Preserve history, inspire the future - Volunteer

The John Rae Society seeks new Trustees to help develop the charity and lead our exciting Hall of Clestrain projects. Our mission is to educate people about the pioneering Arctic explorer John Rae’s remarkable life and achievements, and to celebrate Orkney’s rich heritage.

What difference will you make? We are looking to fill several roles: Treasurer, Charity Secretary, Lead Fundraising Trustee, Lead Marketing and Communications Trustee. These roles are vital to enabling us to progress and achieve our mission and ambitious plans.

• Treasurer: Over the past several years we have been successful in securing almost £1m in funding, most recently a grant of £248,600 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. These funds, alongside grants from trusts and foundations, need oversight and robust systems to be in place. The Treasurer will lead this work and also oversee the income from our membership subscriptions.
• Charity Secretary: Following a Governance Review, the role of Charity Secretary ensures the Society has sufficient capacity and leadership to oversee governance of the charity, ensuring it complies with all charity and wider requirements. This is especially important as we secure funds to undertake major capital projects.
• Lead Fundraising Trustee: We have a track record of success in raising funds for our mission and projects. We have already secured offers of match funding and will submit a R1 Development Phase application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund in summer 2026. This is an exciting time for someone with fundraising experience to join the trust. We particularly want a trustee with charity fundraising experience.
• Lead Marketing and Communications Trustee: We have recently created a new brand and launched a new website and social media accounts. We need help to engage our 500 international members, the public and local community, galvanising them behind our plans for the future.

As trustees, all play an active role in the Society – attending Board and wider meetings, leading designated areas of responsibility and participating in dynamic working groups including Major Projects, Engagement and Operations. Whatever your skills and experience, there is a place and role within JRS for you.

Skills we are looking for:

• Charity governance
• Finance
• Engagement (incl. the local community, international membership and wider public)
• Fundraising
• Marketing & Communications (with a focus on website and social media)
• Membership development
• Historic buildings conservation
• Volunteer management & support
• Construction project management

What will you be doing? The job requires collaborative individuals dedicated to public education and heritage preservation, proactive and engaged in Board discussions. Commitment is 1-2 days per month, including Board meetings and an annual strategy away day in Orkney. There is also an opportunity to participate in working groups.

We currently have six trustees and are seeking up to six additional trustees.

Projects:

• Project 1 (short term): Save Hall of Clestrain – an urgent repairs project to restore building structure and exterior, making it wind‑and watertight and enabling it to dry out before further work.
• Project 2 (medium term): Capital Project – secure the long‑term sustainable future of Hall of Clestrain through a mixed‑use development combining heritage attraction, engagement, learning, community and commercial activities. We have secured match funding for Project 1 and will submit a R1 Development Phase application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund in summer 2026.