Board of Trustees - Honorary Secretary

Homeshare International

“Homeshare is a simple but brilliant idea. Companionship and mutual support are at the heart of homesharing – not financial gain.”

About

Homeshare International is an educational charity, founded in the UK in 1999 and re-established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2016. Trustees are drawn from many different countries, and most are actively involved in homeshare programmes and networks.

Homeshare International supports a network of professionals worldwide who run homeshare programmes.

Our aims are to:

• Encourage learning and good practice
• Foster new programmes
• Understand the impact of homesharing
• Raise public awareness of what homesharing can offer as a solution to many of society’s needs

We do this by:

• Connecting homeshare programmes around the world
• Enabling the sharing of learning and information
• Raising awareness of homesharing and its potential among professionals and policy makers
• Providing support and advice to new homeshare programmes
• Promoting good practice
• Encouraging research to support the positive impact of homeshare

To find out more about our organisation, please click here: https://homeshare.org/

Role Summary

The Board of Trustees is responsible for setting the strategic aims, objectives and direction of Homeshare International (HI) and for overseeing operational delivery with the help of the part-time Director. The trustees have legal responsibility for the management of the charity.

The Homeshare International (HI) Honorary Secretary is a key member of the Board of Trustees and will work closely with the Chair of the Trustees, the Treasurer and the part-time Director to support HI to achieve its charitable objectives. This is a newly created role which is critical to the governance and operation of HI.

The main function of the Honorary Secretary is to support the board with administrative duties and ensure the charity complies with charity law and any other relevant legislation or regulations. You will also work with the Treasurer to ensure the Annual Accounts to the Charity Commission are completed and submitted on time.

• Schedule quarterly board meetings, prepare the agenda, request and circulate other documents and reports as required.
• Attend board meetings, take and circulate minutes, follow up action points.
• Sit on the Governance sub-committee, which meets approximately twice a year.
• Supported by the Chair, oversee the appointment and induction of all new trustees.
• With the Chair and Treasurer, work to ensure the organisation fulfils its duties and responsibilities for effective charity governance in line with HI’s policies and the requirements of the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
• Support the organisation in pursuing its stated charitable objects as defined in the Constitution.
• Help ensure operational plans and budgets support the charity’s vision and strategy.
• Facilitate HI’s compliance regarding governing document, policies, charity law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• Work to ensure that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects.
• Work to ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit.
• Support the organisation in defining its goals and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• Ensure trustees follow a shared code of conduct and uphold Its principles. Ensure there are fair and transparent processes to address any situation where trustees may not adhere to these standards and action may need to be taken.

Person Specification

• Competent IT, organisational and administrative skills.
• Understand and accept the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship, and the Honorary Secretary role in particular.
• Be able to evaluate and interpret management information and other data/evidence.
• Commit to upholding the good name and values of the organisation.
• Commit to working constructively as part of a team and contributing an independent perspective.
• Possess and demonstrate integrity, objectivity, accountability, and honesty.
• Have a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
• Have a genuine interest in homeshare.
• Have a commitment to HI’s aims, objectives and values.
• Strong Interpersonal skills to collaborate with fellow trustees, staff, and stakeholders.
• Capacity to serve as an advocate for the organisation when needed.

Additional Details

• The Honorary Secretary must be legally eligible to stand as a registered Company Director and Charity Trustee, and should be based in the UK.
• Previous experience as a trustee of a UK voluntary organisation is an advantage

Terms of Appointment

• The Honorary Secretary is appointed for a term of office of 3 years (which may be extended by one year with the agreement of the majority of trustees).
• The Honorary Secretary is required to attend scheduled meetings every 3 months with some ad hoc meetings where necessary. These may be at unusual times due to the international nature of the board.
• It is anticipated that the time commitment would be approximately 2 days per month, in a voluntary capacity. There could be occasions when extra time will be required (e.g. during the planning of new projects or dealing with any particular difficulties that arise).

External Links

This role description should be read alongside HI’s Constitution (governance document) and Code of Conduct.

The UK government provides full details about the role and responsibilities of being a trustee of a UK charity. We ask that you read through this carefully: The essential trustee

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