Suite 12, One Sceptre House, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate HG2 8PB

BRITISH THYROID FOUNDATION

Suite 12, One Sceptre House, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate HG2 8PB

Format for Support Groups

We wish to assure you of our appreciation of your volunteering with us and will do the best we can to make your volunteer experience with us enjoyable and rewarding.

The BTF have two types of group: a BTF Local Support Group and a Voluntary Social Group

Set out below are the role descriptions that apply to each group:

Type 1 - BTF Local Support Group Coordinator (LC)

·  BTF will provide groups with leaflets, posters etc, free of charge

·  BTF will advertise meetings of these official BTF groups on the website and in the BTF News.

·  BTF will offer training.

·  BTF will provide advice and information, when required, regarding speakers, venues etc

·  Fundraising can be carried out via a Justgiving page (or similar web-based fundraising platform) direct to BTF.

·  LCs are able to make an application to the Board of Trustees for funding ie for training courses, equipment.

·  LCs may not apply for grants, but HQ may apply on their behalf (LCs must subsequently provide evidence that the grant was used as per the application)

·  LCs may not set up a website, or Facebook page to promote their group – each group has a page on the BTF website.

·  LCs may not set up or hold a bank account in the name of the BTF.

·  LCs may not deposit money designated for the BTF into their personal bank account.

·  BTF’s public liability insurance will cover the group’s requirements.

·  BTF’s H&S guidelines/policy will cover the group’s requirements.

·  Relevant information about your group will be included in the BTF Annual Report to the Charity Commission (CC) and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)

·  There must be a named person (the BTF Local Group Coordinator) with whom the BTF communicates plus one other named individual (the Assistant) as back-up. The Local Group Coordinator is responsible for the organisation of the BTF local group. The assistant is the individual expected to step in under circumstances, on an ad-hoc or temporary basis when the LC is unavoidably available.

·  References will be sought for both the LC and the assistant before the BTF Local Group is established.

·  Must be a member of BTF

·  At any point the LC or assistant can step down from this position, by contacting BTF HQ

·  At any point the LC can step down from this position, by contacting BTF HQ

Type 2 – BTF Social Support Group

·  Social support groups can meet in pubs or cafés, or other public places

·  They can meet as regularly as they wish, to suit their own needs

·  Social support group leaders do not take subs, donations or handle money

·  Social support group leader may not set up a website to promote their group

·  Social support group leader may not set up or hold a bank account in the name of the BTF

·  BTF will provide leaflets and membership forms etc, free of charge

·  BTF’s public liability insurance will cover the group’s requirements

·  BTF’s H&S guidelines/policy will normally cover the group’s requirements in the absence of any public venue’s insurance

·  Social group leaders should ask individuals to contact HQ with any medical or membership queries

·  BTF will advertise meetings on the website and in the BTF News

·  Relevant information will be included in the BTF Annual Report/Financial Report to the Charity Commission (CC) and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)

·  There must be a named person (the BTF Social Support Group Leader) with whom the BTF communicates plus one other named individual (the Assistant) as back-up. The social support leader is responsible for the organisation of the BTF social support group. The assistant is the individual expected to step in under circumstances, on an ad-hoc or temporary basis when the leader is unavoidably available.

·  References will be sought for both the leader and the assistant before the BTF Social Support Group is established.

·  Must be a member of the BTF

·  At any point the leader or assistant can step down from this position by contacting BTF HQ

·  At any point the leader can apply to set up a Type 1 Group by contacting BTF HQ in writing

Please could state which group you would like to set up:

Type 1 – A BTF Local Group £

Type 2 – A BTF Social Group £

Please complete the application form and return together with this form to:

THANK YOU