Trustees

PATA is an organisation based upon voluntary commitment.  The pressures facing volunteers in any charitable organisation can be vast, and we are constantly reviewing what additional support we can provide existing volunteers, and how we can encourage new volunteers.

As a 3-tier organisation (Group, Branch and County), we depend on support from our Branches to provide at least one, ideally two, volunteers to come forward and attend County Committee meetings.   The PATA Branch Constitution does require representation from Branches, and support is available to encourage this – childcare can be provided when volunteers attend meetings and training, and travel expenses are paid.

Some Branches support their volunteers by paying staff cover costs if attendance at County Committee meetings means that a Branch volunteer has to give up paid work in the playgroup for that day.

All volunteers at County Committee (who are elected from within their respective Branch) are voting committee members and are County Trustees.  The volunteer structure of the County Committee is:

• County Chair, County Secretary, County Treasurer and Committee Members

Volunteers/Trustees work very closely with core staff at The PATA Centre, and particularly the County Officers (Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) who also line manage several senior staff.

Investor in People status was achieved by PATA in January 2001 and during 2006 this was successfully reviewed.  This is a National Standard which sets a level of good practice for improving an organisation’s performance through its people – and for County PATA this means volunteers and staff.

Training opportunities are regularly offered to volunteers to ensure they have the skills and confidence to carry out their duties. 

The following is a quote from David Blunkett,  Secretary of State for the Home Office, who provided the foreword to “Charities and Not-for-Profits: A Modern Legal Framework.  The Government’s response to ‘Private Action, Public Benefit’:

“The charitable and not-for-profit sector in this country is one of our greatest assets.  More than half a million organisations – charities, community and self-help groups, social businesses – are active across every area of our national life, helping to transform the lives of citizens and to revive communities.  The Government believes unequivocally that a flourishing, independent not-for-profit sector is essential for the health of our democracy”.

The value of volunteering should never be underestimated, and the knowledge and skills which can be gained by individuals through their commitment bring immense opportunities for personal and professional development.

 If you are interested in becoming a PATA volunteer, please click here to contact us.