Chair

Are you passionate about the importance of green spaces within our communities? Do you have an interest in gardening? Do you have the knowledge, skills and experience to lead an organisation that is playing an important role within the community? This year Amisfield Preservation Trust (Amisfield Walled Garden) celebrates its 25th year anniversary. We are looking to recruit a new Chair who can lead the organisation forward to the next stage in its development. About Amisfield Preservation Trust Amisfield Preservation Trust provides a regenerative community space (Amisfield Walled Garden) just outside of Haddington for a wide range of groups. The project is volunteer led. Since project inception, volunteers have recreated a beautiful, historic and peaceful 8 acre walled garden which had fallen into disrepair. The project helps improve the life chances of those most vulnerable in our community, through support for individuals with barriers to employment; drives inclusion through involving volunteers with a range of additional support needs; promotes learning through educational activities for school groups with their teachers, and for the general public through a variety of training events; helps the community to flourish through increased social connection and regenerative activities that improve mental and physical wellbeing and resilience and help increase pride in the local community and place. Amisfield Walled Garden is a beautiful, tranquil garden. We are a 3 star Visit Scotland attraction which is open to the public (free of charge) for 6 days in the week. We are looking for a volunteer Chair to lead the Amisfield Preservation Trust, the small charity that looks after the garden. The role involves working with our volunteer Board of Directors, Volunteer Coordinator, Wellbeing and Outreach worker and garden volunteers to ensure that the garden continues to play an important and much-loved role at the heart of the local community. The qualities and experience we re looking for in our new Chair are: An enthusiasm for gardening (whether amateur or professional) Great leadership skills A real sense of community, with great networks across the county or a willingness to create them Knowledge or experience of the voluntary/charitable sector Somebody comfortable with being the public face of the garden Ideally somebody based locally in East Lothian or willing to travel to Haddington. Chair Role Description Specific duties: Organising and Chairing monthly Amisfield Preservation Trust Board meetings Promoting good governance amongst fellow Board members and ensuring activity is in line with the garden s charitable purposes Leading the Board in planning and coordinating a programme of garden developments and improvements Leading the Board in planning and coordinating a range of community events Working with fellow Board members to support and manage the garden s two employees. Contributing to regular communications to the garden s volunteers, supporters and stakeholders across email, the website and social media Being a key contact for the garden for stakeholders, funders and donors, including East Lothian Council Working with fellow Board members to compile applications for funding and collate impact reports to funders Representing the garden in the local media and with stakeholders across East Lothian There are currently 8 members of the Board. The Chair role will be for a term of three years, with an initial probationary period of six months., None specified

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