Role Title:

VOLUNTEER FUNDRAISER

Department:

Swanage Railway Trust

Departmental
Overview:

The Swanage Railway Trust and its trading arm, the Swanage Railway Company Ltd has an
inspirational history during which it has overcome many challenges and achieved great
successes through tenacity and perseverance. It currently operates with over 60 different
volunteer roles all contributing to achieving its vision.

Reports to:

Chair: Swanage Railway Trust’s Fundraising Group

Location:

The role can be home based with access to SR office facilities available if required.

Purpose of the
role:

This role will help the Swanage Railway achieve its vision by raising capital funds, in line with
its strategy, to fund major projects on the Railway in order to sustain its future.

What you’ll be
doing:

These are the key activities that you’ll be undertaking:
  Research and analysis of fundraising needs
  Development of a clear appropriate fundraising strategy and targets
  Development and delivery of fundraising activities to achieve the strategy
  Effective communication with donors through a variety of media.
  Recruiting, organising and inspiring volunteers for fundraising activities.
  Liaison with Trustees, Directors and Managers
  Supporting and facilitating volunteers in fundraising activities
  Reporting to Swanage Railway’s Fundraising Group
  Supporting the organisation’s vision and values and complying with the Swanage

Railway Volunteer Commitment

What you’ll
need for the
role:



Ideally you’ll be educated to degree level and/or hold a Institute of Fundraising
Certificate / Diploma in Fundraising

  Minimum 3 years’ experience in a major fundraising or marketing environment in a

similar sized or larger organisation

  Experience of working with and managing volunteers
  Strong interpersonal skills – able to build relationships, inspire and influence

colleagues and donors.

  Excellent communication skills: written and verbal
  Management (and  leadership) skills including the ability to work autonomously or as

part of a team.
  Budget management
  Pragmatism
  Knowledge or understanding of heritage sector

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  Own transport/willingness to travel.
  Able to work flexibly to meet the demands of role
  Sense of urgency
  Willingness to support the Vision of the organisation and abide by the Swanage

Railway Volunteer Commitment

What you’ll get
from the role:

  Play a key role in raising funds for a key heritage organisation in Dorset.
  Putting your fundraising skills to good use for the community.
  A personal sense of satisfaction.
  Meet a new network of people.
  Discounted Refreshments**
  Free tea/coffee/water**
  Discounts in SR Shop*
  Discounted Rail Travel*

o
o

** When in attendance at Swanage Railway.
*Subject to Membership  of Swanage Railway Trust

The Training
we’ll provide:



Induction Training.

Time
commitment:

Other
requirements:

Our vision

Our Volunteer
Commitment

  The role is voluntary and is likely to require a substantial input of time flexibly,
including being contactable on an ad hoc basis beyond normal office hours and
potentially travelling. There will also be a need to attend the Trust’s Council of
Management Meetings, on occasions, (usually the afternoon of the third Saturday each
month) and to attend a monthly evening meeting of the Trust’s Fundraising Group.

  The role may require travelling to meet potential donors; travel expenses will be -

reimbursed.

  To be a vibrant volunteer led heritage railway serving the community.

Volunteers form an absolutely vital part of everything the Swanage Railway does. There are
over 80 different roles that our volunteers fulfil; from driving a locomotive to serving
refreshments, from selling goods in our shops to helping maintain our track, from
maintaining our signalling equipment to timetabling, from managing our finances to keeping
our rolling stock maintained, volunteers are at the heart.

Our vision is to be the UK’s leading heritage railway: we have an inspirational history during
which we have overcome many challenges and achieved great successes through tenacity
and perseverance. That spirit lives on today. We celebrate our Volunteers’ commitment and
dedication which form such a vital part of what we do now and will do in the future.

We want all our volunteers to gain fulfilment and enjoyment from their role whilst helping
us  to  achieve  our  vision,  and  so  we  have  our  Volunteer  Commitment  that  sets  out  the
mutual basis of the relationship between Swanage Railway and our volunteers:

The Swanage Railway will …

  Welcome you as a volunteer and provide appropriate opportunities to individuals who

can help us achieve our purpose and vision.

  Provide the right equipment and training for the task.
  Give guidance and support in your volunteer role.

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  Treat you and all other volunteers equally and fairly.
  Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, you have a safe working environment.
  Listen to any concerns if things are not going right.
  Recognise  that  you  are  a  volunteer  giving  your  time  to  us  whilst  having  other

commitments.

In return we ask you to …

  Give us your time and commit to any training if needed for the role.
  Be professional and loyal to the organization.
  Be fair to those around you.
  Talk to your Manager/ Supervisor (volunteer or employee) first if things aren’t going

right.

  Comply with our business standards, including the need to maintain confidentiality in
relation to all SR information and to comply with SR’s security and safety procedures.

Vrp Volunteer Fundraiser January 2018                                                                                                Page 3 of 3