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BRANCH TRUSTEE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR (North London / Within the Branch Area)

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RSPCA Finchley, Golder’s Green, Hendon and District Branch

This is an exciting opportunity to be a hands-on trustee at branch level, helping to recruit and retain volunteers, promote kindness and prevent animal cruelty, reach out to more supporters, and influence how we do things. Do you have experience in recruitment, motivating teams, or similar professional experience? If yes, help us coordinate our volunteer effort so that we can help more animals in need. You will meet like-minded people, have fun, and gain new skills.

Overview of opportunity

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate person who could devote the time to volunteer with us as one of our Trustees helping specifically to recruit, train and retain volunteers. As a Trustee of the Branch, you will also have 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 in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long terms aims. As a minimum, trustees are expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. As a Trustee Volunteer Coordinator, you would be the central point of contact for current and potential volunteers and would play a vital role in their recruitment and placement. Alongside fellow branch staff, you would help manage and motivate the team of volunteers and ensure that they were placed in the best volunteer role available so that we can help as many animals as possible.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for almost 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!

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee Volunteer Coordinator

  • 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 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 attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.
  • Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support local initiatives.
  • Actively promote and advertise the branch 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.
  • Managing all aspects of volunteer recruitment including applications, reference checks, inductions, training & performance reviews.
  • Keeping an up-to-date list of volunteering opportunities within the branch.
  • Working with the branch manager, the shop managers, the animal welfare officers, and trustees to arrange the recruitment and placement of volunteers.
  • Matching what volunteers would like to do to help with the Branch’s need for volunteer help.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for people from all social and cultural backgrounds, with experience and skills in any of the following areas:

  • Experience in recruitment, managing volunteers or motivating teams would be useful, but not essential.
  • Marketing communication including social media, PR, website;
  • Local community and supporter relationships;
  • Hands-on experience in growing charities; and/or
  • Are or have been part of the groups and communities we would like to attract.
  • Good communication and organisational skills.

Alongside the relevant 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.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee

  • We will provide you with comprehensive trustee training which will provide you will 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.
  • You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the animals in your local area.
  • Join a community that will enable you to meet new 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.
  • 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 on 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, we recommend visiting: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charity-trustee-whats-involved.

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! For more information and to request an application form, please contact Emma Prosser on 07557959690 or emma.prosser@rspcafinchley.org.uk.

The RSPCA Finchley, Golders Green, Hendon and District Branch is one of many 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 is run by volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.