Young people and adults need quality local outdoor recreation spaces. We help communities provide them. We need “new blood” to complement current Board experience, so OPFA is fit for purpose and fit for future development of our work.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
Please apply through REACH in the first instance Please provide details of why you are interested in this role and your relevant skills and experience. Please include any questions you may have.
The next step will be for the OPFA Hon Manager/Trustee, Meryl Smith, to contact you for an informal chat and, if this would be helpful, an initial exploratory meeting. OPFA then usually invites prospective new Trustees to attend an Executive Committee (Board) meeting as an observer in the first instance, so that both parties can decide whether or not they wish to proceed to a formal Trustee appointment
