Can you help us look after the Tarbat Discovery Centre?
The Tarbat Historic Trust, who owns the Tarbat Discovery Centre, is seeking new trustees. The Trust owns the old parish church of St Colman in Portmahomack, Scotland, which houses an outstanding museum that displays Pictish relics discovered during archaeological digs and honours the local community heritage. The Trust aims to advance, encourage, and promote the history of this significant archaeological site and to support Scotland’s heritage by providing a dynamic, educational, and appealing experience for visitors.
The Trust is looking for new trustees to become involved in the strategic development and governance of the museum and the Trust.
We are seeking applicants with skills, knowledge, and experience in one or more of the following:
- short- and long-term planning
- operation of charitable or nonprofit organisations
- financial management
- leadership and collaborative decision making
- grants and grants management, fundraising, and income generation
- education and outreach
- property and buildings management
If you would like to apply please submit a one-page statement outlining why you are interested in joining the Board and the contributions you believe you would bring to the Board and the success of the Discovery Centre. Please include a CV if you have one available otherwise provide a brief outline of your experience. Email these materials to chair@tarbat-discovery.co.uk by 1 February 2025. Selected candidates will be interviewed during February/March 2025.
Trustee Role Description – Duties and Requirements
The trustees have ultimate responsibility for the museum and are collectively responsible for its governance. The trustees’ role is to develop and sustain a clear vision and strategic direction for the Discovery Centre that are sustainable and compliant with applicable laws and regulations. As such, trustees are required to:
- Ensure that the Tarbat Historic Trust is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit.
- Comply with the Tarbat Historic Trust governing document and the legal and regulatory requirements.
- Act in the Tarbat Historic Trust’s best interests.
- Manage Tarbat Historic Trust resources responsibly.
- Act with reasonable care and skill.
- Ensure that the Tarbat Historic Trust is accountable to the Scottish Charity Regulator.
The duties of a trustee of Tarbat Historic Trust are:
- To ensure the Trust pursues its stated vision and purpose, objectives, and priorities as outlined in its Forward Plan.
- To ensure that the Trust complies with its governing documents (i.e., its trust deed and memorandum and articles of association), charity law, company law, and any other relevant legislation and regulations.
- To ensure the Trust applies its resources exclusively in the pursuit of its charitable objectives and not other activities however worthwhile or charitable those activities may be.
- To safeguard the good name and values of the Trust.
- To ensure the Trust, its employees and volunteers maintain the highest standards of Safeguarding when dealing with each other or visitors to the museum.
- To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Trust including having appropriate policies and procedures in place.
- To ensure the Trust’s financial stability.
- To protect and manage the property of the Trust and to ensure the proper management of its funds.
- To follow proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal, and remuneration of employees.
In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee is expected to use any specific skills, knowledge, or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This will include scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing guidance on new initiatives, and similar issues.
Trustee Person Specification
Applicants must demonstrate:
- A commitment to the organisation.
- A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
- Strategic vision.
- An understanding and a willingness to implement standards, principles, and requirements of equality and diversity.
- Good, independent judgment.
- An ability to think creatively.
- A willingness to speak their mind.
- An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
- A commitment to collaboration and effective teamwork.
Number of meetings per year: 4 planned ones plus ad-hoc as required.