Volunteer vacancies with British Naturalists' Association

Hon. Editor of Country-Side and British Naturalist: The magazine Country-Side (biannual) has been published since 1905, and the Association’s in house magazine British Naturalist (quarterly) has been published for many years. Country-Side is quoted from time to time in the scientific literature so it is essential that its content is accurate and reproduced faithfully. While a knowledge of natural history is not essential, as copy can be sent to individual Council members for approval before publication, it is desirable. The editor would be expected to have his/ her own computer and to collate and send electronic copy probably by CD either to the lay out person (with full instructions) or (preferably) in a form already laid out direct to the printer. Currently copy is laid out using Quark software and sent in this form direct to the printer. It will be advisable for the Editor to build up a stock of articles and natural history photographs (which will be available upon request from members of the BNA Council) and to plan ahead for future issues. Articles are often submitted by distinguished personnel within the field of natural history. British Naturalist carries programmes and reports of activities of the ten BNA Branches. The Editor would be expected to make contact with the Branch secretaries and by liaising with them to encourage contributions from the Branches. This is an opportunity for someone who wishes to gain expertise prior to taking up a career in the field of natural history publishing, or alternatively for someone who has already enjoyed such a career but wishes now to continue to make their skill and expertise available for the benefit of the general public, but through BNA.

The successful applicant would be expected to work from home, and to report to Council at its evening meetings in central London (there are usually five of these per year) and hopefully attend at least some of these as well. Reasonable out of pocket expenses would be reimbursed.

Hon. Fundraisers: The British Naturalists’ Association wishes to increase its funding significantly so as to be able to extend and improve its range of activities. It currently is looking for three fundraisers who would work together as a team which will seek to fundraise from a variety of sources including from Companies and Trusts. It may be that one fundraiser would concentrate on approaching companies, another on approaching Trusts and the other fundraiser on approaching other sources. The successful applicants would work from home, have their own computer and internet/ e-mail facility and be able to generate their own ideas for funding for prior approval by the BNA Council. The Hon. Fundraisers (these are not paid positions) would be expected to report to Council at its evening meetings in Central London (there are about five of these per year) and hopefully to attend at least some of these as well. Reasonable out of pocket expenses would be reimbursed.

Branch Development Officer: BNA currently has ten Branches which hold regular field and indoor meetings. There are areas in Britain however where there are members of BNA but no branches. The Branch Development Officer would be expected to encourage the formation of new Branches, both in these areas and elsewhere. Probably the way to do this would be by holding a public meeting in the area concerned (for persons interested in natural history), at which perhaps a well known speaker would attend, and then to encourage the formation of a Branch by some of those present. He/ she could develop a Branch start up pack and generally liaise with new Branch secretaries during the early stages of their Branches’ development. However the Hon. Branch Development Officer would also be expected to assist existing Branch secretaries in the development and expansion of their Branches. Membership and Branch development are part of the BNA’s five year plan 2005 to 2009.

The successful applicant would be expected to work from home, to have access to a computer with internet connection, and to report to Council at its evening meetings in Central London (there are about five of these per year) and hopefully to attend at least some of these as well. While the position would be unpaid, reasonable out of pocket expenses (e.g. for travel) would be reimbursed.

Marketing Officer: The holder of this position would seek to maximise sales of existing BNA goods such as books, and promotional merchandise; to arrange for venues for the existing travelling BNA exhibition of Coxhead water colour paintings of flora of the British Isles (already framed and ready to hang with full promotional accompanying literature – see elsewhere on this website for full details). He or she would also market the Annual BNA Conference to local bodies including associations, businesses and individuals. The Marketing Officer would be encouraged to sell advertising space for the BNA’s prestigious biannual magazine Country-Side. He or she would be encouraged to produce any accompanying marketing literature for any of the above. In addition the appointed person would hopefully generate his/ her own ideas for the marketing of BNA to the public at large in an effort to boost membership of the Association and knowledge of the work of BNA. Finally, the Marketing Officer would be expected to work closely with BNA’s Hon. Public Relations Officer.

The successful applicant would be expected to work from home, to have access to a computer with internet connection, and to report to Council at its evening meetings in Central London (there are about five of these per year) and hopefully to attend at least some of these as well. While the position would be unpaid, reasonable out of pocket expenses (e.g. for travel) would be reimbursed.

Legacy Promotion Officer: The object will be to gain income for the Association from legacy giving. Emphasis would be placed on publicising the benefits of making a will and of leaving a legacy to BNA (which as BNA is a registered charity would be exempt from Inheritance Tax). It is envisaged that the Hon. Legacy Promotion Officer would firstly produce a leaflet which would be distributed to all members and published on the BNA web site. It is possible that this leaflet could then be distributed more widely through solicitors or will making firms for example. Increased income available to the Association would allow the Association to achieve key objective 4 of its five year plan 2005 to 2009: to develop, over a five year period, a comprehensive range of services for individual members, branch organisations and affiliated organisations, and of course to carry out better its charitable objects generally.

The successful applicant would work from home, have access to a computer with internet connection, and report to Council at its evening meetings in Central London (there are about five of these per year) and hopefully attend at least some of these as well. While the position would be unpaid reasonable expenses (for example for travel) would be reimbursed. Apply for each of the above positions with CV to PO Box 5682, Corby, Northants NN17 2ZW; by telephone or fax to 01536 262977; or by e-mail to secretary@bna-naturalists.org

Interviews will be held in London