BECOME A BOARD MEMBER

WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW BOARD MEMBERS!

What we’re looking for

Having recently secured a further 4 years of NPO funding, we now want to strengthen our position within the global music sector, extending our offer to educational settings and building on the success of the youth training programme we created in conjunction with Rich Mix this year (April 2023). We also want to ensure that sustainability is at the core of our organisation's work.

We are creating an oversight board for the funded Global Local programme. This board will operate within the new framework of the Arts Council and its members will have an important role as advisors, advocates, and in ensuring compliance with the funding agreement and the Arts Council’s investment principles.

Continental Drifts are looking to recruit at least 3 dynamic and enthusiastic new advisory board members with a passion for our work, relevant experience and contacts, and who can support us in developing the potential of the work we do.

We are particularly interested to hear from people with knowledge of the primary or secondary education sector and from individuals with experience in fundraising, sustainability, business development and technical innovation.

We are keen to include representation from the Global Majority, people who are disabled, and 20-35 years old.

Education
We are looking for a board member with recent experience in the primary or secondary sector or in arts education who can provide insight and connections with local schools in London and the surrounding areas to develop opportunities to take our artists into schools and help them to develop new opportunities and introducing young people to a wider musical landscape.

Fundraising
We are looking to broaden our fundraising expertise and are now looking for board members with considerable connections who may be able to drive our ambitions forward by approaching possible funders and championing new partnerships.

Sustainability
We want Continental Drifts to be a leader in best practice and wish to embed sustainability into all that we do. We are looking for a board member with experience in this area to help guide us in areas including renewable energy supplies and reducing waste.  

Technical Innovation
We are keen to develop our involvement with new technologies in relation to the sustainability or accessibility of our work. We are open to more suggestions in this sector.

Your role
The advisory board will provide guidance, ensure we are meeting our arts council objectives and have an overall view of the projects financial affairs

The oversight board should also:

  • Ensure proper and effective governance of the Global Local project

  • Bring ideas and expertise to the project

  • Act as a champion and advocate for Global Local

  • Prepare for and attend board meetings (four per year), taking an active part in discussions and decision-making

  • Act with care and skill, and in the projects best interests

  • Liaise with the Arts Council

  • Provide guidance, challenge and support to the Global Local team

  • Attend Continental Drifts/ Global Local events where possible

  • Support Continental Drifts/Global Local fundraising activities, building and maintaining relationships with key partners and stakeholders where appropriate

Arts Council expectations for NPO boards/ oversight groups

  • The majority of the board should be independent of the executive.

  • Meetings must take place at least 4 times a year

  • All meetings are minuted and available to the Arts Council

  • The board is refreshed on a regular basis

  • Processes must be in place to ensure internal and external complaints enquiries and information requests can be dealt with in a timely fashion.

  • The board ensures policies are in place to ensure complianceRisk register is maintained and reviewed annually

  • Ensuring that the 4 investment principles are embedded in the culture and practice of the organisation

  • To have oversight of the funding agreement and to receive and review reports on progress against these and ensure that these reports are forwarded to the arts council on a timely basis

  • To meet/ communicate directly with the Arts council-independent of the executive if required.

Attributes
A Global Local board member should have:

  • A passion for the arts and creativity

  • Good judgement and decision-making skills

  • A willingness to collaborate and act as a member of a team

  • A demonstrable commitment to equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion

  • Honesty and integrity

  • The ability to think creatively

  • The courage to challenge

  • Ambition to improve and grow the work of Global Local and increase its positive impact

  • Knowledge of the Global music sector in the UK would be a significant advantage.

We would also appreciate it if you could attend some of our events and see our work in action to have an even better understanding of our work. We will provide free invitations to some of our events when possible.

Applications are welcomed from all parts of the UK. It is not essential to be able to attend all meetings in person since these will be a mixture of online and physical attendance (but mainly online). However, board members would be expected to attend at least one meeting a year in person and to attend some of the company's events

To apply please email us at music@continentaldrifts.co.uk with your CV and cover letter OR a short video presenting yourself and telling us why you’d like to join our board

Closing date 20th November 2023

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch