Chair of Senate election

The Chair of Senate is a member of the society's Board of Trustees. 

Senate's role is to advise the Board of Trustees. Its membership comprises the Chairs of the society's Member Networks – Branches, Sections, Divisions and Special Groups – together with a small number of co-opted individuals. 

As well as chairing meetings of Senate the Chair of Senate plays a central role in acting as the voice of Member Networks, while always retaining their ultimate responsibilities as a member of the Board of Trustees. 

The Board of Trustees are collectively responsible for overseeing the running of the society. The Board is the final decision point for determining the society's strategy and sets the policies by which the society operates. 

The Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring compliance with the society's charitable objects, protecting the society's assets and reputation, managing risk on behalf of the society's membership and is ultimately charged with ensuring the long-term health and good running of the society. 

Trustees provide independent insight and challenge to the society's management and staff, with the intention of ensuring that the society is well-led, well-run, and delivers maximum value for members and impact in line with the society's Royal Charter.

The Chair of Senate is responsible for:

• chairing meetings of Senate, whether virtual or in-person, and ensuring that such meetings are well run, effective, and operate with an environment that is inclusive and respectful. The Chair has the casting vote in the event of a tie in any Senate votes;
• working with the society's Senior Leadership Team to prepare for meetings of Senate, including determining the agenda, taking input from members of Member Network committees as necessary;
• ensuring that decisions taken by Senate are actioned, working in partnership with the society's Senior Leadership Team and associated staff;
• ensuring the voice and views of Senate and Member Networks are heard as part of Board of Trustees discussions, and in the processes for setting strategy and policy;
• working with the society's management and staff to foster a positive working relationship between Senate and the wider society.

The Chair of Senate is not a delegate or representative of Senate or Member Networks on the Board of Trustees. The primary duties and responsibilities of the Chair of Senate are as a Trustee.

All Trustees are responsible for the effective running of the society, including by:

• ensuring that the society complies with its Royal Charter, Statutes and Rules, charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations;
• ensuring that the society pursues its objects as defined in its governing documents, that it applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the society;
• contributing actively to the Board of Trustees by giving firm strategic direction to the society, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets;
• challenging and questioning, in a constructive and respectful manner;
• working closely with, and holding to account, the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team for delivery of the society's strategy and operational plans, including budget;
• acting in the best interests of the society and safeguarding its reputation and values;
• building and maintaining an interest in the society's activities;
• gaining the trust and respect of other Board members; listening sensitively to the views of others, inside and outside the Board;
• building and maintaining positive working relationships with fellow Trustees, members of the Senate, Chief Executive Officer and Senior Leadership Team.

To stand for election, a candidate for Chair of Senate must meet the following criteria:

• Member of the British Psychological Society, and;
• A member of Senate, either the Chair of a Member Network (society Branch, Division, Section or Special Group) or a co-opted member of Senate.

Notwithstanding the fact that Senate is entitled to elect any person qualified to stand, the following are qualities that would be advantageous for anyone holding the role of Chair of Senate:

• distinguished reputation within their leadership of a Member Network;
• commitment to the values and principles of the society;
• proven leadership skills;
• highly developed interpersonal and communication skills;
• sound, independent judgement, common sense and diplomacy;
• high standards of personal integrity and probity;
• balanced judgment and the ability to make decisions dispassionately while still representing the views of others;
• strong business and financial acumen in either a commercial, academic, or civil society setting;
• strategic stakeholder management skills.

Trustees will come from a range of backgrounds – and for the Board to have maximum effectiveness it will aim for diverse composition. The common qualities that all Trustees would be expected to have, however, are:

• sound judgement along with the highest professional standards, reputation and integrity;
• existing non-executive experience, with an understanding of strategy and corporate governance;
• cultural/political sensitivity and regulatory understanding;
• strong communication skills and the ability to work with others;
• the ability to constructively question and challenge;
• wider leadership skills and the ability to think strategically;
• strong performance management and analytical skills.

Trustees who are members of the society do not need specific knowledge of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship prior to becoming a Trustee, but will be expected to complete the society's training and induction at the outset of their term.

Term

The Chair of Senate serves for a period of three years and is an ex officio Trustee for their term of office. If eligible, an individual may stand for election for a second period of three years.

1. The society, on behalf of Senate, will announce an election for the Chair of Senate and invite qualified candidates to stand. This announcement will be made on the society's website and included in communications issued directly to Members of Senate.
2. Members of Senate may stand for election provided they are nominated by two current members of Senate.
3. Candidates will be asked to provide information about themselves and answer questions in the nomination form.
4. In certain circumstances, an individual may be disqualified from serving as a Trustee under the law or under the society's governing documents. Candidates will be asked to confirm that they are not disqualified. The society may carry out checks to ensure that candidates are not disqualified from standing.
5. Members of Senate are eligible to vote for the Chair of Senate. Chairs of Member Networks may seek the views of their network committee when considering how to cast their vote.
6. Information provided by each candidate, and by each person nominating a candidate, will be made available as indicated in the nomination form.
7. Candidates will be informed of the society's guidance on campaigning in society elections.
8. The society will manage the counting of votes.
9. The society will publish the results of the election on its website and in any society publications and/or elsewhere as it deems appropriate.

This is a voluntary role. Expenses are paid in accordance with the society's policies.

An indication of the expected time commitment is as follows: