Volunteer Finance professional to join board of Women's Charity as Treasurer

What will you be doing?

York Women’s Counselling Service is an organisation which is run by women* for women and our mission is to provide high-quality counselling for women experiencing problems as a result of emotional stress or trauma, when they need it, for as long as they need it and regardless of their ability to pay.   We’re reaching out to women across York with financial expertise to invite applications to join our friendly and active Board of Trustees as our Treasurer. We are looking for someone with the skills, experience, energy and time to commit to our important work. Through a combination of strategic insight and support for our staff team, you can help us further build our financial resilience and good governance so that more women can receive the support that they need and deserve. YWCS is a small and friendly charity and our work is guided by our core values and our commitment to promoting wellbeing and a positive organisational culture.  We are committed to the professional development of our trustees. You will be given a full induction and encouraged to take up training opportunities that benefit you and the YWCS. In February 2024 YWCS changed its charitable status from Charitable Trust to Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Charity number 1207150. The Trustees of a CIO benefit from limited liability, which means their personal liability is limited to the amount that they’ve invested in the CIO.  They can be confident that they won’t be personally liable for the CIO’s debts and obligations. In addition, to ensure that any risks are further minimised, YWCS has indemnity insurance cover for Directors and Trustees. This insurance aligns to our values, which aim to ensure that no-one is disadvantaged by volunteering with YWCS.  *It is an important part of our ethos that we offer a secure women-only environment where counselling is provided by women therapists in a service overseen by dedicated trustees who are also women. Sex and gender are key to the way we experience life and the difficulties we face. For women who have experienced trauma through sexual or domestic abuse or through physical violence a women-only service provides a protected space in which they can feel physically and emotionally safe. For some women who come to us their specific gender, religious or cultural needs can only be met in a women-only service.

What are we looking for?

Professional, enthusiastic, dependable, conscientious 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 Alignment with the values of York Women's Counselling Service

What difference will you make?

As a key member of our board you will help to ensure the continued and growing success of York Women’s Counselling Service.  By contributing your time, skills and experience, you will help us create new opportunities to expand our work, reaching more women in need and offering an evermore effective service in our local community. As Treasurer you will have a real opportunity to offer your unique skill set to help the strategic progression of YWCS.