Trustee as Company Secretary

Neighbourhood Network is an Irish social enterprise and charity which aims to promote social inclusion, tackle loneliness and build supportive and resilient neighbourhoods around Ireland. Our work creates communities of empowered people, with a strong sense of local identity, and builds empathy and understanding between neighbours. 

We believe that building connections between neighbours increases the strength of the community overall and leads to more inclusive, healthier and happier communities.

We are seeking board members who resonate with this vision to help us guide and grow the organisation. In particular, we are now seeking an experienced Company Secretary to ensure Neighbourhood Network maintains excellent standards of governance while building robust organisational systems during our growth phase.

Expectations of all Board members include:

• An understanding, appreciation of and commitment to Neighbourhood Network’s vision, mission and values.
• To provide input to the strategic direction of the organisation.
• To inform, with expertise and experience, the organisation’s formation.
• To act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board members.
• To comply with the organisation’s governing document.
• Possible membership of a Sub-Committee of the Board.

Shared responsibilities of all board members include:

• Ensuring the organisation is complying with its charitable purpose for the public benefit  
• Acting in the best interest of the organisation
• Acting with reasonable care and skill 
• Overseeing the management of the assets of the organisation
• Commitment to all legal and fiduciary responsibilities, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations and ensuring best practice in corporate governance.
• All Board members are expected to have a working knowledge of the voluntary sector in Ireland and be familiar with corporate governance requirements and legislation, such as the Charities Act 2009, the Charities Governance Code and Reporting in 2021, and the GDPR 2018.
• Board members are expected to participate in advocacy in the best interests of the organisation and protecting and promoting the reputation of Neighbourhood Network.
• Board members will always contribute to the achievement of the organisation’s goals while practicing the highest standards of corporate governance.
• Board members should be honest, fair, and independent.

Board Meetings:

• The Board meets monthly, 6 times per year on Mondays, virtually for 2 hours.
• The HR Committee meets 4 times a year, virtually for 1 hour.
• The time commitment is 1-2 hours a week. The term of office is 1-2 years with the ability to renew for further terms.
• The AGM is held online.

Remuneration: This is a voluntary role.

Role Specific Responsibilities

Specific duties and responsibilities of this role include:

• Ensure that the procedures of the organisation are in compliance with its constitution governing document.
• Convene meetings of the board of directors.
• Maintain the record of decisions of the board of directors in the Company Minutes Book.
• Supporting board committees to keep accurate records of their work and outputs.
• Convene and record the minutes of the company’s AGM.
• Maintain the statutory registers of the company (Directors, Members, Directors Interests, etc.).
• Make returns and submissions to the Company Registry Office.
• Make returns and submissions to the Charity Regulatory Authority.
• Maintain the library of the organisation’s policies, procedures and protocols.
• Maintain the archive of the organisation’s governance documentation (annual financial statements, strategic plans).
• Maintain the record of compliance with relevant governance standards (e.g. CRA governance code).
• Lead on an annual governance compliance review.
• Act as a second signatory on corporate documents.
• Provide advice and guidance on Company Law and relevant legislation.
• Ensure that those entitled to do so may inspect company records.
• Provide the relevant information and documentation to support the induction of new board members.
• Advise on the appropriate communications IT to accomplish the effective and efficient functioning of the board.

Candidate Experience, Skills and Personal Qualities

• Essential
  • Data recording skills
  • Task management skills
  • Digital communications and IT skills
  • An eye for detail
• Desirable
  • Knowledge of company secretary role duties and responsibilities
  • Strategy Planning
  • Knowledge of the Not-For-Profit Sector in Ireland (in particular in the realm of community development). 

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About Neighbourhood Network

Street Feast CLG (T/A Neighbourhood Network) is an Irish not-for-profit organisation which aims to promote social inclusion, tackle loneliness and build supportive and resilient neighbourhoods around Ireland. Our work creates communities of empowered people, with a strong sense of local identity, and builds empathy and understanding between neighbours.

Since launching Street Feast in 2010, we have grown into a network of community-led projects, supporting both new and established neighbourhoods across Ireland through Home Together and Our Shared Plate. At its core, our work is driven by the belief that small moments of connection can lead to profound changes, making neighbourhoods not just places to live but true communities to thrive.

Our year culminates with the national day of street lunches and community celebrations called ‘Street Feast’ that each year brings together over 110,000 people in 1,150 communities, through the simple act of sharing a meal with their neighbours. Since Street Feast began 10 years ago, we have seen over 7,500 Street Feasts take place across Ireland. President Catherine Connolly is the patron of Street Feast.

We are a young organisation that is building from the work of early social entrepreneurial pioneers. We are committed to achieving a high standard of organisational governance. 

Our Vision: We envision an Ireland where vibrant, inclusive communities are valued as a shared resource. In these communities, neighbours connect with ease, support one another, and collaborate to create safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives for everyone.

Our Mission: We develop community centred projects that inspire and invite people to gather and interact at social activities in their neighbourhoods. From these gatherings neighbourly relationships have the opportunity to grow and flourish. In this way our work empowers people to come together and gives them the confidence to work together on community projects.

Neighbourhood Network became a charity in 2024 and operates under the legal entity of Street Feast CLG. Company registration number 622674, Registered Charity Number: 20206679.

For more information about the organisation, visit www.neighbourhoodnetwork.ie