ParaPride has endeavoured to meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities through a variety of complementary activities. The global pandemic led us to shift much of our work to have a digital focus. We continued to shine a spotlight on the lives of these intersectional communities, as well as providing opportunities to raise awareness and promote broader consideration of the challenges that they face in their lives.
a) Creating education and awareness around the need for greater visibility of the communities we serve within the wider LGBTQ+ and disabled communities;
(b) Creating and promoting online and offline activities and events to foster understanding of the experience of being LGBTQ+ and disabled people and to bring the communities we serve together;
(c) Working with other organisations to further educate and expose the wider public to the challenges faced by the communities we serve and opportunities that are presented when including them; d) Commissioning or conducting research to substantiate the prioritisation of issues impacting the communities we serve.
ParaPride looks for a wide range of opportunities to achieve these objects, including producing inclusive digital events and working with venues and other social spaces to produce events. The COVID-19 global pandemic led to an increasing focus on digital activities, events and collaborations.
We also promote information, resources and awareness training for better consideration of the obstacles faced by these intersectional communities.
As a relatively new charity, we will be developing our approach over the next couple of years to further our charitable objects and to serve the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities in the most effective way.
The Role: Secretary, Board of Trustees
We are currently recruiting for a Trustee Secretary to join our Board of Trustees. This is a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of the board, maintaining governance processes, and supporting the charity’s strategic direction.
We encourage applicants to submit an application with a CV covering relevant experience and a short covering note on why they are interested in joining our Board of Trustees.
What are we looking for in a Trustee Secretary?
To work with the rest of the Board of Trustees, to continue and to sustainably develop the charity’s work, making a positive impact for the disabled LGBTQIA+ community.
To ensure that ParaPride maintains good governance practices and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
To act as a key point of contact for trustee communications and governance-related matters.
To work with the Board of Trustees and the Policy subcommittee to help develop and strengthen internal policies.
Preparing and distributing agendas for board meetings in collaboration with the Chair and other trustees.
Keeping records of board decisions, policies, and governance documents.
Ensuring compliance with the Charity Commission and other regulatory requirements, including timely filing of annual reports and other governance documents.
Supporting board recruitment, induction, and training of new trustees.
Acting as the custodian of the charity’s governing documents and ensuring policies are reviewed and updated as required.
Assisting with administrative tasks related to the governance of the charity.
Working with the Board on ParaPride’s Strategic Plan including working on advancing the charity’s policies.
Awareness of the requirements and laws around charity status.
Implementing and promoting ParaPride’s Equality and Diversity Policy.
Implementing and promoting ParaPride’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
Experience in administrative, governance, or secretarial roles, ideally within the charity or voluntary sector.
Understanding of charity governance and compliance requirements (or willingness to learn).
Standard terms of Board Trustees are a period of three (3) years. Board members can usually be re-elected by the Board for a period of another three (3) years thereafter, if they want to continue on the Board, but would typically finish their roles on the Board after two (2) consecutive terms (unless the Board votes otherwise and the Trustee also wants to continue).
It is the expectation of the ParaPride Board that Trustees will regularly attend Board meetings and/or send apologies with sufficient warning (no less than two days ahead of meeting)
If a Board member misses more than three (3) consecutive meetings, whether with apologies or otherwise, the Board will review whether it may be appropriate to ask that Board member to resign or take a leave of absence and whether to appoint a new Board member in their place
A commitment to the organisation, its community, and its mission
We envision that this would be someone from the community we represent and has a deep understanding of our community's lived experience;
Trustees must bring strong representation and passionate allyship for the LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities
An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship or willingness to learn and access these duties and responsibilities prior to joining the Board
A collaborative, open and constructive approach is essential to help create a positive working environment
Recording an audio or video
Having a face-to-face conversation (on a digital platform)
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