What is a Trustee?

Greenwich Students’ Union (GSU) is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. As a Trustee (also known as a Director), you will be a part of an appointed group of individuals – the Board of Trustees – who are tasked with working behind the scenes to direct the business of the organisation, ensuring GSU fulfils its mission and does so within the confines of Charity Law to which it is subject.

As a Student Trustee, you will bring the student voice to the table, shaping the conversation with an insight only you can provide.

What will your work entail?

Greenwich Students’ Union represents around 21,000 members who are students at the University of Greenwich and operates across the University’s three campuses in Greenwich, Avery Hill and Medway.

As a Student Trustee, you will be a part of a Board of Trustees that will have the ultimate responsibility for managing the administrative element of the Union including its governance and budget.

This board consists of 13 members: up to six external trustees from industry, one University Trustee, four elected Trustees (Students’ Union Officers), and four appointed Student Trustees (this is where you come in!)

You will attend Trustee Board Committee meetings throughout the year and have the option to join, along with your fellow Trustees, one of its three subcommittees: Staffing and Governance, Finance, Audit and Risk, and Commercial Services and Marketing. These, as well as the overarching Trustee Board meeting, take place six times a year (usually September, November, January, March, May and July).

In preparation for these committees, you will be given material to read in advance that covers the matters being addressed in the meeting.

You will receive basic training on the areas which will help you perform your role such as Charity Law and governance.

What are the benefits?

Although this is a volunteer role, the advantages are plenty. You will:

• Be the Director of an award-winning £4m charity that operates across the three campuses and form a major part of the decision-making processes that shape and drive it .
• Have the chance to engage with and learn from the professional expertise of fellow trustees in their areas of specialisat ion.
• Broaden your skill set as you practice management and scrutiny on a Director level.
• Bolster your CV with the unmatched experience that is being a Trustee.

What do you need to apply for this role?

To apply for this role, you must be a current student in the University of Greenwich who will also be a student for the upcoming 2025/26 academic year*. Although you don’t need any particular experience to apply for this role, Trustees will ideally have some of the following attributes:

• Good, independent judgement.
• Strategic vision.
• The ability to think creatively and problem-solve.
• A diplomatic approach and a willingness to speak their mind.
• The ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Effective communications skills.
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
• A commitment to the organisation.
• An understanding of the role and the duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.

Student Trustee - Volunteer Role 

*Please note that, in accordance with the SU’s governing documents, legislation and NUS guidance, you are not eligible to be both a Student Trustee and an employee of the SU, and/or an elected Faculty Officer, and/or an Elected Activities Executive.