Trustee

Who is Quaker Social Action? QSA works with people on low incomes to seek solutions to the issues affecting their lives. The services that QSA deliver are varied but all are about building respectful and dignified relationships with people who need support in some way. We address issues around food insecurity especially for asylum seekers, the dearth of support on the streets for people who are homeless, and the financial struggles many people experience when arranging a funeral. As well as these direct services we convene an advocacy group of hundreds of grassroots charities tackling child poverty in London. Some of our services operate in person, in London, some are national and delivered online or through a telephone helpline. Across all services, we seek to share our learning with others, through advocacy, campaigning or training; or by having a voice with policymakers and in the media on issues where we have credibility. QSA was founded in 1867 by Quakers troubled by the social injustices of the time and keen to tackle them. This sense of taking practical action to address societal challenges has stayed with us over our 150-year history, and our organisational values are aligned with Quaker values of equality, truth and peace. QSA is the largest independent Quaker charity and Quakers across the UK support our work –approximately 20% of our £1million+ income comes from Quaker sources. We are proud of our Quaker heritage and our place within the Quaker community, while also clear that our services, jobs and trustee roles are open to all. “The advice and support was beyond beneficial. As a family we were just above the threshold for getting any financial support and at a very difficult time already, money worries was the last thing we needed.” - Down to Earth funeral costs helpline caller. What are we looking for? The Charity Commission defines trustees as "the people who lead the charity and decide how it is run". Therefore, we need new trustees who are: 1. Passionate about the aims of QSA and excited to contribute to our work 2. Empathic and understanding of the issues affecting people living in poverty, and keen to learn more 3. Wanting to make a positive contribution to our commitment to increasing inclusion, including giving voice to those with relevant lived experience 4. Willing to take on this responsibility and committed to learning more about charity governance 5. Able to commit the time needed to be a trustee and to take this responsibility seriously, for an initial term of three years. While previous trustee experience is not necessary, we need trustees who have the confidence to actively contribute to the work of our charity from their appointment date, and who have capacity to engage with the governance task. The trustee task is more than attending meetings: we estimate it represents 1-2 days per month in total, accounting for board preparation, engaging with emails, and taking up opportunities to see the work and meet QSA staff. Some of our trustees are Quakers but most are not, and we warmly welcome applications from people of all faiths or none. We are looking for trustees who will be in sympathy with Quaker values of peace, equality, integrity and simplicity. ​ How do I contribute as a trustee? Trustees meet four times a year. Usually, two of these meetings are in person in London, on an afternoon; the other two are online and in the evening. Each trustee is expected to join one committee: finance & fundraising, governance & nominations or people & wellbeing. These meet quarterly, online, and are arranged to meet the needs of their members. There are also formal and informal opportunities to meet with fellow trustees and with the QSA staff team, including online meetings, away days and special events. We encourage trustees to take advantage of as many of these opportunities as possible. As well as this, trustees contribute by playing an active part in the life of the charity and by being responsive, supportive and committed to the fulfilment of QSA’s charitable purposes. Trustees as a whole are responsible for: · Setting the strategic direction of QSA · The financial oversight of QSA · Ensuring we comply with relevant legislation · Supporting the paid staff of the charity to deliver our mission. Being a trustee for a charity as diverse and energetic as QSA offers an exciting opportunity for people who are passionate about tackling poverty. “I feel the service from these marvellous book fans and their very committed, caring staff are an essential…I use them twice a week every week. Please may they continue.” - Visitor to Turn a Corner library van for people experiencing homelessness. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at QSA QSA has been working hard on equity, diversity and inclusion and see it as a golden thread which runs through our organisation. We are still learning and we invite new trustees to join us on that learning journey. Inclusion is important to us – the arrival of new trustee