Background
The Society of Genealogists (“the Society”) is an educational charity founded in 1911 and is custodian of an extensive and exciting collection of diverse historical and modern, physical and digital records. The Society’s staff and volunteers include experienced and knowledgeable genealogy professionals, with remarkable knowledge and experience of genealogy.
Chair of the Trustees
The Chair of the Trustees may serve a maximum of three terms of two years before being required to step down. Following the successful tenure of the present Chair, the Society is seeking to recruit the next Chair commencing from the AGM in July 2025, to continue to lead the Society in its continuing ambition to deliver a rewarding research and membership experience to all of its members in the UK and internationally; ensuring it continues to be a thriving organisation through the next stage of transformation and explores opportunities for growth.
We welcome applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion or socio-economic background.
This role will best suit a candidate who resides in the UK.
Please note that this role is voluntary and unpaid.
Job Description
Role: Chair
Term of Office: up to 6 years, with renewals every 2 years.
Purpose: To chair the Board of Trustees of the Society of Genealogists, ensuring that the charity runs legally and is provided with firm strategic direction.
Responsibilities (specific to the role of chair):
- To represent the Society and act as its spokesperson at external and internal functions, meetings, conferences, exhibitions.
- To lead the Board of Trustees in setting and monitoring implementation of the Society’s Strategy.
- To monitor the performance of the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), including a formal annual review against objectives.
- To oversee, or directly manage, the selection of new trustees from time to time to maintain sufficient trustees with the appropriate mix of skills.
- To plan, in consultation with the CEO, the annual cycle and set agendas for the Board of Trustees meetings, the AGM and any extraordinary meetings.
- To chair and facilitate meetings of the Board of Trustees and associated special meetings/committees.
- To provide support and delegate assignments as necessary to the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees.
- To provide direction, support and impartial objective advice to the Board, individual Trustees and the Society as a whole covering: policymaking, liaison with honorary officers and with chairs of other committees.
- To liaise with the CEO in order to maintain an overview of the affairs of the Society, and to provide support as appropriate.
- To participate in personnel management grievance and disciplinary matters as defined by the personnel policies of the Society.
- To support and contribute to the development of the Board of Trustees, facilitating succession planning, change and conflict resolution.
Essential Skills/Qualities:
- Knowledge and experience of the voluntary and community sector, understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
- To work at all times with integrity, objectivity and honesty.
- Awareness of the commercial realities of a not for profit organisation and ability to balance the variety of requests from membership while ensuring financial stability.
- Proven leader with insight, independent judgement, and ability to think creatively in order to drive the development and realisation of the Society’s strategic vision.
- Experience in a board or senior executive role, leading teams and chairing efficient decision making fora; through effective communication and interpersonal skills including impartiality, fairness, good listening skills, a willingness to speak out where necessary with tact and diplomacy, and an ability to respect confidences and confidentiality.
- Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the Society.
Desirable Skills/Qualities
- Understanding of the genealogy sector/market and the Society’s respective position therein.
- Experience in overseeing IT/digital projects and / or multifaceted change programmes.
- Experience in analysis of competitive position.
- Familiarity with and experience of reviewing financial accounts, budgeting and financial controls.
- Demonstrable ability to develop a strong public profile amongst SOG members and in the genealogy community and to provide a strong contribution to fundraising from donations, grant and legacy-giving.
General Responsibilities (with all Trustees):
- To ensure that the Society complies with its governing document (including pursuing its objects as defined therein), charity law, company law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
- To ensure that the resources of the Society are applied exclusively in pursuance of its objects.
- To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees in giving firm strategic direction to the Society, including setting overall policy, defining goals and evaluating performance against agreed targets and implementation of decisions made by the Board of Trustees.
- To safeguard the reputation and values of the Society.
- To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Society.
- To ensure the Society has financial stability and aims to deliver profits to reinvest in its services.
- To protect and manage the property of the Society and the proper investment of its funds.
Respondents should email a CV and covering letter to: Recruitment@sog.org.uk by 19 March.
Trustee
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the proper governance of the Society and meets four/five times a year. Trustees may sit for up to two three-year terms.
The Society is continually looking for new Trustees with different professional skills, experience and backgrounds to help the Society in its ongoing ambition to deliver a rewarding research and membership experience to all of its members in the UK and internationally; ensuring it continues to be a thriving organisation through the next stage of transformation and explores opportunities for growth.
Examples of skills and experience that the Society looks for are:
We welcome applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion or socio-economic background. Non-UK residents are welcome to apply.
Please note that this role is voluntary and unpaid.
Job Description
Role: Trustee
Term of Office: up to 6 years, with renewals every 3 years.
Purpose: To sit on the Board of Trustees of the Society of Genealogists, ensuring that the charity runs legally and is provided with firm strategic direction.
General Responsibilities:
- To ensure that the Society complies with its governing document (including pursuing its objects as defined therein), charity law, company law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
- To ensure that the resources of the Society are applied exclusively in pursuance of its objects.
- To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees in giving firm strategic direction to the Society, including setting overall policy, defining goals and evaluating performance against agreed targets and implementation of decisions made by the Board of Trustees.
- To safeguard the reputation and values of the Society.
- To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Society.
- To ensure the Society has financial stability and aims to deliver profits to reinvest in its services.
- To protect and manage the property of the Society and the proper investment of its funds.
Essential Skills/Qualities:
- Demonstrable expertise and experience in one or more of the skills listed in the box above
- Understanding of working in accordance with Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
- Experience in a board or senior executive role.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills including impartiality, fairness, good listening skills, a willingness to speak out where necessary with tact and diplomacy, and an ability to respect confidences and confidentiality.
- Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the Society.
Desirable Skills/Qualities:
- Understanding of the genealogy sector/market and the Society’s respective position therein.
- Knowledge and experience of the voluntary and community sector, understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
- Awareness of the commercial realities of a not-for-profit organisation
We are happy to accept applications (or expressions of interest) at any time and will review applications on a quarterly basis depending upon vacancies on the Board at that time. Please email: Recruitment@sog.org.uk.
Join us
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We all have roots. Let’s find them together.
