Angie - Branch Secretary

My role is at the heart of the committee as I have to liaise with all members and keep communications open

Angie, Branch Secretary, Furness and District Branch

Angie The role of Branch secretary is varied, interesting and often front line.
The main responsibility centres on the jobs which encompass the committee and AGM meetings.
After booking a venue, I liaise with the chairman to set an agenda to include items sent to me by committee members. The agenda is then posted out to committee members and includes date, time and venue of the forthcoming meeting.
During a meeting I take the minutes which I then type up and distribute to the committee. At the next meeting these will be approved, signed and filed in the minutes book. A copy goes off to NO and to our VDC.

Keeping paper work up to date

As secretary, I receive a great deal of post both from different departments of NO and local organisations (e.g. CVS). Post must be read to assimilate. I file anything which should be brought to the attention of committee members ready for the next meeting. Various letters will need a reply and some will need more urgent attention. Discussion with chairman/committee will follow either by telephone or email.

Keeping the Branch membership up to date, ordering stationary, signing Branch cheques and reporting any changes of address or deaths to NO are all part of being a secretary.

Taking and making phone calls

Frontline work involves taking/making phone calls to different people in NO and to local organisations. I may take a call from Barrow Soroptimists wanting to organise a fundraising event on our behalf. I will be their first port of call in contacting the Branch. It is important to give a good impression as such groups may offer to raise money for us more than once in the coming years!

Keeping communications open

My role is at the heart of the committee as I have to liaise with all members and keep communications open. This can often be difficult and frustrating due to work commitments and lifestyles of all involved.

As you can see there is plenty to keep me busy. Having good written and organisational skills help to keep things running smoothly. Being able to communicate with different people on all levels is also very helpful and probably the thing I enjoy best.