Lingoocial
Lingoocial CIC aims to promote the sustainability and purpose of language learning in our local communities, inclusive of sign language and English as a second language. Through volunteer led study groups and a low-cost app which aims to help learners take ownership of their own language learning, we aim to make language learning more accessible and flexible for all.
Our directors will play a vital role in making sure that Lingoocial CIC achieves its core purpose. They work on a non-executive basis and are responsible for ensuring that our CIC can head in the right direction, also ensuring that Lingoocial CIC has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they create a Fundraising Strategy which will enable our organisation to respond to opportunities available to us. We also need to increase our trading income, so we are more sustainable and resilient as an organisation. Creating financial plans including powerful funding applications will help us to achieve our goals and meet our social impact.
We are looking for a group of 3-5 non-executive directors in North Tyneside who are passionate about language learning and can help to deliver a project with this purpose. Whilst experience in a similar volunteer role isn’t essential, we are on the lookout for those who learn languages and can share a passion for language learning to help our organisation take off.
Board members have a collective responsibility in ensuring that Lingoocial CIC can head in the direction we desire, making a difference in communities and ensuring that language learning can be made free and accessible to all, inclusive of those who rely on sign-language and English as their second language. This means that directors always act as a group and not as individuals.
This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.
Time commitment
• Attending periodic Board meetings on an ad hoc basis, currently expected to be quarterly, but this may change depending on the requirements of the business. Frequency to be confirmed. Meetings are to be held remotely and in person, with dates and venues to be confirmed.
• Attending details of annual strategy
Committee membership
Ad hoc and occasional support through working groups and support to the executive team.
Additional information
• We will look to set up a WhatsApp group to enable our Directors to keep in contact with one another. An initial group call will take place once all Directors have been appointed, and this will be an informal chat to discuss the project and make a plan for how we are going to establish Lingoocial CIC. More details will be confirmed with you upon successful appointment of the role.
• Once all directors have been appointed, we will be looking to host an initial introduction call using Microsoft Teams, where we will get to know one another and introduce Lingoocial CIC. More details will follow.
For any further information or queries about the role, please contact our temporary e-e-mail [email protected], where we will be happy to assist further. We look forward to meeting you.
Governance and Legal Compliance
• Our CIC will need to act in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. Therefore, our directors will need to ensure we are following regulations this as part of their core mission.
Duties:
• A strong commitment to Lingoocial CIC is essential in ensuring we can head in our desired direction.
• Assist in supporting our organisation and provide advice on Lingoocial CIC’s purpose, vision, goals and activities by challenging the status quo of language learning in the UK and promoting the sustainability and purpose of language learning in our communities.
• Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee and help to build our financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
• Ensure that effective decision making and judgement are implemented throughout all aspects of the business, especially when applying for funding.
• Also approve major contracts, policies, and strategic decisions.
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Contribute to preparing and approving the CIC Annual Report and annual accounts.
• Ensure the organisation follows the CIC asset lock, protecting community assets from private gain.
• Review and approve Lingoocial CIC’s financial statements.
• Provide support and challenge to Lingoocial CIC’s CEO Founder in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of risk, safeguarding, health and safety, GDPR, and financial controls.
• Keep on top of changes in Lingoocial CIC’s operating environment.
• Contribute to regular reviews of Lingoocial CIC’s own governance. Attend board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions and bring forward new ideas to help Lingoocial CIC to meet its community strategy and deliver its services.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect Lingoocial CIC’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.
• Contribute to the broader promotion of our objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.
As a new small CIC, there will be times when our directors will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or other issues in which the director has special expertise.
We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board. More importantly, we want you to share your passion for language learning with us. Whether you have worked with languages or like to travel on holiday each year, if you can demonstrate a love for language learning, you are exactly who we are looking for!
Personal skills and qualities:
• A keen interest in languages is desirable, but not essential to the role. We mainly look for a drive to take a community interest company in a desired direction to ensure we can meet the requirements of language learners in our communities.
• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.
• Willingness to lead according to our values [charity values].
• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
We aim to meet on a quarterly basis, where the goal will be to move Lingoocial CIC. Previous experience as a director is non-essential, but knowledge of the role and a passion for language learning is preferable.
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Full flexibility will be required for the role as meeting on an ad-hoc basis.
The North Tyneside Volunteer Centre is here to help! Whether you're considering volunteering or an existing volunteer, or if you are an organisation in North Tyneside that involves volunteers, we offer comprehensive advice and resources. For detailed information and to explore our services, please visit the Volunteering section of VODA's website.
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