London Insight Meditation (LIM) is seeking to recruit a Finance Trustee to our Board of Trustees to replace the current Finance Trustee who wishes to retire in 2023 after eight years.
About us
London Insight Meditation is a small registered charity with the important mission of ensuring that the Buddha’s teaching is readily accessible in London; supporting the efforts of Londoners at every stage of the path to understand the Dharma and realise it in their own lives and fostering the growth of the community of Londoners who are inspired by the Buddha’s Dharma.
LIM runs a yearly series of about 30 events, primarily day retreats and workshops, which support understanding and meditation practice within the Insight (vipassana) tradition. In addition to the trustees, LIM has a part time paid Director, who reports to the trustees, and a part time paid Events Manager. Volunteers provide specialist services to LIM and ‘on the day’ services to ensure our events run smoothly.
What does the Finance Trustee role involve?
The Finance Trustee will play a vital role as part of LIM’s Board of Trustees, which sets LIM’s strategic direction, provides effective leadership and governance and ensures that LIM complies with its obligations as a charity. The Charity Commission website has useful information and guidance about the role of trustees in running a charity.
In particular, the role of the Finance Trustee is to maintain financial oversight of LIM’s activities and to ensure that proper financial records and procedures are maintained.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for a person with a finance background to join our committed and friendly team.
The Finance Trustee would have the following:
- professional financial or accountancy qualifications or experience.
- a high level of integrity and commitment to the values articulated in the Dharma teachings and the vision and goals of LIM.
- an ability to think strategically and problem-solve.
- sound judgement and an ability to work as part of a team.
- some experience of working within the charity sector (desirable but not essential).
We are very keen to ensure representation in the trustee group. We are truly committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, or what we call ‘Inclusive Sangha’, and we actively welcome applications from individuals across the diverse communities we aspire to serve.
Detailed information about the role and the time commitment
Information for applicants for the role of Finance Trustee including a breakdown of the time commitment – around 2 days a month – is available here.
The time requirement comprises attendance at quarterly team meetings and periodic ad hoc Zoom meetings or phone calls and dealing with correspondence. All trustees engage in some operational work within their area of expertise. Team meetings are currently being held online using Zoom.
What’s in it for you?
Becoming a charitable trustee at LIM:
- provides an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience and transferable skills.
- is a tangible way to be of service to the community of Londoners committed to the Dharma and is consistent with the concept of dana (generosity).
Although the role is unpaid, it is always interesting and very rewarding.
How to apply?
Please email expressions of interest to recruitment@londoninsight.org by 4th of August. Your application should include a covering letter outlining the reason for your interest and your history with LIM, how you feel you could contribute, what relevant experience you have, and your relevant skills. Please also include a CV. If you have any questions before submitting an application, please direct them to the same email address in the first instance and we will be in contact.
Since a new Chair will be an essential requirement for LIM’s continuation, we will first be conducting interviews with potential Chairs and seeking to confirm an appointment before going on to consider other Trustee applications.
With best wishes,