Volunteer Charity seeks Trustees – we support volunteer managers of outdoor recreational spaces

What will you be doing?

OPFA relies on membership fees, an annual local authority grant and occasional project management contracts in order to meet operational costs.  Additional fund-raising covers shortfalls, if required.   Our small Board of Trustees is currently facing a number of challenges:

Decline in the number of local community groups managing local spaces who sign up annually as OPFA members No strong public profile within the county and active working relationships with only 2 out of the 5 District Councils, whose interests include sport and recreation Our website needs re-invigorating and updating and we lack expertise in options for website development Succession planning - a majority of the current Trustees are over 70.   We would welcome younger Board members enthusiastic about the provision of local outdoor play and sports facilities for the benefit of young families at a time when we know there is going to be a drive to achieve widespread new housing development needing adequate local outdoor recreational facilities.

Our Trustees have considerable business, financial and charity management experience between them but would welcome new Board members with an interest and skills in IT, social media and marketing and an understanding of diversity and legal compliance issues. Being an OPFA Trustee will involve preparation for and attendance at least 3 meetings a year.   Meetings are currently held in the evening at venues just north of Oxford.  It is hoped that Trustees will also be willing and available to put some time into researching and carrying out aspects of charity management, such as good practice issues, publicity and income generation.   The Trustee role is voluntary but reasonable out-of-pocket expenses can be reimbursed.  Training will be available.

What are we looking for?

You should be enthusiastic about the provision of local outdoor play and sports facilities for the benefit of young families. Experience of what is involved for local volunteers working to provide and manage spaces in their community would be a bonus We are looking for an interest and skills in IT, social media and marketing and an understanding of diversity and legal compliance issues. You should be willing and available to put some time into researching and carrying out aspects of charity management, such as good practice issues, publicity and income generation.   The following would be helpful but not essential:

Experience as a charity Trustee or a similar voluntary group management role Knowledge of the statutory, commercial and voluntary/community sector organisations with whom OPFA is likely to have to work in delivering its information, advice and promotional activity in the field of sport, play and outdoor recreation

You should be prepared to listen and be sympathetic to the views of other Board members but willing to challenge and present an alternative view, if you feel that this is needed.

What difference will you make?

We are keen to have new members of our Executive Committee/Trustees to help us take a fresh look at the charity’s work and future direction.  A recent Trustee skills audit showed that we currently lack expertise in ICT strategy and marketing at a time when we need to expand our membership base and get our cause and our services more widely known within the county.   A new Trustee with experience and skills in these areas will hopefully help us to see how we can improve the situation.