Volunteer Voluntary SECRETARY- BOARD OF TRUSTEES – STOKENCHURCH DOG RESCUE

What will you be doing?

We offer the opportunity to be part of a small, friendly and committed team with a dedication and passion for its work and every dog that arrives in need of care and a brighter future. As a Secretary to the Board of Trustees, you will be able to donate your skills, time and attention to our worthwhile and rewarding cause.  This role is important in supporting the Board administration and helping the trustees to ensure effective governance and compliance with the charity's statutory and regulatory requirements.  Tasks include: Assisting the Chairperson(s) of the board with the agenda for each board meeting;  Sending out notification of board meetings to charity trustees (and others where applicable);  Circulating board papers in advance of meetings and assisting with any issues charity trustees have regarding board papers;  Checking that a quorum is present (and that it is present throughout the meeting if required);  Taking the minutes at board meetings and maintaining the records of all meeting minutes;  Keeping a record of all issues discussed, decisions taken and any actions required to implement a decision;  Working with the Chairperson(s) to ensure that the draft minutes are accurate;  Issuing minutes to charity trustees after board meetings and dealing with any subsequent requests for corrections to be made before they are formally approved;  Ensuring that minutes are stored safely and are accessible by the Chairperson(s) of the board and any other charity trustee if required;  Provide support in setting up and running any Annual General Meeting (AGM) or Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) as required;  Maintaining the register of trustees and members; Being familiar with the charity’s governing document, the legal responsibilities of charities under the Charities Act 2009;  Helping to ensure that charity trustees file all relevant statutory returns and information with the Charities Regulator (e.g. annual reports, changes to the charity’s details and/or trustees’ details);  Making sure any correspondence for the charity trustees is brought to the attention of the board.

What are we looking for?

• Relevant secretarial or equivalent experience; • Capable of producing accurate and reliable minutes;  • Adept at managing the follow up actions to support the implementation of board decisions;  • Organised and methodical, with an eye for detail;  • Understanding of and adherence to matters of confidentiality;  • Empathy for SDR’s purpose and work and a willingness to be an ambassador for the charity;  • Integrity and good judgement;  • Ability to work effectively as a member of a team;  • Appreciation of the need for legal and corporate governance to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements;  • Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship;

What difference will you make?

Our key role is to rescue and rehome unwanted dogs and in so doing SDR provides a key community service that is supported and valued by people, be they new adoptees who will know the pleasure of owning a loyal pet or the many supporters. We have an active volunteer support group that we value greatly. These are people from the community and outlying districts that help us in so many ways, for example by dog walking, socialising dogs, fostering, cleaning kennels, gardening, helping in reception. Our volunteers are our loyal and committed lifeblood and we are delighted, in turn, to be a source of friendship, companionship, education, and the vital confidence booster that comes with the chance to learn new skills, as well as the potential for health, fitness and that all-important stress relief of being physically and mentally active, outdoors and around animals.