About the organisation
ActivLives grew out of a two year funded health project, called the Town & Bridge Project which was established in 2006. The project was targeted at the two most deprived areas of Ipswich in Suffolk and was aimed at people 45 + to improve their health & well-being physically, mentally and emotionally, reduce loneliness & social isolation and provide volunteering opportunities for vulnerable and marginalised people 18+ to gain skills, confidence, interests and knowledge to go on to further education, employment or volunteering.
In 2012 the organisation became a charity called ActivLives, after successfully developing a number of major projects in Ipswich. Our aims and objectives continue to support people 50 years and over, reduce loneliness and social isolation and provide volunteering opportunities for people to gain valuable skills and experience. We are now in our 20th year; we work with nearly 2,000 vulnerable and lonely people each year; we run over 50 weekly activities for younger and older adults and we provide a wide range of opportunities for people to get involved in, including specialist Hubs for people living with Dementia & their carers, a Carers project, 2 x Men's Hubs, 3 x Community Gardens, an ActivShed, a community singing group, inclusive sport sessions, 28 Falls Prevention exercise sessions, a health walk, a weekly Lunch Club and social activity.
All these activities bring people together to learn new skills, enable them to meet and make new friends, build social networks, keep independent and build resilient communities.
About the role
ActivLives Treasurer on Board of Trustees
To main effective governance of the organisation's affairs, ensuring its finacial viability and ensuring that proper processes and procedures exist for assuring all financial records, decisions and delegations are maintained.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Strategic
Assist & advise in the development of the Charity's strategy with particular regard to ensuring that the charity has the resource to deliver the strategy
Assist other Trustees to perform their financial duties, by interpreting and explaining accounting requirements, ensuring the Board receives reports containing the information that the Trustees need in an 'easy to understand' format and helping Trustees guide any other professional advisors they appoint
Liaise with the auditors / independent advisors
2.Financial
Prepare & present financial reports on a monthly basis, including projected cash-flow
Enusre the Board receives appropriate budgetary & finacial information on the activities of the charity including Annual Reports
Ensure that all accounts are prepared & disclosed in the form required by funders and submitted to the relevant statutory bodies on timei.e Companies House & The Charity Commission
Recommend appropriate accounting procedures,controls & policies
Oversee the appointment of auditors & review on a regular basis
Work closely with the Finance Officer / Chair of Trustees regarding monthly reports to the Board, direction, advice etc
3. Assests & Investments
Ensure the finacial stability of the organisation and the proper investment of the charity's funds
Ensure the Charity monitors the performance of its investments & to set appropriate reserves & investment policies
Ensure all equipment & assests are adequately maintained & accounted for
4. Governance
Ensure the Board is aware of its finacial duties & responsibilities & the need to comply with all legislation
Ensure all financial policies & procedures are reviewed on a regular basis
Contribute actively to the Board of Trustees role in giving strategic direction, setting the overall strategy, policy and setting targets & evaluating performance
Contribute to the Funding, Fundraising & Marketing Strategy
Ensure the charity applies its resources exclusively in pursuing its objectives and the effective & efficient administration of the Charity
Declare any conflicts of interest while carrying out the duties of treasurer / trustee
Attend 6 x face to face formal & 6 x informal meetings on-line, read papers in preparation for the meetings and make a formal presentation of the accounts at the AGM, drawing attention to important points in a concise & easily understandable way.
Keep informed about the activities of the charity and wider issues which affect its work & volunteer at appropriate events and assist with fundraising, as and when required
Our ideal candidate
In addition to the qualities needed by all Trustees, the Treasurer should also possess the following:
At least two years financial experience & be able to prepare accounts for auditors - Essential
Experience or knowledge of the charity sector and organisation finance & fundraising - Desirable
Be able to support the CEO and staff in business planning & strategic direction - Desirable
Skills to analyse proposals & examine their finacnial consequences - Essential
Preparedness to make unpopular recommendations to the Board - Essential
A willingness to be able to give financial advice & answer enquiries from any staff or volunteers, as and when required - Desirable
What’s in it for you
A Treasurers role with ActivLives can offer much more than the opportunity to oversee the finances. It can be a rewarding way to use professional skills while making a tangible difference to people and communities.
Make a difference - use their professional knowledge to support an organisation that helps people stay active, connected and independent, particularly vulnerable and marginalised people living in hard pressed areas and rural parts of Suffolk
See the impact of their work - unlike a purely corporate finance role, they will be able to see how sound financial management can enable much needed projects, services and activities to continue
Use & develop their professional skills - the role can provide experience in charity finance, budgeting, financial planning, risk management, funding, fundraising and governance
Gain Board-level experience - the role provides valuable experience of strategic decision-making, governance, accountability, and working alongside other professional board members
Influence the future of the organisation - The treasurer can play an important role in helping ActivLives remain financilaly sustainable & plan for future growth & development
Work with a passionate team - they would become part of a community of staff, volunteers, members and Trustees who are committed to improving people's lives
Build new relationships & networks - working with Trustees, funders, partners, businesses, supporters and community organisations can create valuable professional & persoanl connections
Give something back - for many people, the opportunity to use their expertise for a good cause that they care about personally can be very rewarding
Be part of ActivLives next chapter - with ActivLives celebrating its 20th Anniversary, it is an exciting time to join the Board and help shape the organisation's next 20 years
Apply for the role
Please provide a short cover note setting out your motivations for volunteering for the organisation, any relevant skills/experience and why you think you might be a suitable candidate.
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