Trustees

The Union's trustee board is made up of five directly elected student officers (the Student Affairs Committee), two appointed student trustees and three appointed external trustees.

The trustee board decides the strategic direction of the organisation and makes decisions on the financial, legal and responsibility issues for the Union.

Student trustees

Glen Woodroffe

External trustees

Alex Bone

Antony Weller

We are still in the process of recruiting one other external trustee. Find out more information about becoming an external trustee.

Student trustees

Glen wants to use his time as a trustee to help guide the Union through the process of becoming a charity

How are you finding being a student at UCLan?

It’s a really positive experience. It’s a good university and I really like the diversity it offers in the range of education available. I commute in around four times a week from Chorley to study. The facilities are fantastic, especially the new library and the media factory. They are both excellent developments.

What do you think of the Union?

I think the Union is impressive. I like 53 Degrees, I haven’t seen a live show there yet but I went in for Intro Fair and one of the tours of the campus went through it and it seems an amazing place. I really like Source, it has a great atmosphere and I think the Union reflects very positively on the University itself.

 Why have you become a trustee?

I’ve got a background in the third sector and the public sector and I have experience of being a director for organisations in this sector. I was the founding director of CODIA (Creative Opportunities and Development Agency) and this was a not-for-profit organisation and is becoming a charity, much like the Union.

I also want to contribute to the student community at UCLan. The Union is at the heart of that community and to have an opportunity to spend three years helping to shape the organisation is a tremendous opportunity.

What can you bring to the organisation as a trustee?

I think I can bring some vision and contribute to the existing vision of the organisation. I’m used to working in organisations and starting from scratch, so to come to an organisation with lots of existing structures will be an interesting challenge.

The Union is changing a lot and becoming a charity, so I can really help with my experience of working with regulators such as the charity commission and developing corporate structures that fit with these new challenges the Union will face.

I’m an ideas person, so I’m looking forward to contributing ideas and viewpoints but also in listening to the contributions that others will make. I expect the experience to be a learning curve but one that I can hopefully master and apply my skills to better the organisation.

How will you balance being a trustee with your studies?

I see a synergy between being a student trustee and studying. What I learn while being a trustee I can apply to my studies and what I learn while studying I can apply when being a trustee. I also see it as a great opportunity to have something more than just a piece of paper saying ‘degree’ on it when I leave university, I will have gathered some fantastic experience by being a student trustee.

External Trustees

Alex Bone wants to bring his experience from across the public, charity and private sector to help UCLan Students' Union

What do you do for a living?

I work for a consultancy called the Campaign Company based in Sheffield and live in Manchester. The consultancy specialises in social marketing and public/member consultations. Although, born in Brighton I studied at Lancaster University and graduated in 2003.

What skills do you feel you can bring as a trustee?

I’ve been a union elected officer for two years and worked as a member of staff at a London Students’ Union for over three. I hope to draw upon these experiences as an external trustee. As well as this I’ve worked in both public, charity and now private sectors and have campaigning experience working across all three.

What made you apply to be a trustee at UCLan Students' Union?
 
I’ve seen how Students’ Unions operate from the perspective of an undergraduate and postgraduate student, as an elected officer and as a member of staff. I saw the role of a cooperated external trustee as a chance to contribute strategically to a Students’ Union.

Now-a-days Students’ Unions have to be many things to all people: service provider, representative, charity, social enterprise and partner; whilst remaining membership led and professionally accountable. It’ll be a great opportunity to see how UCLan Students’ Union students and staff want to shape the next few years.

What are you most looking forward to about being a trustee?
 
I helped oversee the governance changes at King’s College London Students’ Union and look forward to meeting some of the challenges, both short-term and long-term, involved when implementing a new governance system.

What do you hope to achieve during your time as a trustee?

Students’ Unions have radically changed over recent years and will need to continue to do this in order to remain relevant to students. I enjoy the energy and enthusiasm that stems from being involved with a Students’ Union; I hope to work with staff and students to channel this into making UCLan SU excellent at what it does – I may even learn some things along the way.

Antony Weller
Age: 41
Trustee term: External | 18 months | 2009-2010

Watch a video to find out more about Antony Weller

Information for external trustees

What is a trustee?

Someone responsible, usually with others, as part of board for the overall management of the affairs of (usually) a charity. They will be responsible for making all the key decisions about the charity, in this case the union, agreeing long-term plans and strategic direction, ensuring the charity is functioning effectively and looking after the money.

Why be a trustee?

Being a trustee can be hugely rewarding. Over time you will make a critical contribution to the future of the union as part of the team that makes all the big decisions about our future, holds senior managers responsible and ensures we make life better for students.
You can expect to develop your knowledge of charities and the operation of the Union and build your skills.

Why be a trustee for the Students' Union?

The Students’ Union plays a large and influential role in the lives of students providing a range of free membership services such as independent advice, employment services, sporting opportunities, shopping, food, bar and venues. As a trustee you will play your role in shaping these services for the future to ensure they stay relevant to students.

Who would I be working with?

You will work as part of team of ten members of the Board of Trustees. The Board will include five elected officers (the Student Affairs Committee), two appointed student trustees and three external trustees all committed to developing the Union. The board will be supported by the Chief Executive and senior managers.

How much time does being a trustee take?

There will be six Board meetings a year which will be at times most convenient for Board members to attend and are likely to take up an afternoon. We will also expect Trustees to take on some additional responsibilities as part of sub–committee, attend occasional social events and short briefings/training sessions and make the time to read papers and reports.

Am I liable for anything while being a trustee?

Trustees are responsible for the assets and liabilities of the union but will be covered by liability insurance.

Is there anything that would stop me becoming a trustee?

Yes, if you have a history of bankruptcy or of criminal offences involving deception or fraud then you may not be a trustees. Potentially you may also have business or personal interests that would be inconsistent with being a union trustee.

What skills are you looking for?

All our Trustees should be committed to the role of Students’ Unions' and support our values of student leadership, democracy and our not for profit approach.

External trustees should have experience in one or more of the following areas: financial oversight, human resources, charity law, third sector management, print or broadcast media or campaigning organisations

I'm interested, where can I get more information?

For more information contact Doreen Jackson at the Union on 01772 89 4840 or email djackson@uclan.ac.uk.

For an informal conversation about the role and the Union please contact Pete Shilton Godwin (chief executive) on 01772 89 4840 or Beth Woodthorpe-Evans (president) on 01772 89 4898.

Or you can download the documents below for more information:

Information for trustees [pdf 43kb]

Opportunity profile for trustees [pdf 7kb]

Conflict of interest policy [pdf 52kb]

Declaration of eligibility [pdf 7kb]

Minutes of Board of Trustees Meetings (for copies of minutes of previous years please contact the Students' Union on suinformation@uclan.ac.uk)

25th July 2008

9th September 2008

7th October 2008

16th December 2008

24th February 2009

13th March 2009 (Extraordinary Mtg)

1st April 2009

28th April 2009

19th June 2009

9th September 2009

20th October 2009 (special mtg)

12th November 2009

2nd February 2010 (these will be available when approved at the next meeting on the29th April)