Committee Secretary

Thorpe Ward Residents' Association (TWRA) is a long and much respected local residents association. The association has its roots going back to 1938 and throughout that time the Committee has sought to act in the betterment of our community and environment. An excellent opportunity has arisen for somebody to get involved at the heart of the association and with those in the community we represent.

We are seeking a Secretary to support the smooth running of the association. Your main responsibilities will be to support the chair in preparing the agenda, attending and minuting our monthly committee meetings. You will ensure the minutes are prepared in a timely manner. However, you will also have the chance, should you wish, to get involved in a wide variety of activities. It is very much down to you to make the difference where you feel you can make the greatest contribution. This is very much an opportunity to get involved with a raft of different aspects from dealing with members and residents, right through to organisations, both local and national, if you would like. Otherwise we would be more than happy for somebody to help organise the meetings and undertake the minutes which would be a great help!! We are also proud of our independence and support our ward councillors, all of which are independent.

If you would like to get involved with a local organisation where you can help for the good and betterment of our wider environment, then we would be pleased to hear from you.

 You will have the full support of the Committee in undertaking your role.

Role

The role of the secretary is to support the chair in ensuring the smooth functioning of the TWRA Committee meetings. In particular to:

• prepare agendas in consultation with the Chair (and other association officers)
• circulate agendas and any supporting papers in good time to the Committee
• receive agenda items from other committee members
• check that a quorum is present
• minute meetings and circulate the draft minutes to the Chair for their review
• ensure that the Chair signs the minutes once they have been approved
• check that committee members and staff have carried out action(s) agreed
• circulate agendas and minutes of the annual general meeting (AGM) and any special or extraordinary general meetings.

 Make Arrangements for Meetings

To ensure arrangements for meetings are met (booking the room, arranging for equipment and refreshments, organising facilities for those with special needs, etc).

Other Duties

Where considered you can support the association, opportunity may arise to help in other aspects of the association, including supporting community events, liaising with members, participating in community activities etc.

What skills do I need?

• Organisational ability
• Experience of minute-taking
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Computer skills, including use of software to prepare agenda, minutes, email, spreadsheets
• Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences
• Approachable and sensitive to the feelings of others
• Well organised and an eye for detail
• Good timekeeping.