The Green Backyard – Notice of EGM Meeting
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Extraordinary General Meeting of The Green Backyard will be held via Zoom at 2pm on Saturday 31st October to transact the following business:
AGENDA
Appointment of charity trustees
There are 9 trustee vacancies available.
- To appoint Kathy Shaw as a Trustee
- To appoint Samuel Smylie as a Trustee
- To appoint Stuart Middleton as a Trustee
- To confirm the appointment of Sophie Easteal who joined the Board on the 20 December 2019 as HR Trustee
- To confirm the appointment of Olivia Slater who joined the Board on 11 February 2020 as Operations Trustee.
- To confirm the appointment of Becky Vince who joined the Board on 11 February 2020 as Secretary
- To confirm the appointment of Charlotte Fionda who joined the Board on 13 June 2020 as Marketing Trustee
- To confirm the appointment of Zina Ndoro who joined the Board on 14 July 2020 as Health & Safety Trustee
- To confirm the appointment of Ema Corcoran who joined the Board on 11 August 2020 as Partnerships & Volunteer Engagement Trustee
- To re-appoint Vanessa Pool for a third term of 3 years.
Please see the explanatory note 1 for further information about each candidate.
This is a closed meeting of our Members.
By order of the Board of charity trustees 08/10/2010
Explanatory Note 1
a. Sophie Easteal
Sophie was co-opted as HR Trustee in December 2019.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m passionate about the environment, animal welfare and green living. I love being outdoors gardening or walking my retired greyhound. We don’t have a big garden, but have recently added a wildlife pond: my best moments now come from watching beautiful garden birds visiting to have a bath in it! Eager to learn more about permaculture and bee keeping.
Why would you like to join the board of trustees?
I’m a life-long learner, which is why I’ve been looking for a non-work opportunity to apply my HR skills to a new sector and setting, as well as learn from others. Since moving to Peterborough in 2014 I’ve been really interested in its vision to be the Environment Capital and would love an opportunity to work on a practical initiative that is leading Peterborough towards meeting that objective.
Why are you suited to being a trustee?
I’m incredibly driven and have the energy to work as a Trustee as well as my full time job and other commitments. I am good at building relationships and would work hard to get to know the other Trustees and volunteers, and identify how I could support them in their existing projects and big plans for the future of The Green Backyard. I am committed to applying my knowledge to professionalise The Green Backyard to ensure it thrives as it carries out its charitable purpose and complies with the law.
What relevant experience do you have?
- Co-opted trustee since January 2020, previous governance experience through EU funded project delivery.
- Experience in HR and recruitment.
- Previous experience in project management, tenders & contract management, grant funding & bid writing, and policy development.
b. Rebecca Vince
Becky was co-opted as Secretary to the Trustees in February 2020.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I have lived or worked around Peterborough for the past 10 years. I love the great outdoors and am a sociable person. I like to support local enterprise and businesses.
Why would you like to join the board of trustees?
I am looking for a new challenge and am interested in contributing to the wider community. I think The Green Backyard is a brilliant and valuable organisation and I would like to see it deliver for those that can benefit from it most. I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things.
Why are you suited to being a trustee?
I am a calm person and skilled at analysing information to make sound decisions. I have an understanding of health and safety guidelines and am comfortable working with multicultural
teams and interacting with people from a wide cross section of society. I have experience planning and developing strategies and managing projects and am able to coach others to develop their skills. I like things to be planned and well organised but enjoy dealing with variety and the unknown too.
What relevant experience do you have?
I have been co-opted Secretary for the Green Backyard since February 2020. I have previously held roles in manufacturing where I was responsible for safety, budget and and performance of a whole site. I have held various people management roles and have volunteered in BHF charity shops.
c. Olivia Slater
Olivia was co-opted as trustee in February 2020.
A bit about yourself
Born and raised in Peterborough, I moved back here after almost a decade away in London. I’m enjoying what Peterborough has to offer once again, especially at the Green Backyard. I work in a corporate, suit-wearing job that I secretly enjoy despite what it does for my street cred. I have a love/hate relationship with old boats and a 100% love of my rescue dog.
Why you would like to join the board of trustees
On moving home, I was overjoyed to see The Green Backyard up and running and I was keen to get involved again. Peterborough is often derided as a place where nothing positive ever really happens, and The Green Backyard feels like refute to this. I believe passionately in the aims, the work that has been done so far to uplift people in this city is amazing.
Why you are suited to being a trustee
I’ve always had a hands on, get stuck in nature – no matter the task, which in a smaller charity like the Green Back yard would be useful. I passionately believe in consensus decision making, where all involved must be in agreement. That said, I don’t shy away from hard decisions and I enjoy teasing out and resolving barriers to the satisfaction of all involved.
Relevant experience you have
I’ve helped found and run a worker’s owned co op, which repaired and maintained narrowboats and barges on the East London canals – I am still sailing regularly and have been commended by the Association of Bargemen. While this co op was active, I managed the paperwork/regulatory concerns as well as working as a boatyard labourer. I’m used to running hands on, manual labour and not afraid to pick up an angle grinder if needs be.
My day job is as a PA/Project Co ordinator at a large multinational, so I’m happy dealing with stakeholders of all levels (and agreeableness). I’m used to project planning and delivery in all kinds of envirnoments and against difficult odds.
I’ve been a Trustee at the GBY during the Covid-19 crisis, regularly attending site and board meetings so already have a reasonable understanding of the challenges we are facing in the current time period.
d. Charlotte Fionda
Charlotte was co-opted as Marketing Trustee in June 2020.
Please tell us a bit about yourself
I am a single parent with a 13-year-old daughter. We live just outside Peterborough now, but used to live around the corner from The Green Backyard in Park Street, Fletton and have watched its progress keenly over the years. I have often visited the site when events have been held.
I work in marketing and have done so for the past 20+ years, starting my career at Hotpoint in Peterborough following the completion of my degree in Psychology from the University of Liverpool. I am an active type and have travelled the world extensively. I love the outdoors, gardening, nature and wildlife, believing that the outdoors and green space are key for everyone’s mental health and wellbeing and access should be prioritised in society.
Please tell us why you would like to join our board of trustees:
As mentioned above, I have followed the progress of the GBY for some time, having previously lived just around the corner from the site in Peterborough. It is a fantastic community project and one I would like to see grow and develop. For the past few months, I have been involved as a co-opted trustee and would really like to continue work started. I can see that I can add significant value to the progress of the GBY by utilising my marketing skills (20 years plus in marketing) as well as my previous charity experience. Also, in the current climate, I think it is especially important to develop green areas/food supplies in city centres and ensure people from all walks of life are given opportunities to develop new skills and learn about sustainability. Changing mindsets and attitudes to consumption and waste is also key to our communities and planet, as well as engaging those who are socially disadvantaged and providing opportunities that can make a difference. I think there is huge scope for the GBY and exciting times ahead and I really want to be a part of driving the GBY forward.
Please tell us why you think you are suited to being a trustee:
I have previously worked for a national charity as their Marketing & Business Development Director, reporting to a board of trustees. I understand the role, the workings of a charity and the importance of governance and constitution. I am also aware of the commitment required to be an active part of a charity (as a trustee) to benefit its growth and development and will ensure I make a full contribution. I spent 3 years when I lived in Peterborough volunteering for Samaritans and developed good listening skills, both as a volunteer and a member of the team. So as a trustee I would hope that as much as bringing my marketing/charity experience, I could also be a good lister. Listening to what everyone had to say and disseminating that information to understand how I could best assist with the aims and objectives of the GBY and work with others to ensure success.
I also fully support GBY’s ethos of sustainability and community development and feel that I can contribute to promoting these values. The GBY is a true asset to the city of Peterborough and I want to ensure it thrives and prospers as one of the city’s key urban green spaces, maximising urban growing potential and food supply and upholding the city’s eco/environmental credentials.
Please tell us about any experience you have that is relevant to the role of trustee:
I am a senior marketing manager with over 20 years’ experience across the full marketing mix. I have previously worked within product marketing, as well as B2B, services and the charity sector. I would hope my wide-ranging experience could bring great benefits as a GBY trustee. Most notably my time spent working with a charity, as their Marketing & Business Development Director. During my time in that role I significantly increased their income, developed several high-level corporate partnerships that generated revenue, received funding and grants from local sources and held large fundraising events including Gala Balls and charity Night Walk events. I also had to report to the charity board of trustees and adhere to the charity constitution, so would have a good idea of the expectation and requirements of a trustee and a good deal of not only marketing knowledge, but also charity knowledge to contribute.
I see myself as a creative and hands-on marketeer, I have recently updated my digital marketing skills with an Institute of Digital Marketing Diploma, obviously more critical to possess in today’s marketing environment. I also have design skills, having been used to creating engaging campaigns in-house at low cost. I hope both would be assets I could bring to the GBY. I have also been involved in government lobbying, locally and nationally, as well as dealing with press/PR and writing content. I also have a good network of contacts to contribute, which could assist with our funding or profile-raising objectives.
e. Zina Ndoro
Zina was co-opted as Health & Safety trustee in July 2020.
Why do you want to join the board of trustees?
In my day to day I am enthusiastic person when it comes to health and safety and making anything accessible for anyone whilst adhering to guidelines. The Green Backyard is local to me which is one thing that is also important me when it comes to working as a trustee. With my experience and enthusiasm to know more I believe we can meet the charities objectives for The Green Backyard safety whilst meeting health and safety Standards.
What relevant experience do you have?
Currently I am the compliance coordinator in the rural division of Savills, I oversee the compliance management across the UK to ensure we comply to government legislation and also apply Savills best practise, my position currently involves process writing, health and safety guides for tenants, contractors and my team. Compliance training, client procurement, report writing and presenting.
Due to covid I have been heavily involve with our local Peterborough office reopening to fit in line with the government advise of 1 meter ( 2m in our office to ensure safety) guidelines, this has included implementing a one way system across the whole office. Apart from this I am also a First aider and completed my training with the St Johns ambulance. In my personal life I had started a Nebosh certificate in January and was expected to complete my exams in June, due to covid-19 my exams have been pushed to end of September. In September I will also be starting my masters in Construction and Real estate with the UCEM as a distance eLearning student, I will continue my studies whilst working. This shows I am resilient and always wanting to adapt.
Please tell us why you think you are suited to being a trustee
I am easy to work with person, always keen to try something new or revisit historic strategies that have always worked, when working in health and safety there really needs to be a key eye to detail and being able to see the bigger picture, divulge complex legislation into easy to read guides and process that are then put into practise. These are all qualities I have and put into practise in my day to day.
f. Ema Corcoran
Ema was co-opted as Volunteer and Engagement trustee in August 2020.
I moved to a village on the outskirts of Peterborough back in 2000. Along with my children and dog Arthur, I love the beauty of the outdoor space, and the prospect of making a sustainable business through a collaborative venture. I have previously worked in a corporate resourcing capacity for a number of organisations and have been looking for an opportunity to marry the two together.
Having managed the recruitment at all levels and worked on a number of collaborative projects, I am really looking forward to forging new collaborative opportunities with like minded organisations within Peterborough, as well as growing our volunteer network. Having been to see the Green Backyard, in September, and meet some of the other trustees, I am very excited about the prospect of working with a team, who are all very passionate about the GBY.
g. Stuart Middleton
Tell us a bit about yourself?
Hopefully I am well known to most, if not all, GBY supporters. I have been a regular face on the site for the past 9 years, as a volunteer, site manager, event manager and, more recently, you were most likely to find me in Backyard Food every weekend.
I was born and raised in Peterborough and, after 12 years studying and working in Hampshire, Bristol and Cumbria, I moved back to the city in 2011. Since 2010 I have been a full time parent and home educator to my daughter, alongside voluntary work for The Green Backyard, Peterborough in Transition, Extinction Rebellion Peterborough and others. I was previously a trustee at The Green Backyard for 3.5 years, and an employee for close to 3 years. I am currently chair of Peterborough in Transition and a Company Member of Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT).
I am a media graduate and, more recently, have completed short courses in subjects such as child psychology, digital marketing, bookkeeping and first aid. I have also completed Greenpeace’s Global Volunteer Leadership Training.
Why would you like to join the board of trustees?
My involvement with The Green Backyard goes back approximately 11 years. First as a visitor to an event, then a regular volunteer on site, then site manager. I was elected to the charity’s first board of trustees, with a focus on media & messaging, and then was one the first employees taken on by the charity (stepping down as a trustee in order to take the role). I’ve given a huge amount of time to the charity over the years, the vast majority in a voluntary capacity, and have been involved in every aspect of the charity’s day to day operations and governance at some point. I have played a key role in shaping the aims and activities of the charity over the years and am keen to remain involved during these challenging times for the charity, to ensure that it meets it’s charitable objectives, that it delivers for its’ service users and that it is well managed and governed.
The charitable objectives of The Green Backyard align closely with my passion for spreading the message about sustainable living; I have been involved in environmental activism in some form for the past 20 years, most recently with Peterborough in Transition and Extinction Rebellion Peterborough.
Why are you suited to being a trustee?
My vast experience at The Green Backyard, across every aspect of the organisation, means that I am uniquely placed to understand the charity; how it operates, strengths and weaknesses etc. I have been Involved in every aspect of the organisation since the days before it was charity, often as part of a very small team of volunteers taking on a large workload and a great deal of responsibility.
As a trustee I was initially elected to take on responsibility for media and messaging of the charity – dealing with the press, managing social media channels, being the first point of contact for the charity etc. Over time my responsibilities varied greatly though and, in addition to the above, I also dealt with HR issues, budgeting, bookkeeping, fundraising, volunteer engagement, contractor management, project management, report writing and more. Throughout all of this I continued to be a site manager and was often on site working alongside other volunteers.
I was employed by GBY as ‘Operations Worker’. Alongside another employee this role made me responsible for all of the charity’s day to day operations – finance, communications, business development, fundraising, operations etc.
What relevant experience do you have?
I have 3.5 years experience as a trustee of GBY; in addition to what I’ve already mentioned, I have organised AGMs, been a member of the charity’s governance committee, business development committee and standing committee. I am very familiar with the charity’s constitution, have drafted amendments to it in the past, and am aware of all of the constitutional requirements of GBY.
I am currently Chair of Peterborough in Transition and a Company Member of PECT, as well as playing an active role within Extinction Rebellion Peterborough.
I have many connections across Peterborough and nationwide with individuals and groups that are relevant to the work of GBY.
h. Samuel Smylie
Tell us a bit about yourself?
Originally from Glasgow, I was introduced to the Green Back Yard when I moved to Peterborough in 2017/18 and witnessed the amazing work that was ongoing from sustainable food, local produce, education efforts and community involvement. I am a Business Analyst for a national multi-disciplined property consultancy and agency. Having graduated with an MSc Project Management from the University of the West of Scotland in 2016, I am also a Member of the British Computer Society and the Association for Project Management, and now lead complex business change initiatives. I have extensive experience in the Life Sciences sector and am currently an active school Governor at a Peterborough primary school.
I am passionate about sustainable approaches to living, growing, and experimenting with my own vegetables, which has been supported by classes attended at GBY over the last few years. I wish to give back and develop the potential of the GBY further.
Why would you like to join the board of trustees?
I would like to join the Board of Trustees because I believe GBY is a local charity that has much to give the local community. I have seen it grow in the last few years, and I have also “felt” its
need for direction and improvement. The environment of todays Earth is struggling, and the message of building and enhancing a more sustainable culture and way of living is paramount to our survival, as well as providing a platform in which disadvantaged communities can benefit.
Hence therefore I would like to apply my business and management consulting skills to GBY, by identifying gaps and help to develop a strategy for the future, which help meets the needs of the
charity’s constitution, such as developing peoples potential and existing skills and self-confidence in acting on becoming a more sustainable society.
Why are you suited to being a trustee?
As a Business Analyst and a leading influencer within my current role, I have demonstrated an ability to persuade and change the way of thinking amongst peers and superiors to a Lean and
systematic way of thinking. As a Trustee of GBY, I believe this is crucial as the Board develops and discovers new ideas, ways of working and approaches to accomplishing the aims and
objectives of the organisation.
Currently as a Governor at a local primary school, I am also experienced in high level strategy development, and I have first-hand experience on how skilled professional approaches in my
free time, can influence and improve the lives of others.
What relevant experience do you have?
The following is a summary of my current and previous roles, with emphasis on the related and transferable skills to this trustee role.
Business Analyst, Carter Jonas Nov 2019 – Present
- Root Cause Analysis, Process Improvement
- Business Analytics
- Technology Integration
- Business Relationship Management – stakeholder engagement, requirements gathering & engineering
- Solution Design, Development, and Implementation
- Project Management
- Strategy Analysis, Design and Development
Pupil Premium Governor, Stanground St Johns Primary School – Sept 2019 – Present
- Agenda Setting
- Monitoring & Audit
- Budget Setting
- Strategy Development
- Attending Peterborough City Council Governor meetings
- COVID 19 Strategy auditing.
Business Process Excellence Specialist, Envigo Apr 2017-Nov2019
- Process Improvement
- Data Quality Management & Enhancement
- Project Management
- Training
- Strategy Development
- Project Management Analyst, IQVIA Aug2015 – Apr2017
MSc Project Management with Distinction – University of the West of Scotland Sept 2014 – Nov2016
i. Kathy Shaw
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m a local person to Peterborough, living just down the road from the GBY, I have two daughters and I work as a community engagement worker for Royal Voluntary Service, managing a community project.
Why would you like to become a trustee?
I think the GBY is a wonderful community asset and I would like to support its continued benefits to the community.It has so many opportunities to promote sustainable change as well as providing health and well being opportunities for individuals. I have always been interested in the GBY and have attended various events there over the years.
Why do you think you are suited to being a trustee?
With over 20 years of grants funding and community development experience in the community and voluntary sector, I can make a contribution ensuring the GBY can create the changes its desires to see, through supporting funding strategies and community engagement. My experience includes working on bid writing, funding relationships and community development, all which will be relevant in securing the future of the charity.
j.Vanessa Pool
Vanessa is the current chair of trustees standing for re-election.
Please tell us a bit about yourself:
I am a keen gardener. I have lived in Peterborough for over 45 years and work part-time on a self-employed basis providing clinical supervision to counsellors and others supporting adults, families, children and young people. I have a wide experience of political and community engagement in the area and belong to campaigning organisations such as Amnesty International, CND, Greenpeace, Stop the War and the Peace Pledge Union.
Please tell us why you would like to join our board of trustees:
I love The Green Backyard and what it stands for. I love what we have been able to do so far and would like to be part of it going forward. I have always been interested in and share the values of The GBY, initially attending events, joining in activities, volunteering on site and in the shop and then as a trustee. It represents the ideas and values I was brought up with particularly in terms of the environment and sustainable living. We grew our own fruit and veg and kept hens.
Please tell us why you think you are suited to being a trustee:
Originally trained in Business Studies & Languages, I have come to realise that my skills are in being a good communicator and facilitator. Most of my working life I have worked for organisations whose job is to empower people, from the Careers Service in the statutory sector to supporting workers in the not-for-profit and independent sector. I have always been interested not just in doing my job but in supporting others to realise their potential and get involved.
Please tell us about any experience you have that is relevant to the role of trustee:
I have a lifetime of experience of being on Boards local and national and of behind the scenes activity in Peterborough and elsewhere. For ten years I was on the Board of the National Charity
Relate and until recently was a trustee of a Branch of Mind. I am Vice Chair of Peterborough Peace Campaign. I have had some training on the role of a trustee and have been a trustee of The Green Backyard since it achieved Charitable status in April 2014. I was re-elected in 2018 and after the 2019 AGM the trustees elected me as Co-Chair and subsequently Chair when my Co-Chair stepped down.
I am an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists and a Senior Accredited Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. I have worked in voluntary, salaried and self-employed capacities in areas such as Careers Officer for the Young Unemployed, Counsellor, Clinical Supervisor and Trainer.
I believe that being a trustee for the Green Backyard brings all of this history together with a passionate belief in putting emotional, mental and physical well-being and a sustainable
environment at the heart of all we do so that all of us have the opportunity to aim for our full potential.
