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Branch Trustee – Multiple Roles (RSPCA Lancashire East Branch)

What Does The Branch Do?

 

The Branch area covers East Lancashire, the Ribble Valley and the surrounding area. We operate the RSPCA Altham animal centre, just outside Accrington, which rehabilitates and rehomes dogs, cats and rabbits rescued by the RSPCA Inspectorate.

 

The animal welfare services that we offer include:

 

  • support and assistance to the RSPCA Inspectorate officers working within the local area

  • rehabilitation and rehoming of animals rescued from cruelty or neglect

 

To enable our Branch to offer these services, the Branch not only operates a charity shop in Burnley, but also undertakes a number of fundraising activities.

 

Future Plans

 

Our plans for the next few years include the need to:

 

  • better engage with the local community to increase support and help pet owners make informed, responsible choices about pet ownership whilst promoting the joy and reward of adopting a rescued animal

  • build on opportunities for our dedicated staff & volunteer team to develop their skills and deliver positive, proactive rehabilitation and rehoming opportunities whether in the animal centre or home environment

  • develop our facilities and help the charity deliver new sustainable services which benefit both animals and communities alike

 

But we can only do this with a new, local Trustee Board committed to the area and developing services that support the vital work of the RSPCA inspectorate by rehabilitating and rehoming animals at risk.

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What Does A Branch Trustee Do?

 

Helping to manage a local charity with a turnover circa £500,000/annum is not for the faint hearted. Trustees must make important decisions, be prepared to face challenges and be confident in overseeing the management of the organisation – its finances, staffing and other work that is vital for delivering the charity’s objectives.

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The RSPCA Lancashire East Branch is a self-supporting registered charity, supported by a small team of professional staff who undertake the day-to-day work of the organisation. 

 

The Trustees provide essential oversight, leadership and direction to the staff team and drive the implementation of key initiatives.  The Trustees serve on the governing body of the charity and are instrumental in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long term aims.

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Trustee meetings (no more than 2 - 3 hour) are held at least every six weeks, with additional meetings convened as required. In the future, it is hoped that Trustees with particular specialist professional skill sets will help to innovate and lead the delivery of RSPCA activities alongside our staff and volunteer team.

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What Are We Looking For?

 

We want the Trustees to be drawn from all social and cultural backgrounds so the Board truly reflects and representative the local community, in particular we are wanting people with experience and skills in any of the following areas:

 

  • communications

  • finance

  • fundraising

  • human resources

  • marketing (including social media and websites)

  • project management 

  • and/or general business experience

 

It is hoped to recruit at least five local Trustees to work alongside the existing Board for the next year before taking on the leadership and governance of the Branch following the next AGM (June 2024). 

 

What Can We Offer in Return?

 

We offer all Trustees:

 

  • support from both local and national RSPCA staff

  • the platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare

  • an 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

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Practical Considerations
 
Some things to note:

you must be aged 18 or over and a member of the Branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected at the AGM (RSPCA membership is £24/year)
Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year
reasonable expenses will be reimbursed
Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to confirm that they are not disqualified from being a Trustee (more guidance can be found on the Charity Commission website)
 
More Information
 
For more information on becoming: 

a Charity Trustee we recommend you read the Charity Commission publication Charity Trustee - What’s Involved
an RSPCA Branch Trustee we recommend you refer to the national RSPCA website: Branch Trustees, and the online session Becoming a Branch Trustee

 

Applications
 
For more information on becoming: 

please read download the Branch Trustee Role Outline from the Branch Website 
a Trustee of the RSPCA Lancashire East Branch please complete our volunteer application form and send this along with a covering letter and CV to James Stevens (Chief Executive Officer) at james.stevens@rspca-lancseast.org.uk
 

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