Volunteering

As a Trustee your role is to ensure that the Charity fulfils its duty to its beneficiaries through its charitable activities and delivers on our vision, mission and values

Now-u is a non-profit website and app, launched in July 2020 with a mission to inform, involve and inspire people to help tackle some of the world’s most pressing environmental and social problems related to i) human rights and welfare, ii) protecting the world around us, and iii) preserving our species and the planet.

Some of our past campaigns:

• Promoting Zero Waste
• Tackling modern slavery across the globe
• Improving disability equality in the UK
• improving mental health in the UK
• supporting people facing homelessness in the UK

Through promotion we also engage with users of our app and website. By giving people actionable opportunities to help further the cause of our chosen campaigns (i.e. donating to certain charities, writing to your local MP, links to sign petitions), we work to create an engaging space whereby anyone can help contribute and tackle some of the challenges we face today.

How we create a campaign:

• The team looks at what issues would be best to tackle for a particular month
• It considers multiple factors: Recent developments impacting charitable causes, public and media attention, upcoming parliamentary debates and more
• We prepare a proposal for the campaign, gathering info, learning materials and suggested actions to complete
• We then reach out to charities and social enterprises to work with us
• They suggest improvements, and propose actions to support their work
• We prepare all these materials to be presented in accessible and engaging ways on the app
• We use other supporting materials like campaign videos, blog articles and social media

Your role as a Trustee

• Participating in one or more Board sub groups as required
• Ensuring that the organisation pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy
• Ensuring that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects (ie the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, however worthwhile or charitable those activities are) for the benefit of the public
• Ensuring that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
• Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation
• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place (where it has not been delegated to a member of staff)
• Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation
• Ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds
• Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the chief executive (if the charity employs staff)
• In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Person specification

Experience

• Some experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees – desirable not essential
• Experience of managing stakeholders

Knowledge and skills

Knowledge or experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Legal (particularly charity law and/or contract law)
• Fundraising
• Charity governance
• Education/charity outreach
• Technical development
• Marketing and digital strategy
• Partnerships & business development

In addition to the person specification for a trustee, you should have the following qualities.

• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship.
• Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to the charity, its  strategic objectives and cause
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy, listen and engage effectively with others
• Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment
• Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours
• Able to exercise independent judgement and take reasonable care, skill and diligence in their role on the Board.
• A track record of commitment to promoting equality and diversity

This is an opportunity to provide really important support to a new project that we hope could really make a positive difference in the world. You would also become part of a small friendly volunteer team who would love to work collaboratively on any other ideas you may have regarding the app.

We look forward to hearing from you!