TRUSTEE APPOINTMENT

2023
The BDA have a place on their Board of Trustees, and we want to hear from you.
If you are Deaf, an existing member, and would like to lead the BDA into the future, then get in touch with us and join our team.

Appointed Trustee Vacancies

We are delighted to launch the process for the recruitment of up to 3 appointed Trustees to join our Board. It is an exciting time to join the BDA as we lead an ambitious 10-year Strategic Vision calling for equity of our national sign languages, BSL and ISL.

This is your opportunity to join our forward-thinking Board to help us take BSL and ISL forward and we are particularly keen to recruit potential Board members from Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure full representation of our Board covering the UK.

All items must arrive no later than the deadline 12 noon on Friday 20th October 2023.

If you would like to apply, please fill out an application form or BSL or ISL video and outline:

  •   Why you wish to become a Trustee?
  •   How you will represent the Deaf community in your region?
  •   What commitment you are willing to contribute to BDA’s success?
  •   If you are sending us a BSL video of your application, please ensure:
    •   It is filmed in ‘landscape’ against a plain background (e.g. green screen or white wall)
    •   Around 2 - 3 minutes long

If you are interested in becoming a BDA Trustee

If you would like to join the BDA’s Board of Trustees, please review this webpage, and download the supporting Appointed Trustee papers. Please ensure you have read:

  • The Trustee Code of Conduct
  • The Role of a BDA Trustee
  • The BDA's Article of Association

 
The deadline to submit your appointed application is Friday 20th October 2023 at 12pm (noon). Please send it to BDA Chair, Dr Robert Adam at RobertAdamtrustee@bda.org.uk

If you have any questions or need further clarification or advice on the appointed trustee process, please contact Robert.

Please download the Appointed Trustee papers:
BDA Member AGM 2023

For more information on this year's BDA Members’ AGM on Saturday 11 November 2023, please go to our dedicated AGM page at: bda.org.uk/agm-2023

The election process has now closed

Watch in ISL

Criteria & Self-Explanatory Notes

My name is Sylvia Symmonds. I am the Returning Officer for the election process.

This is an exciting opportunity for you to join the Board of the BDA. Robert and I are more than happy to discuss any aspect of the process with you. We shall look forward to receiving your applications to ensure the BDA becomes a sustainable organisation to promote BSL and ISL as our wonderful language.

I will talk us through the criteria:

Expected Work & Time Commitment of Chair & Trustees

  1. Attend a minimum of 4 Board meetings each year (weekdays and weekends), usually held via Zoom and/or in London
  2. Attendance at the BDA’s AGM on Saturday 11th November 2023
  3. Attendance at the AGM every year
  4. Attendance at BDA Strategy Meetings or Away Days
  5. Attendance and promotion of BDA’s Conferences
  6. Represent the BDA at external events or conferences as requested by the Chair
  7. Be interactive with and visible amongst the membership of the BDA
  8. Make decisions at meetings and by email
  9. Ability to respond to emails and other documents via the BDA Board E-group.
  10. Agree to undergo - and satisfactorily pass – a PVG (Scotland), Disclosure and Barring Service (England and Wales), or, Access NI (Northern Ireland), check.
BDA-End-Screen

Key Criteria For Position Of Trustee

(*as stipulated in the BDA’s Articles of Association)
  1. Must be Deaf*
  2. Must be a member of the BDA*
  3. Must be over 18 years of age*.
  4. Must live in the UK*
  5. Must declare that you:
    • Have not previously been removed from trusteeship of a charity by a court or by the Charity Commissioners
    • Are not under a disqualification order under the Company Directors Act
    • Are not disqualified from acting as a trustee by S72 of the Charities Act
    • Have not been convicted of an offence involving deception or dishonesty (or any such conviction is legally regarded as spent);
    • Have not been involved in tax fraud;
    • Have not made compositions or arrangements with my creditors from which I have not been discharged;
    • Are not conflicted by virtue of other offices held or organisational allegiances (either yourself or through connected persons);
    • Do not hold office or have decision-making authority in another organisation working with or for D/deaf people.
  6. Have an understanding of or active experience of the following (please note, we will provide training to ensure you are able to fulfil your legal duties):
    • Deaf community and the challenges we face
    • The importance of Protecting, Preserving and Promoting BSL and ISL
    • The difference between governance and operational aspects of the BDA
  7. Be committed to the BDA’s Vision, Mission and Values, and, what we stand for.