Chair of the Board of Trustees

Chair of Trustees Role About your role

The Chair leads the board, ensuring that it governs the charity effectively, in service of the charity’s vision and mission. The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the Chief Executive. Like other trustees of Chasing the Stigma, the Chair is also an ambassador for the charity.

Chasing the Stigma is a national mental health charity on a mission to normalise and humanise conversations about mental health, while ensuring that everyone in the UK can access clear pathways to support, whenever and wherever they need it.

We want to create a society where there is no longer a stigma associated with mental health, where people are as comfortable talking about their mental health as their physical health, and where everyone is able to find appropriate support before they reach a point of crisis, leading to a significant long-term reduction in self-harm and suicide.

We aim to achieve this through our pioneering Ambassador of Hope training services, awareness-raising campaigns and lobbying activities and the provision of the UK’s largest and most comprehensive directory of community mental health services, the Hub of Hope.

Chair Role

• Provide strategic leadership to the charity and the Board, ensuring thatChasing the Stigma achieves its mission.
• Work in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer and team to achieveChasing the Stigma’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
• Lead the board in ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation.
• Optimise the relationship between the board and Chasing the Stigma’s staff and volunteers.
• Plan and chair the board meetings and the AGM, with others as appropriate.• Act as a spokesperson and figurehead for Chasing the Stigma.

What we are looking for

Essential

• Experience of being a trustee.
• A keen sense of strategic purpose.
• An inclusive leadership style: able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing.
• The ability to listen and engage effectively. You are comfortable with challenge and debate and are able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment.
• Advocate – be able and willing to champion Chasing the Stigma’s work through personal networks, social media, and other channels.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Be responsive and advise and support The Chief Executive Officer and other staff members as and when appropriate.

In addition to the above, the Chair will have the responsibilities and qualities of all trustees:

Responsibilities of all Trustees

• Support and provide advice on Chasing the Stigma’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee Chasing the Stigma’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Review and approve Chasing the Stigma’s financial statements and annual review of accounts.
• Provide support and challenge to Chasing the Stigma’s CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.• Keep abreast of changes in Chasing the Stigma’s operating environment.
• Contribute to regular reviews of Chasing the Stigma’s own governance.
• Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions and follow-up on agreed actions within specified timelines.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect Chasing the Stigma’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third party interests.
• Contribute to the broader promotion of Chasing the Stigma’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.
• Represent and promote Chasing the Stigma through relevant personal and professional networks and events.

As a small charity, there will be times when the trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Essential qualities and attributes of all trustees

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• A strong commitment and willingness to lead according to our vision and mission.
• Willingness to represent and promote Chasing the Stigma through relevant personal and professional networks and events.
• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Terms of appointment

Terms of office

• The Chair is appointed for a 3 year term of office, renewable for 2 further terms to a maximum of 9 years in line with procedures set out in the Charity’s Constitution.
• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

Time commitment

• Attending 4 Board meetings annually, including one as the AGM. Currently meetings are held online or in-person, as agreed by the Board.
• Monthly scheduled meeting with the Chief Executive Officer with flexibility to respond swiftly to the occasional ad hoc issue.
• Ad hoc and occasional support through working groups and / or support to the executive team.