Kindly note that to serve as Chairperson, you must fulfil the requirements of being a trustee, receive a nomination for the position, and secure a majority of votes during our Annual General Meeting for election.

Our Civilian Welfare Committee is formed of trustees who help with the running of the squadron. Trustees can be parents, guardians or friends. Its role is to assist the squadron’s Commanding Officer, raise funds and ensure the squadron maintains direction.

Our trustees meet every three months under the direction of a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.

Terms of Reference (Annex I to ACP 11 dated 16 Jun 17)

Primary role objectives/responsibilities

• Support the Squadron Commander in fulfilling the aims and objectives of the Air Training Corps including the raising of funds necessary to fulfil this task.
• Act as Chairperson of the Trustees of the squadron’s non-public fund and ensure the management of that fund is in line with charity law.
• Chair the AGM of the Association.

Main duties

• Maintain a Squadron Association and Committee recruited from amongst parents, guardians, friends and members of the local community.   
• Ensure that initial and on-going annual elections take place to confirm key post holders i.e. Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary (known as the elected officers of the Committee).
• Support the squadron commander and his/her staff by showing a keen interest in all RAFAC activities.
• In conjunction with the squadron commander develop an annual financial plan and seek to ensure that sufficient financial resources are in place to achieve the plan.
• Oversee applications for Local Authority Grants, Lottery Awards, Gift Aid and seek donations from local companies or individuals.
• Monitor the activities of the Treasurer and ensure that the squadron accounts are maintained in accordance with ACP 10 and in particular that the year-end accounts are presented, by the Treasurer, to the committee for sign off prior to the submission of the Form 60 to Wing HQ.
• Assist the squadron commander by all means within your remit to increase the effectiveness of the squadron.  
• Acting as a counter-signatory on squadron non-public account cheques or, if the Committee elects to use on-line banking, authorise payments on-line.
• Establish and maintain good relationships between the squadron and all elements of the local community.
• Consider what additional activities to recommend to the squadron commander so that the aims set out in ACP 11 Chapter 1, paragraph 3 are met in full.
• Assist the squadron commander in finding suitable adult staff to support all activities. 
• Ensure that cadets are not prevented from attending events due to inadequate financial resources. 
• Assist the squadron commander to obtain the maximum of good press, radio and television publicity.
• Assist the squadron commander in filling the post of squadron chaplain.
• If the squadron is proposing to open a detached flight assist in finding suitable accommodation.
• Assist the wing commanding officer in finding a suitable person to command the squadron when a replacement is required.
• Attend, or nominate a deputy to attend, your wing civilian committee Meetings (normally bi-annual).  These meetings are crucial to update everyone on Corps policy and an opportunity for the squadron chairperson to express views or concerns on Corps policies.  By this means communications will improve and help maintain the ATC’s reputation as a premier youth organisation.
• Following the Annual Assurance Review ensure that the Wing directory details of squadron committee post holders is up to date.

2497 (Cosford) Squadron Addendum Annex I to ACP 11 dated 16 Jun 17

Ongoing

• Check their RAFAC approved inbox frequently and respond to correspondence, ideally at least once per week. 
• Review any expense claims or external payment requests promptly, ideally within 5 days of the request. 
• Ensure any actions or decisions by the committee are tracked and carried out. 
• Support any person interested in joining the committee to formally apply using the RAFAC approved system and to ensure that the local tracker is up-to-date.

Each meeting

• Compile and present a report summarising the last quarter. 
• Review and sign the Treasurer’s reconciliation report. 
• Assist the Secretary with listing items for the agenda. 
• Send a digital copy of their report to the Secretary via their RAFAC approved inbox promptly after a meeting, ideally within 2 weeks.  

Benefits of being a volunteer

Being a volunteer is rewarding and has a lot of different benefits.

• learn skills in a range of areas
• develop leadership qualities
• personal development

Whatever you decide to focus on, all volunteers gain a huge sense of achievement from helping young people realise their potential.

To be a volunteer you need to

• Be aged 18 years or more
• have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years
• commit to attending a 2 hour meeting every three months
• understand young people and their needs
• be patient, responsible and kind

We know our volunteers may have families, jobs and hobbies, so we can be flexible and work around other areas of your lives. All we expect in return is clear communication, good organisation and commitment to your squadron.

You do not need

• a military background or experience
• experience of working with young people
• relevant skills like flying or gliding

Typical joining process

• Submit an expression of interest
• Invite to complete an online application
• Have a DBS and basic security check
• Receive a nomination for the position, and secure a majority of votes during our Annual General Meeting for election

The time from initial enquiry through to starting as a volunteer can vary depending on the availability of current volunteers, but on average it takes around three months. This is due to the enquiries that need to be made, including a DBS, as part of our safeguarding checks.