Council members greatly add value to the work of the NSS, through the knowledge and experience they bring to the organisation.

If you share our belief in the urgent need to keep religion and politics separate, agree with our Secular Charter and think you have appropriate skills to contribute to the running of the NSS, and you have the time to devote to doing so, then you may wish to consider putting yourself forward for election to the Council of Management.

The role of the Council is to make decisions which will best deliver the objectives of the NSS and see that they are implemented within a framework which complies with the rules of the organisation set out in the Articles and are fully compliant with the law.

The Council meets ten times per year and oversees all the Society's affairs including policy, staff and financial matters. Meetings are held on a weekday evening in central London. There are occasional additional meetings sometimes at weekends.

Council members (whose term is generally three years after which they automatically retire but are eligible for re-election) form the board of directors of the Society. Those in the most senior Council positions, the Presidency, vice-presidency and Treasurer positions face annual elections. Council members are directors under the Companies Acts. The Society is registered under the Companies Act as a company limited by guarantee. Each member's guarantee is £1.

Council is always keen to identify NSS members with talent and an understanding of good governance who may be interested in standing for election to Council, particularly those with specialist skills and/or who are able to contribute in other ways.

We welcome nominations from suitably qualified candidates from all sections of the community, but would particularly be interested to hear from women and individuals from ethnic minority groups.

Nominations for new Council members are sought each year between August and October. The elections are held as part of the AGM which takes place in late November (or sometimes December).

Nominations for Council members must be signed by a proposer and a seconder, both of whom must be paid-up members. Nominations must also be signed by the nominee, who must be a paid up member, stating that they are willing to stand for election. The names of nominees, proposers and seconders should be written in block capitals, with clearly legible telephone numbers and, if possible, email addresses.

Applicants will normally be requested to provide an election statement of around 180 words, together with a head and shoulders photograph, which will be included in the AGM papers. They will normally be expected to give a short presentation at the AGM and answer any questions members may have, which may probe their experience and contribution they intend to make.

Members at the AGM then vote on the candidates and, assuming more votes in their favour than against, candidates are elected. Where the number of seats available is less than the number of candidates, those with the most votes are elected. The maximum number of Council is thirteen members.

To announce your intention to stand for election, please contact the Company Secretary by email or by writing to: The Company Secretary, 25 Red Lion Square, London, WC1R 4RL. Closing dates are announced in communications to members.

If you would like to talk to us about the possibility of running for Council, please contact the office or use the form below.