vacancies
management committee | Vice-chairperson
About Gordon Park ELC
Gordon Park ELC (“GPELC”) is a small charity based in Ellon, Aberdeenshire. We strive to provide high quality play-based learning and childcare that is fun, nurturing, safe, inclusive and has the child at the centre in everything we do to enable children to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens, and effective communicators. We are committed to our aims and values and delivering first class childcare.
About the role
We are now actively recruiting a dynamic and passionate Vice Chairperson to join our Management Committee. The Vice Chairperson will work closely with the Chairperson and the Management Committee to provide leadership, support, and strategic direction to the charity. This is a voluntary position that requires a strong commitment to our mission and a willingness to contribute to the growth and sustainability of our organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership Support:
Collaborate with the Chairperson to provide overall leadership to the board and the charity.
Act as the primary deputy to the Chairperson and perform their duties in their absence.
Support the Chairperson in setting the strategic vision and direction of the organisation.
Governance:
Assist in the planning and organisation of Management Committee meetings, ensuring they are well-structured and productive.
Help recruit, onboard, and engage new trustees to the Management Committee.
Promote a positive board culture and effective communication among trustees.
Strategic Planning:
Work with the Management Committee to develop and implement the charity's strategic plan.
Monitor progress towards strategic goals and make recommendations for adjustments as needed.
Provide input into the development of policies and procedures that align with the charity's mission and values.
Community Engagement:
Represent Gordon Park ELC at public events, meetings, and with external stakeholders.
Foster relationships with donors, volunteers, and community partners to support the charity's initiatives.
Assist in fundraising efforts and support donor stewardship.
Advocacy and Promotion:
Advocate for the charity's mission and raise awareness of its work in the community.
Support marketing and promotional activities to enhance the charity's visibility.
Contribute to public relations efforts.
Skills and Qualifications
A strong commitment to the mission and values of Gordon Park ELC (essential)
Previous experience in a leadership or governance role, ideally within a charitable or nonprofit organisation (desirable)
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (essential)
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams (essential)
Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities (essential)
Strong organisational and time-management skills (essential)
Availability to attend board meetings and fulfil vice chairperson responsibilities (essential).
Our Management Committee normally meet four times a year and each meeting lasts for a maximum of two hours. A Board Pack is released ahead of each of these meetings so there is normally some reading to do in preparation for the meeting. The Treasurer is required to dedicate additional time for financial planning, reporting and other related responsibilities.
Our Management Committee are not remunerated in any way.
Requirements
Given the nature of our organisation and the vulnerable people that we support, all staff and volunteers (including our Management Committee) are subject to background/reference checks and must undertake an enhanced Protecting Vulnerable Groups (“PVG”) check with Disclosure Scotland. We reserve the right to determine if charges/cautions/convictions affect your suitability for joining our Management Committee.
To be eligible to join our Management Committee you must:
be at least 18 years old
not previously have been removed as a trustee, or as a charity officer, agent or employee, by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (“OSCR”) or the High Court due to misconduct or mismanagement
be able to hold the position of Charity Trustee and not previously have been disqualified
be of good financial standing and have no issues that would prevent you from becoming a Charity Trustee, such as undischarged bankruptcy
provide us with two references and satisfactorily complete an enhanced PVG check
be of good character and work with and share our aims and values.
We ask that you give consideration to the requirements of being a trustee of a charity - you can find more information on the website of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (“OSCR”).
We are a diverse organisation and our staff team and Management Committee should represent the community that we serve, so we welcome applications from groups that are under-represented, including those with disabilities, LGBTQIA+/BAME applicants and those with lived experience as a looked after child.
recruitment process
If you wish to make an application to join our Management Committee, you should make an informal enquiry using the contact form below. We will then contact you to ask that you provide us with a copy of your CV and a cover letter (no more than 1 x A4 page) outlining why you wish to join our Management Committee and what you believe you will bring in terms of your skills, qualities and experience.
If on initial review we wish you progress your application, a member of our Management Committee will contact you to arrange for you to come along and have a coffee and an informal meeting with our Chairperson. We receive a large volume of applications at times and make appointments to our Management Committee based on skills and experience. You should therefore note that not all applications to join our Management Committee are successful. If your application is not successful, you are welcome to explore alternative volunteering opportunities with us.
If following the informal meeting we wish to progress your application, you will be invited to attend a Management Committee Meeting as an observer. Thereafter, if you still wish to join our Management Committee, you will be appointed in line with our Constitution, either by Management Committee resolution or at our Annual General Meeting, subject to you meeting the requirements outlined above.
You must at this stage apply to become a member of Gordon Park ELC. Management Committee Members are appointed for an initial year term, and must be re-appointed every year at our AGM.
The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 27th October 2023.