Are the days when you had to be a member of the old boys club to become a director of a financial institution drawing to a close? In today's Irish Times the EBS Building Society has taken the unprecedented step of advertising a £20,000 part-time board room position inviting anyone with a savings account or mortgage with the society to apply.

The EBS is looking for someone who doesn't have any conflicts of interest that could compromise their position. He or she must have "experience and judgment" with experience of the property or financial services sector deemed particularly desirable and is expected to support the principle of mutuality.

An ability to work with 10 other board members will also be important.

As a non-executive director you will be expected to contribute to the development of the society at monthly board meetings which are held in Dublin. And you may also be assigned other duties if co-opted onto a sub-committee of the board which could mean dealing with audit reports or determining how much the executive directors get paid.

An EBS spokesman said the new position was being created as part of its succession plans as it prepares for Mr Ted McGovern to take over from Mr Pat O'Reilly as chief executive next year.

"By advertising we want to give the board as much choice as possible and to ensure that our members are given an opportunity to participate at the highest level of the society." Those who feel they meet the criteria are invited to send in a curriculum vitae to the EBS chairman, Mr Brian Joyce by September 15th. Applications will be screened by a small group of board members who will also be assisted by a professional recruitment consultant. Candidates who make the short-list may be asked to provide additional information before the final selection is made.