Service Committee Chair (Volunteer)

Could you lead the SSAFA presence at your local military base? Ideally you will already have links to the base; you’ll have some experience of managing people and basic I.T skills. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!

What is a Service Committee Chair?

There are SSAFA committees on many military bases in the UK and overseas. Each one has a Chairperson to oversee all aspects of the committee. Reporting to the Regional Chair, you will ensure that the committee is running in line with SSAFA’s policies to keep clients and volunteers safe; that all services provided are appropriate and effective and that the committee is financially sound. You will be the public face of SSAFA on site.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community for more than 130 years. In recognition of their service to the Nation we aim to provide financial, practical and emotional support when it’s needed most. To do this we need volunteers who can represent SSAFA on the base and beyond, ensure that everyone knows about SSAFA services and keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

This role is about leadership, networking, coordination, and administration. Many volunteers can carry out this role from home and from their place of work.

The role would suit someone looking to offer a regular time commitment. You would need to organise and attend a minimum of four meetings each year. The Chair is an Office Bearer and in addition to voting rights, holds the casting vote.

What would you be doing?

• Providing support to all SSAFA Service Committee volunteers

• Holding regular committee meetings, at least four per year

• Ensuring that all requests for grants are reviewed by the committee in line with the committee’s Terms of Reference

• Working with the Community Volunteer Coordinator to oversee all SSAFA community volunteering, ensuring beneficiaries get support that is effective and timely

• Monitoring volunteer numbers against the demand for support and recruiting new volunteers as needed

• Building positive relationships with the senior management team on the base and the local SSAFA branch working in the wider community

• Providing reports and information to the local SSAFA branch and to SSAFA’s Central Office

• Overseeing an annual plan and fundraising programme to meet the locally identified needs

• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser

• Working with Central Office staff to ensure all volunteers complete all mandatory tasks in line with the training and vetting requirements of their role.

• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including adhering to our policies such as the volunteering policy and data protection policy

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Give back to your local military community

• Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity on site

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others

• Support and friendship from your local SSAFA committee and the wider SSAFA community

• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What about training and support?

• An induction to SSAFA specifically designed for Chairs and Chairmen within SSAFA’s Volunteer Network

• Online training modules on safeguarding and GDPR, so you are up to date on how to keep beneficiaries, their families and information safe

• Access to a range of e-learning courses as well as local opportunities to keep your training up to date.

• Support from a Regional Operations Support Manager (per region)

• Support from SSAFA’s Welfare team, Volunteer Development team and Volunteer Experience team

• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people of any age (18+) with some experience of coordinating people

• Good written and spoken English

• Ability to engage the senior managers on site representing SSAFA and the needs of clients

• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies represented on base and SSAFA colleagues

• Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role

• Volunteer management skills

• Ability to keep within the boundaries of the role e.g. prompt reporting of safeguarding concerns in line with SSAFA policies

• Reliability

• Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies

• Willingness and means to travel to meetings or events as required

• Ability to provide two referees: former employers or other people that know you well (other than relatives)

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two references, this can be former employers or people that know you well (other than relatives)

Is a criminal record check required? No