Job description

By joining a WEA Local Advisory Panel (LAP), you can play a critical role in helping the largest adult education charity in the UK understand local needs and create impactful opportunities.

What difference will you make?

The WEA’s mission is to bring adult education in reach of everyone who needs it, fighting inequality and promoting social justice. We believe in creating opportunities. You could help us understand and respond to the areas of greatest need local to you. What is in it for you? Influence and impact Your ideas and recommendations will directly shape our strategies and initiatives and unlock the potential of local people, service-users, future and current employees. You can help us do our life-changing work even better!

What are we looking for?

What we are looking for Passionate individuals We seek individuals who are deeply passionate about the success of their local community or business and the importance of education to achieve this. Diverse perspectives We believe that the power of collective wisdom lies in embracing diversity. We welcome individuals from various industries, backgrounds, and cultures. Expertise We particularly value prior experience of WEA learning, but this is not essential. Experience in the following would be hugely valuable too Work in the education, voluntary or public sector, business or commercial, fundraising or marketing, finance or law, HR or learning & development. Collaborative Spirit We are keen to recruit those able to work effectively within a team, listen actively, and constructively contribute to discussions. Active advocacy We are looking for people with an interest in forging meaningful and productive connections with community organisations, employers and local leaders to advance the WEA’s mission to bring education in reach.

What will you be doing?

Are you passionate about your community? Do you want to unlock the potential of local people and create opportunities for them? By joining a WEA Local Advisory Panel (LAP), you can play a critical role in helping the largest adult education charity in the UK understand local needs and create impactful opportunities. What will you be doing? As an LAP volunteer, you will help shape adult education by understanding and responding to the needs of your community. You'll build strong community links, promote the work and interests of WEA, influence local and regional strategies, and engage stakeholders through annual meetings. Putting power in the hands of local people What are we looking for? We seek individuals who are passionate about the success of their local community and the importance of education. We welcome diverse perspectives from various industries, backgrounds, and cultures. Prior experience with WEA learning is valued, but not essential. Experience in education, the voluntary or public sector, business, fundraising, marketing, finance, law, HR, or learning & development is a plus. We need collaborative individuals who can work effectively within a team and are interested in forging meaningful connections with community organizations, employers, and local leaders. Each LAP takes collective responsibility for their actions in line with their latest Terms of Reference as approved by the Board of Trustees, WEA Regulations and Policies. LAP members play a vital role in our local governance to 1. Build strong community links and networks within the region to promote the work and interests of WEA. 2. Evidence and act in line with WEA plans and policies on local views and issues, giving due regard to the views and needs of learners, Association Members, supporters, volunteers, funders, and other stakeholders. 3. Play an active role in helping WEA to shape and influence local and regional strategies which may impact upon WEA’s funding and/or service delivery. 4. Help facilitate the convening of an annual meeting of Association Members and stakeholders within the region, the purpose of which is to promote engagement with WEA activities within the region, and to advance WEA’s mission and values.

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