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

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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 support and expertise, we will achieve so much!

We are recruiting trustees for both the RSPCA Isle of Wight Branch. We are happy to take applications from outside the branch catchment area as long as you can join meetings by Google Meet, and are willing to travel to in-person meetings a couple of times a year.

Overview of the Branch Trustee opportunity

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate person who could devote the time to volunteer with us as one of our Trustees. As a Trustee of the Branch, you will 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-term aims.

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 is a branch of the RSPCA, but is also a separately registered charity looking after animals in their local areas. Much of the animal welfare work of the 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

The RSPCA Isle of Wight Branch runs an animal centre at Bohemia Corner, and charity shops in Newport, Ventnor 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.

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

  • 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's annual general meeting and regional conference.
  • Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support local 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 looking for people from all social and cultural backgrounds with experience and skills in any of the following areas:

  • Marketing communication, including social media, PR, website;
  • Fundraising, including corporate fundraising, trust fund and grant applications;
  • 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.

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, and 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 a 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

  • 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.