Being a LEEF Trustee

The role of a LEEF trustee is to ensure that LEEF as a charity (no. 1168740) is operating legally and fulfilling its aims and mission as outlined on the charity commission website. 

We do this by:

• Ensuring that policies and procedures are kept up to date in accordance with English law and the principles of our organisation.
• Supporting the paid employee and volunteers so that they can fulfil their roles delivering workshops, training days and networking events to LEEF members.
• Attending LEEF events and getting to know other LEEFers
• Ensuring the financial solvency of the organisation and ability to function effectively.
• Overseeing the fulfilment of any grants gained and the reporting to the funding bodies.
• Actively promoting LEEF and its events and representing the organisation in a positive light.
• Always acting in the best interests of the charity – Not allowing your personal interests, views or prejudices affect your conduct as a trustee

Being a trustee is a voluntary position but the benefits in terms of networking and being involved in training events are limitless. There is also the obvious benefit to your professional development as trustees work closely with a wide variety of experienced professionals in the field.

LEEF has nine trustees from a variety of organisations (and freelancers!) across London, standing for terms of 4 years, renewable indefinitely. Trustees are expected to bring with them their enthusiasm, commitment, love of the environment and willingness to rope in friends and colleagues when the need arises!

Time commitment

Trustees are expected to

• Attend board of trustee meetings held every two months generally at the LEEF offices. These meetings are at 6.00pm and last up to two hours.
• Attend our annual trustee Away Day which takes place on a weekend day in the spring.
• Attend a minimum of two LEEF events a year, networking or training.
• Offer either your venue or a voluntary trainer for one event a year (generally daytime).
• Join a LEEF trustee subcommittee or take on a specific role.

We are particularly looking for a mix of people including those who:

• Have a working understanding and/or interest in urban Environmental Education
• ​Have a solid financial understanding and can follow budgets, accounting etc.
• Can represent either a large organisation, a smaller organisation, or freelancers in a relevant field.
• Offer up a venue with good transport links for training events
• Have experience in marketing and promotion via word of mouth, digital and non-digital media.
• Have been involved with successful grant applications and the subsequent project management.
• Are experienced in monitoring and evaluating projects against their objectives.
• Listen to others and enjoy contributing to a team effort.
• Have a bit of common sense
• Have a robust knowledge of education and/or the environment that they are confident sharing with others.