1. Purpose of the Role

The SCT Chair provides operational and cultural leadership for their SCT. They are responsible for ensuring the SCT engages and fundraises in the local serving community and delivers volunteer-led activities that align with SSAFA’s mission and complies with all regulations set by Council.

Key Responsibilities for SCT Chairs

2.1 Leadership and Governance. 

SCT Chairs will:

• Provide support, leadership and direction for all SCT activities and volunteers.
• Be conversant with the current Royal Charter and relevant policies, regulations and procedures.
• Work with the SCT volunteers to develop and implement a clear vision and plan (either annual or quarterly) for the SCT. This should include:
  • Community engagement.
  • Fundraising in order to cover the associated SCT costs and have funds available for the award of individual and community grants
• Run an SCT aligned with SSAFA’s BRAVE Standards
• Maintain a collaborative, inclusive, and welcoming volunteer culture
• Promote the achievements of the SCT and opportunities for engagement, ensuring communication flows between SSAFA’s centralised functions, the Serving Community Support Team, regional teams and welfare services.

2.2 Meetings and Planning

The SCT Chair will:

• Hold regular SCT meetings – in person, online or hybrid according to local preference (minimum four times per year).

2.3 Volunteer Leadership and Support

The SCT Chair will:

• Work with the Serving Community Support Team to recruit, induct and welcome SCT volunteers.
• Provide accessible support and management to SCT volunteers.
• Ensure volunteers have a positive, safe, and inclusive volunteering experience.
• Promote communication and morale across the SCT.

2.4 Community Engagement and Fundraising

The SCT Chair will:

• Act as an ambassador for SSAFA in the local community.
• Plan awareness-raising activities and events.
• Represent the charity appropriately at external meetings.
• Raise funds to support SCT activities and grant giving.

2.5 Financial Prudence

The SCT Chair will:

• Have oversight of the SCT’s financial position.
• Support the SCT Finance Coordinator 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

The SCT Chair will:

• Ensure SCT 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.
  • Address compliance breaches through approved escalation channels.

3. Collaboration and Reporting

The SCT Chair can:

• Work collaboratively with employee teams across SSAFA including the Serving Community Support Team but also Regional Managers (RMs), Community Engagement Managers, Regional Marketing Managers, the SSAFA finance team, RAF Welfare Service and Specialist Welfare Services such as Mentoring, SSAFA Connect (Glasgow's Helping Heroes), Gurkha Services.
• Work collaboratively with other volunteer teams including other SCTs, SSAFA Branches and Mentors. 
• Report operational issues that might have strategic implications in a timely manner proportionate to the urgency/seriousness of the issue to the Serving Community Service Manager on the following activities:
  • Financial matters.
  • Training compliance follow-up requests.
  • Community engagement and delivery of practical, emotional and financial support.
  • Submission of citations for Sir James Gildea Awards for all volunteers who are members of the SCT.

4. Skills and Attributes

The SCT Chair will have:

• Motivating, inclusive leadership.
• Strong communication skills.
• Good financial awareness.
• Willingness to use SSAFA systems and encourage compliance.

5. Volunteer Time Commitment

• Variable but likely around 3-7 hours per week.
• Attend at least four SCT meetings per year.
• Attend SCT events and volunteer gatherings, where possible.

6. Accountability

The SCT Chair is:

• Accountable to the Serving Community Service Manager and ultimately the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) through governance structures.

7. The Serving Community Support Team is here to help SCT Chairs and will ensure that you:

• feel welcome and able to be yourselves at SSAFA.
• feel appropriately supported.
• have a named point of contact.
• have opportunities to give and get feedback on your role.
• have access to ongoing personal development opportunities.
• have a positive experience and enjoy your volunteering.
• feel like you belong.
• behave in accordance with SSAFA’s BRAVE standards.
• are clear about the value of volunteering and why SSAFA involves volunteers.
• you are trained to effectively support the volunteers you support.

Further information: 

SSAFA Knowledgebase.

SSAFA’s BRAVE standards.