Chair of Board of Trustees

What will you be doing?

The Society was established in 1993, and manages An Lac House in Cambridge (CB1), which provides supported housing to 10 older Vietnamese or those with a disability. We are affiliated to the Abbeyfield Society which provides support, guidance and training when required. 

An Lac House is also a focus for the wider Vietnamese Community, offering a weekly day centre, regular cultural and social events, and visits by Vietnamese from other cities. It is very much a place for all things Vietnamese. 

The Society is governed by an Executive Committee, which has both Vietnamese and English members. On a day-to-day basis, we have two excellent House Managers and two great Chefs, who also act as House Assistants. The team is accountable to the Committee, who offer supervision and guidance. 

The Society has recently converted to a charity with the name Abbeyfield An Lac Community CIO (charity no. 1198321), and the new Chair will play an important role in completing this process, as well as establishing working relationships with fund providers and care services. 

What are we looking for?

The following qualities and experience are required:

• understanding of the responsibilities of chairing a charity in line with the Charity Commission's rules (you can request details of these responsibilities – see below)
• understanding either of the charity sector or of public-sector care, housing and benefits
• ability to work collaboratively with the other Trustees, who come from different backgrounds and bring with them a broad range of skills, experience and expertise.

The role of chair on a charitable committee is a collaborative one, whilst you offer expertise and leadership, decision making is done collectively and with the consent of other committee members. The following are desirable but not essential:

• fluency in Vietnamese, and good written and spoken English
• familiarity with Vietnamese culture and customs
• excellent interpersonal skills and compassion
• a degree of flexibility in your schedule, to respond to issues as they arise.

What difference will you make?

We are looking for an enthusiastic person with the right qualities to steer An Lac House towards a bright future over the coming years. The post is voluntary and therefore not paid, but does guarantee the personal rewards of enabling the charity to remain on a steady financial course, and helping it to fulfil its potential for development and growth.  The new Chair will play an important role in completing the process of converting to a charity, as well as establishing working relationships with fund providers and care services.