Member of the Board of Directors

Job description

Transform Community Development is a Dundee based charity provides a variety of services that supporting the development of stronger communities, through strength-based work in several areas. 

Transform Community Development was established in 1971, as Dundee Cyrenians, operating a night shelter on West Bell Street, Dundee. It offers shelter on a nightly basis for men and women who had few accommodation options.

In the fifty plus year since then the organisation has moved on and is unrecognisable from those early days. We have also attempted to be at the forefront of best practice when in offering support to those who are homeless, threatened with homelessness and have complex needs. 

This tradition has continued with the move from the provision of temporary accommodation to the innovative housing first programme. The closure of Jessie Devlin Close (2020) and Sugarhouse Wynd (2023) has provided opportunities that would have seem unimaginable in 1971. 

The organisation has also developed programmes that directly benefit our participants and also the wider community. As well as offering surplus food through FareShare Tayside & Fife and good quality furniture through Transform Furniture, we offer volunteering opportunities to the whole community.

Main purpose of this role

The Board of Directors are there to lead, control and supervise the organisation’s activities. It’s the part of the organisation with formal power and responsibility, which are detailed in the governing document, and backed up by law. If things go wrong, it’s the trustees that will be called to account. They need to be aware of this and act in the best interests of the organisation and its beneficiaries, following all requirements of law and regulation. This is sometimes referred to as the need for ‘due diligence’.

To enable the organisation to meet its aims, trustees should perform the following functions:

• Set and maintain the vision, mission and values of the organisation.
• Develop direction, strategy and planning.
• Ensure the organisation has the structure and resources for its work.
• Establish policies and procedures to govern organisational activity, including guidance for the board, volunteers and staff.
• Establish systems for reporting and monitoring.
• Manage risk and ensure compliance and accountability with the governing document, external regulators and the law.
• Make certain that the financial affairs of the organisation are conducted properly and are accurately reported.

Expectation of each individual board member

• Know the organisation’s mission, policies, programs, and needs as well as understand its collective purpose.
• Read and understand the organisation’s financial statements and board materials in advance of meetings.
• Serve as active advocates and ambassadors for the organisation.
• Engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for the organisation to advance its mission.
• Develop connections, networks, and resources to develop collective action to achieve the organisation’s mission.
• Prepare for, attend, and participate in board meetings.
• Engage in learning opportunities to better understand the community we serve and stakeholders.
• Respect the experiences of all who bring their voices and lived experiences into the boardroom and the organisation.

Other responsibilities of board members

• Uphold the legal duties and laws regarding charity governance.
• Follow the organisation’s policies, and collective responsibilities of the Board decisions.
• Sign an annual conflict-of-interest disclosure and update it during the year, if necessary, as well as disclose potential conflicts before meetings and actual conflicts during meetings
• Maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of the organisation.

We would particularly welcome applicants from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented within our organisation.

These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ people, and women

Experience requirements

No previous experience required.

Educational Qualifications

No specific educational requirement needed.

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