West Stormont Woodland Group

West Stormont
Woodland Group

Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) SC051682

Join us today to bring Taymount Wood and Five Mile Wood into community ownership

Join Us - We need more Trustees and Committee Members

That we have got this project to here is great! But to get it over the line we will need a bigger team. If you believe in the project - our own community owned woodland - please join us and let's make it happen.

It is a very exciting time for WSWG as we are in the process of making our EOI Application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

This could see WSWG employing staff for the first time, to deliver more events and activities, work up community-led plans for a Forest Hub building and secure match funding for our proposal which will bring Taymount Wood into community ownership.

To meet the anticipated gear change that this will bring to the depth and scale of our operations, it is vital that we go forward with as robust a governance and operational framework as possible, overseen by a strong Board of Trustees to ensure due diligence on all matters and a new and enthusiastic Committee to concentrate on delivery.

Up to now, our small Board of Trustees has been running all aspects of project development and delivery for WSWG together with the support of the wonderful and vital but ad hoc involvement of a wide array of other lovely volunteers along the way, but we’ll need more people now to make this work.

WSWG

How is WSWG structured?

This year, the role of the Board of Trustees will be to oversee a transition to more of a governance function within the framework set out in this graphic. 

The new WSWG Committee of 8 – 10 people will take a key role in guiding and developing community-led delivery of the day-to-day operations, potentially alongside newly funded staff.

WSWG Committee Members

Committee roles: If you enjoy getting stuck in and making things happen, our Committee is where day-to-day action takes place. From ecology to events to social media, there are lots of ways you could get involved.

Could you be part of our new WSWG Committee?

This new WSWG Committee will comprise 8-10 people, including 1-2 of our trustees, sharing skills, knowledge and enthusiasm between them for the type of roles set out below.

  • Supporting the stewardship of the woodland; advising on biodiversity projects; liaising with specialists and volunteers
  • Planning and helping to run community events, walks, talks, workshops and volunteer days.
  • Managing social media; writing website/blog posts; producing newsletters and posters; helping to raise the profile of WSWG locally and beyond.
  • Helping to identify local funding opportunities; supporting grant applications; developing small fundraising activities.
  • Managing practical resources (tools, event materials etc) and liaising with local groups, schools, and organisations
  • Helping deliver WSWG’s Climate, Biodiversity and Community aims on the ground

Time commitment: Flexible — depending on the role and your availability, anything from a few hours a month upwards.

Consider Joining Us - Find Out More

Committee roles will include; Forest Ecology, Climate and Biodiversity (1-2 people); Events and Activities (2-3 people); Communications, Social media, Photography, Blogs etc (2 people); Fundraising (2 people); Representatives from WSWG Board of Trustees (2 Trustees).

The WSWG Committee will determine its own means of operating, but it is envisaged it is likely to convene monthly, either in person or on-line, with interim activity as needed. 

WSWG Trustees

Trustee roles: If you enjoy strategic thinking and supporting the bigger picture, becoming a Trustee is a rewarding way to help guide WSWG’s future and ensure its work is sustainable and impactful.

Could you be part of our new WSWG board as a Trustee?

To strengthen the current board and establish a sound basis for effective succession in future, we are looking for WSWG members to become trustees of the WSWG SCIO. Roles might include:

  • Helping set and oversee the overall direction and long-term plans for the Group
  • Ensuring WSWG meets its legal obligations (e.g., charity law, health and safety, data protection); ensuring safeguarding policies are up to date and followed.
  • Overseeing the management of WSWG’s finances, approving budgets, monitoring financial health
  • Identifying and mitigating risks to the organisation’s activities and reputation.
  • Supporting sustainable funding strategies; exploring major funding applications or partnerships.
  • Acting as an ambassador for WSWG with funders, partners, and the wider community.
  • Managing meeting records, governance paperwork, and communication between Trustees.

Time commitment: Attend Trustee meetings from time to time plus occasional support between meetings – typical base line around 4 hours per month.

Consider Joining Us - Find Out More

The WSWG Constitution requires a board of between 3 and 10 trustees.

To be eligible for nomination and election as a trustee, you must be an Ordinary Member of WSWG living within the WSWG area, aged 16 years or over.