Trustee - Cantabrainers Therapeutic Choir Charitable Trust

Are you passionate about the power of music to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives? Our Canterbury-based charitable trust is seeking to appoint up to two new Trustees to our board this year. If you support our mission to positively impact the lives of those with neurological conditions through participation in therapeutic choirs, and have the appropriate skills to bring to the mix, we would love to hear from you.

The Cantabrainers Therapeutic Choir Charitable Trust (CTCCT) is a registered charitable organisation. It is focused on making a real difference to the lives of those with acquired brain injuries and neurological conditions, utilising choral music and specialist therapy.

Our approach is research-based and includes participation in a therapeutic choir which meets weekly and is led by a registered Music Therapist and Speech Language Therapist. While the therapeutic benefits of music are at the centre of our work, participation also provides individual and whānau/family/carer support, improved advocacy, a sense of belonging and being valued, and outreach into the broader community. 

The Trust Board is committed to ongoing research, ensuring the sustainability of the organisation and exploring extending the opportunities to work with other groups. The trust employs a part-time General Manager who alongside our contracted therapists, Trustees and volunteers and of course our choir members, works to realise our vision.

We are excited about what the future holds, and to grow our work alongside careful governance and planning. Now is the right time to grow our governance team both in numbers and diversifying our skill set, and we are looking forward to welcoming new members to the Board. 

Position Description: Trustee

Trustees of the CTCCT Trustees give their time, wisdom, energy, and expertise on a voluntary basis to our organisation. Our focus is centred on our members and the amazing people we work with, and our work is supported by our 7 Pillars: Participation, Community, People, Research, Education, Sustainability, and Smart Systems.

Currently the Board consists of  three Trustees who meet formally 4 times a year with the therapists, choir reps, and the General Manager. Agenda items include operations, health and safety, and financial management - as well as goal-setting and working  towards our strategic priorities.. 

In between these meetings, Trustees spend time contributing to ongoing policy development, strategic planning, and providing general support to the team on the ground delivering our programmes. Trustees may hold informal meetings as required either in real time, via Zoom or on a conference phone call as appropriate. From time to time Trustees are also invited to represent the Choir at a variety of events and networking opportunities, and attend key choir events as board members.

Our Trustees have established a strong, sustainable, and growing organisation with a track record for delivering quality programmes that make a difference. Going forward the trust will continue this great work and plan strategically for our next 5 years of operation and beyond. 

The Ideal Candidates:

Could offer skills in at least one of our priority recruitment areas:

1. A robust understanding of financial practices, reporting, and management. 

2. Strong communications networks with media and other key contacts. 

3. Expertise or background in therapeutic practice. 

4. Those with a lived experience of disability and/or links to disability service organisations. 

Other qualities we are looking for:

• Ideally be based in Canterbury

• Understand and support the work we do

• Believe in the philosophy of kindness, non-judgement, patience and support inclusivity and diversity while maintaining a clear business head.

• Be enthusiastic about the benefits of a therapeutic choir

• Have skills they are willing to contribute these skills to the Trust

• Be prepared to devote the necessary time to this role

• Be prepared to contribute your voice to the established team

• Have a good sense of humour and enjoy working with a lively team

There is no expectation of detailed musical knowledge or practical musical skills but these would be warmly welcomed

We welcome applications from all walks of life and particularly encourage diverse voices to apply.