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Councillor vacancies

15th August 2022 | Categories: Appointments

The Society is seeking committed and passionate Fellows of the Society to put themselves forward for election to join its governing Council at the November Anniversary Meeting. We have two spaces to fill; candidates with experience of fundraising and/or of equality and diversity issues are particularly encouraged, but any Fellow willing to contribute to the governance of the Society is welcome to put themselves forward. Council meetings are all either delivered over zoom or in hybrid format, so that neither ability to travel to Edinburgh nor residence within Scotland is essential.

The normal term of office is three years (November to October), but Fellows who choose to can thereafter seek re-election. These are voluntary, unremunerated positions; reasonable expenses are however payable. Help with IT equipment may be negotiable.

FURTHER PARTICULARS

Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland are invited to put themselves forward by the submission of an application form (details below).

An election (if necessary) will be conducted electronically and all Fellows in good standing will be entitled to cast as many votes as there are vacancies. Election will be first past the post in terms of numbers of votes cast.

Councillors who have wide and varied interests in Scottish heritage and a willingness to contribute to aspects of the governance of this national learned society are sought. The Society is keen both to encourage gender balance and representation from minority communities regardless of ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation on its Council.

Given the range of interests of current Council members, it would be ideal (but is not essential) if candidates have experience of either:

Council governs the strategic direction of the Society according to the Strategic Plan, which it may from time to time revise. It has oversight of an exciting programme of activities including publication; lectures, conferences and visits; advocacy on heritage matters; and outreach; and has responsibility for the provision of accommodation and resources for our staff and for meetings of Fellows.

Previous governance experience within a learned society and/or as a charity trustee is not essential as full support will be provided by the staff. Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses related to the work of Council will be reimbursed.

Currently Council meets five times a year on Monday afternoons (15.30-17.00) online via videoconference. Two longer afternoon sessions are scheduled in Edinburgh to examine budget and audit results respectively. These meetings are hybrid (both in-person in Edinburgh and online via videoconference); remote participation is thus possible. Most Councillors also take part in the deliberations of at least one committee, again conducted in the main over the internet. Help with provision of IT communications equipment may be possible. Councillors do not have to be ordinarily resident in Scotland.

Councillors must be Society Fellows (members) as stipulated in Law 10 and, as Trustees, are crucial to the implementation of the Society’s charitable purposes, ensuring its strategic direction, effectiveness and accountability. General information on Trustee duties is available from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator here: https://www.oscr.org.uk/managing-a-charity/trustee-duties/ and a short summary document is available from the Society HERE.

Applications should be made on the form available HERE, or from the website in the Fellows’ area, or from the Director. To discuss this opportunity in confidence please contact the Society Director at director@socantscot.org or telephone +44(0)7799 691981.

The President and Vice Presidents will examine all applications but solely to ensure each Fellow put forward is in good standing with the Society and eligible to be a trustee in Scotland (see Section 9 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005). All candidates who meet this threshold will be placed before the Fellowship for election by online ballot to close before the Anniversary Meeting.

Deadline for receipt of applications is midnight BST on 2 October 2022.

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