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Trustee

Employer
Ferne Animal Sanctuary
Location
Ferne Animal Sanctuary. Wambrook, Chard, Somerset TA20 3DH,
Salary
0
Closing date
31 Aug 2022

View more

Function
Trustees & Chair
Sector
Animal
Hours
Part Time
Contract Type
Temporary

Job Details

The Trustees’ primary role is to ensure that Ferne fulfils its charitable objectives and that monies received are used effectively.

In order to carry out this key role, Trustees (as a Board) must do the following:

 

Mandate and reputation

Ensure that the charity is properly focussed on its charitable objectives and constitution and operates within the law. The Trustees are responsible for preserving the charity’s good name and reputation.

 

Strategic Planning

Work with the CEO and key staff to plan strategically for the future. Meet at least once a year to review the plan, then update or replace it as circumstances and needs change. The strategic plan is a changing, active document to which all trustees contribute. It is their job to challenge, assess and review the plan before approving the final strategy for the following five years.

 

Objectives, work plan and budgets

Approve Ferne’s objectives and on an annual basis through the work plan and budgets that are submitted at Board meetings.

 

Risk Identification and Management

Ensure effective processes exist to identify, minimise where possible, monitor and manage the potential risks that the charity faces. The Risk document is reviewed and updated at each Board meeting.

 

Management Effectiveness and Succession

Ensure that the right management team is in place and is operating effectively and efficiently. The role of Trustees is to question, scrutinise and monitor management, for which purpose Trustees should have the opportunity to constructively question, test and challenge management views and proposals in the spirit of achieving the charity’s objectives. Although not involved in the regular appointment of new staff, trustees actively recruit and appoint the CEO, and are involved in other senior appointments.

 

Internal Control and Management Information Systems

Ensure that effective systems exist to protect the organisation, and the necessary management information systems exist to assess and report back the charity’s performance and progress in meeting its objectives.

 

Accountability

Report back yearly to members, regulatory bodies, associated charities, staff and volunteers, and other stakeholders through the Annual Report, at the Annual general meeting and from time to time through the @Ferne magazine.

Company

Ferne Animal Sanctuary is a charity that provides care and shelter for domestic and agricultural animals whose owners are either unable or unwilling to look after them. The sanctuary cares for approximately 300 animals at its 51 acre site in Somerset. Founded in 1940, Ferne has 43 employees and over 100 volunteers.

Ferne’s history began in 1940 when it was founded by the Duchess of Hamilton and Brandon to provide a temporary refuge for animals belonging to service men and women who were sent abroad to fight in World War Two. Based at the Ferne Estate in Dorset, the charity continued to take in animals after the war. In 1975, the sanctuary moved to its present premises high in the Blackdown Hills in Somerset. In 2015, Ferne celebrated its 75th anniversary.

The sanctuary is home to a collection of different animals including dogs, cats, horses, pigs, goats, sheep, rabbits, birds and chinchillas. In addition, it actively seeks suitable homes for cats, dogs, rabbits and horses within a 40 mile radius of the sanctuary and regularly checks on their wellbeing after rehoming.

Another of Ferne’s activities is the delivery of talks at schools, local societies and residential homes.

Ferne Animal Sanctuary also provides free access to its site and offers guided tours. The sanctuary is open to visitors seven days a week and has a café staffed by volunteers. There are also three Ferne charity shops – in Bridport in Dorset and Chard and Ilminster in Somerset.

Ferne has more than 40 employees but also relies on volunteers to carry out much of its work. A network of volunteer home visitors, for example, regularly visit the homes of cats and dogs adopted from Ferne. Should an unexpected change occur in a rehomer’s life which results in them being unable to continue to offer the cat or dog a home, the animal is guaranteed a place at Ferne and need never be homeless again.

There are many other volunteer opportunities at Ferne, including a need for dog walking volunteers, cat socialisation volunteers, volunteer drivers, café volunteers, event volunteers, charity shop volunteers, estate helpers, office volunteers and fundraising volunteers.

The charity relies on donations and had an annual voluntary income of £1.27 million at the end of 2014.

Company info
Website
Telephone
01460 65214
Location
Ferne Animal Sanctuary,
Wambrook,
Chard
Somerset
TA20 3DH
GB

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