Your help is wanted by the Dons Trust to help boost interaction with the next generation of AFC Wimbledon supporters.
The DT is looking for up to three volunteers to help administrate the Junior Dons section of its membership.
The Junior Dons (JDs) is the aged 16 and under members of the Dons Trust – the owners of AFC Wimbledon. The JDs section was set up to promote the engagement of young supporters with both the club and the Trust so that their engagement and participation was maintained as they grow older.
The JDs have been overseen by Roger Dennis (and his wife Linda) for many years and Roger is very happy to help with a handover for successful candidates. The Dons Trust Board would like to place on record its thanks to Roger and Linda for their fantastic work in overseeing the JDs since its inception.
The Trust receives lots of positive comments about the JDs section and often children join the Trust as their first engagement with AFC Wimbledon.
The roles (which are unpaid) vary in the amount of time required and are set out below. Volunteers are welcome to apply for more than one role if they would like to.
The Trust is keen to encourage younger volunteers to apply and we will happily work with them to develop their skill set. If, for example, you are undertaking your Duke of Edinburgh and want to use this work towards your volunteering commitment we would be happy to support that.
All of the roles detailed below help to develop and enhance useful transferable skills to enhance your CV.
The roles below set out the key skills and role profiles as they are at present, but we would like to encourage applicants to bring their own thoughts and ideas on how to enhance the Junior Dons membership offer.
If you are interested in finding out more about the role (s, please e-mail Jane Lonsdale, who will happily share more information and answer any questions you may have.
To apply for any of the roles please e-mail Jane via the link above by 16 April, saying why you would be interested in the role(s) and what skills you bring. A CV would be welcome but is not essential. Given the nature of the responsibilities, you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and understand data protection rules (guidance will be given).
Role 1: Admin of Junior Dons: Birthday and Christmas card administration and newsletters and organising the Junior Dons Player of the Season votes and award.
The role involves:
• Arranging the birthday and Christmas cards for the JDs, including ordering stock, mailing them out and liaising with the volunteer who will get signatures on the cards.
• Writing a personal letter to the JD to accompany each JD birthday card.
• Liaising with the membership secretary, the co-ordinator of the Haydon page, and the person organising the JDs joining gifts.
• Organising the voting for the Junior Don Player of the season (POTS) and presentation of the POTS trophy (liaising with the club).
• Writing and despatching bi-annual newsletters for the Junior Dons (one in advance of Christmas and one for the end of season POTS).
Skills required
• Good organisational skills.
• Awareness of and act within General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (guidance will be given).
• A working understanding of excel.
• Good communication and customer service skills.
Role 2: Tours of Stadium and meet and greet with players (post-match)
• Arrange for JDs to meet the players and see behind the scenes at Kingsmeadow – stadium tour.
• Liaising with the administrator of JDs and JDs' parents to organise the visits and invites.
• Meet and greet with the players after home games – providing opportunity for photographs and signatures.Then escort and run the tours (approx. 60 mins).
Skills Required
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Good organisation skills.
• An understanding of Safeguarding policies (training will be given).
Role 3: Junior Dons - Helping with joining gifts for new (and help to deal with the backlog of) Junior Dons joining gifts
Arrange for new JDs to choose and receive a joining gift, liaising with membership secretary, and the administrator for the JDs.Liaising with the manager of the club shop on stock.Assisting with the organisation of and sending out of the backlog of gifts.
Skills required
• Good organisational skills.
• Awareness of and act within General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (guidance will be given).
• A working understanding of excel.
• Good communication and customer service skills.