Oldland Mill CIO is seeking a new Chair of Trustees.
We are seeking a Chair of Trustees for this friendly, enthusiastic and successful small charity. The ideal candidate will have an interest in the conservation of historical buildings, good communication and planning skills, and be able to motivate and work effectively as part of a team. Knowledge and experience of chairing meetings and working with or for a similar charity would be welcomed for this unpaid voluntary post.
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Oldland Windmill in Keymer dates from 1703 and is thought to be one of the oldest regularly operating windmills in the country. The Mill, which was derelict in the 1980s, was rebuilt and renovated by volunteers. It is cared for by Oldland Mill CIO (Charity No: 1203609), which was established in June 2023. Prior to incorporation the Mill was maintained and run by Oldland Mill Trust (Charity No:1072911). The new charity has retained the name ‘Oldland Mill Trust’ as its operating and trading title. The assets of the old charity were transferred to the new body in December 2023. The Oldland Mill CIO is in the process of registering the Mill with the Land Registry and once this has been completed the old charity will be formally closed.
The charity has around 300 active members and volunteers. It is financially sound and operates a balanced budget. The importance of membership income has declined over recent years, income largely coming from legacies, donations, flour sales and events. The Mill is open to the public during the summer on the first Sunday afternoon of each month with special events being held in the spring and autumn. Regular volunteer maintenance sessions occur weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Organisation
The Board of Trustees meets five times a year and has eight members. Six are elected, with a normal term of office 3 years, and two nominated trustees, one each from Hassock Parish Council and Ditchling Parish Council. A Treasurer and Secretary are in post, both of whom are trustees. A Membership Secretary and Publicity Officer are also in post. Three formal committees - the Mill Operating Team, the Accident Prevention Team and the Promotion and Fundraising Team - guide the running and operation of the Mill. Each has clearly defined terms of reference and answer to the Trustees. Appropriate policies and procedures, including safeguarding and health & safety, are in place.
Skills
The Chair, aided by the Secretary, is required to prepare for and to chair trustee meetings and the AGM. Meetings are held in the evenings at the Parish Council Offices in Hassocks. The Chair would be expected to keep themselves informed of the activities of the charity and to help, or lead, when appropriate, on particular projects. Trustees typically also sit on or chair one of the three committees. The former Chair sat on the Accident Prevention Team and led policy development, incorporation and edited the twice-yearly Newsletter, although the role is negotiable. Apart from meetings it can largely be done from home. The typical level of commitment is around 125 hrs per year. More information about the Oldland Mill CIO and Oldland Windmill may be found at https://www.oldlandwindmill.org.
To find out more, please contact Andrew Mackay on 01273 844323, email andrewomackay@gmail.com.
Availability
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Afternoon | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Evening | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Location
Working from home