This is a call to all members, and even any non-members, who want to get involved in the running of Sandgate Conservation Society.
Sandgate Conservation Society has been in existence since 1974; first as the Sandgate Area Conservation Society, then as the Sandgate Preservation Society, and since 1997 in its current form as an unincorporated registered charity. At one time the Society could claim 600 households as members. The number of households is currently around 250 comprising over 400 individual members. As such a large local conservation society the views of the Society are well regarded by the local parish councils and Horsham District Council. The Society also has good relations with some councillors at the County Council level.
The Society’s area of interest is from Sullington Warren in the west to Warren Hill/Washington Common in the east. Sandgate Conservation Society works closely with Horsham District Council’s Parks and Countryside department in relation to the management of Sandgate Park. It also has close ties with the National Trust local level committee.
At the annual general meeting in May, Jacinta White announced her intention to step down from the position as Chair of the Society’s trustee committee at the AGM in May 2018. So we need someone to replace her as Chair.
If you are enthusiastic about Storrington and Sullington’s natural environment, in particular Sullington Warren, which is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and Sandgate Park, which is a local nature reserve, then this may be for you.
To become the Chair of the Society you must be a member and then be eligible for election as a Trustee.
Trustees must be at least 18 years old and not disqualified under the Charities Act.
The main duties of the Chair are:-
- help plan and run the trustee meetings and members’ meetings. There are 4 trustee meetings and 1 AGM per year.
- take the lead on ensuring that meetings are properly run and recorded. The actual production and distribution of the Agenda and the Minutes is the responsibility of the Secretary
- take the lead on ensuring that trustees comply with their duties and that the charity is well governed. The trustees are collectively responsible for ensuring:
- that they comply with the Society’s governing document (The Constitution);
- that they act in the best interest of the Society; and
- that they comply with legal obligations as a charity.
The legal requirements include specifically the statutory accounting and reporting requirements. The accounting requirement is lead by the Treasurer and the reporting requirement is lead by the Secretary. As the Society has a relatively low income these statutory requirements are minimal.
The Chair also sometimes acts as the Society’s spokesperson and point of contact, though on specific matters these duties may be taken on by another member of the Trustee Committee.
So you can see that the duties of the Chair are not too onerous. You will have the other trustees, including Jacinta, to help you.
If you are interested you can contact Jacinta for a chat
[email protected] or 01798 813545
and you can attend our trustee meetings to get a feel for what we do.