Volunteering with MLFHS
Our Volunteers
Volunteers formed the Society in 1964 and succeeding generations of volunteers have developed its contribution to members and the general public to the present day.
At any given time over one hundred members are involved in some aspect of our activities, whether in running the Society or in transcribing, scanning and indexing documentary material for one of the Society’s many projects.
We therefore welcome new volunteers and encourage members to get involved in whatever way their circumstances allow. Our needs vary from time to time, but details of some of the volunteer roles are explained below, with hints as to the kind of contribution you can make. You will find a list of our current vacancies at the end of this article.
Chair
Leads the Society’s trustees and chairs Executive Committee meetings, helping the committee work effectively and ensuring the Society operates in line with its charitable aims. Works with officers and volunteers to support the Society’s activities.
Vice Chair
Works with the Chair and trustees in the leadership of the Society. Shares responsibility for governance and planning, helps represent the Society at events and ensures continuity when the Chair is unavailable.
Treasurer
Oversees the Society’s finances and ensures that accounts are properly maintained and reported. Works with the Bookkeeper to review financial records, prepare annual accounts and liaise with the Independent Examiner and the trustees.
Secretary
Supports the Society’s governance by organising meetings, circulating agendas and maintaining key records. Acts as a central point of communication for trustees and helps ensure that decisions and reports are properly recorded.
Trustees
The Society’s Executive Committee consists of up to fourteen trustees. This includes the four elected Officers listed above, up to six elected trustees, and representatives from the Society’s active Branches.
Trustees work together to guide the Society’s activities, support good governance, and ensure that the Society continues to operate in line with its charitable aims.
In a society of our size, many trustees also contribute to practical areas of the Society’s work — supporting meetings, projects, publications and other activities that help the Society to continue its work.
Bookkeeper
Maintains the Society’s day-to-day financial records, including income, payments, reimbursements and reconciliations. Ensures accurate financial information is available for reporting and annual accounts, working closely with the Treasurer.
Webmaster
Provides technical oversight of the Society’s website and works with the Web Content Manager and developers to maintain and improve the platform. This role helps ensure the site remains secure, reliable and ready for future development.
Office Manager
Oversees the day-to-day running of the Society’s office, including handling enquiries from members and the public, coordinating membership administration and supporting the practical arrangements that keep the Society operating smoothly.
Helpdesk
The Helpdesk Coordinator organises a team of experienced volunteers who assist visitors and members with family history enquiries. This weekday service supports researchers while promoting the Society and its resources to the wider public.
Projects
The Projects Committee coordinates the Society’s transcription and indexing work. Volunteers collect material, scan documents and transcribe records in the library or from home to create searchable resources for family history research.
Quarterly Journal
The editor receives articles from members, Society news items and contributions from branches, shaping these into the Society’s quarterly journal. The role includes arranging proof checking and preparing material for publication in both paper and digital form.
Publicity
Coordinates publicity for the Society’s activities, including website announcements, Eventbrite listings and other communications. Helps ensure meetings, events and projects are visible to members and the wider public.
Meetings
The Meetings Secretary organises the Society’s programme of talks and events, coordinating speakers, venues and arrangements for each event. Works with volunteers and officers to ensure meetings run smoothly.
Web Content
The Web Content Manager creates and updates content across the Society’s website, developing new pages and actively finding new ways to bring fresh content to members and visitors.
Membership
The Society wishes to appoint a Membership Secretary to oversee operational management, recruitment and retention.
AV Equipment
Assists the Meetings Secretary at in-house events where additional help is needed to cover the use of AV Equipment and computer devices.
Reporter
Reports on Society talks, in-person and online, for inclusion in our quarterly Journal, and may also take photographs at events to share on social meda.
We hope you have enjoyed looking through this page, seeing the breadth and depth of our volunteers' work. If you are interested in taking on any of these roles or becoming an understudy to gain experience and help with the work, please contact us via the link in the top menu. We also have opportunities for transcribers, volunteers to help at quarterly meetings and events, and for administrative support. Details will appear later, or you can contact us for more information.
Current Vacancies
The Society’s needs change from time to time. The following roles are currently vacant or will be decided at a future General Meeting.
Please contact us via the "Contact Us" button at the top of the page for further details.
- Chair - Vacancy
- Treasurer - Vacancy
- Trustee - One Vacancy
- Webmaster - understudy required
- Web Content Editor – understudy required
- Membership Secretary - new position
- Publicity – assistance welcome
- Meetings Secretary – assistance welcome
- Helpdesk Volunteers – occasional vacancies
- Transcription / Projects volunteers – always welcome
- Volunteer Guide - helping new volunteers find opportunities that match their skills and interests, and supporting them as they settle into Library or online roles.
- Events - meet and greet, AV set-up and support - always welcome
- Talks and Events Reporter - vacancy, applications invited
- Events Photographer - recording people and moments at talks, fairs and other events for inclusion in reviews and social media posts
Our branches also welcome volunteers to help with meetings, short write-ups of talks for branch newsletters or journals, and to undertake other occasional tasks.
