The administration of the Adavu Board meetings is a vital part of running our charity.  As our Voluntary Board Secretary, your support will play a direct role in enabling the work of Adavu to continue to grow and expand under good governance. You will have a direct impact on making sure we tackle the issue of modern slavery in the region effectively. The role will require a commitment of 3x blocks of 3 to 4 hours, once every 3 months. This role is part of a wider volunteer strategy.

Adavu started in 2011 as a project of the Birmingham Methodist District to support victims of modern slavery, and it is now it's own registered charity (CIO no. 1199391). Its mission is to respond to the global crime of modern slavery by raising awareness and supporting survivors. Since our survivor support has started in 2016, Adavu has supported over 290 survivors of modern slavery, helping them to rebuild flourishing and independent lives.

Our Board of Trustees is looking for a Volunteer Secretary to assist with administrative work around their quarterly meetings. The role will involve liaison with the Adavu Chair of Trustees and Director to set an agenda, collate and send out Board papers, and to take and distribute meeting minutes every 3 months.

The Volunteer Board Secretary role will require the following time commitment on 4 occasions per year:
• 3-4 hours approximately 2 weeks before each Board Meeting, to be briefed on the agenda and to assist with collating the relevant papers and distributing them to the Board via email.
• 3 hours to assist with setting up the Board Meeting, to attend it and to take minutes.
• 3-4 hours after each Board Meeting to write up the minutes and distribute the agreed draft to the Trustees via email.

Although you will need to attend our offices in person to attend the Board Meeting, the rest of the work can be done from either our offices or remotely, via email and over the phone. You will also be able to manage this work independently and carry it out in your time as preferred.

Adavu welcomes applicants with the right experience from diverse backgrounds, including people who have personal/lived experience of modern slavery and/or exploitation.

We also welcome volunteers from outside the EU/EAA, as long as their visa allows voluntary work. You will also need to arrange your own travel and accommodation.

To become Adavu’s Voluntary Board Secretary, you will also need:
• Administrative skills
• To be organised and proactive
• To be able to maintain strict confidentiality
• To be keen to assist in the detailed day-to-day operations of the Board each quarter
• To be available for three blocks of 3 to 4 hours four times per year
• To be able to travel to our offices for at least one of these blocks, to attend the Board Meetings.

As part of Adavu’s Safer Recruitment Policy, we ask applicants to complete a Self-Declaration Form, however, those who may come with a criminal record can be assured that this information will not necessarily exclude them from service to Adavu.

Benefits
As a Volunteer for Adavu, you will:
• receive full training, ongoing support and supervision
• be a valued member of our team, and your views and opinions contributing to shape the development of your role and of our work.
• put your skills and time in the service of survivors of modern slavery.
• become part of a warm and enthusiastic team where you will be invited to take part in all our team social events, picnics, away days and yearly Christmas party!

How to apply
If this role sounds like you, you can apply by sending a one-page cover letter/email to [email protected] telling us:

• Why you are interested in volunteering
• What interests you about Adavu and our work
• What you can offer to the role
• Your availability

We will review applications as we receive them, and we will be in touch to let you know about the next steps.

Thank you for your interest in this role: we look forward to hearing from you!