Campaigning Volunteer Roles

This is an exciting opportunity to be a hands-on trustee at branch level, helping to promote kindness and prevent animal cruelty, reach out to more supporters, and influence how we do things.  With your expertise and support we will achieve so much! 

We need volunteers who have expertise in Legal and GDPR matters to help us manage the Branch effectively and within legal limitations. You will get new skills and experience whilst enabling us to help more animals. 

Overview of the Branch Trustee opportunity

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate person, with a legal background, who could devote their time to volunteer as a trustee at our Preston & District Branch and support us with GDPR compliance.

Alongside passing on your expertise, this opportunity will give you the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental, alongside fellow trustees, in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long term aims.  As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a bi-monthly committee meeting lasting around 2 to 3 hours (virtual meetings are an option). However, the commitment may vary depending on your availability,  and if you decide to take on additional duties.Trustee do not need to live within the branch boundaries but occasional travel to Branch sites may be required from time to time.

About the National RSPCA

Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering. Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care, and awareness of issues affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!

The RSPCA Preston & District Branch

Over 80% of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which are run by staff & volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

The Preston & District Branch is part of a network of  140  branches, and one of only 8 in the North of England with an animal centre. We are a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area and engaging with the local community. Our mission is to provide safe homes to abandoned, neglected or abused animals, to nurse them back to health, rehabilitate them and find them their forever home.

RSPCA Preston is a well established branch with approximately 20 members of staff and 75 volunteers across 4 locations. The main activity of our branch is providing a rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming centre within the Preston area (close to JCN 31 of the M6). To continue helping animals in need we also operate 3 charity shops in Longridge, Chorley and Penwortham which bring in a regular income to keep our animal centre open. 

Take a look at our website to see a little more about the work we do.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee – Legal and GDPR

• Assist the Branch in ensuring that activities are GDPR compliant and reviewing and updating the Branch processing activities register.
• Support the Branch in developing and updating Branch policies, particularly the Branch privacy notice and internal data protection policy, to make sure they are compliant.
• Support the Branch when liaising with external specialist providers such as HR and health and safety specialists. 
• The Branch may occasionally enter into new leases with regards to its charity shops; so, liaising with external specialists for advice if it does not fall under your area of expertise. 
• To assist the Branch when developing new schemes, such as providing welfare assistance to those on low incomes, to ensure any new schemes are GDPR compliant.

Core Branch Trustee responsibilities

• Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.
• Work in conjunction with fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.
• Work with national RSPCA staff to ensure that the branch meets all minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS).
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Partnership Manager write, adopt, monitor, and review a development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch.
• Actively participate in branch committee meetings and to attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.
• Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support regional initiatives.
• Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch if applicable.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are committed to creating a Board which is representative of our society and in particular, our community and surrounding areas so encourage people from any background to apply for any of our opportunities.

Alongside legal and GDPR compliance experience, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare. You would be creative, innovative, bring a fresh perspective, and can put ideas into action. 

You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills. You do not need to be an expert although commitment, common sense, and the ability to be objective are vital.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you with everything you need to carry out the role.
• Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

• Please also note that to become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected at our AGM.
• Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.
• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.
• References will also be required.

How to find out more about being a Branch Trustee

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee, and to ensure it is the right decision for you there is some information on the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees, and we have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch! 

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

 VOLUNTEER ROLE BRANCH  SECRETARY

 RSPCA Darlington & District Branch  are looking for a Volunteer to become the Branch  Secretary to run the Branch alongside our committee of Trustees.

Are you who we are looking for?

Do you have the  management and organisational expertise which you could use to help our good cause?

Are you an enthusiastic, dedicated person who is passionate about animal welfare?

Overview of the Branch Secretary opportunity

If you have all of the above  then you could become  our principal communications trustee in the role of Branch Secretary, and help us to maintain our branch affairs and support us in improving animal welfare in our area and the work of our local Inspectors as they focus on animals who suffer from abuse, cruelty and neglect. Through your excellent administration and communication skills, you would need to be able to have oversight of our finances, fundraising events and face book page. You would also need to coordinate our work in providing education to small groups in the community when requested,  oversee the distribution of food to local animal food banks, support the  employment of our staff in the cat hub .

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Secretary

Through your excellent administration and communication skills, you would need to be able to have oversight of our finances, fundraising events and face book page. You would also need to coordinate our work in providing education to small groups in the community when requested,  oversee the distribution of food to local animal food banks, support the  employment of our staff in the cat hub.

• You will also  act as the primary contact point for all branch communications with the National Society, the branch committee and the branch membership
• You will arrange branch meetings ensure accurate minutes are taken and distributed in accordance with branch rules
• You will ensure all branch committee decisions are implemented and actions completed
• You will  work with the membership secretary  to arrange the branch AGM including the compilation and distribution of the annual report, nominations and agenda in line with strict timetable laid down in the branch rules.
• You will ensure  the timely dissemination of the contents of all correspondence and literature received by the branch, ensuring availability to all committee members and reply to all branch correspondence when necessary.
• Be responsible for the ordering and distribution of  RSPCA stationery, leaflets, posters and other fundraising and promotional material when required.
• You will liaise  with the Branch Partnership Manager (BPM) and group Chief Inspector and notify them of all Branch meetings.
• Be aware of the outcome of Regional Board meetings and support regional activities.
• Actively promote and advertise the Society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch Trustees and Volunteers and welcome new members as and when needed.
•  In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch.
• Manage Branch, Trustees and Volunteer activities.
• You will advise the BPM of all changes to Branch facilities, services and contact details
• In the absence of a Membership Secretary resume responsibility of the Branch Membership list
• Submit recommendations for National Society Awards to the BPM, in accordance with the wishes of the committee
• You will need to complete an RSPCA application form and we will require 2 references

 As a minimum, all trustees would normally be expected to attend  four - six weekly committee meetings which last about 2 hours, however the commitment may vary depending upon need.

As a Branch Secretary you would also be required to become a Branch Trustee and a Member of the RSPCA National Society. 

How to find out more about being a Branch Trustee

There is information on the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees and we have an online session about becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the 

RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Secretary

• We will provide you with training and mentorship from the outgoing Branch Secretary.
• Ongoing support is also provided by regional and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.
• Support from your peers who will help you get the job done!

Practical considerations

• Please also note that to become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected.
• Membership fees are for a Single adult. £24 (Per Year) 18 years old or over.
• Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.
• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidelines for individuals on who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.
•  References will also be required.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for 200 years and are proud to be the oldest animal welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care and awareness of issues, affecting animals today.  We rely heavily on our volunteers and Trustees who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important welfare work every day!

The RSPCA Darlington & District Branch

The RSPCA Darlington & District Branch is one of the branches of RSPCA but we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which are run by volunteers and trustees who have the support of the Nation Society of the RSPCA.

The main activities of our branch are on our Facebook page RSPCA Darlington & District Branch and on our website.

What we are looking for in a Volunteer

Above all, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare and the work the Branch carries out.

Specific skills such as finance, fundraising, project management, business experience, awareness of employment and charity legislation can be useful.

You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills.  You do not need to be an expert, although commitment, common sense and the ability to be objective are vital.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role. 

We’ll look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you.

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that Upbeat Communities achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity, and they also ensure we have a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the leadership team to enable Upbeat Communities to grow and thrive, and through this, empower refugees to thrive.

Through regular meetings, strategy days and written reports provided to the board, trustees are able to set the direction of the organisation, develop its strategic objectives and support and keep the staff team accountable in delivering on these
strategic goals.

Trustee meetings are currently held every 2 months either in person in Derby or online (hybrid). We have an annual strategy away day and trustees are also invited to be part of our sub-committees. Trustees are requested to be available to attend occasional ‘unscheduled’ meetings or engage in email communications which address urgent business as it arises, join working groups when needed and spend time preparing for meetings by reading and considering the papers circulated before meetings.

Benefits of Being a Trustee

We believe being a trustee of Upbeat Communities offers a number of fantastic
benefits:

• Strategic decision-making that positively impacts the lives of over a thousand
• asylum seekers and refugees every year
• Supporting an innovative, talented and passionate staff team as they develop
• our work and explore new services and ways of working
• Being part of a committed and focused trustee team working to see the charity
• grow
• Using your skills, experience and passion to contribute to an effective and wellfunctioning
• board
• Opportunities to learn new skills and experiences to contribute to your own
• personal development

Duties

Any individual acting as a trustee for Upbeat Communities would be required to
carry out the following:

• Promote the vision, mission and values of the charity
• Ensure Upbeat Communities and its representatives function within all legal and
• regulatory requirements applicable, and in line with its constitution, continually
• striving for best practice in governance
• Determine the overall direction and development of Upbeat Communities
• through good governance and clear strategic planning
• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their
• implementation
• Oversee Upbeat Communities’ financial plans and budgets and monitor and
• evaluate progress
• Review and approve the charity’s financial statements
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively
• Provide support and challenge to Upbeat Communities’ Chief Executive in the
• exercise of their delegated authority and affairs
• Contribute to regular reviews of Upbeat Communities’ own governance.
• Attend Board meetings, and be adequately prepared to contribute to
• discussions.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and
• protect the charity’s interests, avoiding any personal conflict of interests
• Take appropriate professional advice in all matters where there may be a
• material risk to the charity
• Maintain confidentiality about all aspects of the trustee’s business

Finance Specific Duties

• Lead on the strategic financial management of the charity at board level
• Liaise with our outsourced finance team (including our Finance Director)
• Chair the finance sub-committee (which meets 6 times per year ahead of every
• board meeting)
• Maintain a clear grasp of the charity’s financial position and ensure full and
• timely financial transparency and information disclosure to the board
• Support the board of trustees in financial decision making processes
• Review and approve annual budgets
• Advise on banking and investments
• Take an active role in the financial audit process
• Contribute to the financial management of our trading subsidiary (Upbeat
• Enterprises Limited)

About you

We are looking for people with or without board level experience, and we would welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds.

In order to continue to enhance the diversity of our board, we would particularly like to hear from people from ethnically marginalised groups, particularly Black African backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with physical disabilities, and other marginalised groups, and especially those with direct experience of services provided by our hospice.

On this occasion and following a recent skills audit of our current trustees, we are particularly looking for people with expertise in any of the following areas:

• Finance and accounting (with a view to succession planning for our current Treasurer)
• Co-production, community engagement and community development
• Property and estate management

Commitments from trustees and from the hospice

Trustees are expected to attend, in person or via tele-conferencing:

• Sessions agreed as part of each trustee’s personalised induction programme.

• Bi-monthly board meetings.

• Approximately two board away days per year, dedicated to strategic planning.

Where they are willing and able, trustees may be asked to join one of the board sub-committees.

Whilst this is an unpaid, voluntary role, out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed. A personalised induction programme, training, support and mentorship will be provided.

Person specification

Each trustee must have:

• commitment to the vision of the hospice

• willingness to meet the minimum time commitment

• integrity

• strategic vision

• good, independent judgement

• the ability to think creatively

• willingness to speak their mind

• understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship

• the ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good

of the hospice.

Previous board/trustee experience is not necessary and the hospice welcomes applications from all ages and backgrounds.

Closing date for applications is Monday 7 October.

We’re looking for a motivated finance professional to provide financial direction to our local advice charity and help us improve our long-term financial sustainability. If you’re excited to help us grow and strengthen our resilience so that we meet the advice needs of the diverse communities we serve, we would love to hear from you.

The Treasurer is an officer of the Trustee Board and not a paid member of staff.  The purpose of the role is to ensure that the charity’s finances and supporting financial control systems are robust and comply with relevant regulations.

The role works closely with the Chair of the Trustee Board, the Chief Executive and the volunteer Financial Accountant.

The Treasurer is responsible for chairing the Finance sub-committee, including preparing the agenda and arranging for the production of the minutes of each quarterly meeting,

Treasurer main duties and responsibilities

Financial accounts

· Every quarter, review entries on Xero made by volunteer Financial Accountant (

· Review quarterly management accounts prepared by volunteer Financial Accountant before submitting report to the Trustee Board

· Ensure that year-end accounts are prepared to in compliance with SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice) Accounting for Charities and submitted by the deadline to Charity Commission and Companies House, and make arrangements for them to be independently examined as required

Budgets and planning

· Prepare annual budget and obtain Trustee Board sign off each March

· Review and update forecast of annual outturn

Financial control and compliance

· Comply with the charity’s financial policies and procedures

·Liaise with the CEO to prepare costings for any funding bid applications

· Ensure capital expenditure authorisations and limits are followed, and prepare expenditure justifications where appropriate

· Ensure that money received is spend only on the purposes for which it was given and ensure that reports and accounts demonstrating this are submitted to funders

· Submit regular financial reports to national Citizens Advice as required, and meet all financial obligations of the Citizens Advice Membership scheme

Relationship with Trustee Board

· Provide financial advice as required to the Chair and Trustee Board

· Explain, guide and advise the Board on the key assumptions and financial implications of the budget, operational and strategic plans

· Keep the Board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities

· Ensure that all Board members have a clear understanding of the accounts presented at meetings

· Ensure that the organisation has an appropriate reserves policy and a realistic budget that meets the service’s needs

· Provide input to the risk register process

· Present accounts at the Annual General Meeting in an accessible way

· Chair the Finance sub-committee, preparing the agenda and arranging for the production of the minutes for each quarterly meeting

Treasury

· Act as key contact on the charity’s bank accounts

· Transfer money between savings bank accounts to optimise interest income

· Maximise the interest on savings by comparing available interest rates

· Review investments (in conjunction with other trustees)

· Review and update cheque signatory and electronic payment authorisation

· Authorise salaries and PAYE payments to HMRC

Other (annual)

· Review reserves policy

· Prepare salary review (in conjunction with Personnel Committee)

· Review office insurance policy

· Review Gift Aid claim prepared by volunteer Financial Accountant

Housing has been the core activity of Harrison Housing since 1869 when it was established as an Almshouse. Today, we are also a registered housing provider, delivering sheltered accommodation services through 78 self-contained flats, and providing a further 37 flats as general needs accommodation for older people. We also manage a further 60 properties in the London area for other almshouses.  

Following a period of great change we are excited to now be seeking two new Board members to join us and help lead our organisation through the next stage of our journey. We are looking for professionals, with up-to-date knowledge, skills and experience gained within the charity or housing sector, whose expertise and guidance will compliment the current Board of Trustees, and who will also be a valuable addition to the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee.  We are specifically interested in those would have senior experience in finance, audit, compliance or risk.