Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive is looking for new Directors to join our Board!

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the organisation, including when it becomes a formally registered charity. They work to ensure that Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. 

What you’ll be doing:

• Support and provide advice on the organisation’s purpose, vision, goals and activities. 
• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee the organisation’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress. 
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Review and approve the organisation’s financial statements.
• Provide support and challenge to the staff team in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
• Keep abreast of changes in the organisation’s operating environment, and support the organisation as it transitions to charitable status and seeks a diversity of funding opportunities.
• Contribute to regular reviews of the organisation’s own governance. 
• Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
• Use independent judgement, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect the organisation’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third party interests.
• Contribute to the broader promotion of the organisation’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

As a small organisation transitioning to charitable status, there is an expectation that trustees are actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise. In particular, we are looking for new trustees to become actively involved in and lead established Board subcommittees working on policy, governance and risk; people and HR issues; finance; and fundraising.

What we’re looking for:

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board. Experience of governance would be helpful but not essential, as we have material to support new members in their induction.

Skills and experience in the following areas would be particularly welcome:

• Organisational strategy
• People and Human Resources
• Financial Management
• Fundraising
• IT & Web design
• Arts and Culture

Personal skills and qualities sought include:

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as  trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion. 
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.
• Willingness to lead according to our values.
• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Terms of appointment

• Once appointed, Trustees would be expected to remain in the role for 3 years, with the option to seek election through governance processes should they wish.

Time commitment

• Board meetings are currently monthly or every other month, although we expect the rhythm of meetings to shift as our subcommittee system (which meets on an as required basis) beds in, and we make progress on securing charitable status and fundraising. We would like to have an annual strategy half day. Meetings are a mix of virtual and occasional in person at the organisation’s base (Edinburgh Palette).

Interested?

• Please provide an expression of your interest along with a copy of your CV, to directors@lavendermenace.org.uk by Monday 7 July.  A panel of Board members will consider notes of interest and get in contact with those candidates who best match what we’re looking for.