Trustees - Volunteer

Overview

The Fishermen's Mission is the only charity solely dedicated to supporting fishermen and their families (both active and retired) in the UK. Working closely with our maritime partners, our aim is to relieve despair or deprivation. We seek around 5 new trustees to support our mission.

Commercial fishing remains the most dangerous occupation in the British Isles. The Fishermen’s Mission provides emergency support alongside practical, financial, spiritual and emotional care for fishermen, active or retired, and their families. As a trustee, your passion will help support those in one of the UK s traditional industries.

The Board of Trustees (The Council) consists of up to 15 Trustees. Today there are 10 Trustees with a variety of backgrounds and skills, and we are seeking around 5 new Trustees. We are keen to increase board diversity and welcome individuals from differing walks of life, each with unique life experiences, to help direct and focus the charity s delivery of vital provision in fishing communities.

In particular we welcome interest from

• Ordained Christian Ministers from Churches Together in Britain, able to support our ecumenical basis and promote collaboration, mission, and social justice.
• Commercial fishermen (and family members)
• Experienced healthcare managers
• Leaders in business
• Those with a legal background (especially in employment law); human resources; charity governance; marketing and public relations

New trustees will share collective responsibility for governance and strategic direction, helping ensure the charity remains true to its purpose and delivers meaningful and lasting impact for the people we serve. Trustees must have and accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of The Fishermen’s Mission, ensuring effective and efficient administration, including appropriate policies and procedures, and holding the Chief Executive to account when necessary.

• Management of Resources:
  It is a Trustee’s legal duty to responsibly manage the resources and ensure financial stability and solvency, including proper investment of funds.
• Personal conduct:
  Act with reasonable care, skill and prudence in all matters relating to The Fishermen’s Mission.
• Conflict of interest:
  Act in the best interests of The Fishermen’s Mission.
• Minimum age:
  Trustees must be at least 16 years old.
• Disqualification:
  You must not act as a trustee if you are disqualified under the Charities Act unless disqualification has been waived by the Commission.
• Fit and proper persons:
  All trustees must be ‘fit and proper persons’.
• Disclosure & Barring Service checks:
  The Fishermen’s Mission will conduct appropriate DBS checks.
• Personal Qualities:
  Trustees will be committed to the values and goals of the charity, including commitment to equal opportunities and active promotion of diversity.

Professional skills. Trustees are expected to provide the Council with knowledge, experience and skills from a wide range of areas.

• The Council meets four times a year, twice in person (during the day and usually in London) and twice online.
• One sub-committee meets three times yearly and two others meet twice yearly (sub-committee work is also conducted online).
• The Council also seeks to meet once annually for an in-person away day (afternoon session / overnight stay / morning session).