Committee Member and Secretary

The marine Society and Sea Cadets is the overarching charity running the national Sea Cadet Organisation. Historically the MSSC had a number of branches spread around the country who specifically supported and raised funds for Cadets in their area. Only 5 Branches now remain and in the South West the Somerset and Dorset Branch support the units outlined on the letterhead above. Each unit is a charity in its own right but the MSSC, which acts and the overarching charity for the cadets, funding their offshore ships and operations and the regional support network.

To exist a Branch needs a minimum membership (10 people) a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. Branch Membership subscriptions are channelled directly to the Branch committee for distribution to cadets at unit level. 

Here in Somerset and Dorset, the MSSC Branch Committee is tasked to use these funds, and other income, to enhance the cadets’ whole experience in all the 8 units across the 2 counties, many located in quite deprived areas.

Our units provide an excellence base for cadets from 8-18, with many gaining RYA and DofE and STEM qualifications as part of their time with the Sea Cadets Corps, with membership invariable helping to enhance personal statements for universities and apprenticeships.

The Somerset and Dorset Branch is seeking a new Secretary as the existing Secretary is stepping down after 20 years in post. A key member of the team the Secretary post is pivotal to the Branch activity and an outline job description is below.

To volunteer please provide a short CV outlining your experience and suitability for the role.

JOB DESCRIPTION

SOMERSET & DORSET MSSC BRANCH SECRETARY

Overview:

To provide Secretarial services to support the Branch Committee including communication with District Officer, Unit Commanding Officers and Chairmen. Utilising own IT system. Costs of paper, ink and postage will be reimbursed.

Specific Tasks:

Meetings (normally 3 per year):

· Liaise with committee members re date, time and venue.

· Prepare Agenda (for Chairman’s Approval)

· Prepare Minutes (for Chairman’s approval) and circulate

Annual Meeting

· Prepare Invitation and reply slip (for committee approval)

· Send out invitations

· Collate replies to provide numbers attended and monies received

· Send cheques and Gift Aid forms received to Treasurer

· Liaise with District Officer re winners of trophies and prepare certificates for presentation at the meeting

Newsletter

· Invite Units to send contribution

· Prepare newsletter (for committee approval)

· Send out newsletter (with AM invites)

Supporters List (known as Active List)

· Maintain list – updating as required

· Update committee with changes

Members

· Maintain list

· Notify Head Office of any changes notified to Branch

· Send completed membership forms to Head Office

· Reconcile Branch list with Head Office’s list

Grants to Unit (January Meeting)

· Send letter to units requesting grant applications

· Summarise grant requests received and copy to committee members

· Send notification of outcome letters to Units after the meeting

General

· Update contact details of unit staff and notify committee of changes.

· Point of email communication with units / committee, forward emails to committee for interest/information as relevant