Trustee vacancies

MEAction UK is excited to share this opportunity to become part of our Board!

This is an opportunity to use your skills to support the growth of a grassroots organisation. Candidates should have a passion for MEAction UK’s mission. Our movement fights for recognition, education, and research so that one day all people with ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) will have access to rapid diagnosis, and compassionate, effective care. If you are curious about becoming a trustee, want to use your skills to help a new charity or know someone who would be a great Board Member, please let us know and share this message! 

In this initial stage, we are seeking people who are able to offer a substantial time commitment, around 2 to 3 hours per week, as we build the charity.  We welcome people with ME, caregivers, and allies with one or more of the following experiences to join the MEAction UK Board:

• Organised at the grassroots level, including events/demonstrations

• Raised money, particularly through online appeals and charitable trusts

• Demonstrated leadership in business, charity, government/politics, and/or health research, policy, or care organisations

• Experience of charity boards

We have a specific requirement for trustees with with the following skills:

• Fundraising

• Finance/Accounting

• Strategic Planning

• Social Media/Marketing/Communication

• Community organisation/campaigning

Person Specification and Requirements for this role:

•  A commitment to the aims and values of MEAction UK 

•  Ability to provide the level of commitment required for this role

•  Experience of charity governance – desirable not essential

•  Ability to work as a team

MEAction UK’s Trustees are involved in all aspects of the organisation, including operations, communications, finances, and development.  The role of trustee will require a significant time commitment in the first year as we fundraise and employ staff.  We envisage that this commitment will reduce in subsequent years.

MEAction UK operates through two working names. #MEAction UK and #MEAction Scotland.

The Trustee Board currently meets weekly virtually. 

If you are interested in becoming a trustee for MEAction UK Please fill out the following form to register your interest:

MEAction UK is seeking passionate and skilled individuals to join our board of trustees. As a trustee, you'll play a crucial role in governing our organisation and steering our strategic direction as we work to improve the lives of people with ME.

What We Look For in Trustees

We seek trustees who bring diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives to our board. 

Essential Qualities

• Commitment to our mission: A genuine passion for improving the lives of people with ME
• Strategic thinking: Ability to see the big picture and contribute to long-term planning
• Governance understanding: Willingness to learn about charity governance and legal responsibilities
• Collaborative approach: Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Time availability: Commitment to attend regular board meetings and contribute between meetings

Particularly Welcomed Backgrounds

• Lived Experience: People with ME, carers, or family members who understand the challenges firsthand
• Healthcare Expertise: Healthcare professionals, particularly those with ME knowledge
• Policy and Advocacy: Experience in policy development, government relations, or advocacy work
• Legal and Regulatory: Lawyers, particularly those with charity law expertise
• Websites and coding: Experience in running, designing or updating websites
• Finance and Business: Accountants, finance professionals, or business leaders
• Communications and Media: PR professionals, journalists, or communications specialists
• Research and Academia: Researchers, academics, or those with scientific backgrounds
• Fundraising: Professional fundraisers or those with successful fundraising experience

Trustee Responsibilities

As a trustee of MEAction UK, your key responsibilities include:

• Strategic Oversight: Setting the organisation's strategic direction and monitoring progress
• Financial Governance: Ensuring sound financial management and sustainability
• Legal Compliance: Ensuring compliance with charity law and regulatory requirements
• Risk Management: Identifying and managing organisational risks
• Performance Monitoring: Evaluating the effectiveness of our campaigns and operations
• Stakeholder Relations: Representing the organisation to external stakeholders when needed
• Recruitment Oversight: Supporting the recruitment and management of staff and volunteers

Time Commitment

We recognise that many potential trustees may have ME or other health conditions, and we design our governance to be as accessible as possible, however, in this initial phase we do need a greater time commitment from potential trustees than normal:

• Board Meetings: Weekly meetings, typically 1 hour, conducted online with full accessibility support
• Between Meetings: Email updates, document review, specific tasks and occasional brief calls
• Annual Commitment: Approximately 150 hours per year minimum, with opportunities for greater involvement

Benefits of Being a Trustee

Serving as a trustee offers:

• Meaningful Impact: Direct influence on an organisation making real change for people with ME
• Skill Development: Governance experience and strategic leadership skills
• Networking: Connections with other passionate advocates and professionals
• Personal Satisfaction: Contributing to a cause that matters deeply to you
• Professional Development: Trustee experience valued by employers and other organisations

Application Process

When trustee positions become available, our typical process includes:

1. Application: Submit a cover letter and CV or application form
2. Informal Chat: Relaxed conversation to discuss the role and your interests
3. Formal Interview: More detailed discussion with current trustees
4. References: We'll request references from successful candidates
5. Appointment: Formal appointment and trustee training

We aim to make this process as accessible as possible, with accommodations available for all stages.

Register Your Interest

If you're interested in potentially serving as a trustee of MEAction UK, we'd love to hear from you. Even if we don't have current vacancies, registering your interest helps us:

• Build a diverse pool of potential trustees
• Understand what skills and experience are available in our community
• Contact you quickly when suitable positions arise
• Consider you for other volunteer leadership opportunities

Questions?

If you have questions about becoming a trustee of MEAction UK, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We're happy to discuss the role in more detail, talk about accessibility accommodations, or simply chat about how you might contribute to our mission.