Sussex Archaeological Society: Trustee
The Sussex Archaeological Society (often referred to as Sussex Past) was founded in 1846 and is one of the oldest county archaeological societies in England. It welcomes more than 160,000 visitors each year to its portfolio of listed buildings, historic gardens, museums and ancient monuments located across East and West Sussex. The Society encourages research through its libraries, archive collections and research grants and offers a variety of walks, talks and conferences on the archaeology and heritage of Sussex. The heritage in its care includes the internationally significant Fishbourne Roman Palace (the largest roman residence in Northern Europe) and the Norman motte-and-bailey castle at Lewes Castle.
The Society is looking to recruit dynamic, forward-thinking Trustees with extensive experience of governing or leading organisations through significant organisational change and who can bring a fresh, strategic approach to helping develop our wonderful Society to play a central role in driving Sussex’s social and economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Society particularly needs skills in certain areas which are set out in further detail within the information pack.
The Society is embracing an accelerated approach to equality and diversity and inclusion, bringing together people with different experiences and backgrounds and creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued in everything we do.
Applications from potential Trustees from across the UK are encouraged, as virtual attendance at meetings can be accommodated. Trustees meet formally every quarter, with meetings generally taking place in the evenings and lasting no longer than two hours. Trustees are encouraged to participate in sub-committees, engage with our wonderful properties and programme of events, and communicate actively via email when necessary.
We are undertaking this recruitment process in order to follow the best possible standards of governance as recommended by the Charity Commission and to ensure our processes are fair, open and inclusive providing equal opportunity to all. We hope that our members will actively engage with the process.
We are keen to attract the very highest caliber of candidates to our Council of Trustees, with the necessary skills and experience to govern our amazing Society. Each candidate standing for election to Council must be a current, paid-up member and submit a Personal Statement together with a completed Nomination Form which will be made available to all members for decision at the AGM. Members are very welcome to stand for election without participating in the recruitment process if they so wish.
The closing date for applications is 6 pm on Friday 14th August. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview via virtual meeting. This will be an opportunity to meet with the Chair, Deputy Chair and CEO and to hear more about the organisation and its ambitions. Interviews will be held between Thursday 20th and Tuesday 25th August. Final appointment is subject to election by our membership at AGM.
To find out more, please read the information pack or contact our acting CEO directly on ceo@sussexpast.co.uk. Applicants will be asked to submit their CV, together with a covering letter setting out how they will contribute to the work of the Society.
TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT INFORMATION PACK
EQUALITIES MONITORING FORM – for applicants
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Fishbourne Roman Palace has the following vacancy for volunteers:
We will be opening a second-hand bookshop in the start of our new season and are looking for volunteers to oversee the day to day running of the shop. Bookshop volunteer profile For more information please email Melanie Marsh propertyfish@sussexpast.co.uk in the first instance.
Volunteers required for Lewes Library Project –
Are you reasonably computer confident?
Looking for a volunteering opportunity which can be done either at home or in the Society’s Library in Lewes?
The Society’s library is currently looking for assistance with 2 major projects:
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Recording details of articles and search terms as part of our project to digitise the Society’s annual publication known as Sussex Archaeological Collections – this requires access to a PC with MS Excel but does not require visits to Lewes as the data can be transmitted electronically. It is anticipated that this project will end by December 2020.
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Improving the data in the Society’s online library catalogue – this involves being in the library in Barbican House, Lewes for at least a half day a week on a regular basis.