Heads Together, the parent organisation of Chapel FM Arts Centre, East Leeds FM radio (ELFM), UNION and other projects, is recruiting for three new trustees to join the organisation’s board and support our continued growth, strategy and governance at an exciting and pivotal point as we prepare to expand our venue.

Previous trustee experience is not required. We welcome applications from people with a range of backgrounds, expertise and skills.

These are unpaid, volunteer positions with important oversight of our organisation.

Details on how to apply to become a Trustee are at the end of this document. We are seeking applications by December 16, 2019.

Heads Together is a non-profit community arts organization based in Seacroft, East Leeds, that exists to help improve the quality of life for disadvantaged groups, communities and individuals.

We provide a range of activities and opportunities at our Chapel FM Arts Centre, East Leeds’ first and only arts centre, to engage children, young people and adults in creative ways to tackle the barriers and disadvantages they face, including:

  • skills training for young people through our Next Generation and Arts Awards programmes, and for adults through our Have A Go and Find Your Frequency programmes
  • extensive schools work
  • community broadcasting through ELFM
  • live music, spoken word and journalism programmes
  • performances, exhibitions, film screenings
  • major arts festivals such as our annual Writing on Air, Musicathon and others
  • outdoorcommunity events
  • partnerships with many other arts and community organisations in Leeds and beyond

By joining as a Trustee you would have the opportunity to help shape our organization and our role in the community, make key decisions as we expand (we recently purchased the adjacent building and will be opening a renovated venue in the autumn of 2020) and work with a remarkable collection of committed people.

 

COMPANY STRUCTURE

Heads Together Productions Ltd. is a company limited by guarantee, registered company no. 032623974.We are currently in the process of registering the organisation with the Charity Commission and our charitable objects are:

  • advancing the development and education of individuals in the arts, and thereby supporting them to develop professional and life skills, in particular but not exclusively by designing and delivering creative programs of work for individuals and communities in the fields of print, photography, film, video, music, theatre, dance, radio and multimedia technologies;
  • encouraging and promoting equality, diversity, empowerment and inclusion in society through the arts;
  • advancing the development of young people through the arts;
  • advancing education, in particular vocational education and
    training in radio broadcasting and media skills techniques; and
  • promoting for the benefit of the inhabitants of East Leeds, and the surrounding area the provision of a community radio and community space as a recreational facility for individuals who have need of such a facility by reason of their youth, age infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants.

Heads Together is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation and additional existing stakeholders include Leeds City Council, Tudor Trust, IGEN Trust, Youth Music, The National Lottery Community Fund, Leeds Music Education Partnership and Paul Hamlyn Foundation amongst others.

As an organisation we are highly collaborative and work with partners and stakeholders on all projects. We have a staff of seven, work with dozens of freelancer artists and teachers, hundreds of guest artists, have 18,000+ visitors a year and 150,000+ listens and views through our digital programmes.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Trustees do have overarching responsibility for compliance with the charity’s legal and financial responsibilities, providing public benefit in line with its charitable objects, managing resources and accountability to act in Heads Together’s best interests at all times.

Ideally, we are looking for candidates who can:

  • offer guidance and expertise on strategy and its implementation, and fundraising
  • in time act as an inspirational advocate for Heads Together with potential partners, donors, sponsors and supporters
  • help ensure that the organisation complies with its governing documents, charity law, company law and other relevant legislation and regulations
  • help act as a ‘critical friend’, offering both support and constructive challenge

Previous experience of board membership is not required as induction and appropriate training will be provided.

We are committed to supporting young applicants who are interested in their first trusteeship.

As a trustee, you will be placed on the public register with Companies House as a director of the company and listed as a trustee of the charity with the Charity Commission. Board members are volunteers and the role is unpaid.

Some additional time will be required to devote to preparation for meetings, and attending events including four annual board meetings.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Ideally, we are seeking individuals with experience in the following areas (although we are open to a wide variety of skills and backgrounds):

  • Financial management/accounting
  • Marketing and PR
  • Community arts – fundraising and promotion of arts programmes

There are no age or residency requirements although a connection to and/or interest in the communities of East Leeds is desired.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

More information on becoming a Trustee and responsibilities can be found at; https://www.gov.uk/topic/running-charity/trustee-role-board

More information on Heads Together can be found at https://www.chapelfm.co.uk/

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send us a cover letter detailing why you are interested in applying and how your skills and experience are relevant to the role and a CV to info@chapelfm.co.uk by 12 noon on December 16, 2019. Interviews are planned during January 2020.

For more information about the role, please contact tony@headstogther.org

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