Charity seeks new Governors for 2024 start

Context

The Memorial Trust of the 2^nd Air Division USAAF (The Memorial Trust) was established in 1945 to create a living memorial to members of the 2nd Air Division of the United States 8th Army Air Forces. 7,000 members of the Division died during World War Two while flying from air bases in the East of England. The Trust was founded by members of the 2^nd Air Division and local Norfolk people. The idea of a public library as a war memorial garnered support and the Trust funded the opening of a library in 1963.

Today the American Library is on the same site in central Norwich, now inside the Millennium library and the Forum building. The library is managed by the Norfolk County Council Library and Information Service (NLIS) and funded by the Memorial Trust who provide some strategic direction. The Library houses the 2^nd Air Division Roll of Honor. It comprises an exhibition about the 2nd Air Division and a specialist WWII book collection; an exhibition and over 2,000 non-fiction books on all aspects of American life, history and culture as well as the best in classic and contemporary US fiction. The library has an events and education programme and its activities reflect the diversity of American life. In addition to the main library the Trust also supports memorials and stock in four wing collections at libraries in Attleborough, Sprowston, Long Stratton and Dereham.

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The Role of Governor is:

·        To comply with the governing document and the law

·        To manage the Trusts resources responsibly

·        To support the operation of the American Library

·        To ensure that the Trust is accountable

·        To act with integrity and avoid conflicts of interest

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

1.     To prepare for and participate fully in Board meetings

2.     To participate in sub-committees as appropriate

3.     To act reasonably in decision making and leadership of the Trust

4.     To ensure the proper management and administration of the charity

5.     To support the partnership with Norfolk County Council Library and Information  Service

6.     To use any specific skills, knowledge or experience you have to help the Board reach quick and sound decisions by leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise

7.     To provide a Governor presence or to host visitors at American Library events and activities, and to represent the Trust and the library at external events

8.     To promote the work of and advocate on behalf of the Trust and the American Library

9.     To lead or support fundraising efforts

Person Specification

1.        Be enthusiastic about the Trust, the Library, and their mission

2.        Commitment to learn about charity governance and finance

3.        Able to scrutinize and effectively challenge on a wide range of issues

4.        Seeing the value of teamwork and the individual’s role within it.

5        Relevant knowledge, skills, experience or networks. The Trust welcomes applicants with experience in any of these fields:

·        Accounting and finance

·        Law and governance

·        Marketing and Public Relations

·        Military

·        Literature and libraries

·        Archives and heritage

·        American Studies

·        Education and Young People

·        Community Work

The Trust welcomes applications from those who are currently underrepresented on the Board. This includes

·        Women

·        People under 40

·        People from minority ethnic backgrounds 

Terms of appointment

·        The term of a Trust Governor is 5 years

·        The process for being co-opted again is: first, to confirm that Governor desires re-co-option and then to do so by vote at a special meeting prior to the Annual General meeting or the Trust Spring General meeting

·        The role is non-remunerated, but reasonable travel, subsistence and accommodation expenses are all reimbursed. Receipts/proof of payment required.

·        A Governor will be eligible to join a sub-committee or working group immediately

·        A Governor will be eligible to take the role of sub-committee Chair after 1 year

·        A Governor will be eligible to take the role of Trust Chair after 2 years

Time commitment and meeting schedule

Meetings take place in Norwich.

Whole Trust meetings occur twice a year. The AGM takes place on the Monday after Remembrance Sunday (this is the Sunday closest to November 11th). The other whole Trust meeting takes place on the Monday closest to May 8^th (Victory in Europe Day), not on May 8^th itself.

Currently whole Trust meetings take place in the afternoon. This pattern is unlikely to change as it allows participation from US based Governors and stakeholders.

There may be additional demands, particularly during the first year of office to allow for an appropriate period of induction and training.

Library and Finance Sub Committees ,which you may be asked to join, meet twice a year, the time pattern of these meetings is subject to change but they are usually in February and September.

There are ad hoc and ‘as and when’ short term working groups which Governors may be asked to join based on their specific skills and attributes.

The Trust makes use of digital technologies to facilitate meetings and it is possible to attend via zoom.

To be considered:

Please fill in the expression of interest form, and the American Library will then contact you.

Further Information -

Memorial Trust Objectives

Under the Scheme the income from the main endowment of the Trust is applied for the following purposes and in the following order of priority:

1 In meeting such part of the cost of the maintenance of the 2nd Air Division U.S.A.A.F. Memorial Library, any branches thereof, and any additional memorial features which are situated in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk as is not met by the relevant Library Authorities including the Memorial Water Gardens and Fountain.

2 In providing library materials (that is words, figures, sounds or data recorded in or on any medium and educational artefax) for the 2nd Air Division U.S.A.A.F. Memorial Library and its branches which will advance learning and education in any respect of or relating to the history of the Second Air Division.

3 In providing library materials (that is words, figures, sounds or data recorded in or on any medium and educational artefacts) for the 2nd Air Division U.S.A.A.F. Memorial Library and its branches which will advance learning and education in any respect of or relating to the United States of America.

4 In meeting such part of the cost of the salary and other fees of a librarian and other staff in providing services and duties for the 2nd Air Division U.S.A.A.F. Memorial Library and its branches as is not met by the library authorities.

American Library Mission and Objectives

We are a war memorial and public library which commemorates the sacrifice of the 2nd Air Division in World War II and celebrates American life and culture by providing resources, displays & programming for the benefit of the people of Norfolk and the USA.

Objectives

Increase knowledge of the 2nd Air Division USAAF around the world by collecting, maintaining, preserving, making accessible & promoting, physically and digitally, a specialist collection

Create a learning experience for schools, young people & families that increases use by this group of American Library

Develop programming with new partners locally, nationally and with the USA

Promote community cohesion by telling the stories of the Word War II struggle for freedom and decency in Europe