The Role of Ramblers' Areas

The Role of Ramblers’ Areas

The Ramblers has over 105,000 members, organised into over 485 groups, which relate to 59 local areas across England, Scotland and Wales. From this membership, c.26,000 volunteers, mutually supported by a staff team of c.70, and overseen by a board of fifteen trustees, ensure that we deliver our vision of a country where everyone enjoys the outdoors on foot and benefits from the experience.

Ramblers areas and the volunteers who lead them are the essential connection between group volunteers, staff and trustees enabling us all to work together to deliver our vision. In line with the vision, each country focuses on work which is the most relevant to that nation. And at local level, areas focus on Ramblers activities which best deliver local relevance and balance.

Leadership role Rambler’s areas are the charity’s local leadership hubs; campaigning, coordinating Ramblers activity in line with our mission and strategy, and making sure Ramblers activities comply with our own policies, procedures and the law. Areas can work with staff to shape, enable and enact nationwide strategies and plans locally.

Communication role

Areas are uniquely placed to connect different parts of the organisation together. They are a prime conduit for information sharing between staff and volunteers, can provide a forum for discussion, and are the route to our democracy for any volunteer who wants to get involved in the running of the organisation. Areas are also the local link representing the Ramblers to external people and organisations.

1Richard Sharp, 2018

The Role of Ramblers’ Areas

Group support role Areas are responsible for forming and approving changes to groups (names and boundaries). Areas support groups to run well, operate good practice and engage with national initiatives. Areas can provide training events to bring groups together and drive member recruitment. Areas can also maintain an overview of mission delivery by their groups and can instigate additional complementary activities.

Legal compliance Areas form part of Ramblers, and so Ramblers will be legally liable for the acts of areas and any breaches of law or regulation. Therefore, areas must comply with the policies, procedures and legal requirements set out on page 5 of the document (“External Compliance”) in order to ensure that Ramblers is not put in breach of its legal duties. It is also important to be aware that Areas are only entitled to carry out activities and enter into contracts, for example, where they are authorised to do so. Where an Area deliberately goes beyond the scope of the authority that it has been given by Ramblers it is possiblefor committee members (or other individuals deliberately acting without authority) to become personally liable for these actions.

If you have any questions about this document, or would like copies of any of the policies, procedures or constitutional documents referenced within it, please contact [email protected]

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Leadership aspiration Optimal role Areas could undertake a range of activities to deliver our vision, adopt & develop good practice, innovate, raise awareness of Ramblers’ activities & extend our impact, reach & relevance locally.

• Lead working relationships with LA officers, councillors, MPs, MSPs, AMs & local funders.

• Co-ordinate group activities such as path maintenance and landscape protection.

• Encourage groups to use the Groups Walks & Events Manager & Ramblers Routes.

• Encourage groups to participate in Ramblers events and activities.

• Encourage groups to support walk leader training.

• Hold local events to bring groups together.

• Organise walking festivals.

• Create a fun and friendly environment.

• Be proactive in volunteer recruitment & succession planning.

• Celebrate volunteer achievements using the recognition scheme.

• Be familiar with the toolkits in the volunteer zone of the website.

• Sponsor flexi groups.

• Promote our cause & showcase area & group activities via the website & social media.

• Develop a proactive approach to local membership recruitment.

• Undertake local campaigns & take part in national campaigns, in liaison with staff.

• Be prepared to “host” campaign launches & “Ramblers Roadshows”.

• Respond to reasonable requests for data, surveys & other input.

• Encourage new area chairs & secretaries to attend inductions & organise group training.

• Engage with any relevant new central training initiatives and adopt best practice guidance.

• Evaluate area & group activities regularly for evidence of impact.

• Support integration with short walk schemes.

• Send representatives to General/ Scottish/ Welsh Council as appropriate.

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Internal complianceEssential roleAreas should operate in line with the Ramblers governing documents, which set out our charitable objects.

• Lead working relationships with LA officers, councillors, MPs, MSPs, AMs & local funders.

• Observe and comply with Ramblers’ governing documents, which include the Articles of Association and Standing Orders.

• Deliver and operate in accordance with Ramblers’ charitable objects.

• Observe the area constitution, including holding an annual general meeting in accordance with the area constitution.

• Submit an annual report to Ramblers.

• Make financial records available upon request.

• Adhere to Ramblers policies, procedures, guidance & approaches.

• Not seek publicity or make any public announcements on national issues unless it conforms with the policy of Ramblers, or has otherwise been approved by the board of trustees.

• Oversee group formation/ changes/ dissolution in accordance with the Articles.

• Approve group constitutions.

• Ensure groups work in line with their constitutions & with Ramblers governing documents, and to take any necessary action in-line with the Articles of Association should a group or member of a group breach the governing documents.

• Adhere to Ramblers’ disputes & complaints policy.

• Only use Ramblers’ name and logo in the ways permitted by Ramblers and in accordance with the brand guidelines.

• Protect & enhance local access rights and the footpath network.

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External complianceEssential roleAreas must follow policies & procedures to enable individuals & the organisation to comply with the law.

• Observe guidance for treasurers.

• Submit annual financial return, including the annual report, income and expenditure reports, balance sheet and report of the independent examiner (if applicable under the Articles).

• Comply with data protection legislation and any duties of confidentiality, including adhering to Ramblers’ data protection and privacy policies.

• Comply with the Code of Fundraising Practice and Ramblers’ policies when undertaking any fundraising from the public.

• Comply with safeguarding rules through adherence to safeguarding policy.

• Comply with health & safety rules through adherence to Ramblers’ policy.

• Comply with equalities legislation through adherence to Ramblers’ equality policy.

• Adhere to the terms of any contracts for services that are entered into on behalf of Ramblers. (As a general rule contracts should not be entered into without the knowledge or authority of Ramblers).

• Be satisfied that appropriate insurance cover is in place covering the activities that are being undertaken, and that nothing is done that may invalidate any of Ramblers’ insurance policies.

• Not do anything that may infringe the rights (including intellectual property rights) of third parties.

• Ensure that appropriate licences and/or permissions are in place when holding events.

Ramblers Charity England & Wales No. 1093577 Scotland No. SC039799