Volunteer Branch Chair

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas. Most are further divided into local areas called divisions. Each branch has a Chair to oversee all aspects of the branch. Ultimately accountable to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, through the National Chairman your role is to ensure that the branch is running in line with SSAFA’s Royal Charter Rules, Regulations and policies. Also, to ensure that clients and volunteers are safe, all services provided are appropriate and effective and that the branch is financially sound. You will be the public face of SSAFA in your branch area.

**Why do we need you?**

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community for more than 130 years. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and more people than ever are contacting SSAFA for financial, practical and emotional support. To do this we need local branches and volunteers who can coordinate people, ensure the local population know about SSAFA and keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

**When would you be needed and where would you be based?**

This role is about leadership, coordination and administration. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home.The role requires an ongoing time commitment, usually about 2-3 days per month. In addition, you would need to organise and attend regular meetings throughout the year.

**What would you be doing?**
- Providing leadership to the Branch and ensuring that all activities comply with SSAFA regulations both directly, and through the Branch Secretary, other Branch Officers and Divisional Officers.
- Providing support and guidance to volunteers in office holder roles, and support with recruitment of volunteers into these positions to ensure the sustainability of the branch
- Ensuring the financial integrity of the Branch, including the appointment of Treasurers and a local fundraising programme to meet branch running costs
- Ensuring that all data is processed and held in accordance with SSAFA’s data management policies
- Monitoring volunteer numbers against the demand for support and working with other volunteers, regional and central office staff to attract and recruit new volunteers as required
- Ensuring that all volunteers are recruited, inducted, supported and managed in line with SSAFA policies, such as the Volunteering Policy, Volunteer Code of Conduct, Data Protection Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.
- Building relationships with regional and central office staff, local voluntary organisations and, if applicable, SSAFA Service committees, local military establishments, prisons etc.
- Overseeing an appropriate programme of awareness raising so that potential clients, volunteers and supporters know how to contact the branch
- Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s Central Office
- Overseeing a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc.
- Supporting any salaried branch staff and ensuring that their line management arrangements are working appropriately
- Resolve any complaints that are suitable for local resolution in accordance with SSAFA’s Complaints Policy and procedures, referring upwards any that are not suitable for local resolution

**What can you gain from this volunteering role?**
- Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area
- Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others
- Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
- Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
- Better physical and mental health - studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression

**What about training and support?**
- Local orientation as well as meet and greet sessions with key Central Office and regional teams
- On-line or face to face instructor led training and e-learning modules, to prepare you for your voluntary role.
- Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
- Support from Regional and central staff and peer support from fellow Chairs in neighbouring branches.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses

**What are we looking for?**
- Friendly and approachable people of any age (18+) with some experience of coordinating people and admin
- Willingness and ability to lead and manage a team of volunteers
- Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
- Willingness to use our on-line case management system (this is covered in the training course)
- Ability to understand and keep within the boundaries of the role for which training will be given.
- Reliability
- Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies.
- Willingness and means to travel to meetings or events as required
- Goo