Volunteer Trustee Treasurer

What will you be doing?

The Lipman Miliband Trust is a charity whose purpose is to support socialist research and education as well as “educational activities that raise public awareness and understanding of struggles and movements for peace, human rights and a more equal, diverse co-operative and democratic society.” The Trust was established by socialist businessman Michael Lipman in 1974 and academic Ralph Miliband until his death in 1994. We are celebrating fifty years of the Trust’s existence this year – and looking forward to the next 50! Having benefited from a significant increase in resources in recent years we have started on an exciting new phase of our development that has meant increasing staff support and expanding our outreach, fund-raising and grant-giving activities. We are currently a Board of ten trustees and we are now seeking a Trustee Treasurer who shares our values and our belief in the vital importance of socialist education. You will work with our Trust Coordinator as well as external advisors and accountants in helping to manage our finances and investments, and be a member of our Governance and Finance Working Group. As is the case with all charities, our finances are critical to the success of our work so experience or understanding of financial management and accounting would be very welcome. This is a voluntary, unpaid post, but we are happy to pay for appropriate additional training and there will be a lot of support from the Trust Coordinator and other trustees.  Being a Trustee is a significant commitment and responsibility, but it is also hugely rewarding. The role will require you to attend each of our four Trustee meetings a year, and to participate in regular online meetings of the Finance & Governance Working Group. You will be part of strategic decision-making about the Trust, contribute towards the Trust’s governance and take part in decisions about grant awards. We are based in different locations around the country and most of our work is conducted online, however we aim to meet in-person as a Board at least twice a year. To find out more and to arrange an informal chat, please contact us via Reach To apply, please send your CV alongside a cover letter answering the following two questions: ·       Why do you want to be a Trustee with the Lipman-Miliband Trust? ·       Having read the role description, what particular skills can you offer?

What are we looking for?

We are seeking a Trustee Treasurer who shares our values and our belief in the vital importance of socialist education. The ideal candidate have experience of financial management, either through working in finance or being responsible for the finances of an organisation or large project.  The Trust is a small and friendly organisation, with an emphasis on teamwork. While the Trust has a part-time paid Coordinator, much of the management of the Trust is carried out by Trustees, so it is important that all Trustees are engaged and willing to get stuck in with the Trust's internal development as well as its grant-making work.  

What difference will you make?

In this role, you will help support a range of socialist education projects across the UK including publications, videos, podcasts, arts events, conferences, courses, research, archiving and theatre productions. These are often small projects that do not fit the remit of other funders and/or may be testing out a new project. The Trust has funded a broad range of projects, many of which have gone on to become long-term, impactful organisations or networks.