing
- Financial Management
- Fundraising
Time commitment
Our management committee meetings are currently every two to three months. While recognising the pressures on voluntary commitments, we would like members be able to commit to attend at least 75% of full management committee meetings.
There are also some time-limited subgroups which are set up to deal with specific issues such as lease negotiations, building refurbishment planning etc.
