The Fishermen's Mission is the only charity solely dedicated to supporting fishermen and their families (both active and retired) in the UK. Working closely with our maritime partners, our aim is to relieve despair or deprivation - we seek 5 new trustees to support our mission.
What difference will you make?
Commercial fishing remains the most dangerous occupation in the British Isles.
The Fishermen’s Mission is the only charity solely dedicated to providing emergency support alongside practical, financial, spiritual and emotional care for fishermen both active and retired and their families.
As a trustee, your passion will help support those members of one the UK's traditional industries.
What are we looking for?
The Board of Trustees (The Council), consists of up to 15 Trustees. Today there are 10 Trustees with a variety of backgrounds and skills and we are seeking around 5 new Trustees.
The Fishermen’s Mission is ever keen to increase the diversity of the current board and is looking for potential Trustees with a range of skills and who come from differing walks of life each with their own unique life experiences to help bring direction and focus to the delivery of vital provision in fishing communities.
In particular we welcome interest from
* Ordained Christian Ministers from Churches Together in Britain able to support our ecumenical basis and promote collaboration, mission, and social justice.
* Commercial fishermen (and family members)
* Experienced healthcare managers
* Leaders in business
* Those with a legal background (especially in employment law); human resources; charity governance; marketing and public relations
What will you be doing?
Commercial fishing remains one the United Kingdom's most dangerous occupations where the loss of life is some 115 times greater than in a retail or office environment. Founded in 1881, the Fishermen’s Mission1 is the only UK charity dedicated solely to providing emergency response, practical welfare and pastoral support to active and former commercial fishermen and their families.
What We Are Seeking
New trustees to share the collective responsibility for the governance and strategic direction for the charity; to help ensure the charity remains true to its purpose, and delivers meaningful and lasting impact for the people we serve.
Trustees must have and accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of The Fishermen’s Mission, ensuring effective and efficient administration, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place and holding the Chief Executive to account when necessary.
* Management of Resources. It is a Trustee’s legal duty to responsibly manage the resources and ensure the financial stability and solvency of The Fishermen’s Mission, including the proper investment of its funds.
* Personal conduct. It is a Trustee’s legal duty to act with reasonable care, skill and prudence in all matters relating to The Fishermen’s Mission.
* Conflict of interest. It a Trustee’s legal duty to act in the best interests of The Fishermen’s Mission.
* Minimum age. Trustees must be at least 16 years old.
* Disqualification. You must not act as a trustee if you are disqualified under the Charities Act unless your disqualification has been waived by the Commission.
* Fit and proper persons. All trustees must be ‘fit and proper persons’.
* Disclosure & Barring Service checks. The Fishermen’s Mission will conduct appropriate DBS checks.
* Personal Qualities. Trustees will be committed to the values and goals of the charity including a commitment to equal opportunities and the active promotion of diversity across the charity.
Professional skills. Trustees are expected to provide Council with knowledge, experience and skills from a wide range of areas.
Time
* The Council meets four times a year twice ‘in person’ during the day and usually in London, and twice online.
* One sub-committee meets three times yearly and two others meet twice yearly (sub-committee business is also conducted online).
* The Council also seeks to meet once annually for an in-person ‘away day’ (afternoon session / overnight stay / morning session / disperse).