Voluntary Director

The organisation

Thank you for considering becoming a Director of Every Body Outdoors (EBO). We are a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) that aims to make the outdoor space more inclusive to plus size people. There are several strands to our work including:

• community building, both online and in person
• coordinating volunteer led walking groups across the country
• organising plus size hill skills and navigation courses, and other plus size specific courses and events
• working with brands to improve the size inclusivity of their clothing
• working with retailers to encourage them to stock a wider range of plus size clothing

We run an Instagram account with over 15k followers, an active facebook group with 3k members and have over 20 volunteer walk leaders. To find out more about EBO you can read a short summary of who we are and our asks for brands.

By serving on the board of EBO, you directly contribute to creating a safe space and empowering our plus size community to access outdoor activities, wearing well fitting kit. Board membership is a strong addition to your professional profile, showing a commitment to leadership and community service.

The Board

We are a small organisation, with the board currently consisting of four Directors, who are all co-founders of the organisation. We currently have funding which allows us to pay a freelance worker for 2 days a week. Due to the small size of the organisation it is important that Directors are available to provide unpaid support and direction to our freelance worker and to take a hands-on role in developing the organisation.

Our main role as a board is to:

• lead the strategic direction of EBO
• ensure that EBO complies with its governing documents, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• financial oversight of funded projects and safeguarding the financial stability of the organisation
• support our freelance worker in their role to deliver funded projects, coordinate courses, events and social media
• seek out appropriate opportunities for funding and fundraising and supporting applications
• meet with brands and develop partnerships

The people

We are looking to recruit an additional two Directors to strengthen our board. We are encouraging applications from candidates with experience in a leadership or governance role (e.g working in a leadership role or a role that requires you to interact with a board, as a school governor, as a board member or trustee of another organisation)

It is vital that candidates have an understanding of the issues faced by plus size people in the outdoors, and are passionate about breaking down these barriers. While we recognise the value of lived experience as a plus size person this is not a pre-requisite for applying for the role.

An ideal candidate would also have proven experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Fundraising and income generation
• Third sector finance
• Strategic planning
• Advocating for community needs
• Social media campaigns
• Event planning
• Community building

EBO is dedicated to fostering equality and diversity, creating an inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone involved with the organisation feels respected and empowered to contribute their best. We acknowledge the intersectional barriers to accessing the outdoors and warmly encourage applications from individuals belonging to groups that have been historically underrepresented.

By law, to apply you must be at least 16 years old and cannot have been disqualified from acting as a company director in the past, or be under restriction from a bankruptcy, IVA or debt relief order.

Commitment

This is an unpaid, voluntary position, though  expenses may be covered where appropriate. All staff, directors and volunteers for EBO are expected to follow our Code of Conduct.

Based on our experience the time commitment required as a board member is 10 - 12 days a year and consists of:

• Attendance at 4 board meetings (held online), including preparation time - 2 days
• Attendance at 2-3 task specific meetings - 1 day
• Answering emails and questions regarding day to day running of EBO - 2 days
• Attendance at brand/partnership/event meetings, including preparation time - 2 days
• Support freelance worker, by checking documents or regular check ins - 2 days
• In person representation of Every Body Outdoors at events (e.g Kendal Mountain Festival) - 1-3 days

Additionally there are opportunities to volunteer to review kit and clothing, attend events and contribute posts for our social media.

How to Apply

To express your interest, send a short CV (max two pages) and a cover letter (one page) to emily@everybodyoutdoors.co.uk. Please use your cover letter to outline any relevant experience that is not reflected in your CV, your motivation for joining our board, and how you would contribute to the EBO mission to make the outdoors more inclusive and accessible for plus size people.

The closing date for applications is 2nd April 2025, and we will respond to all applications within two weeks of this date. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online interview, and successful candidates will be asked to attend the next board meeting as an observer before a final decision is made on their membership.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will hold an informal online information session on 26th March at 6.30pm with two of the current board members, please contact emily@everybodyoutdoors.co.uk if you would like to attend. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.