Below are just some of the roles where you could help, however there are many opportunities to get involved.
If you would like to know more or you want to apply to become a volunteer then click on one of the buttons below and we will contact you.
Key Roles:
Events Team
We currently have a very active Events team but need more help to plan and attend events. In addition to several major events, the society attends various local shows and sets up stands at strategic locations along the Canal to get people involved in the Canal and to attract new members to join us in our work.
If you like talking to people, have been involved in events, and/or are good at organising, then we would like to hear from you. It’s great fun and very important to help us get the message out to the local community.
Boat Champion
We’re looking for a small team to help raise the profile of boats on the Canal.
The role is flexible but we need someone to help give more ‘voice’ to boats on the Canal and we would be suggesting that this includes:
- Working with organisations that use boats on the canal (Galleon marine, Accessible boating, Canoe clubs, etc) along with others on nearby canals
- Have contact with those who have boats on the canal, to keep them informed on any events for boats and other matters affecting them. Also represent the interests of boaters at the twice yearly BCA-boaters meetings
- Act as the Society’s contact point to boaters wishing to visit the canal, with knowledge of licensing, mooring, slipways, etc..
- Promote boating on the canal, including feeding stories into the Society’s press and social media teams
Fundraising: Encourage Donations and Legacies
Join our fundraising team to help increase the monies received from donations and legacies. With the increased awareness by the community of the value of importance of the canal, there is a real need (and opportunity) for us to obtain donations to help support and protect the Canal.
We have various initiatives underway and this role would help the team put these into practice, along with bringing your own ideas to our future plans.
Leaving a bequest is also a wonderful way to leave a gift for both present and future generations. This is a longer term initiative and over the last few years we have received many gifts. These monies have been used towards various projects including the new moorings at Farnborough, our new Kitty electric boat and funding tools for general maintenance along the towpath.
Help Build Links with Local Businesses
We are increasingly working with local businesses both in terms of corporate volunteering and sponsorship and support of the canal. Businesses are increasingly keen to support local charities but they are often very busy, so it is for us to contact them and find out how they want to get involved!
If you are from a corporate or local business background, or have a marketing bent, and would like to join the team to help expand our links with the business community, then please contact us.
Chobham Talks Organiser
We are looking for someone to take over this existing and interesting role.
The Society organises a talk at the Chobham Recreation Ground Pavilion on the evening of the fourth Wednesday of each winter month between October and April. The usual format is a talk about the Canal or an associated or local subject typically lasting between 45 and 60 minutes followed by a break for tea or coffee and Q&A.
The organiser is well supported by a fellow volunteer who will continue to help and has previously chaired the evening in the organiser’s absence
The organiser will:
- Identify suitable speakers for the season schedule. Some speakers expect a fee or travelling expenses or both.
- Liaise with speakers regarding the format of the evening and any logistics.
- On the evening of each talk the organiser unlocks the building, and arranges seating, refreshments and tidies away.
The organiser chairs the evening introducing the speaker, chairing any Q&A and thanking them for the talk. At the end of the evening a retiring collection is made which generally covers expenses including the hire of the pavilion and any disbursements to speakers. In recent years there has been a small surplus which has been paid to the BCS.
Document Controller
With both the growth of our charity, and the legislation requiring formal data management, we are looking for a new volunteer to help overview and control our documentation. Clearly this person should have some experience in this field and ideally have an appreciation of Google Suite. The initial priorities include ensuring adherence to GDPR and managing the records on some of our key projects. The role could then be developed over time where we would be keen to get an applicant’s own views on ongoing priorities. Recognising that it is a volunteer role we would be suggesting a time commitment of around 3 hours a week.
Process Reviewer
In parallel with the above Document Controller role, we are looking for someone with System Process experience to help us review and document our main systems including in particular IT, HR and projects.
Trustees
There is the opportunity for new trustees to join the board to help lead the Canal Society. We already have a range of skills on the Board but we are always keen to build links with future potential trustees to help lead the Society.
This is a very interesting and rewarding role where you would be critical in helping lead the Society forward, and so doing, helping protect this wonderful amenity. Time commitment is flexible but as a guideline around 4 hours a week.
