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THE SEARCH IS ON! DURRELL NEEDS YOU!

16^th February 2010

A MESSAGE FROM LEE DURRELL

Durrell is looking to fill three positions on its Board of Trustees. Are you interested in sharing responsibility for the Trust’s development and governance? Will you help lead us in the second half century of our mission to save species from extinction?

We need people with skills, experience and energy in any of the following: accountancy and financial management (to fulfil the role of the Jersey-based Honorary Treasurer); fund-raising, particularly capital campaign management; public attractions management; conservation management and science.

Background
My late husband, Gerald Durrell, left us with a far-sighted and unique vision of conservation which began 51 years ago when he started his zoo in Jersey. In 1963 he established a charitable trust with the mission “to save species from extinction” by establishing breeding, research and release programmes for threatened species and by protecting them in their natural habitats.

The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has entered a new and exciting phase as it moves into its second half century. Our TopSpots strategy is well underway, building on existing programmes and expanding our work in other areas of high biodiversity. We deliver our world renown professional training programme on-site in conservation-critical regions, as well as from our headquarters in Jersey, which is an acknowledged centre of excellence for conservation and an inspirational showcase of our work. Like all charities, however, the Trust has been severely impacted by the global recession, and its greatest challenge in the next few years is to achieve financial sustainability. We shall explore new ways of generating revenues, such as enhancing the Jersey site’s earning power by creative commercial developments.

What we are looking for
We need energetic people who are willing and able to make a significant contribution to our growth and governance during this period.

Role
The Role of Trustees includes the following responsibilities:

• To establish the strategic direction for the Trust including its mission and strategies
• To ensure that the Trust functions within legal and financial requirements
• To ensure that the broad policies of the Trust (e.g. its conservation, finance, fundraising, and HR policies) are in keeping with its Objects and strategies
• To work to ensure that the Trust has the resources, both human and financial, to achieve its Objects and strategies
• To monitor and evaluate the progress of the Trust against its objects and financial targets
• To employ and supervise a Chief Executive and delegate to him/her the management of the Trust

More information on the Code of Conduct of Trustees can be found in the Governance Procedures.

Attributes
The essential attributes of any Trustee are:

• A commitment to Gerald Durrell’s vision and legacy
• A commitment to conservation based on rigorous scientific research
• A commitment to environmental sustainability and animal welfare
• A collegiate attitude to work partners and an ability to be articulate and succinct in meetings

Experience
The Trust is seeking people with skills and experience in:

• Accountancy and financial management (to fulfil the role of the Jersey-based Honorary Treasurer);
• Fund-raising, particularly capital campaign management;
• Public attractions management;
• Conservation management and science.

Terms and Conditions
The term of elected Trustees is three years. A maximum of two terms can be served. In exceptional circumstances and with the unanimous agreement of the Board a third term may be served.
Trustees should be available for the equivalent of 8-10 days a year for meetings in Jersey or elsewhere. This will include at least three meeting days in Jersey and possibly one in London plus attendance at occasional workshops and committee meetings, some of which will be conducted by email or teleconferencing.
Reasonable expenses for travel and lodging to attend meetings will be covered.
Trustees are accountable to the Board of Trustees.
Trustees will declare any conflict of interests which may impact on their work for the Trust. (Governance Procedures Appendix VI - see link below)

Anyone who has the essential attributes, offers one or more of the skills we need, meets the Terms and Conditions and who is a member of the Trust may nominate him/herself as a candidate for election to the Board. Non-members may also self-nominate, but, if elected, must become a Trust member before taking up the position.

How to submit your nomination
Fill in the Registration of Interest form at the link below and follow the steps indicated, including a covering letter to the Governance Committee, which states how your attributes and skills match what we are looking for, your reasons for joining the Board and what you would hope to achieve; your curriculum vitae, which should include the names and contact details of two people who could vouch for your abilities to serve on a Board and whom we can speak to if necessary;
a brief biography (maximum 150 words) to circulate to Trust members with the election ballots.

Timetable
Trustees are elected by postal ballot sent to all members of the Trust. The process up to the point of circulating the postal ballots involves the Governance Committee short-listing and interviewing candidates and recommending candidates to the Board according to the Trust’s needs.

Closing date for receipt of nominations is 24th March 2010.
It is anticipated that short-listed candidates will be interviewed during April.
Details of all eligible candidates will be sent to all members of the Trust before 22nd June 2010 for election by postal ballot. The Board will identify its recommended candidates within those eligible. The Registration of Interest form offers candidates who are eligible but not recommended the choice of withdrawing their names from the ballot.
Newly elected Trustees will be announced at the 2009 AGM, to be held in Jersey on 22nd July 2010.

Finally, you might find it helpful to read the documents indicated below, which include the Rules of the Trust, the Governance Procedures, the Board of Trustees and the Annual Report 2008. I hope they will help you prepare your nomination submission. If you have further questions about the Trust or would simply like to speak to someone about the role of Trustee, please telephone or email Ms Angela Barney (+44 (0)1534 860041 or angela.barney@durrell.org). If you are unable to download or print any of the documents referred to here, do ask Angela to send you hard copies.

We look forward to hearing from you, but meanwhile, best wishes from us all for 2010.

Lee Durrell
Honorary Director, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

On behalf of the Governance Committee,
Board of Trustees, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
17 February 2010

CLICK HERE FOR

REGISTRATION OF INTEREST FORM
RULES OF THE TRUST
GOVERNANCE PROCEDURES
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
ANNUAL REPORT 2008

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