Advocacy Highland –  Board Member

Description:

The Board of Directors work under the direction of the Chairperson to ensure probity, provide governance and work in partnership with the Manager to achieve the aims of Advocacy Highland.  The main duties include;

  • To ensure that the organisation conducts its business in accordance with its Memorandum and Articles of Association and in adherence with relevant legislation.
  • To govern the organisation within best practice frameworks.
  • To attend Board Meetings (and relevant sub committees) regularly and contribute actively to the role of the Board in determining strategy, approving policy and monitoring performance.
  • To ensure the organisation’s resources are deployed in pursuance of its objectives and that its finances are systematically accounted for, audited and made publically available.
  • To oversee the management of existing advocacy provision and any future development.
  • To foster effective relationships between Board members and staff, service users, other stakeholders and others who are important to the organisation.
  • To participate where appropriate in the recruitment of senior staff.
  • To contribute any specific skills, knowledge and experience to assist the Board of Directors reach sound decisions.
  • To safeguard the good name and ethos of the organisation and to promote the organisation and its work, along with fellow Board members and staff, to existing and potential funding agencies, donors, supporters and beneficiaries.

Skills, Attributes & Experience Required:

Directors will be committed to the aims and ethos of the organisation and to ensuring that its activities are in the interests of beneficiaries.  Previous experience of committee work would be advantageous.

They will come from a range of backgrounds and experience so that within the Board there will be people who represent the diversity of the local community, including those who provide or have benefited from Independent Advocacy.

Essential criteria

Advocacy Highland requires different skills, knowledge and experience from their Directors at different times and therefore we need Directors who bring:

  • A clear vision of the organisation’s aims and objectives
  • Passion and knowledge about independent advocacy and commitment to its principles and values
  • Time to devote to the Board and the responsibilities required of membership of the Board

e.g. to read papers in advance of meetings and regularly attend Board meetings and occasional extra meetings.

  • To keep up to date and informed about the organisation’s activities
  • Ability to contribute to meetings and to the organisation’s leadership and direction, accountability and development in a relevant and constructive way.

How many volunteers do you require for this opportunity? 2

Time commitment required for this volunteering opportunity: Board meetings are every 2 to 3 months in Inverness.

If you are interested in this volunteering opportunity, please contact Rachel Tonks on 07741 261656 or email [email protected]

 

 

ARGYLL AND LOCHABER RDA CARRIAGE DRINING GROUP –  BOARD MEMBER

Description:

We are a SCIO and as such are a Registered Charity Nº SC 038417 .  We started in Benderloch in 1999 and were based on a croft/stable there until 2019.  We moved, as the then owner wished to sell up and move to the Borders, which all coincided with the Covid outbreak.  We have managed to keep body and soul together during the shutdown (2019 – 2022) and have re-established ourselves at the Lochaber Rural Centre. We have recently been certified as fit by the RDA and have begun providing carriage driving as an exercise/evolution for disabled people across Argyll and Lochaber.  We have a Trust Board, presently made up of seven persons, with a Constitution that allows for a maximum of 12.  Of those seven, four are from the Argyll area and three from Lochaber; some of whom have been in post for a number of years, mainly due to Covid19 and need to be replaced.  Ideally we would like a board of nine persons, four from Argyll area and four from Lochaber with a fifth as Chair from either area.

You do not have to have knowledge of either horses or the RDA to take on the challenge, just a great willingness to provide a form of entertainment, experience and self-esteem for disabled people and we include wheelchair users, paraplegics and geriatrics.  The requirement is to ensure that the Rules and Procedures, Safeguarding and operation of the unit are in accord with the Riding for the Disabled regulations with sufficient funds as well.  We are affiliated to the RDA.

There is also the opportunity to get involved with the operation as a volunteer in many different ways including qualifying as a competent carriage driver or simply a safety number on operational days.

We aim to get our disabled drivers up to a standard such that they can compete at the National RDA Championships.

We are on FACEBOOK as a Group;  Argyll & Lochaber RDA Driving Group

Skills, Attributes & Experience Required:

1.Enthusiasm, energy and a degree of people skills. Essential

2.Fundraising  knowledge and experience could be helpful.*

3.Knowledge about running a charity*

4.Experience in running meetings*

5.Ability to commit time to the project.

  • These (2 to 4) are all nice to have but not a requirement.

There is a full training programme available for the Driving, following RDA Regulations and Certification.

How many volunteers do you require for this opportunity? 4

Time commitment required for this volunteering opportunity:

In the past we have had four to five Board Meetings a year.  We are planning to Carriage Drive between April and October on one half day each week, normally on a Friday.  Presently, it is less as we get re-established as a unit.  Individually you commit to what you can achieve.

If you are interested in this volunteering opportunity, please contact Michael Hawke at [email protected]

 

The Buzz Project – Board Members

To become part of the Buzz Project Board, and act within the constitution of The Buzz Project and the law, and abide by the policies and procedures of the organisation.  This includes having a knowledge of the contents of the constitution and relevant policies and procedures, and support the objects and mission of The Buzz Project, championing it, using any skills or knowledge to further that mission and seeking expert advice where appropriate.

To become an active trustee, and using skills, experience and knowledge to enhance the service provided by The Buzz Project and seeking to do what additional work, outside trustee meetings, including sitting on sub-committees.

To attend all appropriate meetings and other appointments at The Buzz Project or give apologies, and be prepared for meetings, including reading papers, and completing any tasks assigned in the agreed time.

To actively contribute towards improving the governance of the trustee board, participating in induction and training and sharing ideas for improvement with the board.

A time commitment of around 4 hours per month is anticipated and any reasonable out of pocket expenses will be refunded to the volunteer (e.g. mileage for training etc).

 

If you are interested in this volunteering opportunity, please contact Mandy Cameron on [email protected]

Committee Member – Fort William Town Team

Description:

  • Attend one committee meeting per month
  • Attend two litter picks per year
  • Come up with ideas
  • Help or assist with hanging baskets/gardening.

Time commitment required for this volunteering opportunity:

  • Flexible

If you are interested in this volunteering opportunity, please contact Karen Dean at [email protected]

 

Chairperson of the Executive Committee – Lochaber District Scout Council

Opportunity Title: Chairperson of the Executive Committee

Description of Volunteering Opportunity: Chair and facilitate Executive Meetings
Monitor decisions and actions agreed at meetings
Work closely with relevant commissioners on long and short term goals
Provide direction for committee
Addressing and resolving conflicts that may arise
Membership and attendance of any working group or sub-committees set up by the Executive Committee where appropriate
Uphold the responsibilities of an Executive Committee as outlined in the Scout Association’s Policy Organisation and Rules
Willingness to act as a Charity Trustee for the District
Contribute to the strategic aims and further development of the District

Skills, Attributes & Experience Required: Strong leadership skills, ability to work as a team, able to think creativity and solve problems, able to handle and resolve conflict effectively, willing to speak one’s mind and listen to the views of others, willing to contribute to the strategic vision of the district.

How many volunteers do you require for this opportunity? 1

What time commitment is required for this volunteering opportunity? Flexible – 2 hours per week and time for regular meetings 3/4 times a year (inc AGM)

Please provide details of any induction or training offered with this Volunteering Opportunity?

Training for the role will be offered. Applicants must be able to complete a Disclosure Scotland PVG and module 1 Fundamentals of Scouting – on line)