Student Trustees - Volunteer Role

We are pleased to be recruiting for three Student Trustee positions with an expected start date of September/October. These posts are not remunerated and are voluntary and unpaid positions.

About Us
We take great pride in being a dynamic charity that seriously takes its mission - “to be student led, creative and innovative in supporting and being the voice of all students, maximising opportunities and giving more for membership, making student life exciting whilst being a positive part of our community and world around us”.

As a student-led membership organisation, the Union must always be responsive to its members. As a charity, the Union needs to comply with Charity Law and work with Charity Commission; and as a trading organisation we must ensure that our financial health and procedures are sound, our practices are ethical and we are a good employer.

Trustees are central and essential to effectiveness of the Students’ Union. The trustee board consists of Full Time Officer Trustees (six trustees), Co-opted Trustees (three trustees) and Student Trustees (three trustees) who operate and exercise their powers as outlined in the Articles of Association. The trustees are supported with a strong induction and training programme put in place by the Union and the University so as to guide them in the fulfilment of their duties as student leaders, trustees and governors.

As a Trustee, you will have the ultimate legal responsibility for keeping the charity solvent, focused on its stated objectives, for directing its strategy and ensuring it stays within the law.

Appointment Process

In line with our governing documents, available here on our website- Governance, Student Trustees are appointed with the following conditions:

1. Each Student Trustee must be a Student and a Student Member of the Union at the time of their appointment and for the duration of their term as a Student Trustee.
2. Student Trustees shall remain in office for a term of two years commencing in accordance with the Schedules. The term of office may be shorter or longer on a transitional basis to coincide with the alteration of the year start or end and the end of their student status.
3. A Student Trustee may serve a maximum of two terms which may either be consecutive or non-consecutive.

Expected Time Commitment

The expected time commitment for this post is approximately 5-7 hours per month. All Trustees attend the 4 Board meetings per year besides attending the People & Culture, Finance & Strategy, Audit & Risk, H&S and Sustainability Committee meetings. They may also be expected to chair the appeal panels as per SUSU’s Disciplinary Procedures and occasionally represent in other local fora.

Training and Development

SUSU is committed to comprehensive induction and continued professional development through training sessions to support its Trustees.

What are we looking for?

Student trustees are important to the Trustee Board because they combine knowledge of a student experience at Swansea University without the same conflicts of responsibilities that our elected Full Time Officers may have. Student Trustees when making decisions will be asked to think about what is in the best interests of the charity and our members, the students of Swansea University.

Eligibility

Below are lists of circumstances which may prevent you from becoming a trustee

You are not allowed to be a trustee if you:

• Are under 18 years of age
• Have been convicted at any time of any offence involving deception or dishonesty, unless the conviction is legally regarded as spent
• Are an undischarged bankrupt
• Have made compositions with your creditors and have not been discharged
• Have failed to make payments under the County Court Administrators’ orders
• Have at any time been removed by the Commissioners or by the Court in England, Wales or Scotland from being a trustee because of misconduct
• Are disqualified from being a company director

Interested and want more information?

Please contact us at hr@swansea-union.co.uk for more information and to request a Student Trustee Information Pack