Endometriosis UK (Formerly Known As the National Endometriosis Society) Is a UK Based Charity

Endometriosis UK is a UK based charity devoted exclusively to:

 Providing support to women with endometriosis and their families and friends  Providing clear, objective information about the condition and its treatments  Raising awareness amongst health professionals and the general public about the condition  Raising funds for research.

Job description for Trustees

The responsibilities of a Trustee are:

 To ensure that Endometriosis UK (the charity) complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulation;  To ensure that the charity pursues its charitable objects as defined in its governing document;  To ensure that the charity applies its resources exclusively in furtherance of its objects, i.e. the charity must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are;  To contribute actively to the board of trustees’ role of giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets;  To safeguard the good name and values of the charity;  To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity;  To ensure the financial stability of the charity;  To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds;  To contribute to the appointment, where applicable, and on going support of the Chief Executive and monitor his or her performance.

In addition to the statutory duties of all trustees, each trustee should use any specific knowledge or experience he or she may have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This will involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues and providing advice and guidance requested by the board on new initiatives or other issues relevant to the area of the charity’s work in which the trustee has special expertise.

Term of Office:

In principle each trustee should only stand for a period of three years in the first instance with an option of standing for re-election for a further three year term. All trustees must then have a compulsory one year break before standing for re-election. However, the charity must have a minimum of three trustees at any one time. Trustees may be co-opted at any time to support the current board but must submit themselves for official election at the time of the next AGM following their appointment. Trustees must be members of the charity.

Board meetings:

These are held at least four times a year and may take place in person or electronically. Each meeting usually lasts for 2 – 4 hours. During the year, it is normal for the full Board to hold a Strategy Planning Away-Day. All trustees are also expected to attend the AGM of the Endometriosis UK Suite 1 & 2, Manchester Street, London W1U 7LS Registered Charity no. 1035810 Company limited by guarantee no. 2912853. Registered in England and Wales. Registered Address – 8/9 Well Court, London EC4M 9DN charity and where possible the other training or fundraising events held on occasion throughout the year.

Expenses:

Trustees may claim for reasonable travel expenses

The current Board members are:

Trevor Dahl - Chair Carol Pearson – Treasurer Sonya Timms Ertan Saridogan Jayne Tullett

Accountable to:

As the Board is responsible and liable for the governance and proper functioning of the charity, the Trustees are accountable in varying degrees to a variety of stakeholders. The prime accountability is to members, but there is also a wider accountability to others including other service users, volunteers, partner organisations, donors and supporters, staff and regulators.

Person Specification

 Strategic vision and the ability to turn it into reality  Commitment to the organisation, its mission, vision and values  Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort  Good, independent judgment  Ability to think creatively and imaginatively  Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship  Ability to read, understand and identify key points in a range of documents including committee papers, accounts and complex reports  Commitment to work effectively as a member of a team  Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership)  Experience of committee work  Consensus building skills  Tact, diplomacy and confidentiality  Good communication and interpersonal skills  Specialist ability in one or more of the areas in the overall skill set required by the Board (see below).

It is important that those who are not already associated with Endometriosis UK are prepared to acquire knowledge of the type of work undertaken by the organisation. In addition it is desirable for Trustees to have or develop a wider involvement within the voluntary sector and other relevant networks. Skill Set Required By Endometriosis UK Trustee Board In addition to those skills and abilities identified above, the Board needs to include specialist skills in a number of key areas. They are:

1. Management 2. Communications and Information Technology with particular emphasis on awareness raising 3. Income Generation/Fundraising 4. Sales/Marketing 5. Training 6. Human Resources (including employment law knowledge) 7. Female Health (especially endometriosis, fertility, pain management) 8. Legal 9. Volunteering 10. Health policy/political campaigning.

One Trustee may have the required skills in more than one area but the overall membership of the Board needs to provide the necessary skills in all these areas. Trustee Job Description - Addendum

The specific requirements in the areas of specialist skills listed in the job description are summarised below in greater detail.

1. Finance and Planning The main requirements for this area are listed in the job description for Treasurer

2. Management Whist general management experience is sought, experience of successfully managing change in a voluntary organisation (small or otherwise) would be particularly valuable, particularly if it has involved a co-operative working style and consensus-building approach.

3. Communications and Information Technology The effectiveness of our ability to provide information and deliver our service is increasingly reliant on our ability to exploit the opportunities offered by modern technology. An understanding of where the technology is going and the opportunities it presents would be particularly useful. If this were supplemented by experience in the translation of opportunity into practical, on the ground benefits, that would be even better. Awareness raising, amongst women, the general public and health care professionals lies at the core of the organisation, so experience of this area, particularly what can be done with very limited budgets, would be welcome.

4. Income generation/fundraising One of the key factors in our ability to provide an accessible and effective service is our ability to raise income. One of our key challenges is to significantly increase our funding base in order that we can expand our service delivery, and ideally expand into funding medical research. The Trustee Board would therefore benefit from skills and experience in the raising of money for voluntary organisations, whether that is through normal fundraising practice or through the generation of income by other means (such as selling services or trading). Income generation in the context of a less popular cause would also be very helpful experience.

5. Sales and marketing The sales element is perhaps most relevant in relation to the income generation challenges referred to under 4. above. In addition, however, we face a major challenge in relation to marketing ourselves. At the simplest level, this could be awareness of our services but at the broader level, our ability to attract potential members and to influence public attitudes and policy is significantly affected by our marketing. Experience in marketing aimed at encouraging access to services and/or influencing policy or public attitudes would therefore have a particular relevance.

6. Training A significant part of the role of Endometriosis UK is the development and support of training of volunteers and for volunteers. In the future, there may be more emphasis on taking advantage of new technology to deliver training as effectively as possible together with a broadening so that a wider range or areas are covered more fully (these might include for example new services and leadership development). Given this agenda, skills and experience in these aspects of training and development in particular would be a great asset.

7. Human Resources Although only a small organisation, Endometriosis UK needs to be confident in its HR position. In addition, there is an increasing tendency for organisations involving volunteers to seek to employ the best HR practices in those areas too. Skills and experience in developing the effectiveness of relevant HR practices would be of crucial importance, especially if gained in organisations working with volunteers.

8. Female Health Endometriosis UK exists to improve the lives of women living with endometriosis via the provision of support and information, and also to fund or promote research into the area. It is vital that the trustees always include a number of patient representatives, and health care professionals with specialist knowledge relating to endometriosis. It is preferable that a broad range of medical expertise is represented, to avoid any perception that the organisation is overly aligned with any particular speciality, profession or ’special interest’ group.

9. Legal Endometriosis UK experiences a very wide range of issues and employs legal firms to help as and when required. The type of skill that would be particularly useful in a trustee would be an excellent overall/general legal knowledge such that they are able to alert the Board to emerging issues and ensure that we are taking the necessary steps and professional advice to manage risks on a cost-effective basis.

10. Volunteering Given that Endometriosis UK relies on volunteers for a considerable part of its service provision, this is a key area. The world of volunteering is developing fast and it is becoming increasingly challenging to ensure the right mix of volunteers with the necessary skills and experience is available to maintain and grow our service. A trustee who has experience in volunteer service delivery and the broader field of volunteering generally (preferably on a broad scale) would be particularly helpful to have as a member of the Board.