Volunteer Treasurer wanted for the Tree Musketeers - we grow and plant trees in East London

What will you be doing?

The Tree Musketeers (TMs) is entirely run by volunteers and is looking for a new treasurer. The Tree Musketeers propagate and grow trees, plant them out in Hackney's parks and green spaces, and look after them until they become established. We are based at our community tree nursery on Hackney Marshes. The nursery also has an orchard, pond, forest garden, and a small apiary. The TMs run community and school activities, walks & talks, and training, and we work with park user groups inmaintaining community orchards and other park plantings. There are currently no paid staff but we commission paid project work. Historically, funding has been from individual project grants, plus some fees for supporting community groups, sales of trees and shrubs, and donations. We anticipate a major expansion of our operation. We are looking for an experienced treasurer to join our board of trustees to manage our finances and help us plan for the future. It's an exciting time with large projects underway funded by our successful bids for grants. Our current treasurer is standing down at the end of March but will continue to oversee the finances until a replacement is found.

What are we looking for?

The Treasurer manages the accounts of the Tree Musketeers. He/she reports to, and advises, the Trustees on the financial health of the charity and ensures relevant legal obligations are met.  The main requirements of the job are:  • Ensuring that the organisation has appropriate financial policies, procedures and controls in place  • Preparing an annual budget and accounts for presentation to the trustees  • To be the lead as regards all bank related issues  • Helping with funding applications and liaising with fund-raisers  • Ensuring that funding received for specific purposes is separately accounted for and spent for only the purposes for which it was given  • Reporting to meetings of the trustees on our financial situation  • Overseeing petty cash  • Submitting annual returns to the Charity Commission  • Keeping trustees informed about its financial duties and responsibilities

What difference will you make?

As a trustee you will be supporting the TMs' vital work growing and planting trees and educating people about the benefits of trees. You will also have the chance of playing an important role in helping shape the strategic direction of the organisation.