Conservation Team Member Volunteer Roles in Glasgow
Job Title: Member of the Listed Buildings Advisory Committee
Seeking volunteers with a special interest in the Conservation of Historic Places of Worship for the Methodist Church’s Connexional Listed Buildings Advisory Committee.
Do you have expert knowledge of the ecclesiastical historic built environment? Non-conformist architecture and heritage? Expert knowledge of the conservation of our fixtures of architectural and historic significance? Or knowledge of Methodist liturgy and worship in a historic Place of Worship? Do you want to be part of an expert group and use your skills and gifts to help reimagine and re-purpose our historic places of worship for growth and sustainability?
About the role
The Listed Buildings Advisory Committee (LBAC) is a long – established Committee of the Methodist Church whose primary purpose is to fulfil the responsibilities set out by the relevant Standing Orders (980) and statutory responsibilities and provide expert knowledge on all matters relating to historic church buildings.
Members of the Committee reflect a wide spectrum of interest; some are professionally concerned with the conservation of listed buildings, others have a special interest in the history of Methodist chapels and churches, or archaeology, whilst others are Methodist ministers or church members.
Strong emphasis is placed on a church being the people of God and the Calling of the Methodist Church with the building being there to serve a living church within a changing community. Membership of the LBAC therefore reflects the balance between the need for rigorous conservation and the necessary adaptation of listed church buildings to meet changing needs.
Sympathy with these aims is desirable but membership of the Methodist Church is not essential.
About You
As a member of the LBAC you will contribute to the review, evaluation and recommendation process for proposals relating to works of alteration to listed buildings owned by the Methodist Church. The primary duty is to provide expert guidance and advice on conservation and development of historic church buildings and have a specialist knowledge in one or more than one of the following areas:
· knowledge of the history, development and use of Methodist chapels;
· knowledge of Methodist liturgy and worship;
· knowledge of archaeology;
· knowledge of the history and development of architecture and the visual arts; and
· experience of the care of historic buildings and their contents.
We advise you to review the candidate pack, the role description and person specification ahead of completing and submitting your online expression of interest form. The candidate pack includes some useful information about our processes.
Please note that where appropriate, successful nominees will be asked to undertake further checks, including references and a DBS check.
Indicative Recruitment Timetable:
Closing date: August 25th 2024: 23:59
Shortlisting Date: August 30th 2024
Interviews Date: September 13th 2024
Provisional appointment start date: 20th September 2024
This is a voluntary unpaid position; however, some additional expenses can be agreed. All appointments shall be notified to the relevant amenity societies and statutory bodies.
The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Bats are amazing animals and an important part of our natural environment. There are 18 species of bat in the UK, all of which are protected by law because their numbers have decreased so dramatically. BCT operates a National Bat Helpline to provide almost 15,000 enquirers a year with easily accessible and accurate information, including getting injured bats to the care they need. The Helpline’s role in advising and supporting people who come into contact with bats is an important part of BCT’s work towards our vision of a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together.
About the role
As a volunteer you will answer calls from the public, providing advice on bat care calls and putting them in touch with local bat care volunteers where possible. We consistently receive feedback from volunteers to say that this role can be challenging at times, but with the support from the team, and the knowledge that they are helping bats and advising members of the public makes it such a rewarding role. Many enjoy it so much that they return to volunteer the next season! Volunteers took about 1,500 calls between September 2022 and May 2023.
You do not need to have prior experience in conservation to volunteer, anyone who is interested in helping bats is welcome to apply. Volunteering for the Helpline is a great way to get involved in conservation from the comfort of your home and during your spare time.
Commitment
Returning winter volunteers (those who done a winter season with us in either 2023 or 2022) will be ready to start Bat Watches on Monday 16th September. New winter volunteers will be ready to start Bat Watches on Monday 7th October. We hope volunteers will sign up to Bat Watches until May 2024 and there is always the option to continue volunteering after May.
We hope that volunteers will be able to sign up to 3 Bat Watches per month between September – May. A Bat Watch is up to 3.5 hours (including 30mins break), please see below for Bat Watch times:
Weekdays - VBCH winter season operates In Office Hours only.
am: 9:30 – 13:00
pm: 13:00 – 16:30
All you need is:
- A computer/laptop with internet access (or a tablet, although a computer is preferable).
- A speaker/mic or headset to use with your computer, as phone calls will be received using an internet app on your device.
- A phone with reliable reception for contacting support staff where needed.
Skills and abilities
- Competent in using computers and entering data onto an online form.
- Accurate record-keeping.
- An interest in UK wildlife and conservation and/or animal welfare.
- Affective communication skills and ability to reassure members of the public during calls.
- Willingness to spend additional time reading training materials and keeping up to date with communications from the project coordinator.
Training and support
New winter volunteers must complete some introductory online training in their own time and attend one online training day on either:
· Thursday 12th September
· Wednesday 18th September
Training days will run between 10:30am and 2:30pm with breaks.
Returning winter volunteers (those who have done a winter season with us in 2022 or 2023), will receive a refresher training video instead. If you have done a winter season with us pre-2022, you will need to attend a full training day. Thank you!
All volunteers will receive a comprehensive manual and full support from BCT staff during their assigned bat watches and throughout the season. During the virtual training day, we will provide an induction explaining what we do and how volunteers fit within our organisation. We will also provide training to assist you to meet the standards we expect from volunteers. BCT will reimburse certain "out of pocket" expenses where required.
Benefits of volunteering with BCT
- Supporting and learning about the work of the leading NGO in the UK solely devoted to the conservation of bats
- Developing transferable skills that can help enhance your CV
- Developing confidence in speaking to members of the public
- Learning about opportunities to get involved in other aspects of bat conservation
- Learning more about bats
- Discounts to BCT training
How to sign up
To find out more and sign up, please click here. You will need to create a Better Impact account to sign up.
Further instructions on how to sign up are available on our website.
This is a voluntary position that supports the work of the Helpline services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff. This role description does not form part of any contract of employment. We are unable to take applications from individuals under the age of 18. We welcome applications from a diverse range of applicants.
Start dates:
Returning winter volunteers, Monday 16th September
New winter volunteers, Monday 7th October
Deadlines:
Returning winter volunteers, Midnight 19th August 2024
New winter volunteers, Midnight 26th August 2024
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
An exciting opportunity for someone to be involved in the development of our family grantmaking foundation, as we integrate a new generation of family trustees and strengthen our environmental grantmaking to help restore the UK’s rivers and coasts.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.