We are looking for new Non-Executive External Trustees to join our Board at The Glasgow School of Art Students’ Association (GSASA). We are a charity and independent Students’ Association which supports and promotes the interests of its student members at GSA. 

The Glasgow School of Art Students’ Association is committed to widening access to education and the arts. We believe in offering space and support to all students and members regardless of their resources and experience. The Association is committed to programming and working with organisers who reflect our student communities and their values, concerns, and interests. We are particularly committed to offering opportunities to our student members, dedicated to their personal and professional development during their time at GSA. 

We are located in the Assembly Building at the top of Scott Street. The building includes two Project Spaces; a large multifunctional Assembly Hall, as well as the Vic Bar. Since January 2020, the Building has not been in use, and GSASA is currently working to reopen our non-commercial and commercial operations. The first phase of this is to reopen our building to be used by our student members and return it to the student community.  

We are particularly interested in receiving applications from people with the following experience: 

• Finance  
• Service Sector Management  

We are looking for people who embrace our values, can take a proactive part in our board’s discussions, will engage in healthy debate, respect others’ viewpoints, and then gather around to support a consensus view. 

The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for the affairs of the Glasgow School of Art Students’ Association (GSASA). In line with Scottish Charity Law, they ensure GSASA conducts its affairs in line with its charitable objects and delivers for its members.  

External Trustees bring additional experience and skills to the Board from outside the Association and School.  

We are keen to make our Board as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people; people with disabilities; LGBT+ people; people with gender diverse identities; and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Our current focus is to encourage people from these under-represented groups into governance roles. 

Time Commitment: Attendance at 10 Board meetings per year, taking place on the first Wednesday of each month and lasting for approximately 2hrs. The maximum expectation of the post is for a total commitment of 1 day per month. 

Constitutionally, the standard term of office for an external trustee is 3 years (with an option for a further three years subject to Board agreement).  

Responsibilities:  

• To ensure that GSASA complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations. To ensure that GSASA pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document and uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives.  

• To ensure that GSASA has a clear strategic direction that meets the needs of its members, clearly outlined goals and performance indicators, and is focused on achieving these.  

• To agree any delegated authority and ensure such authority is clearly expressed and monitored. 

• To be an ambassador for GSASA, safeguarding and developing its reputation and values.  

• To support the Students’ Association in ensuring the long-term financial stability of the organisation  

• To provide support for the Executive Manager in protecting and managing the assets of GSASA, ensuring they are used exclusively in pursuance of the agreed objectives.  

• To provide support and feedback for the GSASA, including ensuring annual appraisal and objective-setting.  

• To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees, using any specific skills, knowledge, or experience to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve but is not limited to a) Scrutinising board papers b) Leading discussions c) Providing guidance on new initiatives d) Hearing specific HR and/or membership discipline cases e) Other issues in which the trustee has special expertise f) Decisions by majority vote  

• To undertake appropriate training and personal development as required for the role.  

• To ensure that all conflicts of interest that may arise are declared.  

• To adhere to all relevant GSASA policy with reference to staffing, health, safety and environmental responsibility.  

The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for the oversight of the administration of GSASA. The Board is currently made up of 8 members:  

• The two full-time sabbatical officers of the Students’ Association (students elected to a full-time one-year position)  
• Four Student Trustees (current Glasgow School of Art students elected through the Student Representative Council)  
• Two External Trustees (individuals appointed to bring wider expertise, experience, and skills to the Board)  

In addition, the Executive Manager of the Students’ Association attends all meetings of the Board. The Board is responsible to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) but it also has accountability to the membership through annual meetings, minutes published on the website etc. The GSASA governing documents can be found on the Association website.  

The Association is looking for a range of skills across the external trustees. These include:  

• Experience of financial management 
• Experience within a Higher Education context  
• Experience within the Scottish charity sector  
• Experience of strategic leadership  
• Experience of HR management  
• Previous experience as a Trustee or other non-executive role ideally in the charity sector  

The Association does not expect any one applicant to possess all these attributes, but you should be able to demonstrate strong experience in at least one area and ideally experience in more than one of the above areas. The Association is a strongly values-led organisation and therefore successful applicants will be able to demonstrate  

• Commitment to, and experience in, delivering equality of opportunity and reducing barriers to participation  
• Commitment to the ethos and values of the Association and a genuine interest in the empowerment of students  
• The highest standards of personal honesty and integrity and the ability to act with discretion  
• The Board of Trustees is only as strong as its members, and you should be able  
• To communicate effectively and appropriately with a wide range of people  
• To demonstrate the ability to think rationally and strategically around complex issues  
• To fully participate in all board discussions 

If you think you have the skills, experience, and personal qualities to support us in taking our next vital step, we would be delighted to hear from you. 

Download the Application Form here.

Please complete the attached Application Form and submit to Rory O’Neill, Student President and Chair - r.oneill@gsa.ac.uk