Membership with PSS is open to anyone, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, who wishes to uphold the company’s ideals. The company then elects a Board of Trustees from the membership.

Those members elected as Trustees also constitute the Directors of the company. The Board is required to consist of a Chairman, an Honorary Treasurer, and not more than 25 other members. The minimum number of Trustees is seven. In addition to the Annual General Meeting, the Board meets four times a year.

PSS Board of Trustees

A Planning Group is appointed by the Board by a Scheme of Delegation, comprising the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Honorary Treasurer. The Planning Group meets frequently with the Chief Executive to monitor and develop progress on matters delegated to it by the Board. The Planning Group reports to the Board at the quarterly meetings.

The Board appoints an Audit Committee, comprising the Honorary Treasurer and two other Trustees. This Committee meets three times a year to monitor and report to the Planning Group and the Board of Trustees on the Audit function and matters of good governance. The Trustees and senior officers also hold formal sessions dealing with matters of governance.

Trustees are elected by the Members at the Annual General Meeting, but can be co-opted by the Board pending election, in the intervening period. New Trustees are inducted into the work of PSS and their role as Trustees on appointment. Presentations about different aspects of the work of PSS are made at each Board meeting, and project visits for Trustees and Members are organised on a regular basis.

The Trustees monitor the balance of skills and experience of the Board. A recent Audit of Trustee skills was carried out and it was consequently determined that they should:

• support the Society and its aims
• be able to act as an ambassador for the Society
• demonstrate sound common sense and a breadth of experience
• possess experience in a position of responsibility