SSAFA Branch Chair – Terms of Reference

Following the implementation of the NDP model and the transfer of Caseworker volunteers to Regional Office management, the role of the Branch Chair has been refreshed. These terms of reference are only applicable to the activities that the branch now delivers.

1. Purpose of the Role

The Branch Chair provides operational and cultural leadership for the activities their SSAFA branch delivers. They are responsible for ensuring the branch delivers high‑quality engagement, fundraising, and volunteer‑led activity that aligns with SSAFA’s mission and complies with all regulations set by Council.

2. Key Responsibilities

2.1 Leadership and Governance

• Provide overall leadership and direction for all branch activities and volunteers*.
• Maintain succession planning for a Branch Executive Committee comprising, as a minimum, a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
• Be conversant and compliant with the current Royal Charter and relevant SSAFA policies, regulations and procedures, advising branch membership as appropriate.
• Work with the Branch Executive Committee to develop and implement a clear vision and plan for the branch, including:
  • a community engagement plan;
  • a fundraising plan to cover the branch’s running costs; and
  • a culture aligned with SSAFA’s BRAVE Standards.
• Build and sustain a collaborative, inclusive and welcoming volunteer environment.
• Promote the achievements of the branch and opportunities for engagement, ensuring effective communication flows between SSAFA’s centralised functions, regional teams, welfare services, Regional Volunteer Representatives and branch members.

2.2 Meetings and Committees

• Chair regular Branch Executive Committee meetings, at least four times per year.
• Oversee the scheduling and preparation of the branch Annual General Meeting.
• Work collaboratively with regional colleagues to organise meetings and events.

2.3 Volunteer Leadership and Support

• Work with the Community Engagement Manager to recruit, induct and welcome Community Engagement Volunteers.
• Provide accessible, high-quality support, pastoral care and management to branch volunteers.
• Ensure volunteers have a positive, safe and inclusive volunteering experience.
• Promote communication and morale across the branch.

2.4 Community Engagement

• Act as an ambassador for SSAFA in the local community.
• Plan and resource awareness-raising activities.
• Represent the charity appropriately at external meetings.

2.5 Financial Prudence

• Hold responsibility for branch financial oversight.
• Support the Branch Treasurer to ensure financial records and banking arrangements are properly managed.
• Ensure all expenditure is compliant with SSAFA’s regulations and charitable objectives.

2.6 Compliance and Safeguarding

• Encourage and champion branch compliance with safeguarding, data protection, health and safety, incident reporting and governance requirements, including volunteer training compliance.
  • Provide reasons for non-compliance.
  • Support decisions where volunteer activity needs to be restricted or suspended due to non-compliance.
  • Reinforce that compliance requirements are an essential part of volunteering.
• Provide reasons for non-compliance.
• Support decisions where volunteer activity needs to be restricted or suspended due to non-compliance.
• Reinforce that compliance requirements are an essential part of volunteering.
• Address compliance breaches through approved escalation channels.

3. Collaboration and Reporting

The Branch Chair works collaboratively with teams across the organisation including regional managers, community engagement managers, volunteer development managers, finance teams, central office colleagues, and all regional branch officials.

The Branch Chair will be responsible for ensuring reporting on the following branch activities:

• financial matters
• training compliance follow-up requests
• community engagement
• submission of citations for Sir James Gildea Awards for all volunteers who are members of the Branch.

4. Term of Office

• These tenure terms will not be applied retrospectively to pre-NDP Branch Chairs unless specifically requested.
• A Branch Chair will be appointed for three years per term, renewable once, up to 6 years in total.
• There will be an ‘exceptional extension’ process, allowing limited extensions where there is no suitable successor identified or there is a clear organisational need.

5. Skills and Attributes

• Motivational leadership.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to manage conflict and encourage compliance.
• Good financial awareness.
• Willingness to use SSAFA IT systems.

6. Time Commitment

• Variable but likely around 7–10 hours per week.
• Attend at least four branch executive meetings per year.
• Attend branch events, volunteer gatherings and the AGM.
• Attend regional and SSAFA-wide events, such as the Annual Members Meeting.

7. Accountability

• Accountable to the Regional Manager and ultimately the Chief Executive Officer through governance structures.
• Functional reporting to the Regional Volunteer Representative.

*Definition of Branch Volunteers for the purpose of these TORs is Community Engagement Volunteers, Volunteer Branch Officers, Digital Marketing Volunteers and in a limited capacity those Caseworker volunteers who choose to become Branch members.