Established in 1936 and one of Scotland’s leading wildlife bodies, the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club is a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) with some 3500 members. Its purpose is to advance the study and appreciation of birds in Scotland by promoting their documentation, promoting interest in them, promoting their conservation, providing a focus for information about them and encouraging the appreciation of relevant creative arts.

The Club’s headquarters, which also feature a renowned ornithology library, wildlife art gallery and sales outlet, are in Aberlady, East Lothian. Fifteen nationwide Branches are led by members who organise events, outings and projects in their areas. Staff contribute a national series of events, conferences and training activities for members of all ages. Publications include the highly regarded quarterly journal Scottish Birds, mobile app (Where to Watch Birds in Scotland), regional bird reports, e-newsletters and other online media.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Treasurer is a key member of the SOC Council and serves as a trustee of the Charity, with all the associated duties and responsibilities. More details on these responsibilities can be found in the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) guidance for charity trustees: OSCR Guidance.

While professional qualifications are not required, the role requires an interest in the financial operations of the SOC and a broad understanding of financial requirements for charities in Scotland.Further details on the role can be found here.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Elected at the SOC AGM (usually in November) for an initial two-year term, with re-election every two years.
• Provides financial advice and guidance to staff and branch officials as needed.
• Attends Council and Management Committee meetings (each held four times per year) and presents a written financial update at each.
• Convenes and chairs Finance Committee meetings (3–4 per year), reporting recommendations to Council.
• Attends the Club’s AGM (usually in November) to present the End-of-Year Accounts.
• Meets with Brewin Dolphin (SOC’s investment managers) at least annually to review investments and assess risk levels.
• Works with Council to maintain and update SOC’s Investment Policy, including setting reserve levels.
• Regularly liaises with the Finance Officer to ensure smooth financial operations.
• May be consulted on HR issues and trustee induction.
• Out-of-pocket expenses incurred on SOC business are reimbursed.
• SOC FINANCIAL PROCESSES
• The SOC Council has collective responsibility for the Club’s finances.
• The Finance Committee oversees financial strategy and budgeting, meeting 3–4 times a year. It consists of the Treasurer, the Finance Officer, and two other members.
• SOC’s financial year runs from April to March.
• SOC uses Xero for bookkeeping, holds accounts with the Royal Bank of Scotland, and has investments managed by Brewin Dolphin.
• Two staff members, the Treasurer, and a past President (from the Lothian branch) currently have signatory responsibility, with protocols ensuring that transactions over a specified amount require two signatures.
• The Finance Officer manages day-to-day accounting and banking procedures.
• The Treasurer provides financial updates and forecasts to the Council and the Management Committee at each meeting, working closely with the Finance Officer.
• The Treasurer, Finance Officer, and Independent Financial Examiner (currently Whitelaw Wells) oversee the end-of-year financial process, culminating in the submission of the independently examined accounts to OSCR.
• The Club’s core income sources include membership subscriptions, events, sales, commission from artwork sales, and legacies. Legacy income is highly variable, requiring careful financial planning.
• SOC branches maintain some financial independence but provide annual financial summaries to SOC.

Our current Treasurer will remain in position until November 2025.

Are you a confident individual, looking for a role which combines a love for wildlife with your engagement and communication skills? If so, then now is the time to join the Scottish Wildlife Trust as one of our Face-to-Face Membership Recruiters!

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and highly motivated Membership Recruiter to help grow our membership base.

No day is the same for our Membership Recruiters – you will travel around varied, exciting and unique venues throughout Scotland, within a 1 hour radius of your home base, unless otherwise arranged with your line manager. Your days will be spent managing your own membership stall, actively engaging with the public, encouraging and inspiring them to become members of the Trust.

Our membership recruiters are often the first point of contact for people who are yet to learn about our work. And so, whilst the main part of this role is to recruit new members, our recruitment team also work hard to inspire the public to become as passionate as we are about protecting Scotland’s wildlife.

Whilst experience is desirable, we are open to meeting the right fit for our team, and so this position comes with direct training, with your fuel and parking costs paid for on top of your salary and commission.

As a member of our recruitment team, you will:

• Attend venues and events as a Membership Recruiter
• Use appropriate communication and sales techniques (with no ‘hard sell’) to encourage members of the public to join the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

The successful candidate will:

• Be an engaging communicator, able to comfortably create rapport with members of the public and colleagues.
• Be well-organised with good administrative skills.
• Have some knowledge of conservation and wildlife in Scotland. Although a passion for protecting Scotland’s wildlife and nature is most important as knowledge can be increased through training and ongoing support from the trust.
• Preferably have worked in a customer-facing role such as Direct or Field Sales or Customer Service with experience of working to targets.
• Have the flexibility to work weekends.
• Be comfortable with working outdoors and independently.
• Have a full driving licence.

About us

For more than 60 years, the Scottish Wildlife Trust has worked with its members, partners and supporters in pursuit of its vision of healthy, resilient ecosystems across Scotland’s land and seas.

The Trust successfully champions the cause of wildlife through policy and campaigning work, demonstrates best practice through practical conservation and innovative partnerships, and inspires people to take positive action through its education and engagement activities. The Trust manages a network of over 100 wildlife reserves across Scotland and is a member of the UK-wide Wildlife Trusts movement.

Working Rite is excited to present a unique voluntary opportunity to join our Board of Trustees from June 2025. We are at a pivotal moment in our journey, with a bold growth strategy for the next 3-5 years led by an ambitious CEO a dynamic leadership team and exceptional front-line team. Together, we are empowering young people across Scotland with the skills, confidence, and support they need to thrive. WorkingRite are now recruiting for a number of Trustee positions in addition to a Chair of Trustees.

WorkingRite are a charity working with young people aged 15-25 to create positive choices for what comes next after school. We build connections with employers and create chances for young people to grow their skills and confidence in working environments. At Working Rite, our mission is to build trust-based relationships with young people, helping them become the best version of themselves. We are a charity dedicated to early intervention, deeper engagement, and sustained support, creating change that works and transforming young lives through:

• Choices Programme: Early intervention for school age 15-16-year-olds, nurturing pre-employability skills and boosting confidence.
• Chances Programme: Award-winning employability training for 16+, combining practical work skills with personal development through mentored work placements.
• Connections Mentoring: Offering long-term guidance to help young people transition into working life and achieve lasting success.

We are scaling our impact from supporting 250 young people annually to over 500 by 2027, focusing on Financial Sustainability, Operational Rigour, People & Culture, and Impact & Communications.

Role of the Trustee

As a WorkingRite Trustee, we are seeking exceptional individuals with high-level experience, skills, and expertise to guide us on this transformative journey. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for social impact, this is your chance to contribute to meaningful change. We welcome expertise in:

• Fundraising, Income Generation, or Philanthropy
• Communications, Media, PR or Social Media
• Finance
• Marketing & Communications
• Strategic Growth
• Project/Change Management
• Third Sector Experience
• Business or Public Sector Leadership with transferable skills

A positive, proactive attitude and collaborative approach is essential

Role of the Chair

As Chair, you will provide strategic leadership to the Board and act as a critical partner to our CEO. You will set the tone for our governance, ensuring effective collaboration and guiding us through this exciting growth phase. Your role will include

• Leading Board Meetings Setting agendas, facilitating discussions, and ensuring productive outcomes.
• Strategic partnership with the CEO Providing guidance, mentorship, and support to achieve organisational goals.
• External Ambassador Representing Working Rite with funders, partners, and stakeholders to enhance our profile and build new connections.
• Governance Excellence Ensuring compliance with regulatory and financial standards, fostering a culture of accountability and impact.

This role is ideal for a seasoned leader with board experience and a strong network in philanthropy, business, or the public sector.

Join Us at a Defining Moment for Be United

This is an exciting time for Be United having recently secured £559,829 in Multi-Year Funding from Creative Scotland, we are entering a new phase of growth—and we’re looking for a bold, strategic leader to help shape our next chapter. As Chair of Trustees, you will play a key role in driving our mission forward— championing and empowering Scotland’s Black creative community while ensuring Be United continues to grow as a leading force for equity in the Scottish Cultural Sector.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic leader who shares Be United’s passion for shaping an equitable cultural sector in Scotland.

Candidates should have:

• Proven leadership experience at a senior level (governance or operational).
• Strong knowledge of the arts, charity sector, or relevant fields such as creative industries and business.
• High financial acumen, with the ability to understand and navigate budgets.
• Experience in recruitment and board or organisational development is particularly welcomed as we continue to strengthen our governance structure.

What you will receive:

• Opportunity to lead a dynamic team.
• Be part of leading strategic change within Scottish creative sector.
• Access and opportunity to enjoy a range of music and live events.
• Visibility as a leader working within a growing charity in Scotland.
• Ability to contribute to the mission and ambitions of Be United.
• In person team training in Edinburgh or Glasgow

As Chair, You Will:

• Provide leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring they offer strong strategic direction and fulfil their governance responsibilities effectively.
• Hold the Board and Senior Leadership Team accountable for delivering Be United’s mission, ensuring that trustees are engaged and leading with excellence.
• Work closely with the CEO to ensure the organisation is thriving and growing.
• Support with recruitment and development to maintain a diverse, skilled, and engaged team that reflects the needs of the organisation.
• Act as a key ambassador for Be United, representing the charity at events, networking opportunities, and meetings with funders and stakeholders.
• Strengthen partnerships with the arts, education, and community sectors, working alongside the CEO to build strategic relationships that advance Be United’s mission.
• Leverage networks to support fundraising efforts, whether through connecting with funders, corporate partners, or high-value individual donors.
• Maintain oversight of the development of trading arm, supporting the CEO and team to establish and develop Be United’s trading ability.

About Be United

"Championing creativity. No limits, no barriers." Be United is a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation founded in 2014. We believe that ensuring diversity in the creative industries is not just a matter of fairness or representation—it is crucial for the vibrancy of the arts, the health of the economy, and the progression of an equitable Scottish society.

We are committed to advocating, nurturing, and championing Black people working in the performing arts, screen, and event sectors in Scotland. We create platforms and opportunities that empower people to define their own success.

Our values are:

• Equity: Creating a more equitable world, society, and sector.
• Empowerment: Enabling ourselves and others to reach their fullest potential.
• Excellence: Striving to go beyond expectations and make an impact.

For the last decade, Be United has actively provided opportunities for Black artists working in the Scottish creative sector. Our impact includes:

• 27,000+ audience members engaged through our performance development programmes.
• £180,000+ in earned income generated for Scotland’s Black community through film and television work having cast 500 people in Amazon Prime’s Anansi Boys.
• 400+ creatives employed through Be United initiatives.
• A growing portfolio of high-profile events, including Edinburgh Festival Carnival, Edinburgh Fringe events, Key Creatives, and Producing the Future.

With the backing of Multi-Year Funding, our key objective for 2025-28 is to support 500 Black people in Scotland to enter or progress in the creative industries. The next three years will mark a major step-change for Be United, delivering an ambitious plan that expands our reach and deepens our impact.

In a recent survey by Creative Scotland, Arts & Diversity Survey, half of respondents in the minority ethnic or mixed groups state their ethnicity was a barrier, with a quarter stating it is a significant or very significant barrier. This compares with 5% of white respondents.

The need for change is clear. As Chair, you’ll play a vital role in shaping a fairer, more inclusive creative sector in Scotland.

Please see link to video for more information: https://youtu.be/mN-bgiTpvTY