Non-Executive Board Member/Director Recruitment Pack
Letter from Chairman Dear Applicant, Scotland Board. Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Ocean Youth Trust We believe that OYT Scotland can have a profound effect on the personal development of young people. As Scotland s national sail training charity we have a unique opportunity to help young people learn new skills through the challenge of adventure under sail. We are looking to develop the strength of our board and ensure that our Charity has Directors with a range of relevant skills that can contribute to our current and future success. I hope that this pack, and our website, will provide you with an insight into the work of our Charity and the ambition that we have for young people through the unique programmes we provide. Thank you again for your interest. Yours sincerely, Dominic McKay Chair OYT Scotland
Charity Overview Our History OYT Scotland has a heritage dating back to the very start of the sail training movement. Ocean Youth Club was founded in 1960 by Chris Ellis and the Rev. Chris Courtauld offering sailing adventures to young people. A Scottish region of Ocean Youth Club was formed in 1978, and Ocean Youth Trust Scotland was established as an independent Scottish charity in 1999, with one vessel, 3 staff, a handful of volunteers and an annual capacity for working with 300 young people. In 1997 Curly and Barbara Mills, organisers of the Scottish Islands Peaks Race, offered to support the building of a new vessel to replace the ageing Taikoo, as a gift to the young people of Scotland. This new boat was launched, and officially named as Alba Venturer by Barbara Mills at a ceremony in Glasgow on the 20th April 1999. By 2006, to meet increasing demand, the Trust decided to expand the fleet. The ideal opportunity presented itself when the Global Challenge organisation put their Challenge 72 vessels on the market. OYT Scotland bought Samsung, renaming her Alba Explorer in December 2006, in time for the 2007 season. Alba Explorer proved to be a great success working in partnership with Alba Venturer, and OYT Scotland was the winner of the Sail Training Organisation of the Year trophy awarded by Sail Training International in 2007. Encouraged by that success, and once again with the tremendous enthusiasm, trust and generosity of Mr and Mrs Mills, a second Challenge 72 vessel, named Alba Endeavour, was purchased and came into service in May 2008, enabling the Trust to take up to 1,200 young people to sea per year from ports around Scotland. Also in 2008, volunteer skipper Malcolm MacArthur received the YouthLink Scotland Lifetime Achievement Award, for his long-term commitment and achievement within the field of youth work. In 2009, OYT Scotland moved to a waterfront office and pontoon berths at Victoria Harbour in Greenock, made possible by Riverside Inverclyde. The spirit of the charity has endured over this long period of time, and thanks to the ongoing support of hundreds of committed volunteers, a small team of dedicated permanent staff and the generous support of our patrons, OYT Scotland inspires change in 600 young people each year through adventure under sail.
What we do Our award winning residential voyages let young people discover their true potential through the challenge of adventure under sail. is a world leading youth work charity, delivering an annual programme of residential youth work voyages aboard its fleet of sail training vessels. We sail with young people from a wide range of backgrounds throughout Scotland and beyond from 12 to 25 years of age. In most cases these young people will have no previous sailing experience. Vision We believe that all young people, regardless of circumstance or ability should have the opportunity to realise their true potential in order for them to live healthy, fulfilling lives making a positive contribution to their community and to society in general. Mission We exist to inspire young people through the challenge of adventure under sail. Residential voyages aboard our fleet of sail training vessels provide a uniquely powerful and extremely effective environment for the personal development of young people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
The Board of Directors/Trustees Ltd. Has a board of 12 Directors which includes three Executives and 9 non-executive Directors. Non-Executive Directors Dominic McKay Chair Volunteer 1st Mate with OYT Scotland and Chief Operating Officer for the Scottish Rugby Union. Nick Pilbeam Volunteer Mate with OYT Scotland and retired IT Manager. Emma Harley Volunteer Watch Leader with OYT Scotland and currently studying Naval Architecture at Glasgow Brian Robertson Volunteer Mate with OYT Scotland. Recently retired Senior Social Work Manager with NHS Highland and Highland Council. Barry Fisher Volunteer 1st Mate with OYT Scotland and Director of Youth Work Charity The Duke of Edinburgh s Award. Currently the Chair of the National Voluntary Youth Work Organisations of Scotland. Robbie Crow Volunteer Watch Leader with OYT Scotland and currently working for Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living. Chair of Sail Training International Youth Council. Executive Directors Nick Fleming Chief Executive Nick oversees the day to day running of the Trust, and also sails as Relief Skipper. Trevor Farrar Operations and Training Manager Trevor heads up the Operations Team and is responsible for the safe operation, staffing and maintenance of our fleet, and also sails as Relief Skipper. Sandy McNeill Finance Director and Treasurer Volunteer 1 st Mate, now in part time employment with the Trust as Financial Director. Background in running own business in East End of Glasgow for 25 years.
There are advisory 5 sub-committees that report to the Board; Health and Safety Safeguarding Nominations Training Remuneration Management of the Charity The Charity is managed on a day-to-day basis by the Executive Directors and currently employs 21 staff split into operations, development and fundraising teams. The CEO is appointed by the Chair of the Board of Trustees. Board of Trustees Operations & Training Manager Board Chief Executive Finance Director Staff Skipper Staff Skipper Volunteer Coordinator Senior Development Finance Officer Senior Fundraising Officer (Trusts & Foundations) Staff Skipper Staff Mate Staff Mate Admin Officer Development Officer Media Assistant Fundraising Officer (Statutory) Fundraising Officer (Corporate & Events) Cadet Cadet Admin Assistant Fundraising Officer (Community) The CEO prepares a budget and operational plan and presents this to the Board of Directors. Progress against plan is presented on a regular basis to the board meetings. Standing items for the board include; CEO Report Operational Report Finance Directors Report and Management Accounts
Candidate profile Following a recent review of current board skills, OYT Scotland is currently looking for non-executive Directors who would be able to contribute either one or more of the following skills listed below; Commercial Fundraising / Networking Marketing Youth Work sector Management and experience Legal In addition we would want candidates to demonstrate the following attributes; Commitment to OYT Scotland s mission for young people Subscribe to the values and ethos of the Trust Ability to work with the Executive and Board team in a constructive manner Creative strategic and leadership skills Responsibilities A non-executive board member will be expected to contribute to the strategic decision making process of the Trust. There are currently 6 monthly board meetings per year, held in either Greenock, Glasgow or Edinburgh. In addition sub committees meet regularly throughout the year. Every effort is made to use technology e.g. conference calls if possible. The overall time commitment is likely to total around 6 8 full days per year. Expenses Reasonable expenses will be paid for travel and accommodation related to the role. No remuneration is associated with this role.