Membership of CtC

Principles of Membership

Becoming a member of Changing the Chemistry (CtC)

What does it mean?

All members are subject to some of the general duties of charity trustees; specifically members must:

  • act in the interests of CtC, and
  • seek, in good faith, to ensure CtC acts in a manner which is consistent with its charitable purposes.

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) recognises that members may not be involved in the day to day management of the administration of CtC.  Therefore, in practice, when exercising powers such as considering changes to the constitution or taking part in elections of charity trustees, the members must act in the interests of CtC and seek to ensure that CtC operates in line with its charitable purposes.

Members can attend and vote at Annual General Meetings (AGMs).  Attending such meetings will provide you with an oversight of the charity’s operations and will be an opportunity for you, along with other members, to elect charity trustees, scrutinise accounts and vote on particular matters.

It does not mean that:

  • You are required to commit any money
  • You are making yourself liable for CtC’s debts

Who can become a member?

Membership is open to any individual aged 18 or over who

  • Actively supports the objectives of the organisation or
  • is from a currently under-represented group in the boardroom and who aspires to secure non-executive/trustee board positions,

AND, in both cases, is willing to commit to supporting the organisation in some way (i.e. contribution-in-kind in lieu of a membership fee).

NB Paid employees of CtC may not become members.

  1. What is CtC ?

Founded in 2011, Changing the Chemistry is a charitable organisation, governed by a board of trustees, which offers guidance and development opportunities to individuals from currently under-represented groups in the boardroom who aspire to secure non-executive/trustee board positions.  Members help each other, volunteering their time and skills in a peer-to-peer support network that provides targeted advice, coaching, 1-2-1 help and other support. The group helps members develop the skills, confidence and knowledge to secure non-executive/trustee board positions and then support them once appointed; ensuring that they are an asset to the boards they sit on, and organisations they represent.

  1. What are our charitable objectives?

CtC was established for the promotion of equality and diversity by:

  • promoting diversity on governing bodies of all organisations in the public, private and third sectors
  • supporting people from under-represented populations in obtaining positions on governing bodies
  • supporting governing bodies in recruiting members from under-represented groups
  • supporting members of governing bodies in the performance of their duties
  • supporting governing bodies in the quality of decision making
  1. What are CtC’s key strategic objectives?

The three strands of our strategy are:

  • Broadening the membership: CtC wants to have a broad range of membership enabling real diversity of thought.
  • Developing the members: The group aims to build the capability, knowledge and skills of CtC’s entire membership, share best practice, enhance the mutual support network and ensure all members with board positions have the confidence to carry out the role effectively through peer support
  • Influencing others: CtC is working to foster relationships and connections with a wide range of bodies to continue to spread the message of the important of diversity of thought in the boardroom
  1. Confidentiality

In the various CtC meetings and online spaces, everyone is sharing information. CtC members agree to be bound by the following:-

  • That all personal information, whether oral, written or otherwise, shared by our members or guest speakers, directly or indirectly through any CtC event, relationship or communications shall be treated as confidential.
  • No information obtained from a CtC member or guest speaker may be used for any external purpose without obtaining prior agreement from the disclosing party.
  • In the event of a member leaving CtC, they will continue to respect this confidentiality and destroy any unauthorised copies of documents relating to the group, its members and its activities.
  • This Agreement does not apply to any information in the public domain or which the receiving party can show was either already lawfully in their possession prior to its disclosure by the other party or acquired without the involvement, either directly or indirectly, of the disclosing party.
  • The supply of information to and within CtC group activities does not create any licence, title or interest in respect of any Intellectual Property Rights of the disclosing party.
  1. For more information

For more information about Changing the Chemistry including a current list of the board of trustees and a copy of the latest code of conduct, please email membership@changingthechemistry.org.