Roles at Circus Eruption
We are currently recruiting for trustees at Circus Eruption. These are unpaid, voluntary roles. If you are interested in applying please click the link for role descriptions and personal specifications (or see the text below).
Email contact@circuseruption.co.uk for an application pack.
BOard Secretary
trustee
Board Secretary, Circus Eruption
Role Description
October 2024
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS - 6th January 2025
Circus Eruption is looking for a Secretary of our Board of Trustees, to support the organisation through a phase of development, growth and change.
Organisational background:
Circus Eruption creates opportunities for people to mix with others on an equal footing, actively promoting inclusion and challenging segregation and stigma.
For 30 years we have run circus workshops for children and young people to increase confidence, resilience and sense of belonging. Many of those we work with face challenges like various statements or labels of disability, care experience, refugee/asylum seeker status or being young carers.
We have been growing steadily over the past decade, increasing our funded projects and growing a trading element by running circus workshops for other groups and organisations. We worked out of a school hall and separate office for our first 24 years, but after several ‘charity lets’ and rentals, we finally started using our own permanent space in October 2021 (after a period of refurbishment).
Buying our own Grade II listed building - a former church - has been a big step forward, and as we have got the building ready for use we have also been working on our organisational structure, strategy and sustainability to make sure that we use our resources wisely to maximise our social impact far into the future.
We are working hard to ensure that Circus Eruption sustains its core activities and ethos whilst making the most of our incredible new building. There’s a lot of potential, and we need some more support to make the most of it!
Find out more about us through our website, Facebook page, or Twitter.
Our values and behaviours
Values: Inclusivity, sustainability, collaboration.
This means that we don’t want any barriers to participation, that we are responsible about the future in the present, and that we work generously and often with others.
Behaviours: We are welcoming, responsive, participant led and non-hierarchical.
What we are looking for:
Like our organisation, our Board of Trustees is growing and changing. We recruit trustees who are committed people who value the work we do, recognise the potential of our organisation and are able to contribute constructively, collaboratively and creatively to the work of the board. We need a confident Secretary who can help the Chair to lead and grow our board of trustees, supporting them to govern, safeguard and monitor the organisation, together making sure we maintain momentum, stay on task and keep going in the right direction. We're looking for someone experienced, organised and confident in the role and operation of the board.
This role doesn’t sound right for you? Circus Eruption is also looking for new trustees with other skills and experience. See our trustee role description for more detail. Get in touch to see if we would be a good fit.
What does success as the Secretary look like?
A successful Secretary will support a confident board, able to make decisions promptly, effective in its oversight of the organisation and with a clear shared understanding of direction. The charity feels motivated and well organised. The Chair, Director, staff and volunteers feel supported, well-informed about the charity’s activity’s actions and direction and have what they need to run a safe, successful and enjoyable Circus. Circus Eruption’s people have a shared vision for the future and a broad understanding of what is needed to get there.
Details of the Role:
The core tasks of the Secretary will be to:
Plan the agenda and arrangements for board meetings with the Chair and in consultation with the Director;
Produce and/or circulate of board meeting agendas, minutes, papers and other board communications;
Minute committee meetings or ensure another minute taker is available;
Accurately record decisions and actions in the minutes and report to the next committee meeting on the progress of actions and the result of decisions;
Handle board correspondence, including post and emails, and make summaries available to board members;
Act as key contact for Companies House and the Charity Commission;
Understand and uphold the charity's governing documents (Articles of Association) and procedures in administration, activity and decision-making;
Keep oversight of the organisation’s values, activities and resources.
What else does the Secretary need to do?
Help lead and organise Circus Eruption, for example by
overseeing and supporting the charity’s relationships with people within and around the organisation (also called “stakeholders”)
encouraging effective communications within and beyond the charity
Shape the culture of the organisation in line with its values, for example by
effectively organising and recording Board business and meetings
articulating the conscience of the organisation and ensuring it is administered in an open and inclusive way
Support efficient administration and governance of the charity, for example by
maintaining adequate and accurate records of board business and auditable information on decision making
modelling accessible and open communications and facilitating effective conversation in the organisation
collaborating flexibly in ways that exemplify a fair, well governed and effective organisation
Board Secretary: Person Specification
We need a Secretary who is confident in trusteeship, understands the functions of the board and the role of Chair and Secretary, and so can help shape a successful board. We are committed to supporting you to develop your skills.
Essentials
Commitment to Circus Eruption and its values
Confidence in record-keeping and communications of a board
Understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
Willingness to put time and effort into the role
A positive, constructive approach and ability to work as part of a team.
Personal qualities
Strong organisation and attention to detail
Impartiality, fairness and confidentiality
Good, independent judgement
Articulacy and willingness to speak your mind
Respect for others
Specific abilities
Working effectively as a team member
Good communication and interpersonal skills
Any other relevant personal or professional skills
Other details:
The role is voluntary, although reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
Circus Eruption is based in Swansea, South Wales. Trustees meet online every 6 weeks. In person meetings including all Trustees will be held at least twice a year by arrangement.
We will provide an application pack to prospective applicants including more detailed background information.
How to apply:
Please email contact@circuseruption.co.uk for an application pack, which comprises an application form and guidance, background documents about Circus Eruption, and supporting information about the role of Trustee.
Trustee – Circus Eruption
Role Description
October 2024
Circus Eruption is looking for a range of people who can support us through a phase of development, growth and change.
These people will need to be constructive, committed to our vision, mission and values and willing to play a part in ensuring the charity continues to thrive.
Organisational background:
Circus Eruption create opportunities for people to mix with others on an equal footing, actively promoting inclusion and challenging segregation and stigma.
Over the past 30 years we have run circus workshops for children and young people to increase confidence, resilience and sense of belonging. Many of those we work with face challenges like various statements or labels of disability, care experience, refugee/asylum seeker status or being young carers.
We have been growing steadily over the past decade, increasing our funded projects and growing a trading element by running circus workshops for other groups and organisations. We worked out of a school hall and separate office for our first 24 years, but after several ‘charity lets’ and rentals, we finally started using our own permanent space in October 2021 after a period of refurbishment.
Buying our own Grade II listed building - a former church - has been a major step forward. As we have got the building ready for use we have also been working on our organisational structure, strategy and sustainability to make sure that we use all the resources we have wisely to maximise our social impact far into the future.
We are working hard to ensure that Circus Eruption retains its core activities and ethos whilst making the most of our incredible new building. There’s a lot of potential, and we need some more support to make the most of it!
Find out more about us through our website, Facebook page, or Twitter.
Our values and behaviours:
Values: Inclusivity, sustainability, collaboration.
This means that we don’t want any barriers to participation, that we are responsible about the future in the present, and that we work generously and often with others.
Behaviours: We are welcoming, responsive, participant led and non-heirarchical.
What we are looking for:
We need people to be part of our group of trustees, who collectively make sure we maintain momentum, stay on task and keep going in the right direction.
We don’t need you to have any previous experience of being a Trustee. We are keen to recruit people who value the work we do, recognise the potential of our organisation and are able to contribute to the work of the board. We are committed to supporting you to develop your skills.
Circus Eruption Trustees collectively:
Set the direction of the organisation
Support our staff who manage and run the charity
Promote and always act in the best interest of Circus Eruption
Ensure that we keep on track with our objectives and strategy.
When recruiting new Trustees to our board, we look for people who are:
Collaborative and flexible
Able to offer constructive challenge and think creatively
Committed and responsible
Passionate about our work.
Trustee: Person Specification
Essentials:
Commitment to Circus Eruption and its values
Understanding of or willingness to learn about the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
Willingness to put time and effort into the role
A positive, constructive approach and ability to work as part of a team.
Personal qualities:
Good, independent judgement
Impartiality, fairness and confidentiality
Willingness to speak your mind
Tact and diplomacy
Respect for others.
Specific abilities:
Working effectively as a team member
Good communication and interpersonal skills
We have a particular need for trustees with experience in HR and law.
Other details:
The role is voluntary, but reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
Circus Eruption is based in Swansea, South Wales. Trustees meet online every 6 weeks. In person meetings including all Trustees will be held at least twice a year by arrangement.
We will provide an application pack to prospective applicants including more detailed background information.
How to apply
Please email contact@circuseruption.co.uk for an application pack, which comprises an application form and guidance, background documents about Circus Eruption, and supporting information about the role of Trustee.