BOHS Honorary Secretary

Appointment

By members of the Society at the AGM (Regulations 2.3), the term of office is initially three years. The Honorary Secretary may be re-elected.

A Board member is both a board director and a trustee of the charity.

Purpose

The Honorary Secretary role is the key role to oversee the governance of the Society within Charity and Company Law and its Charter, byelaws, regulations, strategic aims and mission.

To assure, on behalf of the Board and the membership, the proper governance of the Society and the compliance of the Society with its statutory and legal obligations.

Duties

• Serve as an officer of Board, and an ex officio member of the Annals Editorial
• Ensure the proper maintenance of governance and compliance of the Society in support of the Head Office function.
• Chair the Strategy and Governance (S&G) Board Sub-Committee meetings.
• Ensure the proper operation of Board meetings and work with the CEO and Head Office team to secure efficient and effective governance of the Society.
• Support the BOHS office to ensure notices and agendas for General Meetings, including the Annual General Meeting and Extraordinary General Meetings (Byelaws 7) are issued in a timely manner.
• Support the BOHS office to ensure minutes of these meetings are produced and facilitate effective action as decided by the meetings (Regulations 3, 1.3, 3.3.2).
• Support the BOHS office to ensure notices of elections are issued and nominations received for Officers and Board members (Regulations 2.5).
• Act as a key focal point for the monitoring and management of risk.
• Together with other Officers, act when required as one of two co-signatories of cheques, drawn on Society accounts (Regulations 3.1, Financial Principles and Operational Guidelines).

Other Responsibilities

(The Honorary Secretary is a Board Member, Director and a Trustee of the charity, but enjoys full indemnity for their activities.)      

In addition to the above responsibilities, as a Board member and Trustee, to represent the interests of members and to work with other Board Members and the Officers of the Society to provide governance and direction for the Society through the effective strategic oversight of its operations and the work of the Head Office, including:

• oversight of risk
• oversight of financial management
• oversight of compliance within the context of Charity and Company Law
• focus on the realization of the mission and strategic aims of the Society
• advice to, support and oversight of Head Office functions, as reported in Quarterly Meetings
• upholding standards
• identifying Reserve Powers
• engaging in pro-active, positive communications with members