Trustee role description

If you would like this an alternative format, please contact us.

About BDEF

BDEF (Bristol Disability Equality Forum) is a Disabled people led organisation where all decisions are made by Disabled people.

BDEF builds community through connection, action, voice and lived expertise. We create spaces that supports Disabled people to connect, share conversation and experiences. We open up ways for Disabled people to come together and take action on what is important to them. This could reflect geographic, community, interest-based ideas. We make sure that the voices of Disabled people are an essential part of decision making that impacts our everyday lives. Lastly, we promote the understanding that when services are co-produced by those who use them in their everyday lives, they are more likely to work.

We do this by delivering regular Voice and Influence, Peer Support and Community Development activities around Bristol.Our vision is a Bristol where Disabled people are heard, valued and connected, with the independence, choice and control to shape our lives and lead change in our communities.

BDEF (Bristol Disability Equality Forum) is a registered charity under the name of BDEF CIO. Our charity number is 1211026.

What is a Trustee?

This means we are a voluntary group run by volunteers. These volunteers are called Trustees.

A Trustee does not get involved in the day-to-day work of BDEF. That is done by the people who work for us. The job of the Trustee is to look after the organisation as a whole.

Role responsibilities

To make sure that BDEF keeps to the rules in its Constitution.
To make sure that BDEF follows charity law, employment law and any other laws or policies.
To make sure that BDEF has enough money to do its work, and does not spend more money than it has.
To work with the other Trustees to agree what BDEF should be doing and how it should be doing it.
To help agree what targets there should be so BDEF can tell how well it is doing its work.
To help make sure that BDEF and everyone who volunteers and works for it behaves in a good way.
To be part of a group of Trustees who will find people to work for BDEF and interview them.
To be part of a group of Trustees that has to look at how a person who works for BDEF has been doing or not doing t their job properly.

Role expectations

To scrutinise BDEF’s work and make sure you are both supporting and challenging decisions being made in BDEF where needed.
Come along to Trustee meetings: there are at least 10 Trustee meetings a year. You would be expected to make all of them if you can and give your apologies if not. If you do not come to any meetings for six months, you could be stopped being a Trustee.
Take part in meetings: you will get papers before the meeting. You will be expected to read these. You will be expected to take part in discussions and give your view.
Treat everyone with respect: Trustees should make their points always in a friendly constructive way. If you disagree with someone, you must not personally attack them.
Respect people’s difference: Trustees must not attack or discriminate against another Trustee or anyone just because they are different from you. You will be challenged if you do this.
Go along with a decision: you may make a decision that you do not agree with. You will need to support this decision once it is made. If you cannot or do not, you might be asked to resign.
Keep things to yourself: there will be some things you talk about at Trustees meetings you must keep to yourself and not tell anyone else. The Chair and the Trustees will agree what these things are.

Become a Trustee

To apply to become a Trustee for BDEF you need to be able to show the following things:

You are a Disabled person. You can identify yourself as a Disabled person. You do not need any proof from anyone else.
Over the age of 18.
Live or work in Bristol or the surrounding area.
Understand the challenges and barriers faced by Disabled people.
Work as part of a team.
Understand the role of a Trustee.

What may stop you from being a Trustee

The Charity Commission is an organisation that sets outs rules for how charities must work. They have said if a Trustee has been found guilty of doing some things, they cannot be a Trustee. These will be written in the Trustee application form. If you say "yes" to any of them then you cannot apply.

How do I try to become a Trustee?

The Trustees for BDEF are agreed by the BDEF members at an annual General Meeting. To get to this stage, you would need to apply to become a Trustee. You do this through reading this information, and then filling out an application form.

On the application form you will have to show how you can do the jobs a trustee has to do, and the things a Trustee must have

If you don't show these, your application will not go any further. If you do, you will then be interviewed by a recruitment panel of Trustees.

If the Chair(s) thinks you can be a Trustee and would add things to the Trustees then your name will go forward to the Trustees to then go to the Annual General meeting. The Trustees could also agree not for your name to go forward.

You can apply to be a Trustee between Annual general meetings. The Trustee can agree you can be a Trustee. This is called “co-opting”. You will be able to come to meetings, and to speak and vote.

Your name will go the next Annual General meeting. This meeting could say you can carry on as a Trustee. It could also say you cannot carry on.

How long could I be a Trustee for?

If you stay as a Trustee for three years, at the next Annual General Meeting you will have to stop being a Trustee. You could then be appointed for another three years. You cannot do more than three lots of three years straight after each other. You would have to take a break of three years before applying again.

How do I stop being a Trustee?

What is the Code of Conduct?

This will tell you the kind of behaviour a Trustee is expected to do and not to do. If someone thinks you have not behaved as the code of conduct says, they can complain to the Trustees.

The other Trustees will talk to you about the complaint and try and find out what happened. If the other Trustees agree that you did not follow the code of conduct, they can stop you carrying on as a Trustee.

Will I get expenses?

Trustees are not paid. You will be able to claim travel expenses.

Will my access needs be met?

BDEF will do everything it can to meet your access needs. We will provide papers in any format you want. All physical meetings will be in accessible buildings. We will try and provide BSL interpreters if requested.

What do I do if I want to apply?

You can apply using our online application form.

If you would like a word application form to be sent to you, please email [email protected] to ask for a form.

Alternative applications formats

We can offer different formats. We will also accept applications in the forms of written word, voice recording and/or video if writing an application form isn’t the best format for you. Using the questions on the application form, you can send your response to [email protected].