OCTOBER 2020
National Trustees Week is coming up – 2 to 6 November – and for us it’s a chance to highlight what our Trustees do. And maybe encourage you to become more involved with us by becoming a Trustee too!
At the moment we have five, all of whom have worked with Brighton Permaculture Trust before taking on the task. Trustees are volunteers who have the ultimate legal, strategic and oversight responsibility for the Trust’s work. At the same time, because they are Permaculture Design Course graduates, they encourage the Trust to work using Permaculture’s internationally-accepted ethics and principles, building resilience into the organisation. The Trustees also support projects such as the Orchards and the Fruit Factory, People Care, and our Permaculture courses, often working there in person to help out and answer questions.
We’re always looking out for new people to help with regeneration, alongside these long-term appointees who provide continuity. So might that be you?
In particular it would be great to welcome a couple of younger people, active in a local permaculture business maybe, and interested in pushing innovation, diversity and inclusion. We ask for commitment to applying Permaculture ethics and practices personally, to promote sustainable development.
What’s in it for me?
We can promise you’ll be part of an established local Permaculture community, a respected group of people who have national influence in the UK. This is a chance to develop your own knowledge and skills about designing for resilience, and making a difference locally. You’ll be actively implementing practical sustainable development in our area, working with likeminded people on unique projects. You’ll be able to use your talents in a situation where progress really matters.
The current Trustee team
At the moment the trustees are:
- Jan Mulreany, one of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s founding team and a previous Certificate course and Diploma tutor.
- John Coote is active in sustainable transport in his home town of Worthing, and guides us in the wider sphere of IT management and energy planning.
- Caroline Schofield has a deep experience in the human resources field, and helps support our volunteers.
- Susan White brings experience of trusteeship for organisations such as the Society of Friends, and vitally “asks us useful questions”.
- Maria Esperanza Sanchez is our most recent trustee, and her media background helped recreate some of the Brighton Permaculture Trust courses online during the Covid-19 restrictions.
They all get to grips with the finance and with the outward-facing aspects of promoting Brighton Permaculture Trust, including having a great time meeting the public at events like Apple Day. They play a vital leadership role in our charity, supporting the Management Team and Bryn, our Director. At the moment, they are meeting more regularly to guide strategy around the Covid-19 situation. Beyond that, how much time you put into the organisation is up to you, though you can plump for an area of interest from our many projects and become deeply involved, practically. Be warned… it’s addictive!
If you’d like to hear more, email jan @brightonpermaculture.org.uk with your questions.
Thanks!