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Volunteer Branch Secretary (Darlington and District, including Richmond North Yorkshire)

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Our RSPCA Darlington & District Branch urgently needs a Volunteer Secretary to run the Branch. Do you have professional expertise which you could use to help our good cause? Are you an enthusiastic, dedicated person, passionate about animal welfare? Become our principal communications trustee/branch secretary and help us to maintain our branch affairs and support us in improving the lives of abused, neglected, and abandoned animals, via admin, finance, education and promotion of our work.

We are a local group of volunteer Trustees who provide stewardship of the area's animals alongside the RSPCA inspectorate. We care for the welfare of domestic, farm and wild animals in and around Darlington, Co Durham and Richmond, North Yorkshire through fundraising and other activities. We meet monthly for Branch meetings and fundraising events.

Overview of the Branch Secretary opportunity

As a Branch Secretary, you would be in an essential volunteer role as the principal communications trustee managing the administrative affairs of our branch. Using your expertise and skills, you can influence how we care for and prevent animal cruelty and drive the implementation of key initiatives. As a Branch Secretary, you would also be required to become a Branch Trustee and a Member of the RSPCA National Society. To access information relevant to being a Trustee, please see the attached Trustee information.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Secretary

  • To act as the primary 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 strict timetable laid down in the branch rules.
  • Arrange the timely dissemination of the contents of all correspondence and literature received by the branch, ensuring availability to all committee members and reply to all branch correspondence when necessary.
  • Order and distribute RSPCA stationery, leaflets, posters and other fundraising and promotional material.
  • Liaise with the Branch Partnership Manager (BPM) and group Chief Inspector and notify them of all Branch meetings.
  • Advise the BPM of all changes to Branch facilities, services and contact details.
  • In the absence of a Membership Secretary resume responsibility of the Branch Membership list.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are looking for someone committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and who shares our passion for animal welfare and the branch's work. Specific skills such as administration, finance, fundraising, project management, business experience, and awareness of employment and/or charity legislation can be useful but not essential. 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. Someone who can commit 10-12 hours per week.

Practical considerations

  • Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each 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.
  • 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 can’t 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.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch! For more information and to apply and for an application form, please contact Linda at Secretary@rspca-darlington.org.uk.