Become a Trustee!

Trustees play a vital role in the success of charities and community groups of all sizes and without them they could not function. Becoming a trustee enables you to use your professional or life skills for local causes and can be great for your personal development, as well as a great way to make a significant difference to a charity you care about.

Being a trustee is a respected and responsible role. Common qualities that help to make good trustees include being over 18 years of age, having good interpersonal skills and being available on average for up to 5 hours per month.

Trustees come from many different walks of life, some have specialist business knowledge in fields such as marketing and PR, human resources or finance, and others bring their life experiences. Good local knowledge can also be key to being a trustee.

Here at the Volunteer Centre, Milton Keynes we currently have the following vacancies:

MK Arts for Health - Trustee
MK Arts for Health is recruiting new trustees for the board of this very successful charity. Taking on the role of trustee is an excellent opportunity to influence the strategic direction and policy of this Milton Keynes based arts development organisation, acknowledged as one of the UK’s leading arts and health charities.

Trustees have key voluntary roles within the charity and are asked to commit to giving the equivalent of 10 days per year. The work of trustees is unremunerated. MK Arts for Health is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and actively seeks to reflect the diversity of UK society at every level within the organisation.

Front line health professionals, practising artists, BME and disabled people are currently under-represented on the board. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity to help make a difference to the local community, please get in touch for an information pack info@mkartsforhealth.org.uk or call 01908 243284. Closing date for expressions of interest is 27th August 2010.

Buzz Clubs Out of School Care - Treasurer
Buzz Clubs is a small registered charity providing quality and affordable out of school play and care for all children aged 3 to 11+ in Winslow and the surrounding villages in North Buckinghamshire. They are run by a voluntary management committee. The day to day finances are managed by the manager who is the only full time member of staff, who could really do with some help with budgeting, spreadsheets, variances etc.

If you have a good understanding/experience of finances, Excel and Word skills, and could spare just a few hours a week then this would make all the difference to the ongoing quality of the out of school care they provide. Financial background with a small charity would be a big advantage. The on-going weekly tasks could be done online and presented at the meetings which are held 9 times a year, either on a Monday or Wednesday evening, at various locations in Winslow.

Penwith School - School Governor
Do you have children? Would you like to know how schools are run? Penwith School is looking for a school governor who would really enjoy being part of their school life. All you need is interest and enthusiasm, good listening skills, good communication and literacy skills, and to be available to attend afternoon and/or evening meetings from 4pm - 6pm and 7:30pm - 9:30 pm once a month on a Wednesday. It is also helpful if governors want to take part in other school activities e.g. assemblies, school visits etc. The Local Authority provides a comprehensive induction programme and usually the role of a Governor is a 4 year commitment.

Oasis Play Scheme – Treasurer/Bookkeeper
Oasis Play scheme is a local charity that provides holiday play schemes for children, many of whom have special needs. They depend on grant funding to operate and currently have a budget of around £30k. They need someone to help them in managing these grants and other income. Experience of book keeping would be helpful plus managing budgets. The charity is managed by a board of trustees who would support any volunteer alongside the coordinator. You would need to attend bi-monthly meetings and other additional meetings as necessary and be able to give up to 8 hours a fortnight during the busy Easter to summer period to undertake the book keeping tasks. It is much quieter from October - February and therefore less time will be needed.


Interested? Then register your details by contacting the Volunteer Centre, Milton Keynes on 01908 662744 or e-mail (url "mailton:enquiries@volunteermk.org.uk")

Alternatively to find out more about other voluntary roles pop into one of the following outreach centres to talk to an advisor or log onto the National Database of Voluntary Opportunities www.do-it.org.uk

• Wolverton, Town Hall, Creed Street - Tuesday 10am – 12pm
• Netherfield, Woughton Community Council, Farthing Grove - Wednesday 10am – 12pm
• Olney, Olney Library, High Street - Thursday 10am – 12pm
• Central Milton Keynes, Acorn House, Midsummer Boulevard - Thursday 10am – 12pm
• Bletchley, Bletchley & Fenny Stratford Town Council, Queensway - Friday 12pm – 2pm

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