Trustee with legal experience

Trustee (Legal Experience) – Volunteer Role

Ballina Dragons Meitheal Abhainn CLG (Registered Charity, Ballina, Co. Mayo)

About Us

Ballina Dragons Meitheal Abhainn is a community-led charity promoting health, recovery, inclusion and connection through dragon boating (“Blue Therapy”) and land-based wellbeing programmes (“Green Therapy”).
We operate on the River Moy and in community venues across Ballina, supporting people of all ages and abilities in a safe, welcoming and trauma-informed environment.

Purpose of the Role

To support the Board of Trustees in ensuring the charity operates in line with:

• The Charities Act 2009

• Company law obligations (CLG)

• Good governance practice

• Fair, transparent decision-making

This role provides guidance — not day-to-day legal representation — helping the Board make informed, compliant decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Governance & Compliance

• Advise trustees on legal duties and governance obligations

• Support compliance with the Charities Governance Code

• Review policies (membership, safeguarding, complaints, disciplinary, confidentiality)

• Help ensure fair procedures and natural justice principles

Risk & Decision Making

• Provide a legal perspective on complex or sensitive matters

• Support handling of disputes appropriately and proportionately

• Help identify organisational risks early

Documentation

• Review key documents when required:

  • Constitution & governance policies

  • Agreements & partnerships

  • Volunteer and membership processes

• Ensure decisions are recorded clearly and defensibly

Board Participation

• Attend trustee meetings (approx. monthly/bi-monthly)

• Contribute to balanced and ethical decision-making

• Support a respectful, collaborative board culture

Person Specification

We welcome applications from individuals with experience in:

• Law / legal practice

• Employment or industrial relations

• Governance, compliance or regulatory frameworks

• Public sector or voluntary sector regulation

You do not need to be currently practising.

Personal Qualities

Calm • Objective • Ethical • Discreet • Balanced • Community-minded

Time Commitment

Approx. 2–4 hours per month
(with occasional consultation on specific matters)

What You’ll Contribute To

You will be helping protect and strengthen a community organisation that supports:

• health recovery

• social connection

• inclusion

• wellbeing on the River Moy

Your expertise helps trustees make fair decisions and safeguards the charity’s future.

Expenses

This is a voluntary role.
Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed.

How to Express Interest

Please email a short expression of interest outlining relevant experience to: chairperson.ballinadragons@gmail.com