Volunteering with Warwickshire Pride as a trustee is an incredibly rewarding experience that will enable you to make a difference to the lives of LGBT+ people, as well as developing your skills. We are currently seeking new trustees to join our board and help shape the future of the charity to ensure we continue to meet our objectives. Please see the role descriptions below. Don’t be put off if some of the roles seem like a lot of work. The truth is that the roles only require a couple of hours of your time each week, so you can easily fit it in around your other commitments.
About Warwickshire Pride
The following objectives are for the benefit of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBT+) young people and adults:
- To preserve and protect the physical and mental health of such people, in particular, but not exclusively through:
- a. The provision of information, guidance and emotional support;
- b. Safe, social meeting spaces where people can explore verbally and express their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- The promotion of equality and diversity in the Warwickshire area for the public benefit by:
- a. The elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity;
- b. Working in partnership with other providers and community groups to raise awareness of LGBT+ issues, and the needs of LGBT+ young people and adults;
- c. Advancing education and raising awareness in equality and diversity, with a focus on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Being a Trustee
Being a trustee is a rewarding role that enables you to play a vital part in ensuring the charity meets its objectives and provides support to LGBT+ communities across Warwickshire.
It is also a serious role in that trustees are legally responsible for the operation of the charity and have a duty to maintain strategic direction and embody the values of the charity.
All trustees are required to attend board meetings quarterly (usually on a Monday evening in January, April, July, and October). The October meeting date tends to be when the charity’s AGM takes place too. Additionally, there may be specific meetings organised to focus on a particular aspect of the charity’s work, such as the Warwickshire Pride festival. Additional meeting dates will be agreed with trustees as they arise.
Trustees also have responsibility for a specific area of the charity’s operation. The role descriptions below outline those roles and responsibilities.
There is an expectation that all trustees will attend the annual Warwickshire Pride festival and be responsible for the smooth and successful running of it. The Warwickshire Pride festival requires trustees to be on site from 7:00am – 8:00pm. It is a team effort, and all trustees are expected to play their part.
Beyond the minimum requirements detailed above, it is for individual trustees to give as much or as little time as they can. It is recognised that trustees are volunteers with varying levels of responsibility outside of being a trustee. Some trustees will be able to give many hours each week to their role. Other trustees may only be able to give a few hours. Whatever amount of time a trustee can give to their role beyond the basic requirements is appreciated. Each trustee is equally valued.
To put a time commitment on being a trustee, it is likely to be around two hours per week. There may be some weeks that are busier and some that are quieter. There will also be variations on the time commitment based on the specific role that a trustee has.
Ultimately, being a trustee means being part of a team. Teamwork is essential and there may be times when trustees need support each other with the roles and responsibilities.
Please apply by 31st May.
The Roles
Please note that we will accept applications from people who do not have any previous experience in this area. The qualities are essential though.
Treasurer
The purpose of this role is to:
- Oversee the charity’s financial affairs
- Ensure legal compliance
- Maintain robust financial controls
- Manage the charity’s bank accounts
- Keep day to day bookkeeping up to date
- Update the charity’s accounting software
- Obtain and manage funding
- Prepare an annual budget
- Present financial reports to trustees
- Submit annual accounts and returns to the Charity Commission
- Appoint auditors or independent examiners when required
Key qualities and skills required:
- Strong organisational skills
- Financial experience that includes managing an organisation’s finances and using accounting software
- Ability to explain complex financial information to non-financial trustees
- High standard of accountability to protect the charity’s assets
- Ability to write funding applications to an exceptional standard
- Understanding of charity governance and legislation
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Services and Events
The purpose of this role is to:
- Define the charity’s goals for services and events
- Ensure all services and events are aligned with the charity’s objectives
- Lead on planning for services and events (excluding the annual Warwickshire Pride festival)
- Monitor the effectiveness of services and events
- Identify and mitigate risks associated with service delivery and events, including health and safety, reputational management, and legal compliance
- Utilise specific skills in service and event planning, marketing, and supporting services and events to happen
- Engage with LGBTQ+ communities to ensure that services and events are aligned with what their wants and needs are
- Work with the Treasurer and Chair to obtain budgets for services and events
- Consider how to enhance donations to the charity through services and events
- Act as an ambassador for the charity
Key qualities and skills required:
- Experience in event organising and management
- Confident and effective leadership
- Strong communication skills
- Effective planning skills
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to support and manage volunteers
- Commitment to the charity’s purpose and values
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Marketing, Promotion, PR, and Partnerships
The purpose of this role is to:
- Maintain oversight of the charity’s brand, communications, and external relations
- Ensure that branding, communications, and external relations align with the charity’s objectives, boost income, and increase visibility
- Shape the charity’s marketing strategy
- Manage the charity’s reputation
- Ensure adherence to brand guidelines
- Provide strategic input on marketing, PR, and digital media to support the charity’s mission
- Monitor PR activities
- Guide crisis communications and media relations
- Oversee branding, tone of voice, and public image to ensure consistency
- Identify and build relationships with corporate partners, sponsors, and key stakeholders to boost income and the profile of the charity
- Ensure legal compliance
- Mentor trustees, staff, and volunteers on best practice
Key qualities and skills required:
- Proven experience in marketing, communications, PR, and commercial partnerships
- Strong understanding of digital marketing, social media, and brand management
- Ability to think creatively, contribute to board discussions, and guide the charity’s growth
- Commitment to the charity’s objectives and values
- Adherence to the seven principles of public life
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Research
The purpose of this role is to:
- Create and lead on the charity’s annual community survey
- Lead on other research projects
- Recruit and manage volunteer research assistants
- Provide oversight to ensure high standards of research integrity
- Interpret and analyse research data
- Create and communicate research reports
- Identify and manage risks associated with research
- Maintain research platforms
- Ensure information is stored securely and in accordance with the GDPR
- Advise the board on research landscape, trends, and potential policy changes
- Promote the charity’s research to stakeholders, potential partners, and the public
- Act in the best interests of the charity at all times
Key qualities and skills required:
- Strong understanding of the research landscape relevant to the charity
- Experience in leading on, or assisting with, research projects
- Ability to interpret and analyse research data
- Ability to effectively communicate research data and outcomes via reports and discussions
- Commitment to the charity’s objectives and values
- Adherence to the seven principles of public life
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Floating Trustee
The purpose of this role is to:
- Assist other trustees with their roles
- Step into another trustee role if a trustee leaves
- Provide scrutiny to the board and the charity’s activities
- Carry out specific duties as requested by other trustees
Key qualities and skills required:
- Dedication to the charity’s objectives
- Willingness to allocate the necessary time to the role
- Strong, independent judgement
- Ability to work as part of a team and share collective responsibility
- High ethical standards
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to think creatively and long-term
- A mix of general skills in areas such as finance, HR, marketing, and IT
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Please note that we will accept applications from people who do not have any previous experience as a trustee. You also do not have to be LGBT+ to be a trustee of Warwickshire Pride, although it is of course important that an LGBT+ charity is primarily led by LGBT+ people. The qualities are essential though.
To apply for any of the trustee roles, please complete an application below. Please do not use AI in the creation of your answers. Once you submit the application form, we will be in touch with you within one week to discuss your application.