De Montfort Students’ Union Trustee Board Recruitment

De Montfort Students’ Union (DSU) is looking for motivated and talented DMU alumni to become trustees of the students’ union, helping to manage the finance and strategy of the organisation, providing a solid structure of expertise and experience to ensure the Students’ Union achieves its charitable aims.

About De Montfort University Students’ Union (DSU)

DSU has a strong vision to provide “An exceptional student experience” underpinned by recently agreed values that form part of the organisations DNA:

• Act with and for you
• Inspire you
• Listen to you
• Represent you
• Support you

This allows DSU to confidently state to students that “We are student-led and student focussed. We represent, inspire and involve, enhancing the student experience.”

The Students’ Union is an incorporated association and registered charity (1138587).  The overview of the charity can be found by visiting the Charity Commission website and searching for DSU using the above charity number.

The Road Ahead

DSU is going through a transformative process, fuelled by a growing members and increasingly renowned University the Union has high expectations for the future as its aspires to make the Students’ Union the very best it can be, enabling its members to have an exceptional student experience.

By the end of 2016 DSU will have:

• Moved into a £3m renovated Students’ Union building
• Achieved its National Union of Students quality mark Standard
• Become an Investor in Volunteers
• Launched a new SU Brand

Moreover the Trustee Board will be agreeing a new strategic plan to lead the organisation until 2020. The key ambitions and strategic drivers for the Union are likely to be centred around: student engagement in leadership, democracy and representation, student participations in activities such as societies, sports, media and volunteering, initiatives and services to support students,  and the Unions own governance structures.

Why we need you – Experience and Skills

Every University is required to have a Students’ Union by virtue of the 1994 Education Act, the objectives for each Students’ Union are; to represent the needs of students to the University, provide, where relevant, welfare services, ensure there are opportunities to play sport and engage in recreational activities and to run free and fair elections for our own governance.  Each Union is also regulated by the Charities Commission and as a affiliate of the National Union of Students (NUS) is part of a network of 7 million students.

You’ll be part of a team of up to 12 other trustees made up of a mixture of student trustees, officer trustees, external and alumni trustees.  There are normally four to five trustee meetings each year.  DSU believes the eclectic mix of current students; elected officers and external trustees ensure decisions will be student-focussed with a firm consideration to the sustainability of the organisation.  The Trustee Board is chaired by the Students’ Union President.

You have an opportunity to play a key leadership role in one of Leicester’s biggest and most exciting charities.

Trustee Responsibilities

“trustee boards don’t do, they ensure things get done”

Charity trustees are the people who serve on the governing body of a charity.  They may be known as trustees, directors, board members, governors or committee members.  The principles and main duties are the same in all cases.

Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of a charity, and ensuring that it is solvent, well-run, and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up.  

You will be required to sign a Charity Commission approved declaration form and DSU conflicts of interest form.

What does De Montfort Students’ Union actually do?

The Students’ Union delivers a wide-range of activities and support services for students at De Montfort University Campus and you will be instrumental in developing and enabling the strategic development of these services over the coming years.  These include;

• Student representation at the university
• Student led desiciosn making structures
• Compaigning for positive change for students
• A student centred information, advice and guidance
• Student groups such as societies, sports clubs, media and volunteering
• Commercial services
• Central and cores services to support delivery to students

The latest version of the DSU Impact Report outlines the positive effect the Union makes here

Funding and Staffing

90% of income is derived from a Block Grant awarded by the University of £1.25m. Commercial services and other fundraising account for the final 10%. Total turnover is £2m.

DSU employs around 70 staff, half permanent and half student staff, within the four key areas of People and Organisational Development, Finance and Central Support, Membership Services, Commercial operations

How are appointments made?

All new Trustees are appointment by the appointments committee, following submission of a CV and covering letter.

What can you expect from the Students’ Union?

The role of a trustee is a voluntary one and any reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.  A typical year would include:

DSU Trustee Diary
Month	Activity
August - October	4th Quarter Finance and KPIs Report Email oversight of Fresher’s Activity Annual Accounts & Management Letter
November – January	Attend the Annual General Meeting Email correspondence regarding first quarter reporting
February -April	Overview of the election process (via email) Meeting to consider 2nd Quarter Finance and KPIs report Budget boundaries set for coming year
May – July	Budget for following year 3rd Quarter Finance and KPIs Report Strategic Planning Review Day Attend Union Awards event New Trustees Induction

 

You will receive any papers and documents for the meetings in good time, which of course we expect you to have read in advance!

We expect all new trustees to complete a new induction programme

If you are interested please contact Paula Heneghan Secretary of the Board pheneghan@dmu.ac.uk to arrange an informal conversation or simply download and complete the application form here.

Deadline for Applications is 30^th June 2016