Callout: Board Secretary

The Strike A Light board requires someone in the official capacity of secretary.

Check out our 2022 lookback to get a taste of our work

The role of secretary is a great fit for anyone interested in setting up their own organisation, or undertaking a paid role within a board or charity. It would suit someone with strong admin skills.

Because we are able to offer a fee for this role in particular, we’d love for it to be filled by an artist or creative freelancer (though that’s not obligatory, of course). We want more artists as part of our board decision making – but we know how hard it is for artists to volunteer unpaid time. This role gives us a chance to solve that problem!

Role description

Charity Law

• The Secretary is usually the Charity Commission Correspondent
• Updating the record of Trustee appointments
• Liaising with the Commission on any proposed constitutional changes
• Submitting Annual Report and annual return by the due dates

Quarterly Board Meetings (including AGM)

• Prepare the agenda with the Executive Director and Co-Chairs
• Circulate the agenda and any other papers
• Check that meetings are quorate
• Take minutes (see below)
• Type up and circulate minutes as soon as possible after the meeting

Admin

• Other meetings between board and SAL staff team if and when required on an extraordinary basis
• Assist with away day planning and logistics
• Support board subgroup meetings and discussions

Guidance Note on Minutes

Minutes should include:

• Name of the organisation
• What type of meeting (e.g. board meeting, AGM or sub-committee)
• Date, time and venue
• List of board members present and other people in attendance, such as staff
• Apologies for absence
• Confirmation that the previous meeting minutes are a true record
• Matters arising from the previous meetings minutes
• Separate minute for each item discussed
• Date, time and venue of next meeting

Application process

Key dates and info

• Application deadline: Wednesday 15 April 2024
• Interviews: Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th (TBC)
• Start date: ASAP
• Contract terms: 10 days per year at £165 per day. Any expenses to attend meetings in person will be covered by Strike a Light.

How to apply

If you'd like to apply, we just want to hear 2 things from you:

1. a bit about who you are and what experience you have (this doesn't have to be paid employment!). What are some interesting things you've done in your life?
2. a quick explanation of why you're applying for the role. What makes this sound interesting to you?

You can send these to us in whatever format is easiest or preferable for you: you can put together a CV and a written cover letter; you can share your LinkedIn page and a voice note saying why you're interested in the role; you can make a short video or audio recording telling us a bit about you and send us the link – whatever you feel happiest with.

Please send to generalmanager@strikealightfestival.org.uk

If you meet the basic criteria, we will arrange a conversation with a member of the Executive Team and a current board member. We will do this at a time which works around your commitments.

If we’re all happy, you'll then be invited to observe a board meeting. If you'd like to formally join as a board member after that meeting you'll be voted in. You will also have an induction with the Executive Director to introduce you to the organisation.

We are particularly interested in applications from Global Majority, Working Class, d/Disabled or LGBTQ+ people as these are currently underrepresented groups in our workforce.

» Apply now