Branch Trustee - Animal Welfare Lead (RSPCA Lincoln Mid & Lincoln)

Do you have an animal welfare background? Volunteer and pass on your expertise, help promote kindness and prevent animal cruelty. You will be able to influence how we do things and with your support, we will achieve so much more! We are specifically looking for individuals with a specialism in animal welfare, for example, those with experience in animal rescue, animal care, the veterinary industry, veterinary nursing, or as an animal behaviourist. Using this expertise as well as other skills, as a Branch Trustee, you will influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether or not the trustee takes on additional duties.

• Act as branch specialist to compliance animal welfare across the branch.
• Act as lead of animal welfare for the branch dealing with enquiries mail/phone.
• Creation and maintenance of any branch specific animal welfare standards.
• Ensure branch trustees are kept informed of any events of note, including requests for extraordinary expenditure or decisions as and when they happen.
• Lead and organise animal welfare branch sub-committee.
• Provide written animal welfare report for every branch meeting.
• Maintain control of all veterinary and other animal services provided to the branch.
• Maintain control of animal welfare vouchering schemes.
• Creation and contribution to the animal welfare promotional materials.
• Act as second reviewer for adopters and fosterers.
• Act as main contact for RSPCA Inspectors, vets, boarding facilities.
• Creation and contributor to branch communications.
• Compliance with Data Protection Act 2018.
• Submission of the RSPCA Reports as required.

What we are looking for in a volunteer: We are committed to creating a Board which is representative of our society and in particular, our community and surrounding areas so encourage people from any background to apply for any of our opportunities. Above all, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives, shares our passion for and knowledge of animal welfare, and who can put ideas into action. You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills. You do not need to be an expert however commitment, common sense, and the ability to be objective are vital.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee – Animal Welfare Lead:

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you will everything you need to carry out the role.
• Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations:

• You will need to be 18 or over.
• Ideally, the candidate will be based in or around Lincoln, Mid, or North East Lincolnshire; however, we also hold meetings remotely.
• The position is unpaid but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• You must not be disqualified from being a Trustee. Please read the Charity Commission’s guidance on who can be a Trustee of a charity.
• References will be required.

How to find out more about being a Trustee: Our trustee applicants are encouraged to meet informally with the chair initially and then join a trustee meeting. We will take up references and undertake disqualification checks prior to co-opting you to our board. You will need to be a branch member to join our board. For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee and to ensure it is the right decision for you, we recommend reading the Charity Commission’s guidance on the role of the trustee and the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees. We have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

How to Apply: If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you! Please visit our website to learn more about what we do. Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need. Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and depending on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.