Trustee (x2)

Do you have a vision for the future of animal welfare in Glasgow? Do you want to be a key member of an intersectional and inclusive movement to improve the lives of Scotland’s pets and people?

If so, we’re looking for you!

Glasgow Pet Collective

Glasgow Pet Collective is here for Glasgow’s pets and their people. We will advocate for, protect, and create Glasgow’s pet families, championing their wellbeing and maintaining the human-animal bond. We envision a Glasgow where every pet and their human companion thrive together in a nurturing and inclusive community, championing the joy of companionship and mutual care. More info on GPC programs can be viewed at the bottom of this document.

We are looking for 2 dedicated Trustees to support GPC’s mission and help support humans and pets in a holistic, inclusive, and compassionate way.

The Role

GPC’s trustees will play a vital role in making sure the organisation achieves its core purposes of promoting the welfare and rehoming of companion animals, advancing animal welfare equity, relieving hardships faced by pets and their owners, lobbying for improved animal welfare legislation, fostering knowledge sharing, and building a supportive community for pet guardians in the Greater Glasgow Area. 

Trustees oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that GPC has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the executive team to enable GPC to grow and thrive, and through this, fulfil our objectives and realise the organisation’s mission.

Board members have a collective responsibility. This means that trustees always act as a group. 

Duties

• Support and provide advice on GPC’s purpose, vision, goals and activities. 

• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.

• Oversee GPC’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress. 

• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.

• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored, and controlled effectively.

• Review and approve GPC’s financial statements.

• Provide support and challenge to GPC’s co-founders in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.

• Keep abreast of changes in GPC’s operating environment.

• Contribute to regular reviews of GPC’s own governance. Attend Board meetings monthly, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.

• Use independent judgement, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect GPC’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third party interests.

• Contribute to the broader promotion of GPC’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

• Actively promote and uphold principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the organisation. This includes confronting and addressing personal biases related to class, race, disability, or any other identifying characteristics. Trustees should advocate for and implement intersectional approaches in all aspects of the organisation's work, ensuring that all community members feel respected and valued.

As a small charity, there will be times when the trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking individuals who bring energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to the role and who will enhance the diversity of thought on our board. Experience in pet welfare and animal advocacy, veterinary sciences, community groups, finance, or fundraising is highly valued but not essential. Lived experience is of great and equal value to professional and educational experience. To promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, we especially welcome applications from individuals within minoritized groups/communities, those from working class backgrounds, and those with physical impairments and/or neurodivergence.

Personal Skills and Qualities

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.

• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.

• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion. 

• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Enthusiasm for our vision (listed below) and mission (listed below).

• Ability and drive to lead according to our values (listed below). 

Terms of Appointment

Terms of office

• Trustees are appointed for a 1 year term of office, renewal for unlimited further terms, at the discretion of membership.

• This is a voluntary position. Reasonable expenses (eg. travel costs or office supplies) will be reimbursed. Prior approval of such expenses shall be sought prior to purchase if at all possible.

Time commitment

• Attending 1 Board meetings each month plus the GPC annual general meeting. Board meetings will be held remotely unless a majority of the board wishes otherwise. AGM will be held remotely unless a majority of membership wishes otherwise.  

• Attending annual strategy and/or training days as deemed desirable by a majority of the board.