Volunteer Board Member with HR Experience for Community Magazine in Glasgow

What will you be doing?

Greater Govanhill community magazine was launched in 2020. As a magazine, we aim to provide a platform for typically marginalised voices, break down cultural barriers and bring people together. It has grown steadily from having no funding and no staff when we launched to now having a team of 5 people (though not all are full time).  We are looking for an enthusiastic, community-minded person to join its board, who can help our award-winning and ambitious team continue its exciting work. We are particularly looking for someone who can provide guidance and be a sounding board on all things HR.  What is Greater Govanhill? Greater Govanhill is a not-for-profit community magazine, registered as a community interest company. . Our voluntary contributors come from all walks of life and provide news, imagery and inspiration for our quarterly, free magazine and website. Our magazine has been running since 2020 and recently moved to a new community newsroom in the heart of Govanhill. We recently opened our Community Newsroom, and collaborative co-working space right in the heart of the neighbourhood. What do we expect from you? Our board meets every three months to help our founding editor work through priorities  challenges and strategy. Board members help with everything from setting up events, recruitment, filling out applications and acting as a sounding board for new ideas and plans. Meetings are usually held in person and in the evening.

What are we looking for?

On our board currently we have people with experience in various skills including: magazine development; audience engagement; project management; social enterprise start-up; strategic development; business development; finances; risk management; procurement; policy; volunteer management; safeguarding; equalities and inclusion. However we have identified a key gap in the area of HR. As the team continues to grow, this is something we're keen to rectify. So we're looking for someone with HR experience that can help us to develop best practice policies and procedures and take a lead on this in our organisation. This may also involve being a key contact for staff if they have any concerns, and providing a sounding board and advice to our manager as and when is needed.  We're looking for someone whose values align with our own, and who put people - and their rights - over profit.  Ideally applicants would have a connection to Govanhill or the Southside of Glasgow. We are especially keen to hear from people from groups typically under-represented on boards. 

What difference will you make?

Board members help to provide strategic direction, set organisational aims and ensure that the organisation remains true to its purpose.The directors are also responsible for ensuring that the company meets its statutory and other obligations. As our team grows, we are keen to ensure we are taking care of staff and abiding by best practice when it comes to HR. This is a skill that is currently lacking on our board and team so this would make a big difference.