Branch Secretary (March)

Overview of the Branch Secretary opportunity

As a Branch Secretary, you would be in an essential volunteer role as the principal communications trustee managing and maintaining the administrative affairs of our branch. Using your expertise and skills, you will be able to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting 2 to 3 hours. Preparation for and follow up actions for the Secretary may take around another 2-3 hours.

This commitment increases with the additional duties required from the role of Secretary which may be around a further 2-3 hours a week.

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!

The RSPCA Cambridgeshire Mid East Branch

The RSPCA Cambridgeshire Mid East 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 is run by volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Secretary

• To be familiar with and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.
• To be familiar with the branch rules and follow them at all times.
• To work with your fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.
• Ensure the branch meets all the minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS). Where they are not met, work with national RSPCA staff to meet the standard as soon as practicable.
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees, Branch Manager and Branch Partnership Manager, adopt, monitor & review a branch development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch.
• To actively participate in branch committee meetings and to attend the branch annual general meeting, regional conference and regular regional board meetings.
• To be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support regional initiatives.
• To attend the trustee training course as required
• To actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers.
• To welcome new trustees and volunteers to the branch.
• To act as the main contact point for all branch communications with the national Society, the branch committee and the branch membership.
• Arrange branch meetings, ensure accurate minutes are taken and distributed in accordance with branch rules.
• Ensure all branch committee decisions are implemented and actions completed.
• Arrange the branch AGM including the compilation and distribution of the annual report, nominations and agenda in line with the strict timetable laid down in the branch rules.

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.

New RSPCA trustees are provided with a document “Guidance for Branch Trustees” and asked to attend a training course which provides information and guidance about a trustee’s role and responsibilities.

The role requires regular use of digital media to arrange and record meetings, store personal documents, use of social media to communicate with members of the public and to communicate with remotely located members of the trustee group. A good knowledge of the use of microsoft office and google workspace would be an advantage.

Ongoing support is also provided by regional and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.

The successful candidate will need to be organised, able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills.

What we can offer you as a volunteer 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.

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 apply for an application form, please contact Petra Martin on 07736 788088 or email us at enquiries@rspca-cambridgeshiremideast.org.uk.