Volunteer Secretary/Trustee to join a Community Exchange

What will you be doing?

Poole Pantry provides food at a fraction of the retail price to those on a low income. It is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11.45 until 1.15. The Community Living Room and Kitchen is a warm welcome space with activities and provides freshly cooked meals to all in return for a suggested donation. The Community meals are served Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12.15. Activities include knit, crochet and natter, games, coffee morning, art group and tai chi. Tea, coffee and cake is available for a donation, and there is free WiFi and a space to chat. We are looking for a Secretary/trustee, ideally someone who can attend a lunchtime session once a month and a trustee meeting every 6 weeks. The role of the secretary is to support the chair by ensuring the board functions smoothly. The secretary may carry out their duties directly or delegate them to a member of staff and ensure that they have been carried out. Secretary of PCE In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, duties of the secretary are as follows. • Preparing agendas in consultation with the chair and receiving agenda items from other trustees/staff, and circulating them and any supporting papers in good time • Ensuring all the arrangements for meetings are made (booking the room, arranging for equipment and refreshments, organising facilities for those with special needs, etc) • Checking that a quorum is present and any conflicts of interest identified and managed • Ensuring minutes are taken and draft minutes are circulated to all trustees • Ensuring minutes are approved • Checking that trustees, volunteers and staff have carried out actions agreed at a previous meeting • Sitting on appraisal, recruitment and disciplinary panels as required • Drafting the annual report • Updating the Charity Commission register including filing the Annual Return, report and accounts in liaison with the Treasurer • Keeping up to date with Charity Commission guidance and where appropriate making sure other trustees are aware • Taking the lead on drafting and reviewing policies   In addition to the person specification for a trustee, the secretary should have the following qualities: • Organisational ability • Knowledge or experience of business and committee procedures   Desirable Knowledge of Charity Commission guidance and awareness of relevant areas of law and good practice or a willingness to learn

What are we looking for?

You need to share our vision and be passionate about supporting and helping people within the community. You need to be prepared to be an active member of the community ideally by attending a half day session once a month to appreciate the work that is done here and a 6 weekly trustee meeting In addition to the person specification for a trustee, the secretary should have the following qualities: • Organisational ability • Knowledge or experience of business and committee procedures

What difference will you make?

Poole Community Exchange is, we believe, unique in its model. We believe that everyone has gifts and everyone has needs, and that everyone has the right to thrive, not just survive. We are looking for someone who shares our vision but also comes with fresh enthusiasm and ideas to provide a wide range of support, services, facilities and opportunities to build a community where people develop self-esteem, self-awareness, social skills, creative skills and employment skills. We cannot realise this vision without committed trustees.