HRBA VOLUNTEER ROLE:
GROWING AND MANAGING OUR SUPPORT BASE
The Historic Religious Buildings Alliance (HRBA), which is a group within the Heritage
Alliance, is run by three volunteers. The HRBA has grown steadily, and we now need an
additional person to help us ensure that this growth continues. The role has two parts – to
help expand our supporter base, in a variety of ways; and to manage the current
subscribing membership.
About the HRBA
Our aim as an organisation is to bring together those working for a secure future for
historic religious buildings in the United Kingdom (see the appendix for more
information).
We are a membership organisation, with more than forty organisations paying us an
annual subscription, together with a small number of individuals doing the same. We help
our members in various ways: for example, we run a quarterly meeting with speakers and
news updates.
We also help those who are not members. One important way we do this is via our
e-newsletter, which goes out free to anyone who wants to sign up. From a low start a few
years ago, we now have more than 900 on the email list, and the number is climbing
steadily.
Role: growing and managing our supporter base
This new role is to help us grow – we want more organisations and individuals joining as
members and paying us an annual subscription, and we would like to accelerate the
growth in the number of people signing up for the newsletter.
So the role will involve contacting appropriate organisations, and telling them about the
HRBA. We will have suggestions as to whom you might approach. For example, because
of lack of time we have never systematically written to all the County Historic Churches
Trusts; nor have we ever contacted the regional communication officers of the various
denominations. And there are other groups (such as Friends groups) whom we should be
approaching, to make sure they know about us and what we offer. Furthermore, we don’t
yet appear in some directories of services, and that needs putting right.
There will be no ‘selling’ involved in all this – just some initial research followed by a
friendly, polite contact by letter or email, perhaps sometimes followed by a phone chat.
We can get you going with this: you don’t need to be an expert on historic religious
buildings.
That’s the interesting part of the job, which will take up most of the time.
In addition, once per year you will be responsible for collecting money from our
subscribing members. Producing these will involve liaison with the Heritage Alliance’s
Finance Officer who manages the bank accounts and issues the invoices to organisational
members. We have made the process fairly routine, but it still takes up a bit of time –
though contacting the various organisations is a surprisingly personal process, and is
often an opportunity to learn what’s on people’s minds.
Team work and independence within the role
Becky, Sorcha and Trevor are volunteers, and operate independently but as a team. We
want you to feel part of the team, whilst taking full responsibility for growing and
maintaining our supporter base. To help you stay in touch with us, the HRBA will pay for
four journeys per year to London, preferably on the days of our general meeting
(Wednesday).
Requirements of the role
The role needs someone who enjoys dealing with people, can write good English both in
emails and letters, is comfortable working with standard Office software including Excel,
is competent in the use of Google for research, and has access to an online computer and
printer. It needs someone who can get on with things by themselves, without constantly
referring decisions.
You will need to work from home (rather than from our London address).You do not
need to live in London.
We think the role will average about two or three hours per week, except for the first
month or two of the calendar year when it may need double this (gathering in the
subscriptions) – though with a bit of forward planning, this could be spread out. There are
no tight deadlines, so the work can be organised to meet individual circumstances.
You do not need to be an expert on historic religious buildings, as we will give you a full
briefing to start with and you will find you will learn a lot simply by doing the job.
We would like you to commit to two years minimum in the role.
How to apply
The application process is very informal – just drop Becky Payne a short, chatty email.
Don’t feel you have to do lots of research about us before emailing. There’s no need for a
CV, but if you have one to hand, by all means attach it – but please don’t spend any time
tailoring it, and certainly don’t bother to write one if you don’t have one already. If you
have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
The deadline for applications is the end of June 2015.
Becky Payne, HRBA, May 2015
email: hrb@theheritagealliance.org.uk
website: www.hrballiance.org.uk tel: 020 7233 0500
HRBA, c/o The Heritage Alliance, Clutha House, 10 Storey’s Gate, SW1P 3AY
Our parent organisation is The Heritage Alliance, www.theheritagealliance.org.uk
Appendix: Historic Religious Buildings Alliance (HRBA) briefing note
1. HRBA’s role
We bring together those working for a secure future for historic religious buildings in the United
Kingdom. We are the only group doing this.
2. Aims
Our aims are:
 to share information and best practice regarding historic religious buildings
 where appropriate, to act as a channel for communication with government
 to act as midwife to projects involving more than one faith group or denomination
3. Scope
Our scope is all listed places of worship in GB and NI, of whatever faith group or denomination.
 In GB there are approximately 20,000 listed places of worship, of which about 60% belong to
the Church of England (CofE). The CofE is supportive of the HRBA and is an active
member.
 Most other listed places of worship are churches belonging to the Church in Wales, the
Church of Scotland, the Roman Catholic Church, the Methodist Church, the Baptist Church
and the United Reformed Church. Other listed churches are looked after by smaller
denominations, or by dedicated Trusts.
 There are a small number of listed mosques and synagogues, probably fewer than 100 across
the nation.
4. Legal structure and governance
 HRBA has a representative Steering Committee.
 It is part of the Heritage Alliance, reporting to the Chief Executive (Kate Pugh) and
through her to the Trustees. HRBA is also represented at Board level.
5. HRBA history
 Began life as an informal group meeting from time to time for discussion and update.
 Existence formalised in 2008/9. Began quarterly newsletter to members.
 In mid 2011 set up an organisational membership subscription scheme; began monthly
e-newsletter free to all.
 In 2012 set up website, and expanded membership structure to allow individual
membership.
6. HRBA organisational membership
Organisational members as of May 2015:
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Arthur Rank Centre for rural churches and their communities
Association of English Cathedrals
The Baptist Union of Great Britain
The Catholic Church in England and Wales
Church in Wales
Church of Scotland
Churches Conservation Trust
Churches’ Legislation Advisory Service
Churches Visitor and Tourism Association
Churches Trust Forum (formerly Historic Churches Liaison Group)
Ecclesiological Society
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Friends of Friendless Churches
Historic Chapels Trust
Church of England: Cathedrals and Church Buildings Division
Greater Manchester Churches Preservation Society
Great St Mary’s Church, Cambridge
Diocese of Hereford
Islam in British Stone
Jewish Heritage UK
Diocese of Lichfield
Diocese of London
Living Stones
Maintain our Heritage
Methodist Church Resourcing Mission Office
National Churches Trust
Norfolk Churches Trust
Norwich Historic Churches Trust
Diocese of Norwich
Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust
Pastoral and Closed Churches, Church Commissioners, Church of England
Pearce Bottomley Architects
The Pugin Society
PurcellUK
Scotland’s Churches Trust
Scottish Redundant Churches Trust
SPAB: Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
The Twentieth Century Society
United Reformed Church
The Victorian Society
War Memorials Trust
7. Activities
 Free monthly e-newsletter: This is well regarded; rapid growth in uptake confirms it is
providing an important service. Now sent to over 900 recipients.
 Ad hoc briefings and updates: On an ad hoc basis we produce briefings and circulate our
members with updates on emerging topics. Occasionally these lead to projects being
developed by one or more of our members.
 Three-monthly meetings for members: Every three months we organise a meeting for
members, often with speakers. Brings people up to date and encourages sharing of best
practice.
 Annual Open Meeting: Once a year we organise an all-day meeting with a range of speakers
– the Big Update.
 Consultations: We respond to government initiatives where appropriate, briefing our
members on the issues and collecting their views. We are now members of the LPWGS
stakeholders group.
 Training: with the support of PurcellUK, in 2013 -2014 we organised three very successful
training days on managing major building projects in places of worship. Two more are
planned for 2015.