About The Irish Blue Cross
The Irish Blue Cross, founded in 1945, is a registered animal care charity. We provide long established, mobile veterinary clinics for small animals at ten Dublin locations and in 2009 we opened a clinic at Inchicore. The charity’s services target eligible pet owners on means-tested benefit and educates them on the responsibilities of pet ownership. The charity also provides a horse ambulance service that attends race meetings throughout Ireland, working in co-operation with race meeting officials and vets. This service is fully funded by the racing authorities.
What's Involved
Take a leadership role in an exciting community focused animal welfare charity. Would you like to give something back to society in a challenging and rewarding role, bringing your skills into play in a completely different arena?
The Irish Blue Cross is looking to expand its Board to increase its skillset in the areas of fundraising and marketing to ensure strong growth of the organisation. As a Director of The Irish Blue Cross you will be responsible for all of the duties associated with a Company Director according to the Companies Act, and you will ideally have served on the Board of a National Charity with a keen interest in the pet/horse racing sector.
Purpose of this Role
To help with our fundraising strategy and growth as the charity approaches its 75th Anniversary Year in 2020 and provide strong governance and leadership as a member of the Board of Directors of The Irish Blue Cross. You will be working with dynamic and energetic colleagues to maintain and develop the charity and its services such as those targeting eligible pet owners who find the cost of vet fees prohibitive. As Director you will work with other Directors, the Chairman and management team in reviewing and formulating strategies for the organisation, and to act in the interests of The Irish Blue Cross at all times.
Support & Training
Training and induction will be provided, as well as a buddy and mentor system for the first few months.
The Board and its sub committees
The Board of Directors of The Irish Blue Cross convenes four times yearly and has four active sub committees (Finance, Audit and Risk; Nominations, Employment and Recruitment; Marketing and Fundraising, and Services) who meet at regular intervals in between Board meetings and who report at the Board meetings. Members of the Board mainly make up the sub committees – all are enthusiastic and energetic volunteers, who have careers in animal welfare, finance, governance and the veterinary sector. The Irish Blue Cross updated its structure on 1st March 2019, to The Irish Blue Cross, a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 637671 and Registered Charity No. 20203128.
Time Commitment
Three to four hours (or an afternoon equivalent) on four to five occasions per annum. Sufficient time should be allowed to accommodate mentoring by the Chairperson or another board member.
What’s in it for you?
The Irish Blue Cross is a great organisation that provides much valued pet welfare services through its Dublin based clinics for eligible means-tested pet owners, who find the cost of veterinary fees prohibitive. The organisation also provides a well-recognised, high-profile racecourse equine ambulance service funded by the racing industry. As a member of the Board you will learn about good governance. You will put your skills to use for a very good cause which assists both animal and owner. Your will be part of an organisation which promotes responsible pet ownership, and which works with other key groups in bringing about change and improvements in the animal welfare sector in Ireland.
Testimonies from Board members:
“Being a pet owner myself, the feeling that you are giving something back to benefit animals as well as people is just great”
“Recognising the positive bond between pet and owner and how this wonderful and effective charitable organisation goes about its work is why I want to encourage others to get involved”
More About Us
The Irish Blue Cross was founded in Ireland in 1945 and in the late 1950’s introduced mobile veterinary clinics for needy pet owners in Dublin communities. These services have developed throughout the years, with ten weekly locations in operation today, which are complemented by The Inchicore Clinic, which was established in 2009. Pets attending the Inchicore Clinic receive a diverse range of tests and life-saving procedures.The mobiles continue to promote responsible pet care and offer preventative vaccines and treatments for pets.
The Irish Blue Cross also operates a long-standing high-profile horse ambulance service which attends all Irish race meetings and key equestrian events. This service which has grown and developed over the decades is well regarded and is fully funded by Horse Racing Ireland. Our skilled crew of horse ambulance operators work closely with race course vets/officials to assist in loading and transporting injured equines to the veterinary treatment area as swiftly as possible. The Irish Blue Cross is a registered charity (Charity Registration Number 20203128).
What's required for this position
• Fundraising and business expertise at a high level
• Fundraising/marketing/business qualification
• Leadership and networking role experience
• Energy and Enthusiasm
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
• Charity or company governance expertise would be an advantage
• Strong Communications Skills – Written and Verbal
• Dedication and a commitment to working with The Irish Blue Cross to meet its goals in 2020, its 75th Anniversary Year.
- Business/ HR/ Management
- Event management/ Fundraising
- PR/ Marketing/ Market Research
Level of English required for this role:
Fluent English
Times and commitment required for this role
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Minimum time commitment: 3 years +
Hours required: 2hrs Monthly
Other Details
Location of volunteering opportunity:
15A Goldenbridge Industrial Estate, Inchicore, Dublin 8.
Screening details for this role:
- Informal Interviews
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Volunteers will be provided with the following supports:
- Support/ advice/ recognition
- Supervision
- Initial induction and training
- Reimbursement of expenses
- Insurance cover
- Ongoing training opportunities
Age restrictions:
Over 18
Is this opportunity suitable for groups/teams of volunteers?
No
Benefits you will receive as a volunteer
Opportunity to be part of an energetic and active board. Learn about good governance. Put your skills to use for a good purpose. The Irish Blue Cross is a great organisation that provides a valued service to eligible pet owners in Dublin.
