Current Volunteering Opportunities at MU Oxford

Hon. Treasurer MU Oxford Diocese

 The role of Hon. Treasurer to Mothers’ Union in the Oxford Diocese is an advisory role which aims to ensure that the trustees are equipped to make the best financial decisions in respect of the charity.

 The role includes:

 ·       assisting the trustees to create an annual budget for the charity and to monitor financial performance against this budget;

·       provide advice to trustees regarding financial performance on a bi-monthly basis;

·       monitor the charity’s investments and advise trustees on investment strategy and reserves policy;

·       advise trustees on the overall governance of financial activities;

·       oversee the production of the Annual Accounts, including writing the Financial Review;

·       present the Annual Accounts to the membership of the charity at the AGM.

 There is no hands-on financial management required as this is carried out by a book-keeper.  The trustees meet six times a year and alternate between face-to-face meetings held in Oxford and online meetings.  The treasurer is not required to attend every meeting but would be encouraged to take part, particularly when significant financial matters need to be discussed.

Toiletries for Ronald McDonald House

Ronald McDonald House was built to accommodate families visiting and caring for their children in the John Radcliffe hospital. We try and provide 25 filled toiletry bags each month. These bags (some hand-made by our members) contain a toothbrush, small toothpaste, small soap, small containers of shampoo, body wash, body lotion, small packet of tissues, comb, shaving gel, razor, deodorant – emergency supplies for two people until they have a chance to purchase personal requirements. Ronald McDonald House also appreciate kitchen and cleaning materials, also copious amounts of tea bags and jars of coffee.  At the moment supplies are collected at MU Spring and Autumn meetings, or branches purchase bulk items and send them to CMS House.  I then collect the items, fill the bags and deliver to Ronald McDonald House around every two months, so only six times a year. The whole process is fun and gives me a chance to get to know our members better and also the staff and volunteers at Ronald McDonald House. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information.

Tricia Campbell ~ tricia.campbell@muoxford.org.uk

Christmas Cards for Prisoners

Bullingdon Prison contains around 1000 prisoners but the majority are not Christian, therefore at the moment we supply Bullingdon with around 200 signed Christmas cards for the prisoners themselves and up to 1000 unsigned cards (which contain a sticker on the back stating that they have been given by Oxford Diocesan MU members), for the members to send to their families. Branch members take cards to the Autumn meeting, these are then collected and taken to my next branch meeting (Bodicote). These members kindly check them all, write messages where needed on some of the cards and attach stickers to others. Before the end of November these cards are then delivered to Bullingdon Prison, near Bicester.  Other members take cards to Huntercombe Prison and in the past we have supplied other prisons in our Diocese with cards and could do so in the future with more help. Please contact me if you would like further information.

Tricia Campbell ~ tricia.campbell@muoxford.org.uk

MUe Representative

For the last 7 years I have been pleased to act as the MUe representative for the Oxford Diocese. There is a specific email address for this role which allows me to place orders over £60 without paying up-front. I have really loved this role getting to know MU members and branches and I would recommend it to anyone. Many branches now purchase their own MUe merchandise and as long as their orders total £60 or more then no postage will be charged. It is easy to pay for the orders online, so this will be the way forward if no-one takes over as MUe representative. It will be more difficult for small branches and Diocesan members and for this reason alone I really hope someone will come forward to take over this role. Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information.

Tricia Campbell ~ mue@muoxford.org.uk