Tate Members Council

The charity Tate Members is governed by the Tate Members Council; 10-15 elected Tate Members who are both directors of the company and trustees - and have ultimate responsibility for its management.

The Council

• Shapes the charity’s vision and guides its direction
• Approves policies such as pricing and reserves
• Reviews risks
• Decides how funds donated to Tate are allocated
• Ensures the charity complies with legal requirements

Council Members act as advocates both within and beyond Tate, while individual members take a particular interest in specific aspects according to their own personal qualifications and experience.

The role of Council is non-executive and voluntary; staff employed by Tate develop  and implement the strategy and manage the day to day.

Council members are elected for a term of 3 years, with the maximum period on Council being 3 terms of 3 years - though this may be extended under special circumstances.

Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives regional committees

• Encourage, promote and assist the development of the local membership schemes to further Tate's charitable activities
• Oversee the membership, financial and events activities of the local membership schemes, which are undertaken by the Executive Team
• Engage and involve the wider community in the work of the local membership scheme

Tate Members Council Audit Committee

• Ensures that the charity meets statutory requirements
• Monitors financial statements
• Reviews internal controls

Tate Members Council Nominations Review Committee

• Focuses on enhancing the board’s diversity, inclusiveness and effectiveness

Responsibilities

As company directors and charitable trustees, Council members make sure that the requirements of company and charity law are met:

Company Law

Company directors ensure that statutory documents are filed with Companies House by the due date. These include, in particular, accounts, annual returns and notices of a change of directors or secretary.

Charity Law

Charity trustees have to act in the best interests of the charity at all times. Trustees must ensure the charity is well run and solvent, and complies with charity law, while exercising duties of prudence and care.

Further details are available on request: email members@tate.org.uk or call 020 7887 8750.

Personal requirements and skills

• Be a Tate Member (but not a second card holder)
• Understand our behaviour as consumers, our expectations as members of associations and have an empathy with Tate visitors generally
• Be enthusiastic for the Members and act as an ambassador for them
• Have an interest in art and culture
• Have experience in one or more of the following relevant areas:

Time commitment

Members of Council are expected to:

• Attend three Council meetings a year, usually a weekday, early evening
• Attend the Annual General Meeting, held on a Friday evening in winter
• Participate in specific initiatives such as fundraising events
• Intermittently serve on auxiliary committees set up to support the Tate Members Council such as the Audit Committee and/or the Nominations Review Committee
• Occasionally attend Tate functions, especially where Tate Members sponsor an exhibition or other project