Volunteer Board Chair
Role: Chair of Board of Directors
Salary: Unpaid (but reasonable expenses will be covered)
Location: Hybrid – online and in-person at York Place, Edinburgh
We are seeking a suitably skilled and motivated person to join our Board of Trustees as Chair in an exciting and challenging period.
Along with many organisations, Bright Light is having to adapt and change post-pandemic and in light of financial challenges, but we have ambitious plans to continue delivering an excellent service to people in need of counselling across the Lothians.
About us
Bright Light provides counselling support for families, children, and young people in both family and individual sessions. Our focus is supporting the positive mental health of the individual in relationship to others - family members, friends, people they encounter including professionals, their communities and with themselves.
Established in 1948, our services have developed and evolved considerably over the years. We recently launched our updated values and 2023-2026 Strategic Plan which provides the blueprint for our focus and development over the next three years.
About the role
You will provide a constructive and supportive role in furthering the values and objectives of Bright Light and lead the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities in good governance. This includes leading the Board in developing strategy, monitoring quality and supporting the effective, and sustainable, delivery of counselling services across the Lothians. You will work closely with the CEO and wider staff team as well as being part of the Relationships Scotland network.
Each year the Board usually meets as follows:
4 x Board Meetings. 2½ hours on a weekday evening in February, May, August and November. These alternate between online and in-person meetings, with the in-person meetings usually followed by a meal out.
1 x Annual General Meeting. Hybrid meeting allowing both online and in-person attendance. Timings and dates differ each year. The last one was May 2023.
1 x Board and Bright Light senior staff Strategy Day. In-person meeting. Timings and dates differ each year. The last one was March 2023.
As with many smaller charities, the role can sometimes be quite hands-on so it’s important that as well as the above meetings, the Chair is able to regularly meet with the CEO, lead or oversee any sub-committee meetings, attend a Relationships Scotland Member Service Chairs group and support the development of the Board.
Although the role is non-remunerated reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
An induction programme will be provided and we encourage Trustees to join the SCVO Trustees Network while ongoing training will be available to meet identified needs.
To apply
To apply, please download the application pack then download and complete the Equal Opportunities and Diversities Monitoring form, save it and email your CV, a covering letter/video/voice recording and your completed Monitoring form to our CEO, Mark at mark@bright-light.org.uk Applications can also be posted to: Mark Mackenzie-Smith, 18 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EP
We look forward to hearing from you.
