From 1993-2019, the Friends of Rowntree Park ran as a not-for-profit organisation with a committee leading the day-to-day management of our volunteer activities. The Friends of Rowntree Park became a charity in June 2019 and trustees were appointed at this time. All trustees and committee members are volunteers.
Our Trustees and Committee work closely together. In fact, all trustees were originally committee members and most still have active roles on the committee too. Our Trustees oversee the strategic planning of the charity. They make sure the Friends plans are in line with the charity’s aims and that the charity’s funds are handled responsibly.
Our committee members are involved in the day-to-day running of the charity. They plan and run events and activities in line with the charity’s aims and objectives. The committee has open/public meetings four times a year – January, April, June, and October (AGM). Sub groups also meet throughout the year.
We started with five trustees coming from the original committee. We recruited some new trustees in Spring 2021. One of our original trustees is now our Charity Manager (Abigail Gaines).
We are still looking to recruit committee members; we welcome anyone who is a member of the Friends to join the committee.
Trustees –
Cath Mortimer – Chair
Anthony Chester – Treasurer
Rachael Bevan – Deputy Chair
Polly Bennett
Becci Blues
Matt Segar
Jane McKay – Secretary
Stephen Dunthorne
You can find out about the trustee role below:
Committee members
On our committee, we have those who lead areas and those who are general committee members who help out in a range of areas. We are always actively seeking committee members who want to lead or help out with areas of the Friends’ activities.
Team Leaders:
Charity Manager – Abigail Gaines
Oversees all and specific responsibilities for communication, volunteer coordination, Membership, newsletters, website, social media, press & publicity, events. Key point of contact.
Gardening – Stu Small
Children’s Events/Education Lead– Christine Banham
Goose Management – Vacant
Litter Picking – Louise Miller
Birds – Vikki O’Brien
Duck Food – Ruth Phillips
Other co opted committee members currently include:
Jan Kingdom (Sensory Garden lead/Tuesday gardening), Tom & Val Punchard, Rebecca Dodgson, Freya Hall (VYF). Johnny Hayes is leading on the Lodge project.
Vacant positions include – Goose Lead, Music Coordinator, Art Coordinator, Fundraising and more.
AGM information
AGM Minutes – October 2020
Chairs Report– Oct 2020
Minutes of public meetings meetings 2022
The Friends of Rowntree park have 4 open meetings a year. All members and volunteers are welcome to attend these meetings. A council representative attends and it’s a good chance to ask questions regarding the council’s role in managing the park. If you cannot attend the meetings but have questions to put foreward, do get in contact.