Branch Trustee – Treasurer (Home based with travel to the Isle of Wight)

Do you have professional expertise you could use to help a good cause? We are looking for volunteer trustees to help run our Branch and are particularly looking for those with a background in finance and accounts.

Overview of the Branch Trustee – Finance opportunity

We are interested in speaking to individuals with a strong understanding of finance and accounts, and ideally with an accounting qualification or equivalent experience, who can volunteer their time and expertise to help us improve the welfare of animals as the branch Treasurer.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a committee meeting every 4-6 weeks, lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether the trustee takes on additional duties.

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 Isle of Wight Branch

The RSPCA Isle of Wight 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 who have the support of the National Society of the RSPCA.

The RSPCA Isle of Wight Branch runs an animal centre at Bohemia Corner, and charity shops in Newport, Ventnor, Cowes and Sandown. The animal centre provides significant support to the Isle of Wight community, with facilities to rescue and rehabilitate both domestic animals and wildlife, as well as providing emergency boarding, as has been necessary on several occasions during the current pandemic.

In addition to its rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming work, the RSPCA Isle of Wight Branch also runs a Trading Company, providing private boarding at its onsite Bohemia Boarding facility.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee – Finance

• Implement and maintain sound financial systems to retain full control of branch funds.
• Support the ongoing requirement to reduce the branch’s outgoings.
• Take a lead role in ensuring the committee set annual financial budgets and plans the branch's income and expenditure, so the accounts balance in the long term.
• Provide a written financial report for each branch meeting showing the income and expenditure since the last meeting.
• Liaise with auditors/independent examiners regarding the production of the annual branch accounts and treasurer's report for the Branch Annual General Meeting.
• Maintain control of all bank accounts as authorised by the committee.
• Execute and operate branch committee financial decisions and act as branch co-signatory on all branch cheques, if required.
• Maintain control over all branch paying-in books and receipt books and ensure their correct use.

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 attend the branch's 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 finance and accounts 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, and 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 Lead – Finance

• We will provide you with a trustee training course which will provide you with everything you need to carry out the role.
• 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

• While the role will be mainly manageable online, you will be required to travel to the Isle of Wight 3-4 times a year.
• 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 (mileage up to 150 miles max per trip to the Isle of Wight).
• 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, 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 Victoria Robson on 07715 540216 or victoria.robson@rspca.org.uk.