Board Member
The role
Greener Kirkcaldy’s Board is a group of volunteers who act as our trustees. They are also referred to as our Board of Directors or simply the Board. The Board is responsible for governing everything that we do. It sets our overall vision, oversees activities and finances and ensures we comply with all legal and ethical obligations. The Board must always act in the best interests of Greener Kirkcaldy and it must act as a group, not as individuals, supporting Greener Kirkcaldy deliver its Strategic Plan.
Why become a trustee?
Greener Kirkcaldy is a well-established, community-led charity and Development Trust working for a greener and fairer Kirkcaldy, and Fife. As a trustee, you’ll use your skills and experience to guide and strengthen an ambitious, forward-looking organisation rooted in its community. This is a chance to contribute at a strategic level, help shape our long-term sustainability and development, and support meaningful environmental and social change.
Our Board is committed, supportive and engaged, and we aim to make trusteeship both meaningful and enjoyable. We are a friendly and welcoming organisation that invests in learning and development, takes wellbeing seriously and celebrates the contribution of our volunteers. You’ll be joining a team that works hard, thinks creatively and enjoys working together to achieve real change in our community.
As we look to the future, we are particularly interested in strengthening the Board’s skills and experience in areas including charity governance, property and community asset development, capital projects, community energy, finance and digital technology.
Specific responsibilities
The key responsibilities of the Board are to:
- Shape the strategic direction and development of Greener Kirkcaldy, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance
- Ensure that Greener Kirkcaldy complies with our governing Articles of Association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
- Ensure that everything we do, and spend money on, is in line with our charitable objectives
- Safeguard the good name and values of Greener Kirkcaldy
- Ensure the financial stability of Greener Kirkcaldy
- Protect and manage our property and ensure funds are properly invested
- Appoint and support the Chief Executive and monitor their performance.
Each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board reach sound decisions. This may involve leading discussions, joining working groups, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, evaluation or other activities in which they have special expertise.
General responsibilities
We also expect trustees to:
- Promote the work of Greener Kirkcaldy in the local community, including to partners, stakeholders and the public
- Comply with our ethos, policies and procedures
- Maintain confidentiality about any sensitive or confidential information received in the course of duties as a trustee
- Provide a positive role model for the staff team, volunteers and participants
Time commitment
We expect board members to attend regular board meetings and contribute a few additional hours of volunteer time to the charity each month.
Board meetings are usually held at Greener Kirkcaldy’s premises every six weeks and last for two hours. Papers are distributed a few days before the meetings. We also invite our trustees to ‘away days’ with the staff team for strategic planning and team-building activities a couple of times a year, as well as volunteer celebrations for all Greener Kirkcaldy volunteers.
Board members may be asked to join sub-committees or working groups, according to their interests and expertise. We also encourage trustees to attend our Annual Gathering and Annual General Meeting.
Support
Greener Kirkcaldy will:
- Carry out an appropriate induction
- Provide training and support, as required
- Offer learning, development and networking opportunities
- Monitor volunteer hours, celebrate volunteer contributions and provide social activities
- Reimburse any reasonable expenses incurred in fulfilling the role
What you need to be an effective trustee
Each trustee must have:
- A passion for their local community
- A commitment to Greener Kirkcaldy’s values: protecting the environment, social justice and community-led development
- A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
- Integrity
- Good, independent judgement
- An ability to think creatively
- A willingness to speak their mind
- An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of a charity trustee (training is provided on this)
- An ability to work effectively as a member of a team and take decisions for the good of Greener Kirkcaldy
We welcome anyone with a passion for making Kirkcaldy a greener and fairer place. Knowledge or experience in any of the following areas is also of particular interest (but not essential):
- Building renovation and facilities management
- Charity legislation and regulation
- Community ownership and asset transfer or purchase
- Financial and accounting
- IT and digital technology
- Sustainable and community energy
How to apply
We encourage everyone who wants to apply to get in touch for an informal conversation with our Chief Executive. The closing date for applications is Monday 13 April 2026.
Call 01592 858458 or email lauren@greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk. To make a formal application you can send a CV and covering letter, giving us a sense of your skills and background, to Lauren Brook, Chief Executive.
Successful candidates have the opportunity to attend one or two board meetings to see how things work, before being officially invited to join the board. Final appointment as a trustee is subject to a vote of the whole board.
Equal opportunities
We want Greener Kirkcaldy to be an inclusive and diverse charity where everyone feels supported, valued and able to be themselves.
We take part in Fife Centre for Equalities’ Equality Pathfinders programme. We also take part in the Race Equality Environmental Programme facilitated by CEMVO Scotland. Our Equalities Action Plan sets out the steps we are taking to improve diversity and inclusion.
To achieve our vision of Kirkcaldy as a greener and fairer place to live, we need a diverse team. We encourage applications from people of any background. We know that in our sector we particularly lack staff and volunteers with Minority Ethnic backgrounds and disabled people. If you identify as Minority Ethnic and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Please contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application or take part in the recruitment process.