The Trustees
To comply with our Memorandum and Articles of Association, an election to the Board of Trustees takes place every two years. There have been Trustees of the National Women's Register since 1980, a requirement of being a charity (NHR was granted charitable status in 1980). When NWR (as NHR) became a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee in 1986, it was also necessary to have at least one director to manage the company, and the Trustees became Directors of NWR the company.
Pam McKee: Crosby Group NWR
I have been a member of Crosby Group for over 20 years. Like others in my Group I "graduated" to NWR from National Childbirth Trust when my daughter was small. NWR has been my friendship group and what great friends I have!
I have taken my turn as Local Organiser. On retiring from a career as an HR Director in social housing, being a trustee seemed the ideal next step in allowing me to give something back to the organisation that has given me so much. My experience also embraces governance and public relations. In my spare time I enjoy the company of friends and family, travelling, continuing to learn Spanish and trying to keep reasonably fit.
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June Nash: Knowle NWR
I was introduced to NWR by a neighbour who had been in my situation and I have been a member ever since: about 28 years. In 1990 I was the Chairman of the organising committee for the Warwick Conference, a dream come true. A long time ago I promised myself that I would get more involved with NWR at a national level but small children, running a business and then elderly parents always had to take priority. A year ago, with all children having left home and parents deceased I sold my business and took some time to consider what I would do next. This was my chance to take more part in NWR.
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Kathleen Tanner: Market Deeping NWR
I was brought up in Northern England. I graduated in Maths and worked in the Paper and Steel Industries at the University of Bradford.
We had our children (2 sons) in our thirties and I later worked in the Voluntary sector and with Housing Associations. More recently I ran the GP Out of Hours Cooperative in Peterborough. I have also been involved in local community activities such as the PTA and Youth Club. I have been a school Governor and am interested in local politics.
While I was always aware of NWR (I remember reading the original Guardian article) I only joined in Market Deeping in 1982 when I was at home with small children. I have been actively involved ever since but at the local level. For instance I have never been to the annual National Conference so this year will be a new experience. The Deepings NWR group is very lively and interesting and I have made many close friends as a result of being a member. I feel very honoured to be offered the opportunity to be an NWR Trustee and hope I will live up to it.
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Liz Valette, Southsea Group
I have been a member since 2005. I found out about NWR at the local library. At my first meeting I was confident that NWR would suit me and was slightly disappointed that I'd not heard of it before. Giving something back is important so that's why I became a trustee. Best described as a Jill of all trades, mistress of none I'm a 'can-do' sort of person. If it isn't rocket science or brain surgery then I'll have a go. I've a lively and enquiring mind. Having passed through school as a non achiever, my education has been acquired on the job, a day without learning something new is a day wasted.I'm happy in my own skin, too busy to help the cosmetics business make a profit. I love gadgets and boys' toys, this probably stems from having Meccano & Hornby train sets when I was very young. My parents were quite liberated when it came to child rearing. Impulsive by nature, friendly and engaging I'm like the Labrador puppy, jumping up and wanting to be friends.I'm a closet eco warrior: in my house nothing much gets thrown away. I do my best to avoid lining the pockets of any CEO. When I think back on my memories I sometimes feel as if they happened to someone I knew very well. I'm not one for living in the past, it's always onwards and upwards. Tomorrow the sun is always going to shine and the day will be good.Bobby Kennedy once said, 'Some people ask why, I always ask why not', well that's me folks. Why not become a trustee and help steer the good ship NWR? It's a fantastic organisation.
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Gill Chivers, Basingstoke Group
I have been a member of NWR for over 33 years and still enjoy it as much as ever! The members of our group in Basingstoke are growing older together but we still have lively minds and enjoy a wide range of topics and activities. As well as the local side of NWR I have always been keen to get involved in the national activities. I have been on two National Conference committees, taking the role of Conference Co-ordinator at both conferences in Reading, most recently in 2005. Over the years I have attended many national and local events. Basingstoke has organised several day conferences, discussion lunches and quizzes and I have always taken an active role in these. In fact just days after I joined in 1978 I was thrown in to helping out at our very first day conference!My background is in teaching maths and physics and for the latter part of my career I managed an Education Other Than at School Service and Behaviour Support Team in North East Hampshire. I have also been a school governor for many years. Now I am retired we spend much of the summer in France but I am always drawn back home to the family and to NWR of course! NWR has been an important part of my life for a long time so I welcome the opportunity to give something back as a Trustee.
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The Role of the Trustees
The Trustees have a dual role as Directors under the Companies Act and Trustees under the Charities Act. It is their legal and overall responsibility to ensure that NWR is working to achieve its aims and is operating within its charitable remit as a company limited by guarantee, and that the organisation is run on a financially viable basis.
As Directors, the Trustees are collectively agents of the company and must observe the rules governing them. They are responsible to the company, not to the members as individuals or a body, and members of the company cannot instruct the Directors in their duties. Directors also have a legal duty to consider the interests of company employees (the Office Administrator and her Assistant).
The Trustees meet with the two Co-ordinators at least four times a year. One meeting is at the National Conference. All the employees, viz. the Co-ordinators, Bookkeeper and Office Administrator are line managed by a Trustee. Each Co-ordinator has regular meetings with their line manager and keeps in close contact via telephone and email.
The Trustees are available to all members and the employees for advice when consulted. There may be between three and five Trustees, who must stand for re-election every two years.
The Trustees of the National Women's Register wish to give the best possible support to the organisation and may be contacted by any member at any time.
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