Branch Chair

Our network of branch volunteers brings a mix of diverse skills and community connections that significantly contribute to SSAFA’s ability to make a meaningful difference to the lives of serving personnel, veterans and their families in their time of need.

The branch chair role:

Each branch has a branch chair who oversees all aspects of the running of the branch.

Key aspects of this role will be to help raise awareness of SSAFA amongst the local community and with those who can act as advocates, ambassadors and supporters. Leading the branch members to create a calendar of activity to appeal to potential supporters and beneficiaries.

You will be the public face of SSAFA in your branch area.

You will be supported by a branch secretary and branch treasurer in the running of the branch to create a welcoming experience to volunteers who live and work in your branch community.

This role will involve providing leadership to the branch and ensuring that all activities comply with SSAFA regulations both directly, and through the branch officers. This includes ensuring that all branch volunteers are kept up to date with mandatory training requirements and ensuring the financial integrity of the branch.

The role requires an ongoing time commitment, usually about two to three days per month. In addition, you would need to organise and attend regular meetings throughout the year.

Support:

You will have full support from the regional manager, branch treasurer, branch secretary, the community engagement manager, and the rest of the team at SSAFA.

SSAFA Values and BRAVE standards:

For SSAFA, our values of commitment, compassion, integrity, and understanding underpin everything we do, and we ask that all volunteers are equally committed to them.

Accessibility

If you require any adjustments to make or support an application to volunteer, please get in touch with us.

After making an application:

Once you’ve applied, you’ll receive updates to the email address that you provide. Sometimes the emails we send go into junk folders, so do keep an eye out in the days following your application.

What you will be doing

• Overseeing an appropriate programme of awareness raising activities so that potential beneficiaries, volunteers and supporters are aware of SSAFA as first in mind for support.
• Building relationships with the regional and national SSAFA team, local voluntary organisations and, if applicable, SSAFA serving community teams, local military establishments, etc.
• Attending events as a key SSAFA representative.
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s central office
• Overseeing a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc.
• Working with other volunteers, regional and national team members to attract and recruit new volunteers as required.
• Work closely with the community engagement manager to recruit, welcome, induct, support, and manage volunteers in line with SSAFA policies, such as the Volunteering Policy, Volunteer Code of Conduct, Data Protection Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.

The skills you need

• Motivating leadership with an ability lead a team of volunteers.
• Friendly and approachable
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area.
• Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community.
• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support in your role from the team at SSAFA
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.