Are you looking for a new challenge? Would you like to broaden your skills and experience and help shape the future of the profession at the same time? If so, this could be the opportunity for you.
Help shape the future of RCSLT leadership
RCSLT is on a mission to ensure that the governance of the RCSLT is truly representative of our membership and the communities in which we live and work. We are looking for speech and language therapists who share the RCSLT’s values and behaviours and want to help deliver its ambitious Five Year Vision.
Overview
In 2021 RCSLT have embarked on an ambitious plan to improve the diversity of the boards and committees. The process for recruiting trustees and committee members has been radically transformed, putting in place a Nominations Committee to take responsibility for the strategic oversight of the selection and induction processes for the members of the RCSLT’s Board of Trustees and other governing committees. Its role is to ensure the Board:
- develops a diverse and representative pipeline of future leaders
- roles are advertised effectively
- RCSLT has the right mix of skills at board and committee level to ensure our leadership is inclusive and prepared to take the organisation into the future.
At the AGM in Autumn 2022 members formally ratified the appointment of nine new trustees. A survey in December 2022 has highlighted the success of our new recruitment process which has increased the diversity of both the Board and its committees. We are now looking to continue our journey towards greater diversity as the opportunities as they arise.
We have a number of vacancies available
- General Trustee (1)
- Country Reps for Northern Ireland and Wales
- Finances and Resources Committee (FRC) Committee Members (2)
- Professional Practice and Policy Committee (PPPC) Committee Members (sector reps) (3)
- PPPC Committee (Hub Reps) (for England)
The main duty of all charity trustees is to advance the purposes of their charity. This should always be a trustee’s main focus. A charity’s trustees must carry out its charity’s purposes for public benefit. This is called the ‘public benefit requirement’.
Being a trustee or committee member involves:
- Inputting strategically to the work and direction of RCSLT. We welcome a broad spectrum of opinions from members with different backgrounds and experiences
- Preparing for meetings by reading papers
- Attending 3 (Professional Practice and Policy Committee) or 4 (Board and Finance & Resources Committee) meetings a year – mostly virtual with occasional in-person meetings
- Working with members of staff on projects as required
- Undergoing training and development as appropriate
To understand more about the roles and responsibilities of trustees and committee members, visit our board pages.
Why you should become a trustee or committee member
- This is an opportunity to get directly involved in the work of the RCSLT and support the profession
- It’s your opportunity to ensure RCSLT represents you and your community
- A chance to grow your professional networks and develop your leadership skills
- A chance to bring your unique experiences and insights to the work of RCSLT
- An opportunity to get involved in areas of work and projects you’ve not been involved in previously
- An opportunity to be a champion for your profession who can affect change
- Support and training and buddying will be provided if you are new to boards, committees, or governance processes
- Being part of the board or a committee contributes towards your CPD
Who we are looking for
You’ll need to be:
- A full RCSLT member (this includes Certified, Newly Qualified, Overseas Qualified, Non-Practising, Returners to Practice, Retired, and Student members)
- Passionate about your profession and keen to create a more diverse and inclusive professional body
Applications are open to all members who are allies of minority groups and champion equality and diversity both personally and professionally.
We welcome applications from members from under-represented groups, such as members who are Black, Asian or have a minority ethnic background, LGBTQ+ members, or members with a disability. This is not an exhaustive list. Please see a full list of protected characteristics.
We are looking for members who share RCSLT values and behaviours.
How to apply
To apply, please provide a statement (up to 500 words) or a video or audio statement (no longer than 3 ½ minutes) setting out:
- A little about your work and personal background
- Why you are interested in being a trustee or committee member
- Which role or roles you are interested in
- How you meet the role criteria
- Some examples of how you have lived the values and behaviours agreed by the RCSLT Board in your work or personal life (including roles in any professional networks)
- Email your statement cosec@rcslt.org
The deadline for applications is 9.00am Thurs 25 May 2023
We will hold virtual interviews with a panel consisting of trustees and selection panel members on the following dates:
- Tues 6 June – PPPC roles
- Wed 7 June – Board of Trustee roles
- Thurs 8 June – FRC roles
Find out more
- If you would like an informal discussion about the process and what’s involved, with one of our trustees, please email cosec@rcslt.org
- Read more about what it is like to be a trustee
- Watch former FRC Committee member Lizzie Nash talk about her experiences of working on one of our committees
- To understand more about the roles and responsibilities of trustees and committee members, visit our board pages
- Read more about the changes we have made to board recruitment
- Read more about our vision, values and behaviours and the terms of reference for the board and committees.
Closing date for applications is 9.00 am Thurs 25 May 2023.