RSPCA York, Harrogate and District Branch is a separately registered charity and branch of the RSPCA. We work in partnership with the RSPCA Inspectors, re-homing on average 500 animals per year.
We are largely self-funding, raising donations locally to support the running of the animal home that requires at least £1400 every day just to keep going. We have a team of staff and volunteers caring for our animals and running our charity shops in York, Acomb and Selby.
Do you have professional expertise you could use to help a good cause? Are you passionate about animal welfare? We are looking for enthusiastic and reliable people to actively volunteer for the Branch as trustees, ensuring that the Branch is governed and managed effectively, whilst continually having animal welfare at the forefront of their minds.
We're specifically looking for trustees with expertise in the following areas:
HR
Governance
Legal
Planning and Construction
Main Duties and Responsibilities: Each member of the Trustee Board has a responsibility to contribute to the discharging of the board’s duties. They do this by:
defining goals, actively contributing to setting policy and strategic direction, setting targets and evaluating performance
monitoring whether the service complies with its aims and objectives and whether it meets national RSPCA standards
monitoring the financial position of the Branch and ensuring that it operates within its means and objects, and that there are clear lines of accountability for day-to-day financial management
supporting the development of the Branch
regularly attending, preparing for and taking a full part in board meetings, sub-committees and working parties
developing the business plan and new opportunities.
Person Specification: Each member of the Trustee Board brings different skills and qualities to the Board. They add to the collective knowledge and experience by providing:
effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion, and challenge where appropriate
willingness to gain knowledge of local needs and resources
commitment to the aims, principles and policies of the RSPCA
willingness and ability to act in the best interests of the Branch
ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and employers
numeracy to the extent required to understand Branch accounts with the support of a Treasurer
IT literacy sufficient to communicate and find information effectively
willingness and ability to learn, and to develop and examine their own attitudes
ability to think creatively and strategically, and exercise good, independent judgement
ability to work effectively as a member of a team
Time Commitment:
One Trustee meeting each month (6pm, last Tuesday in the month), one AGM meeting (once a year).
Other sub-committees and working groups, by agreement.
To take part in events and fundraising activities when time permits.
For an informal discussion about this role please contact Peter Gorbert, Branch Manager via email
peter@rspca-yorkhome.org.uk . We are the RSPCA and it's our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. Our volunteers are incredible, they play an essential role in helping us carry out our important animal welfare work every day. As a trustee of a branch you will have the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals. We are looking for people from all social and cultural backgrounds, with a variety of experience and skills to draw on, whether these have been formed through life or work situations. You'll be passionate about animal welfare and alongside other trustees, will manage the affairs of a local RSPCA Branch to promote and provide animal welfare within the branch area. As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary dependent on whether or not the trustee takes on additional duties such as the role of chairman, treasurer or secretary. Trustees are elected for a 12 month term each year. What you will be doing
Familiarising yourself with and supporting the aims and policies of the RSPCA Familiarising yourself with the branch rules and following them at all times Working with your fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly acting in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA. Ensuring the branch meets all the minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS). Where they are not met, working with national RSPCA staff to meet them as soon as practicably possible In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Support Specialist (BSS), writing, adopting, monitoring and reviewing a branch development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch Actively participating in branch committee meetings and attending the branch annual general meeting and regional conference. Having an awareness of the outcomes of regional board meetings and supporting regional initiatives. Actively promoting and advertising to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers. Welcoming new trustees and volunteers to the branch. The skills you need
Aged 18 or over A current member of the RSPCA (please see
rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/becomeamember
for details on how to become a member) Able to work with people from all backgrounds and have good interpersonal skills Specific skills such as finance, legal, fundraising, project management, business experience, awareness of employment and/or charity legislation can be useful to help ensure we have a sound and robust business model and long term strategic development plan, however they are not essential. Commitment, common sense and the ability to be objective is vital Creativity, innovation. A person who can bring different experiences and fresh perspectives to the Board and help put those ideas into action What's in it for you
Meet like-minded people who share your enthusiasm for animal welfare Use your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare You will be volunteering at the heart of the local community Ongoing support is also provided by regional and national RSPCA staff in addition to additional training provided by the relevant branch Disclaimer
Before you can start volunteering you’ll need to complete our simple online Health & Safety course and any associated training required for your role. New RSPCA trustees are provided with a link to our intranet to view our Guidance for Branch Trustees and are also asked to attend a training course which provides information and guidance about a trustee’s role and responsibilities. Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and that they accept the post. Tetanus is a life threatening bacterial disease caused by an infection in an open wound. All volunteers must be suitably protected. We recommend that volunteers check their vaccination history with their GP. If a volunteer has not had the required doses, the GP should offer them free of charge as part of the UK vaccination schedule. Landing Lane, York, North Yorkshire, YO26 4RH, United Kingdom
#J-18808-Ljbffr
peter@rspca-yorkhome.org.uk . We are the RSPCA and it's our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. Our volunteers are incredible, they play an essential role in helping us carry out our important animal welfare work every day. As a trustee of a branch you will have the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals. We are looking for people from all social and cultural backgrounds, with a variety of experience and skills to draw on, whether these have been formed through life or work situations. You'll be passionate about animal welfare and alongside other trustees, will manage the affairs of a local RSPCA Branch to promote and provide animal welfare within the branch area. As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary dependent on whether or not the trustee takes on additional duties such as the role of chairman, treasurer or secretary. Trustees are elected for a 12 month term each year. What you will be doing
Familiarising yourself with and supporting the aims and policies of the RSPCA Familiarising yourself with the branch rules and following them at all times Working with your fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly acting in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA. Ensuring the branch meets all the minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS). Where they are not met, working with national RSPCA staff to meet them as soon as practicably possible In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Support Specialist (BSS), writing, adopting, monitoring and reviewing a branch development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch Actively participating in branch committee meetings and attending the branch annual general meeting and regional conference. Having an awareness of the outcomes of regional board meetings and supporting regional initiatives. Actively promoting and advertising to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers. Welcoming new trustees and volunteers to the branch. The skills you need
Aged 18 or over A current member of the RSPCA (please see
rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/becomeamember
for details on how to become a member) Able to work with people from all backgrounds and have good interpersonal skills Specific skills such as finance, legal, fundraising, project management, business experience, awareness of employment and/or charity legislation can be useful to help ensure we have a sound and robust business model and long term strategic development plan, however they are not essential. Commitment, common sense and the ability to be objective is vital Creativity, innovation. A person who can bring different experiences and fresh perspectives to the Board and help put those ideas into action What's in it for you
Meet like-minded people who share your enthusiasm for animal welfare Use your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare You will be volunteering at the heart of the local community Ongoing support is also provided by regional and national RSPCA staff in addition to additional training provided by the relevant branch Disclaimer
Before you can start volunteering you’ll need to complete our simple online Health & Safety course and any associated training required for your role. New RSPCA trustees are provided with a link to our intranet to view our Guidance for Branch Trustees and are also asked to attend a training course which provides information and guidance about a trustee’s role and responsibilities. Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and that they accept the post. Tetanus is a life threatening bacterial disease caused by an infection in an open wound. All volunteers must be suitably protected. We recommend that volunteers check their vaccination history with their GP. If a volunteer has not had the required doses, the GP should offer them free of charge as part of the UK vaccination schedule. Landing Lane, York, North Yorkshire, YO26 4RH, United Kingdom
#J-18808-Ljbffr
