Join the council

Epilepsy Action is a member-led charity; our members are all affected by epilepsy. Their views are vital to everything we do, that’s why it’s important that our Council is made up of people just like you.

What is the Council of Management?

Every year, members elect trustees of the charity. They make decisions on long-term plans and monitor what the charity does on behalf of all the members.

All trustees together make up the ‘Council of Management’, a dedicated body of people committed to constantly improving the way Epilepsy Action works. Since the Association is a limited company, Council members are also company directors.

The Council is there to make sure that Epilepsy Action achieves its goals, in creating a world without limits for people with epilepsy.

Who can be on the Council of Management?

Nominations are encouraged from members of all backgrounds, in line with our goal to become a more diverse organisation. It’s important that the Council is as representative as possible. We especially welcome nominations from people from black and minority ethnic groups and the LGBTQ+ community.

We can make reasonable adjustments to ensure trustees can be an active part of Council. This includes creating accessible meeting venues and video conferences.

Being a member of the Council, carries specific duties and responsibilities that you need to be aware of. You should be comfortable about accepting and carrying out these commitments before standing for election.

There are four conditions that you must satisfy in order to be nominated to stand for election to the Council.

1. You must be aged 18 years or older.
2. You must not be legally disqualified from being allowed to be a company director or a charity trustee.
3. You must not be incapable by reason of mental disorder, illness or injury of managing and administering your own affairs.
4. You must have been a member of the Association for at least 12 months at the date when nominations for the election close.

How does the Council work?

Council acts as a single body. Decisions are made via a majority view and all members are bound by the concept of collective responsibility.

All business of Council meetings is confidential to the Council.

The Council  usually meets six times a year. Meetings can be either face-to-face at our Leeds office or held remotely by video conference. Face to face meetings usually take place on a Tuesday, during the day.

You will need to commit to attending as many of these meetings as possible and be able to put time aside to read papers and reports ahead of the meeting.

IT literacy and access to the internet is required. Much of the Council’s business and communication is conducted digitally by email and a by a secure intranet website.

Will it cost me anything?

Council members are all volunteers and therefore this is an unpaid role. However, you can claim reasonable personal expenses for attending Council meetings and all other relevant functions of the charity in your capacity as a Council member.

If you require a carer to attend with you, their costs are also covered. The charity also provides every Council member with personal liability insurance to cover their role as a trustee.

Next steps

If you wish to stand for election to the Council, you will need to be nominated by two other subscribing members of the association.

Don’t worry if you don’t know the two other members. We have a panel of people we can put you in touch with. Just let the Chief Executive know if you would like to use this panel.

To stand for election all you have to do is fill in the nomination form.

The Chief Executive will be in touch with you to request any further information that might be needed, such as a short personal history for your election address. The election itself is by secret ballot of the members of the Association at the Annual General Meeting. You will be told the result as soon as possible after that meeting.