Who we are:

Family Volunteering Club is on a mission to make it really easy for kids aged 0 - 9 and their grown ups to help out at important causes on their doorstep. We want to help create a society in which every child grows up feeling connected to their local community, and understands the positive role they can play in helping change issues that matter to them.

 

We work with different charities and community groups to create programmes of fun, impactful, tailor-made volunteering sessions, specifically for kids! Why Family Volunteering Club is great! It’s an easy way for families to volunteer together. Participants can benefit from increased confidence, learning new skills and feeling better connected. Families can help make the world a better place – every week We are teaching kids how to tackle big problems, from the climate crisis to food poverty. It's a great way to make stronger connections in the local community. Families can fit volunteering into their schedule, without fuss.

 

What are we looking for?

Family Volunteering Club is currently looking for a Co-Chair to join our Board of Trustees, and play a key role in the CIO as we continue on our exciting journey of growth.

 

What would you be doing as a volunteer?

The Co-Chairs provide leadership to the charity and its board, ensuring that the CIO has maximum impact for its beneficiaries. They are responsible for board management, support to individual trustees and support to the CEO, facilitating scrutiny of Family Volunteering Club’s strategic direction, values, policies, and operational efficiency. 

 

The Co-Chairs also play an active role in representing the organisation to a range of internal and external stakeholders. The Co-Chairs will work closely with the CEO to oversee the governance of the charity, guide the development and growth of the organisation and have an overview of strategy and finance. 

 

It is important in line with the values of the organisation, that we retain a strong sense of democracy and inclusion in how the charity operates at a board level, and the Co-Chairs will help ensure this. 

 

Co-Chair responsibilities: 

• Board Management - Ensure effective coordination and communication between the Co-Chairs and between the Co-Chairs and other parties, and the board as a whole. 
• Act as the trustees’ principal point of contact and check in with each of them individually from time to time (at least twice per year), including in relation to their board participation and wellbeing. 
• Plan, chair and facilitate an effective schedule of board meetings (and away days, planning and board development sessions etc.), ensuring the satisfactory completion of the board’s business during the year. 
• Ensure that accurate minutes are taken and shared in a timely fashion, and that decisions made are appropriately implemented. 
• Foster open debate amongst trustees on strategic and governance issues, encouraging broad participation and exchange of individual perspectives and independent judgement, while ensuring trustees come together with a collective voice once decisions are made. 
• Ensure that the board focuses on its governance role and strategy. 
• Oversee the activities of any newly established board committees, ensuring that they are accountable and report properly to the board. 
• Lead on recruitment, election and induction of new trustees. 
• Build the board team by identifying capable trustees and providing for succession to Co-Chair, and Treasurer positions. 
• Have oversight of policies and procedures, and assist with addressing any conflicts or grievances which may arise amongst trustees (or with staff, partners or donors). 
• Lead Governance and Accountability (shared with the other Co-Chair) 
• Ensure that the organisation upholds the highest possible standards of governance, and complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and other relevant legislation and regulation. 
• With the Treasurer (to be recruited), ensure that statutory reporting is timely and of high quality. 
• Ensure that the charity pursues its charitable goals and that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuit of them. 
• Maintain a good understanding of the financial position of the CIO and ensure that trustees are aware of their financial duties, and execute them appropriately. 
• Oversee appropriate delegation of the board’s role in the investigation and resolution of any serious incidents, including in relation to Safeguarding.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation. 
• External representation (shared with the other Co-Chair) 
• Attract support for the organisation and facilitate board members to secure funds, engage in networks and advocate for Family Volunteering Club.
• Represent the organisation at events. 
• Act as spokesperson, as required. 
• Play a role in supporting external communications such as periodic media, blogs and letters, and any crisis communications. 

Skills and experience required 

• A passion for Family Volunteering Club and our mission. 
• Leadership qualities with high integrity and a passion for equal and democratic leadership. 
• Experience of fostering the development of groups, committees or boards effectively. 
• Experience of serving on a board of Trustees, or similar. 
• Understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship in the UK charity sector. 
• Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity finance issues. 
• Able to demonstrate strategic vision and think creatively. 
• Willing to speak their mind and exercise independent judgement, whilst operating with tact and diplomacy. 
• Ability to work with others to develop the board and board dynamics. 
• Ability to represent the organisation credibly externally.
•  Availability and commitment to perform the role and dedicate the time required to fulfil the role. 

 

Role Terms 

This is an unpaid voluntary position. Reasonable expenses / per diems for travel and subsistence whilst on Family Volunteering Club business are reimbursable. 

Location: This role is remote, however attendance of meetings, visiting the programme and external events to represent the CIO will be necessary. 

Time Commitment: The Co-Chair will give a time commitment of between 1 - 2 days a month, depending on the needs of the charity. They will attend quarterly board meetings, as well as additional meetings with the other Co-Chair, as well as working on specific desk based tasks and attending in person events to represent the charity. 

Role commencement date: March 2025. Duration: This is a 3-year term with the potential to be elected to renew for a further 3-years.