As part of Trustees’ Week 2020 we would like to share a bit about our wonderful Board of Trustees!
Meet Sue
Why did you decide to get involved with Me2 Club?
I heard about Me2 Club from a friend, and having worked with children and young people with additional needs for several years, was keen to be involved in supporting the vital work that the charity does. I started off as a fundraising friend, helping out with manning stalls at various fairs and fetes, along with bucket collections and selling raffle tickets, which I really enjoyed. When a vacancy arose as a trustee, I decided to apply, and am proud to be able to work alongside my fellow trustees and dedicated staff team to support Me2 Club in all that it does for children and young people with additional needs and their families.
What are you most proud of about Me2 Club?
Me2 Club has always provided a unique and effective service to its beneficiaries in enabling them to access mainstream activities, but I am particularly proud of how all involved in the charity have worked together to step up to the challenges faced during the current pandemic. Whilst I and my fellow trustees have worked hard in the background, the staff team have never wavered in their enthusiasm and inventiveness in finding ways to continue their support. They have organised online activities, sent out activity packs, recruited and trained new volunteers, and relentlessly pursued every available funding opportunity. This, with measured, forward thinking and collaborative leadership, means that Me2 Club can continue to give much needed support to children and their families in Wokingham and Reading Boroughs
Meet Simon, our treasurer
Why did you decide to get involved with Me2 Club?
I joined Me2 Club back in 2015 after reading a mailer from my son’s school. The Charity was looking for a Treasurer and I thought it could be a good way for me to get involved and support a local good cause using my finance background. Once I met with the Chair and understood better the simple yet vital role that the Charity offers then I couldn’t wait to be part of the team.
What are you most proud of about Me2 Club?
There are so many things to be proud of. What makes me most proud are the excellent staff team who I get to see in action frequently engaging so brilliantly with our young people, the amazing trustee team who give up so much to support and guide the charity through often difficult waters and the joy and development I see in our young people on our family days or after a weekend or day away.
Why should someone give their time to volunteer as a trustee for a charity?
There are many ways to support a charity. Finding a small local charity like Me2 Club means you can have a real impact on the success and development of the charity. Whether its taking a trustee role and working with a great team to steer the ship, or getting involved with fundraising and securing the ongoing crucial support we can provide, or volunteering to be matched with one of our young children, I guarantee you that you can make a difference for a good cause.
Meet Lori, our Vice Chair
Why did you decide to get involved with Me2 Club?
I decided to get involved with Me2 Club after I saw an advert for a tea party/recruitment event and liked the idea of what the charity did. I originally applied to be a volunteer, but I had a lot of holidays in term-time so thought I may use my other skills from my previous full-time career and become a trustee.
What’s been your most favourite memory since being involved with Me2 Club?
There have been loads of lovely memories, obviously the visit and tea party with the Countess of Wessex, but more recently the Me2 Crew train trip and pizza in Reading was a lovely evening.
What are you most proud of about Me2 Club?
The fact that we have such a dedicated team of employees and trustees that have and still are pulling together in very strange times for all, especially, even more so, for a lot of the families and children we support
What’s it like to volunteer as a Trustee for Me2 Club?
It is a commitment but not a full-time commitment. Meetings are every 4-6 weeks and there are projects, which if they suit your skills and you have time you can get involved in. You get external training to help you with the role and also in normal times you get to attend the fun events e.g. Christmas family party, Summer party etc.
Why should someone give their time to volunteer as a trustee for a charity?
Very worthwhile, you are continually learning new skills and ways of doing things and meeting new people and facing different challenges. Giving back to society, especially for me after a long time in corporate world before they had CSR programme.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I spoke to a couple of people before making the commitment to become a trustee, so if you think it is something you might like to consider please feel free to get in touch.
Meet Lucy, our Chair
Why did you decide to get involved with Me2 Club?
My son has been supported by a Me2 club volunteer for a number of years, firstly at beavers and now at cubs. My background is in charity law and administration and I have been involved in a number of local charities in recent years. When the opportunity to join the trustee board at Me2 Club arose I felt that it was a good time for me to offer my skills and experience to support the charity in this really valuable role. It allows me to give something back to an organisation which supports my own family as well as so many others.
What’s been your most favourite memory since being involved with Me2 Club?
I have many favourite memories of being involved with the Me2 Club. As a trustee we can also be quite ‘hands on’ with our work and one of my favourite memories is creating with Sarah (another trustee) the grotto for Father Christmas at our Christmas parties for the last couple of years. Seeing the children’s faces as they enter a room transformed into pure Christmas wonderland, complete with our very own AVC elves is so memorable.
What are you most proud of about Me2 Club?
I am proud of so many things about the Me2 Club. Over this year it has been the resilience of the team to adapt to the challenges of Covid-19 and quickly find different ways of working with the children and finding new funding streams. Hearing a parent say that it was their ‘lifeline’ over lockdown was humbling and made me so proud.
What’s it like to volunteer as a Trustee for Me2 Club?
Volunteering as a trustee for the Me2 Club is varied! Amongst the regular trustee meetings looking at funding, finances, development, planning and safeguarding (and much more) we have the opportunity to be really hands on with the families we support, for example at the parties.
Why should someone give their time to volunteer as a trustee for a charity?
It’s a really valuable role. You are key to ensuring that the charity does what it sets out to do. That’s a huge responsibility but it’s alongside a varied, skilled and friendly team.
