The Chiltern Society is the only registered charity dedicated to conserving, celebrating and caring for the whole of the unique Chiltern landscape. It has 7,000 members and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain and improve the Chilterns for the benefit of all.
Since its foundation nearly 60 years ago, it’s contributed well over 1,000,000 volunteer hours; managed and improved nature reserves and heritage sites; created long distance footpaths and cycleways; reviewed hundreds of planning applications and maintained over 2,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways.
The Society has been undergoing an exciting growth period, having taken over the running of ever more conservation sites; produced guidebooks; increased its efforts to protect our footpaths and bridleways; engaged additional staff to accelerate its conservation and development programmes; actively promoted the heritage of the Chilterns; become more prominent in addressing serious threats to the Green Belt, and offered an extensive programme of walks, cycle rides and events. It has aspirations to increase membership, not only in its central Chilterns heartland but also in other areas and among other demographic groups. The trustees are keen to find new recruits who can help the Society achieve its aims.
Are you a potential trustee?
Applicants should care about the Chilterns and have some interest, knowledge or experience in the key areas of Conservation, Planning or Finance. Some experience of working with a charity, ideally as a trustee, will be useful but not essential.
Trustees form the Executive Council and fulfil the roles of Directors of the Society. The Council meets formally six times a year, usually in the evening. There are also one or two full day meetings. As Directors, trustees are expected to be actively involved in roles which contribute to the Society’s work and the achievement of its goals. The commitment will probably average three or four days per month. Some trustees are additionally involved as regular volunteers in one or more ongoing Society activities. The work is unpaid, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.
Local interest groups frequently ask the Society to provide a speaker, and trustees are encouraged to act in this capacity from time to time.
We’ll particularly welcome applications from those who have a disability or are from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, as these groups are currently underrepresented in our organisation.
Applications and further information– Please contact the Chiltern Society office (01494 771250) or email our Chair, Simon Kearey: simonkearey@chilternsociety.org.uk.
