Title:                                       Non-Executive Committee Member

Accountable to:                     Committee Chairperson

Type of position:                   Unpaid, with expenses paid whilst undertaking role. 

Role Overview:

The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) Trustee Board operates a structure whereby much of the detailed monitoring, planning and policy development within the Charity is undertaken by seven formal committees.  These are:

• Audit and Risk
• Charity Grants (providing support to charities and the wider society)
• Finance
• Fundraising
• Investments
• Masonic Support (providing support to freemasons’ and their families)
• Property

As a Non-Executive Committee Member you will work as a full member in one of our committees to ensure that it discharges the responsibilities devolved through its terms of reference.  In doing so you will be expected to play your part in ensuring  compliance with the organisations governing document (the Articles of Association), charity law, company law and all other relevant legislation and regulations pertinent to the operations.  You will also be expected to work within the current policy framework of the MCF and contribute to ensuring that our resources are exclusively used in pursuance of our objects, that our organisational values are enshrined in the work of the committee and that our overall goal of providing the best possible quality of service to those we support is maintained and developed.

 Principal Contributions of a Non-Executive Committee Member

• Act as an ambassador and advocate of the Charity
• Be conversant with the Charity’s key documents including its objects, vision, strategic plans and policy framework to ensure these are complied with and pursued within their committee
• Comply with charity law requirements other laws and regulations that apply, including the Charity Governance Code and the Nolan Principles
• Support what is required and how this should be achieved within their Committee to deliver the key documents outlined above
• Be able to explain how the Charity’s and Committee’s activities further or support its objects
• Understand how the Charity benefits beneficiaries, including the public, and demonstrate understanding and adherence to the Values of the Charity
• To act at all times in the Charity’s best interests and declare and deal with any perceived conflicts of interest promptly
• Make balanced and adequately informed decisions, thinking about the long term as well as the short term and ensuring alignment with strategic direction
• Avoid putting yourself in a position where your duty to the Charity conflicts with your personal interests or loyalty to any other body or person
• Support the responsible Charity’s resources including
  • Ensuring that the Charity’s assets are only acquired, used and disposed of to support or carry out its purposes
  • Avoid exposing the Charity’s assets, beneficiaries or reputation to undue risk
  • Not to over commit the Charity
  • Take special care when considering investment or borrowing
  • Comply with any restrictions on spending funds, selling land or property, or any other matters
  • Ensure that we have appropriate procedures and safeguards in place and take reasonable steps to ensure these are followed to reduce the risk of making the Charity vulnerable to fraud or theft or other kinds of abuse
• Act with reasonable care and skill making use of your skills and experience and taking appropriate advice when necessary
• Give sufficient time, thought and energy in preparing for and attending and actively participating in all committee’ meetings
• Typically, MCF committees convene four to six times a year during the working day with meetings lasting up to 4 hours on a hybrid and/or in person basis