About the role

A Non-Executive Officer takes responsibility for a specific part of the Club’s work.

The role does not carry the constitutional responsibilities or automatic decision-making powers of an elected Executive Officer.

A Non-Executive Officer may use a title such as:

• Events Officer

• Promotions Officer

• Motions Officer

• Training Officer

• Debate Chair 

• Funding Officer

• Partnerships Officer

• Accessibility Officer

What you will do

Your exact responsibilities will be set out in a written role description or Role Agreement.

You will usually:

• deliver an agreed activity, project or workstream

• prepare a practical plan with actions and deadlines

• coordinate other volunteers where this forms part of your role

• update your supervising Executive Officer

• report risks, delays and support needs

• maintain appropriate records

• prepare clear handover information

• work within approved budgets and policies

• follow safeguarding, accessibility and data protection requirements

• follow the Club’s financial controls and branding rules

• get approval before making external commitments

• get approval before publishing a formal statement on behalf of the Club

• declare any conflict of interest

• report outcomes and lessons from the work

What you can decide

You may exercise only the authority that has been expressly delegated and recorded.

Holding a Non-Executive Officer role does not automatically give you:

• membership of the Society Committee

• a vote on Society Committee decisions

• access to Club funds

• access to confidential information

• authority to approve spending

• authority to sign contracts

• authority to make commitments for the Club or Open Debate CIC

• authority to speak formally for the Club

The Society Committee may invite you to attend a meeting where your project or workstream is being discussed.

The Committee may review, revise, pause, merge or end the role where circumstances change or where there are conduct, safeguarding, finance, confidentiality or governance concerns.

This role may suit you if you can

• take ownership of a defined area of work

• plan and complete agreed tasks

• communicate progress and problems promptly and transparently

• work collaboratively with volunteers

• follow relevant policies

• maintain useful records and handover information

What we expect from all role holders

Everyone holding one of these roles must:

• support the Club’s aims and community benefit

• act honestly and in the Club’s best interests

• treat members, volunteers, speakers and partners with respect

• protect confidential, personal and financial information

• declare conflicts of interest

• follow safeguarding, accessibility and financial-control requirements

• use Club accounts, platforms, branding and information only for authorised work

• complete any training required for the role

• keep appropriate records

• report serious concerns promptly

• provide an orderly handover when leaving the role

Executive Officers may delegate tasks. They remain responsible for making sure those tasks are authorised, recorded and followed up.