How the Volunteer Centre is Run

The Volunteer Centre operates democratically and with equal opportunities policies. This means its running is intended to be responsive to the views and requirements of all member volunteers.

Centre Manager Dorothy Scapens

Office Manager Cynthia Williams

The running of the Centre is controlled by the paid Centre Manager, who is responsible for implementing the policies and directives of the Board of Trustees. This involves recruitment, placement and support of volunteers; administration, finances and statistics; publicity, public relations and liaising with other volunteer organisations.

In these duties the Centre Manager is helped by a paid Office Manager, Groups Co-ordinator, Administration Assistant and Caretaker/Cleaner. Volunteers also undertake certain office tasks and the placement of some incoming jobs.

Board of Trustees

The policies and general management of the Centre are directed by a Board of Trustees. This consists of members elected by and from volunteers, plus some representatives of interested external organisations, together with the officers - Chairman, Company Secretary and Treasurer. The Trustees carry responsibility for the actions and running of the Centre. The Board generally meets in full every two months and there are also sub-committees. However, everyday decisions can be sanctioned by committee members who are intimately involved with Centre activities.

Although the Centre maintains an independence in its running and policies, there is an inevitable accountability toward those who fund it. Major financial support comes jointly from High Peak and Dales Primary Care Trust and Social Services, who have certain expectations of us. Other money is received from the Big Lottery, local councils, organisations and agencies, and through fund-raising.

Chairperson	Company Secretary	Treasurer
Roy Bickerton	Norman Heald	David Wellans

The Board of Trustees directs the running of the Volunteer Centre and the formulation of its policies. Trustees are elected at the Centre's AGM or invited as representatives of interested external organisations.

The Board also has representatives from organisations such as Local Government Councils, Social Services, Community Health Care, the Council of Churches, etc. The Centre Manager is generally invited to the Board meetings, but cannot vote.

Meetings of the Board must take place every quarter with a quorum of 75% of the Trustees. Decisions are taken by majority voting.

The procedures of the Board and rules governing the Centre are written down in our Memorandum and Articles of Association. As a registered company limited by guarantee (Company Number 4666277) and as a registered charity (Number 1097655) we have obligations under the Companies Act and the Charities Commission.

Currently the Officers of the Board of Trustees are: Chairperson - Roy Bickerton; Company Secretary - Norman Heald; Treasurer - David Wellans. Carol Evans is the President.