Trustee vacancy – Ramsey Rural Museum

The museum is looking to fill a number of gaps in the board of Trustees that looks at the governance of the charity.

Our trustees help make Ramsey Rural Museum a place where stories are told, and the past is revealed.

The museum was founded on the skills, energy and enthusiasm of volunteers who transformed their vision into reality, and it has served us well over the years. Our trustees ensure we adapt for modern audiences in a competitive marketplace and we work hard to embody this pioneering spirit within our trustee board. Trustees who are prepared to work as part of a team and help forge a new future for the museum.

What is expected of Ramsey Rural Museum trustees?

Trustees use their skills, expertise and experience to support the museum, helping us to achieve our strategic aims. Trustees also often learn new skills during their time on the board. Being a trustee means making decisions that will impact people’s lives, the future of the museum and our local community.

Key expectations of trustees are to:

  • contribute – help where possible and offer the benefit of their expertise to support the museum.
  • attend meetings and other events – take part in discussions and make decisions, prepare fully for meetings by reading papers, listen to other people, challenge sensitively and respect diversity, be fair and open.
  • act jointly and accept a majority decision – make decisions collectively with the other the trustees and stand by them, respect confidentiality.
  • have an up-to-date knowledge of the museum – understand how the museum works and the environment within which it operates.
  • take advice – seek and consider professional advice on anything about which the trustees do not have expertise themselves.

Trustee responsibilities:

  • Ensure that the museum’s assets (its property, land, collection, people, etc.) are used towards meeting the charitable objectives.
  • Be responsible, along with the other trustees, for the success of the museum: set the strategic aims, ensure that necessary resources are in place to meet them and monitor performance.
  • Review and approve the business plan, budget, museum policies and the strategic programme.
  • Define the values and standards of the museum, including the mission statement and policies. Once the board has agreed on strategy and policies, it defers responsibility for execution to the Operations Sub-Committee (executive) and assumes a monitoring role, challenging and supporting the museum’s director and management team.
  • Ensure transparency and accountability in the museum’s activities being mindful of the support from grant and donation givers.
  • Regularly review and consider the risks to the museum’s success and future.

What skills are we looking for?

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experience, and from diverse backgrounds. We have identified some areas we would like to have help. However, we welcome applications from anyone who feels they have something to give which is not on this list:

  • Finance
  • Marketing and PR
  • Collections and museums
  • Fundraising
  • Curatorial
  • Commercial
  • Volunteer management
  • Legal and HR
  • Strategy

Important points

Trustee roles are voluntary and are not remunerated although reasonable travel expenses may be paid.

All new trustees will have a 6-month probationary period and are expected to complete an induction process supervised by the Chair of the Trustee Board.

Trustees commit to serving a term of three years, which can be renewed up to a maximum of nine years.

Any concerns or grievances arising whilst carrying out the duties of trustee should, in the first instance, be discussed with the Chair of Trustees who will advise accordingly.

To apply

See more details and make your application on the Ramsey Rural Museum website. The closing date for applications is 22 February.

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