Branch Chair Person (Milton Keynes)

This is a fantastic opportunity to improve animal welfare by playing an instrumental part in the production, monitoring and review of our Branches development plan. You will be able to influence how we raise our funds and how these are allocated in our local area.

Milton Keynes and North Buckinghamshire have a cattery and three charity shops with a large number of individual fosterers.

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 depending on whether or not the trustee takes on additional duties. The Chairperson will have a team of 5 existing trustees although we expect to increase that in 2025.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Chair

• Take the chair at branch committee meetings and direct the activities.
• Act jointly with all co-trustees and work closely with the branch secretary and treasurer.
• To act as co-signatory, if required, on branch cheques and ensure that proper financial procedures are always followed, in line with charity legislation.
• Ensure that all committee members are familiar with branch rules, national Society policy and their responsibilities as a charity trustee.
• Be instrumental in the production, monitoring and review of a branch development plan.
• Actively coordinate the activities of the branch, including the delegation of tasks.
• Ensure that a branch representative is appointed to the regional board and that the representative gives the committee a full report on the business conducted after each meeting.
• To ensure that all the essential roles within the committee are filled by suitable, appropriate trustees or volunteers.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

Ideally, you would have specific skills such as finance, legal, fundraising, project management, business experience, awareness of employment and/or charity legislation. These all 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.

We are also looking for people who are creative, innovative, who have experience of or are part of the groups and communities we want to attract, who can bring new ideas, different experiences and fresh perspectives to the Board and help put those ideas into action.

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.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Chair

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you will 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.