Members help the Board carry out its obligations – to ensure the charity is doing what it was set up to do, make decisions about how the charity is run and agree future developments.
Members make key decisions at the Annual General Meeting, but also help inform the work of the charity during the year. Members act as ‘critical friends’, asking key questions, and using their personal experience and/or expertise to help the charity develop. You have voting rights at the AGM and act as a guarantor if the charity is wound up, limited to £1.
If you want to have your say in the future of Carers in Bedfordshire and meet with the trustees twice a year or so, this could be perfect for you.
The Board of Trustees needs “critical friends” – people with wholly positive motives towards the charity and its objectives - with whom to consult, test ideas and represent carers' interests in a safe environment.
The Articles of Association (our governing document) allows for up to 200 Members. Members are also guarantors (required by company law). We have to keep a register of Members, and will ask you periodically if you wish to renew your Membership.
Members have voting rights at the Annual General Meeting and other general meetings called under the rules of the Articles. We have to send you details, known as a “resolution”, about the issue being voted on and notice about the meeting where it will be discussed.
You are entitled to a copy of the Articles of Association and this will be sent to you on request.
Members are an intrinsic part of the governance of the charity. They hold the Board to account and make sure they are true to the objectives of the charity.
You will be scrutinising the papers the Board sends you, giving your views and asking questions at meetings – sometimes about things that might be missing. Think of yourself as a “critical friend” – a trusted person who asks searching questions in the wider interests of the charity. Your opinions matter, and Members should voice them constructively.
You will be invited to a half-day information session for new Members, covering:
We will send you an e-bulletin twice a year about what is happening in Carers in Bedfordshire and news from the Board
There will be two meetings a year – the AGM and one other with Board Members. You’ll need to allow time to attend these and read the papers for them.
You are welcome to become an active Member getting involved in some other areas
Being a Member is a purely voluntary role and supports the overall structure and governance of the charity by holding the board to account. It is different to being a volunteer who helps with day-to-day activities or fundraising for the charity - but you can be both.
Board directors or trustees are volunteers and Members so it is possible to be all three.
Technically you are the guarantors for Carers in Bedfordshire as a company limited by guarantee to the grand sum of…£1. You would only pay that over if the company is dissolved – highly unlikely!
Because you may be privy to some business sensitive information, we ask you to keep information confidential.
Fill in this online application form.
We consider applications three times a year. We’ll invite you to come in to meet us in April, July or December. Recommendations for Membership will be considered by the Board in May, August and February.
If your application is approved, you will be invited to an introductory session for new Members the following month.
Carol Solaiman, Development & Engagement Lead on tel 0300 111 1919
By registering with us as a carer you will get access to a whole range of services, including advice, information, access to our groups, events and carers grants.
