Vacancies on the Executive Committee

The Society is looking to fill vacancies on the Executive Committee.

The roles are:-

1. Walks Secretary – To plan and publish the Society’s Walks Programme. The role entails encouraging walks leaders to submit proposals for walks, ensuring that the details appear on the website and generally overseeing the programme. The Walks Secretary is supported by Clive and Iau Counsell, who co-ordinate the walks leaders, and by Phil O’Shea, who leads on Rights of Way matters. The Walks Secretary also has the support of a Walks Sub-Committee, which meets as and when needed.
2. Events Secretary – To plan and publish the Society’s Events Programme. This programme comprises of evening talks, currently held by Zoom, but normally held mainly at The Bear in Crickhowell. The role involves identifying and contacting potential speakers, and managing the event on the evening.
3. Publicity and Communications Officer – To take the lead on publicising the activities of the Society on all forms of media, including social media. This could include a regular newsletter. The role does not include responsibility for the website.

If you are interested in taking on one of these important roles, or would like more details, then please contact David Thomas. [email protected] People taking on these roles do not automatically become Trustees of the Society, but can do so if they wish to. Otherwise they can be co-opted onto the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee normally meets for a couple of hours every 6 weeks or so, and is attended by all Trustees and any co-opted members. These meetings have been held by Zoom on a Monday afternoon for the last 16 months, but would normally be held at The Bear in Crickhowell. No decision has been made as to the format for future meetings, post COVID.

The vacancies have arisen following the resignation as Trustees of Nic Groombridge and Janet Callear. Nic is also relinquishing his roles as both Walks Secretary and as Publicity & Communications Officer, and Janet her role as Events Secretary. Both have brought a great deal to the Society, and we are very grateful to them. They are, however, both staying on as active Members of the Society.

Nic said “I have enjoyed my time as Walks Secretary, and I believe we now have a Walks Programme and accompanying support for our walk leaders which are better than at any time in the Society’s history. I am particularly proud of the first walking festival the Society has held, which we launched as a celebration of the easing of COVID restrictions. Unfortunately, I am unable to devote as much time to the roles as I would like and have reluctantly decided to step down. I will continue to keep the communications aspect of my role active for the time being, mainly through Facebook and Twitter. I’ll also support the Society whilst it finds a replacement for me as Walks Secretary, and will assist the person that comes into the role. I will be continuing to support the Society as a walks leader, and also as a National Park volunteer.”

For her part, Janet said “I found that I had taken too much on in my eagerness to support the work of the Society. I was not only managing the Events programme, but also representing the Society on the Alliance for Welsh Designated Landscapes, which we now co-ordinate.  I have decided to concentrate on the important work of the Alliance, and to step down from the Events Secretary role as soon as a replacement can be found. We have a good programme already in place for the remainder of this year. I will of course offer my support in developing future programmes.”

If you are interested in taking on one of these important roles, then please contact David Thomas. We need to fill these positions as a matter of urgency as the Society’s work will be affected if we cannot fill them soon!