Chair of Trustees

About The Othona Community

Othona's two community/retreat centres, in Essex and Dorset, offer family holidays, retreats, courses and other activities affordable to a wide client base. They provide meeting places and spiritual refreshment for many people who would not readily contact churches or traditional faith organisations.

What will you be doing?

We are looking for someone who will enjoy being part of our community and who has the time and energy to support the work at our Essex retreat centre.

The centre is off grid and has recently undergone a very successful green energy installation and a brand new kitchen. Both the business and staff team have weathered the challenges of the pandemic. We have a strong and loyal visitor base who respond generously to appeals for donations. The site needs further smaller scale investment. We are looking to recruit a Trustee chair who can lead a team of people with varied expertise to make steady and sustained progress to ensure that this much loved centre, with 75 years of history, in an exceptional location, is a treasured resource for the next generation.

Our vision is to be a place for both green and inclusive Christian theology, experienced by the way we live, the programme of events that we hold and how we run and renew the buildings and land. Practical hope in action.

The charity is well governed with specialist Trustees taking responsibility for the finances, safety, including health and safety and safeguarding. We have good accountancy support. Our financial reserves are more than adequate.

As chair of the Othona Bradwell management committee you have responsibility for the Essex centre, but also as a Trustee of the whole charity responsibilities across the two centres, for governance and strategic direction of the whole charity.

The management committee meet quarterly in person at the centre. The whole board of Trustee/Directors meet quarterly virtually (weekday evening 1.5 hours) and has two residential meetings per year, one at each centre (Bradwell on Sea Essex and the Dorset centre) in February and November.

Our AGM is held virtually on a Saturday morning at the end of September

The charity covers all out of pocket expenses.

What are we looking for?

• Participation in a Christian faith based community
• One or more of the following would be helpful:
• Board level experience
• Previous Trustee experience or similar e.g. school governor 
• Strategic understanding of organisational management
• Experience of working within Charity Commission guidelines

What difference will you make?

As chair of the Othona Bradwell management committee you will support and shape the staff team and oversee the further development of the site.

You will work with the volunteers on the Bradwell management committee and recruit new members as the need arises.

Our guests value the experience of inclusive community, spirituality, and practical creativity joining retreats, workshops, family holidays and a range of other events. We pursue a vision of openness and inclusion, for people of all faiths and none, affirming mutual respect and understanding. 

We are increasingly aware of the double curse of loneliness due to community break down and climate despair and anxiety. Our vision is to be a place where we can be real together and find practical hope in action.

People of all ages come to Othona to be themselves, valued for who they are. They find support through difficult times e.g. bereavement, family breakdown, ill health, find a new direction, feel restored. This experience of community, affirms people whatever their age, gender, religion or ethnicity and contributes to social re-connection while at Othona and back home. People make friendships at Othona that last for years.

Commitment:

Estimate of time needed: 3-7 hours / week.

Role can mostly be done either in, or out of, office hours and mainly at home. However, regular visits to the centre are required. We are looking for someone who will visit and get to know the centre well and who intends to be in the role for several years.

How to apply:

Interested applicants please message via Reach without obligation. Application is by letter accompanied by a CV. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to visit the retreat centre. Interview will be by 2 Trustees. References will be required, as will an enhanced level DBS check, a declaration that you have not been barred from becoming a Trustee or Director. It will be necessary to complete our register of interests. Role description is attached.

Deadline: 4^th September, 2022