Volunteer PlantNetwork Co-Treasurer

What will you be doing?

In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, the duties of the Co-Treasurer include the following:

Overseeing, approving and presenting budgets, accounts and financial statements  Being assured that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs  Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate reserves policy  Preparing and presenting financial reports to the board  Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place  Liaising with any paid staff and volunteers about financial matters  Advising on the financial implications of the organisation’s strategic plans  Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate investment policy  Ensuring that there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims and objects of the charity  Monitoring the organisation’s investment activity and ensuring it is consistent with the organisation’s policies and legal responsibilities  Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and the relevant statutory bodies, for example, the Charity Commission and/or the Registrar of Companies If external scrutiny of accounts is required, ensuring that the accounts are scrutinised in the manner required (independent examination or audit) and any recommendations are implemented  Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities  Contributing to the fundraising strategy of the organisation  Making a formal presentation of the accounts at the annual general meeting and drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way

Who would be your regular contact?

Chair/s of PlantNetwork PlantNetwork Manager

Where would you carry this out? Home-based, with some travel, depending on role.

What are we looking for?

Financial qualifications and experience  Some experience of charity finance, fundraising and pension schemes  The skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences  Being prepared to make unpopular recommendations to the board  A willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis Energy and enthusiasm. The ability to cultivate consensus in a diverse team

There is no set term of office for a trustee. Under the terms of our M & A, one third of trustees retire at each Annual General Meeting, and are able at that time to stand for re-election. This effectively gives a ‘term’ of three years. There are four online board meetings per year (approximately 2 hours each), one Annual General Meeting, (approximately one hour), and an in-person Awayday (approximately 6 hours). Your attendance at meetings is expected, as is the time needed to read the relevant paperwork and do any other preparation. This should be agreed with your employer before committing PlantNetwork.

What difference will you make?

See role description for full details Statutory duties Ensure that PlantNetwork is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit You and your co-trustees must make sure that PlantNetwork is carrying out the purposes for which it is set up, and no other purpose.  This means you should:

ensure you understand the charity’s purposes as set out in the M & A plan what your charity will do, and what you want it to achieve be able to explain how all of the charity’s activities are intended to further or support its purposes understand how the charity benefits the public by carrying out its purposes

Act in PlantNetwork’s best interests Manage PlantNetwork’s resources responsibly Act with reasonable care and skill Ensure your charity is accountable