A Community Benefit Society, Friends of the Earth (Birmingham) Ltd exists to promote positive environmental change by increasing awareness of environmental issues. It does this through campaigning and also through practical activity and space at its environmental community building, The Warehouse.
The Warehouse is a friendly and thriving hub for the city’s environmental and social activism with a proud history and strong networks. It comprises meeting and office space, a vegan cafe and events space, shops selling bikes, a bookshop selling progressive and radical books and sustainable household goods, a community radio station and a community garden.
The Board has overarching responsibility for all aspects of BFoE activity, but campaigns activity is delegated to our thriving campaigns group, which meets weekly, reporting to the Board as needed. So the Board focuses on governance, finance, organisational performance and issues relating to the building, its users and four members of staff.
We are now seeking 2 new Board members to help us take BFOE forward amid the opportunities and challenges of our own context and that of the city and wider environment.
We’re seeking people with environmental commitment, a cooperative nature, experience of leading or making a significant contribution to organisational development, and ideally additional expertise in:
- Society Secretary (the equivalent of a Company Secretary role)
- Financial Skills
- Communication and Marketing
- Bid Writing
- HR
While we are already a relatively diverse board, we are aspiring to make our Board more reflective of the city’s population. In particular, but not exclusively, we would welcome applications from people from minority ethnic groups, women, and those aged under 35.
The 12 person Board meets 5-6 times a year. It also operates through subgroups and email between meetings where needed. We would envisage the successful candidates observing the Board for a period to familiarise themselves with the organisation before assuming their roles.