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Chairperson

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a suitably qualified and motivated individual to lead the charge in the toy library revolution.

We are Ireland's first standalone toy library based in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. We exist to reduce unnecessary consumption of toys, thereby reducing waste in the most plastic-intensive industry on the planet. We also promote play - a basic right of the child according to the United Nations.

Our offerings include a toy lending service and play sessions for children aged 0-8, and our reach extends to Carrickmacross and neighbouring towns in Monaghan, Louth and Cavan.

We have ambitions to serve as Ireland's model toy library facility, and we have recently secured funding from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications which will enable us to share our learning and experience with community groups and local authorities throughout Ireland; as part of this, we are in the process of setting up Toy Libraries Ireland, a national association of toy libraries.

Carrickmacross Toy Library is a registered charity and member of the International Toy Library Association and Community Reuse Network Ireland.

General Trustee duties of a Charity Trustee

  • Comply with the Charity’s governing document
  • Ensuring charity is complying with its charitable purpose for the public benefit
  • Acting in the best interest of the charity
  • Act with Reasonable Care and Skill
  • Manage the assets of your charity

The responsibilities of the Chair are as follows:

  • The Chairperson has a strategic role to play by communicating effectively the vision and purpose of the organisation, to ensure the Board functions well, that there is full participation at meetings.
  • To plan and Chair meetings in accordance with the governing document
  • To liaise with CEO and to keep up to date on the affairs of the organisation
  • To bring impartiality and objectivity to meetings and decision making
  • To ensure that decisions made at meetings are implemented
  • To be aware of current issues that might affect the organisation
  • To advocate for and represent the organisation at external meetings and events if required

Qualities and skills required

  • Good leadership skills
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills
  • Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences
  • Ability to ensure decisions are taken and followed-up
  • Good timekeeping
  • Tact and diplomacy
  • Understanding of the roles/responsibilities of a governing body
  • Background in finance, governance, legal or HR desired but not essential.
  • Some previous board/chair experience is desirable.

Board Meetings:

There will be a minimum of three board meetings a year, a mix of in-person (in Carrickmacross, approximately one hour’s drive from Dublin) and online.