News

Could you be one of our new trustees?

21st May 2018

East Lothian Foodbank is looking for new talent for its board of volunteer trustees.  We’d like to recruit up to three trustees who have some time, skill and ideas to support us as we tackle food poverty and its causes.

East Lothian Foodbank, affiliated to The Trussell Trust charity, is lucky to enjoy support and goodwill across the county.  With two part-time members of staff and a team of around 40 long standing volunteers, our Board of trustees has maintained between six and eight rotating members.  We are now planning the next 18 months or so and would like to welcome fresh faces to the team.

This is an important time for the Foodbank, as we review our vision and strategy, which includes exploring various “More Than Food” initiatives.  For five years we have efficiently supplied emergency food parcels to every postcode in East Lothian.  Now it’s time to address how we can best continue this vital service while also trying to tackle the root causes of food poverty.  Like every charity, our ultimate objective is not to be needed.

Have a look at our most recent Annual Report to find out more about what we do.

Whatever your background, if you have an interest in food poverty and are keen to join us, we would love to hear from you.

We also have a particular interest in the following areas:

  • Church members: this Foodbank has always had amazing support from East Lothian’s churches. Our previous Chair, Anne Dyer, was Rector at Holy Trinity Haddington.  We are a secular, non-political charity but are keen to maintain a close relationship with church congregations.
  • Musselburgh: we would be interested to hear from people who are linked with the Musselburgh community, as many of our food parcel referrals originate there.
  • Management: our members of staff report to one of the trustees and we would appreciate applications from those who have management experience and who would enjoy this role.
  • Charity: perhaps you have experience of charity work and, in particular, funding applications.
  • Education: we are involved in summer holiday lunch clubs, breakfast clubs and period poverty in local schools and would welcome closer partnerships.
  • Finance: if you have a head for figures, our Treasurer aims to step down in autumn 2019 and would appreciate time to hand over to a new recruit.

The Board of Trustees meets monthly, alternating between morning and evening meetings.  The key responsibilities of the Foodbank trustees include:

Governance – ensuring compliance with OSCR requirements and all relevant legislation and regulations

Strategy and Finance – ensuring financial stability, setting overall policy and strategic goals

Employment – overseeing the framework for employment of staff

There are always interesting issues to discuss and learn about – everything from premises improvements to volunteer recruitment and the current GDPR legislation

To discuss the Foodbank’s trustee opportunities and for more information on the process, please contact:

Liz Kilpatrick, Secretary, on 07585 633254 or email [email protected] and Liz will be in touch.

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