Want to get more involved in Friends of the Earth Scotland: why not join the Board?
At Friends of the Earth Scotland's Annual General Meeting each year members have the opportunity to stand for the Friends of the Earth Scotland Board. If you would like to get more involved in Friends of the Earth's work, why not think about standing; this year or in the future?
What is the Board?
The Board is the committee which is responsible for overseeing the management of the organisation and determining its overall policies.
Who are the Board?
The Board is made up of volunteers with a wide range of skills and backgrounds. Current Board members include people with experience of campaigning on a wide range of environmental topics, of FoE's local groups, ecology, research, transport, fishing, working with Agenda 21 in local authorities, in the civil service, in small businesses, the health sector, chartered accountancy, and the law. What they share is overwhelming commitment to the aims of Friends of the Earth and a willingness to give of their time to help it work effectively.
What do they do?
The Board has a number of duties to carry out: primarily formulating, reviewing and monitoring the strategic direction of the organisation, ensuring proper governance, financial and ethical responsibility, and providing support for the Chief Executive and staff. They try to represent the interests of Friends of the Earth members as expressed through the AGM and other consultation.
How are they elected?
Members are elected at the AGM each year, normally for a 3 year term; or can be co-opted if special skills are needed. Nominees need to have been members of Friends of the Earth for at least a year and to be nominated by two other members.
How much of a time commitment is it?
The full Board meets 4 times a year. There is an Executive of office bearers, which meets more frequently, and short life hoc groups set up to pursue various tasks.
The full Board meets normally in March, May/ June (both before and after the AGM), September and December. Meetings are normally on Saturdays(though this is under review) in Edinburgh from mid morning to mid afternoon. The format is often a one hour policy discussion or briefing on a current topic or a training session, followed by formal business.
The Executive (chair, vice chair, treasurer, secretary, the Chief Exec, one staff rep and two other Board members) meets between Board meetings to take any necessary interim decisions and support the Chief Executive. Currently meetings are about 4 times a year, in Edinburgh on weekday evenings.
There is a standing subcommittee on governance. The Board also sets up small ad hoc short life groups to undertake particular work on behalf of the Board. Recent example was a group to explore the possible building of a sustainability centre to accommodate FoE. Board members take part according to availability and particular skills. Groups set up their own meeting arrangements. In addition there is an expectation to keep abreast of current environmental issues. Board members are expected to sign up to the Code of Conduct as well as principles of working.
What sort of people are you looking for?
As a matter of policy and practice, the Board aims to encourage a balance of skills, expertise, backgrounds, and geographical spread. All Board members are expected to subscribe (in writing) to the principles of corporate working and to accept the financial, legal and other accountability responsibilities that go with serving on the Board of a charity. The Board is not the vehicle for pursuit of single interest campaigning.
Board members need to be have, or be willing to be trained in, basic financial reporting and accounting procedures and protocols; and to understand and accept the principles of strategic planning and direction. It is then helpful to have among the members people with experience in fields including local activism, environmental science, relevant specialist fields (such as transport, energy, waste), law, politics, personnel work, and administration.
Standing orders presently set a maximum of 15 Board members (excluding cooptees). Cooptees are appointed by the Board to provide specialist skills to support the organisation its work. They serve for up to a year at a time and do not have voting rights.
Do I get paid?
All board members are volunteers but Board members can claim for reasonable public transport travel costs.
Find out more:
If you would like more information about the Board and how to stand for election contact Moira Graham on 0131 243 2700. A nomination pack is available which gives much more information about the roles and duties of Board members and the training and support that is provided to new members.
