Chair

Responsible for: The Board of Trustees and Committee Members, Support Committees and, with support of the Board of Trustees, the Directors of The Association for Family Therapy Ltd.

Responsible to: The member body of the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice.

The responsibilities of the Chair

• It is envisaged that the role will take approximately half a day per week, although precise arrangements will depend on the role holder’s availability and other commitments.
• Provide line-management and support to the CEO of the Association and to other professional directors in the absence of the CEO
• Objectively and impartially chairing and facilitating Board of Trustee meetings.
• Providing direction for the Board.
• Acting as the Chair of the member body.
• Holding ex officio membership of all committees, working groups or sub-committees set up by the Board of Trustees, and attending meetings where appropriate.
• Agreeing the annual cycle of Board of Trustee Committee meetings and agreeing the agenda for Board of Trustee Committee meetings.
• Working with the CEO, ensure that decisions and actions agreed at Board of Trustee Committee meetings are implemented.
• Working closely with the CEO, Operations/Finance and Communication/Policy Directors to ensure that the strategic plans of the Board of Trustees are actioned and the progress or otherwise reported back to the Board of Trustees effectively.
• Working with the Communications/Policy director ensure the AFT is best represented within all Media and responds effectively and appropriately to incoming enquiries.
• Working with the company secretary, ensure that all members of the Board of Trustees have been appropriately checked for eligibility, briefed and inducted into their roles, receive appropriate training, and are aware of their status as charity trustees.
• Addressing and resolving conflicts that arise.
• Acting as the final appeal point for complaints raised, investigated and responded to against members/committees/staff.

General Executive Committee responsibilities

• To be a full and active participant in Board of Trustee meetings and activities.
• To uphold the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees as outlined in the Articles of Association of the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice.
• With other Trustees, to exercise effective control, making sure that we function within the legal and financial requirements of a charitable organisation and strive to achieve best practice.
• Take an active Membership of a number of committees/working groups (it is recommended that every committee/working group has 2 board members allocated to it), acting as liaison between the Board and said committee, to ensure information flows both ways and Board colleagues are kept up to date with any issues arising.
• Willingness and eligibility to act as a Charity Trustee for the Association. Contribute to the strategic aims and future development of the Association.
• An understanding of their own role, and the role of others on the Board.
• A commitment to understanding and forming opinions on the key discussion points and responsibilities of the Board.
• Willingness to complete various tasks which support the work of the Board and aims of the Association.
• To act as signatory, on behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Ltd Company, for the regulatory financial and activity reports for both Companies House and the Charities Commission.