Board Member

Commonword is searching for enthusiastic and skilled Board members to steer and support the organisation. This role is voluntary and unpaid but reasonable travel expenses will be covered.

Commonword is a Manchester based nationally active, locally focused Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, established in 1977. We are the UK’s only black* led writing development organisation, working with black, LGBT+, disabled and working class communities across Greater Manchester, and with individual writers across the North and Midlands.

We value invention, creativity and political engagement in all our work, providing new writers with opportunities to develop and further their careers, and advocating for writers and writing from underrepresented groups.

Central to our longevity and effectiveness has been a committed and effective board, fostering healthy debate and challenge as a prerequisite for good decision-making, with members driven by creative thinking, honesty, professionalism, reliability, and considered risk taking.

We are seeking people from a range of backgrounds who are based not too far from Commonword. We are especially interested in persons with expertise in Digital Literature, Fundraising, Mental Health, and Publishing.

Anyone joining our Board will be passionate about and committed to engaging marginalised communities and ensuring greater inclusion and minority representation in literature.

We strive to ensure gender parity and inclusivity at Board level and particularly welcome expressions of interest from black, disabled and LGBT+ applicants

Candidates should:

• Demonstrate an eagerness to be involved with Commonword.
• Understand their responsibilities and act with due care, diligence and skill.
• Be able to publicly advocate for Commonword.
• Be an advocate for social justice and anti-discrimination and inclusion, which lies at the heart of all we do.

The deadline for applications is 5PM FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2020

This role is voluntary and unpaid but reasonable travel expenses will be covered.

More information and how to apply.

*By black we mean a collective and political umbrella term for anyone who does not identify as white and who, as a consequence, lives with the effects of racial discrimination, inequality and prejudice.