Volunteer Chair

What will you be doing?

The Sea Cadets is the UK’s leading maritime charity and provides a head start in life for young people through nautical adventure and fun. Our volunteers work, both directly with young people and behind the scenes, to help make a positive difference to teenagers who are often struggling in today’s world and their communities. Newbury Sea Cadets, based on London Road, is currently looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Chairperson to join its Unit Management Team (UMT). Newbury is a long-established Sea Cadet Unit that has provided life-changing opportunities for many young people. We currently have approximately 50 cadets who come from all over the West Berkshire area. The Charity is currently looking for enthusiastic volunteers that can support with the management of the Unit. There are free training courses available for you to develop new skills, boost your CV and support you in this role. These tasks can also be divided between volunteers, so why not come along with a friend and share the experience? About the Volunteer Chairperson role: The tasks of a Chairperson include but are not restricted to the following:

To be a Charity Trustee To maintain, develop and chair an effective Unit Management Team (UMT) for the unit. To oversee compliance of charity regulations and Sea Cadet policies and procedures. To ensure the UMT provide a properly maintained, serviced, safe and secure unit, where volunteers and cadets are safe and supported. To identify unit priorities and potential issues and work with the team to develop and maintain plans to address these. Chair a regular UMT meeting - usually 1 hour, monthly or bi-monthly, on a weekday evening usually carried out remotely using Teams

About you: Previous managerial experience would help, although having the right attitude and a passion for improving the lives of young people are the most important things! If you think the person specification below sounds like you, then please get in touch:

You are reliable, honest and trustworthy You are a good communicator You enjoy working with a team You are able to motivate and encourage others No Naval background is necessary

What are we looking for?

You need to be able to listen and drive an organization that operates in a type of matrix management way.  You will be responsible for ensuring the Charity legally operates and supports the Cadets, but the actual delivery of services to the cadets is the responsibility of the Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. Experience of the Charity Sector helps, but most importantly is the financial management of the charity and ensuring the requirements of the Charity Commission are met.

What difference will you make?

The Sea Cadets develops skills in youngsters and confidence.  You will be managing the charity (each unit is a standalone charity) ensuring that the expenditure is in line with the budget. Each unit is responsible for its own fund raising, health and safety, building maintenance etc, ensuring the cadets have the best possible experience. The Cadet Force Adult Volunteers are responsible for the delivery of the cadet experience, with the Commanding Officer sitting on the Unit Management Team.