Volunteer Treasurer with finance management & bookkeeping experience to join board of International Network for the Study of Spirituality

What will you be doing?

The International Network for the Study of Spirituality is seeking a Treasurer to play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth financial running and future strategic development of a network of academics, scholars and practitioners dedicated to developing the study of spirituality through research, education and practice. Established in 2010, INSS is part of a growing global movement seeking to understand the role of spirituality in an increasingly fragmented world, including its implications for health, wellbeing, community relations and peace-keeping. The underlying premise of INSS is that ‘Human beings are essentially spiritual creatures because we are driven by a need to find meaning and value in what we do and experience’. We recognise that many people seek guidance and resolution for such questions within religious traditions and teachings while others prefer to do so within a humanistic framework, often shaped by principles of social justice; and that some may reject the language of spirituality altogether but espouse what might be called ‘spiritual values’ in their lives and work. We also recognise that there are dimensions of spirituality to which predominantly cognitive answers about ‘meaning and value’ cannot easily be found, including the lived-experience of awe and wonder. INSS produces a well-regarded, peer-reviewed, academic journal; hosts a popular biennial international conference; supports special interest groups (currently concerned with Spirituality and the Arts, Education, and Mental Health & Wellbeing); and organises online webinars and symposia, often with like-minded organisations. Following a recent strategic review and a successful conference, INSS is at a pivotal moment in its development. Our longstanding Treasurer will shortly be retiring and we are seeking to replace them as we enter a new period of growth. We are in the process of re-developing our website; and we are intending to expand our membership and to provide enhanced opportunities for networking. The person taking on the role of our next Treasurer will have skills and expertise in bookkeeping and managing and reporting on financial operations in the charitable sector. They will become a vital part of our small friendly Board comprising academics and skilled professionals from a range of different backgrounds, and will contribute to future strategic planning and policy-making.

What are we looking for?

 Experience in dealing with day-to-day financial transactions, including receipts, payments, and transfers; and maintaining accurate records of income/expenditure using appropriate bookkeeping software or spreadsheets. Experience in preparing and presenting accurate financial accounts and ensuring their compliance with charity regulations. Ability to work collaboratively as part of a small Executive team, including in an online environment. Integrity, reliability, ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to monitor financial performance against budgets and to advise on financial implications of strategic decisions. Familiarity with the field of spirituality studies and related areas of research is desirable but not essential; however, commitment to the values and aims of INSS is crucial. 

What difference will you make?

INSS aims to contribute to research in, and the development of, a field of enquiry that makes a difference, both now and in the future. As part of our Executive team you will help to support and shape our future strategic direction. You will help us to consider ways in which to enhance the Network’s visibility; to expand and support our membership through the provision of ongoing opportunities to learn, develop and research in the field of spirituality studies; and to disseminate our work and seek ways in which to encourage consideration of spiritual values in policy-making and professional practices. The Executive team works closely together and shares a number of responsibilities but the Treasurer’s role is pivotal to ensuring our financial stability and long-term success. You will be responsible for overseeing and maintaining the Network’s financial operations, identifying and mitigating risks, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations and reporting requirements. It is a role which will help the Network to grow, develop and contribute to an emerging understanding of the role of spirituality in an increasingly fragmented world, including its implications for health, wellbeing, community relations and peace-keeping.