CURRENT VACANCIES

Board & Trustee Roles – Help Shape the Future of Park Ecovillage Trust (PET)

Volunteer (unpaid) positions

Park Ecovillage Trust advances social and environmental sustainability, affordable housing, carbon reduction, and community wellbeing within the Ecovillage Findhorn and beyond.

About Trustee Roles

Trustee positions listed are governance roles (non-operational). Trustees provide strategic oversight, accountability, and stewardship of the Trust, rather than day-to-day delivery.

Trustees work collaboratively with any staff, volunteers, or delivery partners by:

  • Setting strategic direction
  • Ensuring appropriate systems, structures, and accountability are in place
  • Monitoring performance and impact

___

Chair of the Board (Trustee)

Role Overview

The Chair provides strategic leadership to the Board, ensuring strong governance, effective decision-making, and alignment with PET’s mission. The Chair enables the Board to function effectively and acts as a key link between the Board and the Executive.

Key Responsibilities (Governance)

  • Chair Board meetings and guide strategic planning processes
  • Ensure effective governance, compliance, and adherence to policies
  • Support trustees, fostering a constructive and inclusive Board culture
  • Ensure clarity of roles between governance and operations
  • Act as an ambassador for PET with key stakeholders, partners, and funders
  • Maintain appropriate oversight of organisational performance and accountability

Skills & Experience

  • Experience in governance, leadership, or non-profit/social enterprise contexts
  • Strong facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to guide strategic thinking and balanced decision-making
  • Confidence in representing an organisation externally
  • Commitment to sustainability, community wellbeing, and social innovation

___


General Trustee Responsibilities

All Trustees are expected to:

  • Uphold and advance PET’s mission: ecological sustainability, community wellbeing, and social innovation
  • Participate actively in Board meetings and strategic decision-making
  • Act in the best interests of the Trust with integrity and accountability
  • Ensure compliance with governance and legal responsibilities as charity trustees
  • Maintain clear boundaries between governance and operational involvement

___

What You Will Gain from Working with PET

Joining PET offers meaningful experience within a community-rooted organisation in a period of active development.

1. Governance & Leadership Experience

Develop practical experience in:

  • Strategic leadership
  • Governance and decision-making
  • Financial oversight
  • Organisational development


2. Sustainability & Climate Action

Contribute to work across:

  • Regenerative community models
  • Carbon reduction and net-zero planning
  • Social wellbeing and resilience
  • Eco-affordable ecological housing


3. Innovation & Social Enterprise

Gain exposure to:

  • Early-stage organisational design
  • Lean governance approaches
  • Community-led initiatives and potential social enterprises


4. Network Development

Connect with:

Community leaders and social innovators

Sustainability practitioners

Partner organisations and funders

Ecovillage and regenerative networks


5. Transferable Skills

Build skills in:

Strategic thinking

Facilitation and communication

Governance and leadership

Collaboration and negotiation


6. Professional Profile

Strengthen your experience with:

Values-driven leadership

Sustainability and community development

Board-level governance

___

Induction

The Park Ecovillage Trust is committed to ensuring that all new trustees, and in particular any incoming Chair, are welcomed into their role with clarity, encouragement, and meaningful practical support.

We recognise that becoming a trustee carries both responsibility and opportunity. New trustees bring fresh perspectives, skills, experience, and energy to the ongoing stewardship of the Trust and its relationship with Ecovillage Findhorn and the wider Community at the Park. To support this transition well, the Trust will provide a structured and supportive induction process for all incoming trustees.

This induction will include:

  • A comprehensive introduction to the purpose, values, governance structure, and current activities of the Trust.
  • Access to key documents, including governing documents, policies, recent board minutes, financial information, and strategic priorities.
  • Meetings with existing trustees, staff, advisors, and relevant community representatives where appropriate.
  • Guidance on trustee responsibilities under Scottish charity and company law, including fiduciary duties and collective decision-making.
  • Opportunities to ask questions openly and gain familiarity with the culture, history, and current context of the organisation.
  • Ongoing mentoring and peer support during the first period of service.

Particular care will be taken to support any incoming Chair. The Chair role carries additional responsibilities in helping facilitate effective governance, constructive communication, and healthy board culture. The outgoing Chair, existing trustees, and any appropriate advisors will work collaboratively to ensure a smooth and well-supported handover process. This may include transitional meetings, shared facilitation periods where appropriate, and continued availability for consultation during the early stages of the role.

The Trust wishes to foster a culture in which trustees feel empowered, informed, and supported rather than left to carry responsibilities alone. Governance is understood as a shared and evolving practice of stewardship, collaboration, and service to the wider community.

The Park Ecovillage Trust therefore commits to creating conditions in which new trustees and Chairs can step into their roles with confidence, transparency, and the full support of the board and wider organisational network.

___

How to Apply

Please send:

A CV or short bio outlining relevant experience

A brief cover note explaining your interest

📧 [email protected]

📅 Applications close: 20 June 2026

___


Why Join PET?

You will contribute to strengthening a unique intentional community rooted in sustainability, care, and collaboration. PET supports initiatives including affordable housing, carbon reduction, and community wellbeing—offering a practical model for regenerative living.