While the Ramblers already has an extensive web presence, due to a lack of recent investment our current family of websites is not doing the best job it could in taking forward our charitable objectives, supporting our volunteers, recruiting and retaining members and reflecting our status as Britain’s walking charity. We are keen to address this, with the ultimate vision of the Ramblers web family becoming the destination on the internet for walking issues, for all who walk or are interested in walking. We are therefore launching a major long term web development project to improve our online resources significantly.
To ensure the success of this project, it is vital that Ramblers volunteers are involved in the development process from the start, to ensure that web resources meet volunteers’ needs, to avoid inadvertently causing problems with current volunteer procedures and to reflect the grassroots contact volunteers have with the wider Ramblers membership, walkers and the general public.
We are therefore inviting applications from volunteers to sit on a Web Development Advisory Panel which will provide input, suggestions and advice and function as a sounding board, helping the project team develop appropriate processes and make informed choices.
The project is being taken forward in at least three phases, each one taking about a year to complete. In the first phase, which started in October 2011, the main emphasis is on basic improvements to the infrastructure and elements like the accommodation guide. Although the majority of volunteers will not find their work directly affected by these changes, it is still important for volunteers to be involved. Future phases should include work of great interest to volunteers such as a new and much improved version of the Group Walks Finder and, if practical, a facility to host Area and Group web pages through the main Ramblers website.
Members of the advisory panel should have:
- Extensive volunteering experience within the Ramblers – we are looking predominantly for people who regularly volunteer for Areas and Groups and have a good knowledge of the way the organisation works at Area and/or Group level but we would also like to hear from people who volunteer for Ramblers in other ways, for example as route developers.
- Familiarity with and some experience of working with the internet, websites and information technology, either through their Ramblers volunteering or elsewhere.
- Ability to attend daytime meetings (approximately two hours) on a quarterly basis, by phone or video conferencing if necessary, with some additional time to prepare (for example by reading meeting papers in advance) and undertake occasional follow-up work.
- Willingness to contribute expertise, views and constructive criticism to the web development project.
We expect interest in this work will significantly exceed the number of places available on the panel so it is likely some applicants will be unsuccessful. In appointing panel members we will be aiming for a variety of relevant skills, knowledge and experience, a range of involvement with the Ramblers and a geographical spread of representatives from England, Scotland and Wales.
Note that while the panel’s input will no doubt significantly inform the project, this is a practical and advisory body, not a decision making one. The project is being led by staff in the Web Development Team, overseen by the Finance, Risk and Audit Subcommittee and the Board of Trustees, with whom final decisions and responsibility rest.
If you are interested in applying, please email Des de Moor, Senior Everyday Walking Officer, des.demoor@ramblers.org.uk, stating:
- Your name
- Your membership number
- Your email address and contact phone numbers
- Your Ramblers Area and Group
- Brief details of your involvement in the Ramblers as a volunteer
- Brief details of any relevant internet, web or other IT knowledge and experience
- A couple of sentences stating what you would hope to contribute to the Advisory Panel
The deadline for applications is Monday 14 November 2011.
Please contact Des if you have any other enquiries about the role or the panel.
