Branch Secretary Role Description

- This role description is only a guideline and each branch may require something slightly different

Purpose of the Role

- The role of the Branch Secretary is to support the Chairman in ensuring the smooth functioning of the Branch including its compliance to the Branch's constitution.

Key Activities

- To prepare agendas in consultation with the Chairman.

- To circulate agendas and any supporting papers in good time.

- To ensure arrangements for meetings are met (booking the room, arranging for equipment and refreshments, organising facilities for those with special needs, etc) liaising with the Branch's Social Secretary if required.

- To check that a quorum is present at meetings and to keep a record of attendees at the meetings. 

- To minute meetings and agree the draft minutes with the Chairman (and possibly committee members) before circulating to the committee members.

- To circulate agendas and minutes of the annual general meeting (AGM) and any special or extraordinary general meetings within the time specified by the Branch's constitution.

- To ensure up-to-date records are kept of committee membership and any changes made on the Membership Database with a note to the Regional Director.

- Respond to all committee correspondence.

- Liaising with the Branch Social Secretary for the timing and venues of meetings and with the Branch Contact (if this is a separate post).

Code of Conduct

- To refrain from putting forward any personal points of view that is against CAMRA's policy or might bring the Campaign into disrepute.

- Time Commitment

- This role can take up as much time as you are prepared to give. Circa 2 hours a month is probably a minimum except at key times, for example in the run up to the Annual General Meeting, when a higher level of commitment might be required.

- In addition, attendance at branch and committee meetings is, in practice, obligatory unless you have a Deputy and/or Minutes Secretary. 

Skills

- Organisational ability.

- Knowledge of committee work and procedures is useful as is minute-taking experience.

- Good communication and interpersonal skills.

- Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences.

- Approachable and sensitive to the feelings of others.

- Well organised and an eye for detail.

- Ability to work well with the Chair. 

Support

- Support is available from CAMRA's Branch Support ku.gro.armac@nosbiG.atinA().

- Advice and guidance on CAMRA policy is available from branch committee members and where, appropriate, people who have previously held the post.

- The Campaigner will run articles on best practice, hints and tips from other branches from time to time. If you can sign up by , including your membership number and email address

- The CAMRA members website is also a useful source of information. Please see the User Guidelines for the Branch Committee Self Service System