As independent charities, every citizens advice bureau has a board of trustees responsible for running the organisation and meeting the aims of the Scottish CAB service. This is a group of volunteers who have the key role of ensuring that the bureau fulfils all its legal obligations and operates efficiently and according to good practice guidelines.
Some of the things that trustees are involved in include:
- Financial matters, for example budget reviewing, fundraising and planned service developments
- Promotion and awareness raising, to make sure that the bureau is well known in the area it serves
- Working with the bureau manager and Citizens Advice Scotland to make sure that quality standards are being met in the bureau
- Devising the bureau’s business plan, and monitoring its implementation
- Making sure the bureau is fulfilling its responsibilities as an employer of paid staff
What kinds of people sit on Citizens Advice Bureau boards / management committees?
For the board of trustees to be effective a wide range of experience is required. You don’t need to be a professional or have particular qualifications to be a trustee and bureaux need people of all ages, skills and experiences so that everyone can learn from each other.
People who volunteer as trustees are usually:
- Aware of local issues
- Have values aligned with the Aims and Principles of the Service
- Able to think creatively and exercise good, independent judgement
- Able to work effectively in a team
- Happy to improve their own and others awareness of Equality and Diversity issues
- Able to understand and accept the responsibility of being a trustee and employer
- May have relevant lived experience or or knowledge useful on a board of trustees such as a background in other charity work, HR, community education, finance, health and safety etc
Apply to volunteer
Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau to find out about volunteer vacancies they are looking to fill.