Volunteer Poltimore House Trust Secretary

What will you be doing?

OVERVIEW Poltimore House Trust is a registered charity dedicated to the restoration of an historic mansion just outside Exeter as a resource for the arts, business, communities and wellbeing. A new Board has been recruited over the last two years, bringing a wide range of professional expertise and experience to the Trust. Its turnover in 2022-3 was modest, but the Board has ambitious plans to increase the pace of restoration and will launch a major fundraising campaign in 2024 with support from Historic England. The Trust has also established a spin-off business, Poltimore House (Branches Café) Limited to generate income through visitor hospitality and venue hire. We are seeking a Trust Secretary with appropriate experience to join our Board as soon as possible. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Trust at a key moment in the restoration of Poltimore’s historic House and Grounds. The post is not remunerated but Trustees enjoy free admission to on-site events and discounts at our Café.

What are we looking for?

The ideal candidate will bring:

Knowledge and experience of governance relevant to charities. Good organisational skills. The ability to communicate clearly. A strong commitment to the Trust’s mission and purpose. Willingness to commit an average of 3 – 4 hours per week including monthly Board or Committee meetings.

Poltimore House Trust aims to creative a positive and nurturing environment for all our volunteers, and is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. We welcome everyone from our community as a volunteer and will not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, disability or impairment, age, race, creed, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, trade union activity, HIV or marital status, religion or belief, or similar bases.

What difference will you make?

We are seeking a Trust Secretary with the skills required to deliver the duties and tasks outlined below, and to act as a full member of our Board as it works towards an ambitious plan for the restoration of Poltimore House & Grounds.

To work with the Chair of the Trustees to ensure proper governance of the Trust. To ensure that Trustee meetings are properly administered. To ensure other meetings, such as the AGM, and events are properly administered. To ensure membership records are kept up-to-date. To monitor Trustee action points. To provide positive support and encouragement for Trustees in carrying out their work for the Trust. To inform the Chair and/or Trustees when any action or inaction by the Trust or any individual Trustee is in danger of being contrary to the objects of the Trust or any part of the governing instruments or the Trustees’ Code of Conduct. To organise the induction of new Trustees and any relevant training for Trustees.