Volunteering
Volunteers are vital to the AHSS. The contribute their expertise, time and energy to ensure the society works effectively and without their help, the amount of work we could do to study and protect Scotland’s architecture would be much reduced. Just some of the positions held by volunteers are listed below to give you an idea of the range of options available if you have some time and would like to help us in our work:
Cases Panel members – commenting on listed building and conservation area applications in one of our network of 13 volunteer cases panels across the country. The Panels support both individuals and local communities to become engaged with the planning process. Many very distinguished architects, architectural and local historians, who have given and are giving great service to the historic environment, have served long periods on the cases panels and new members have a chance to share their experiences of the built environment, to learn about its history and to shape its future. Cases Panel volunteers build invaluable practical experience in assessing proposals for historic buildings. Panel members acquire wide knowledge of the heritage; of historic buildings, of the countryside, towns and villages in which they sit and the problems which affect them.
If you want to know more about what it is like to be a volunteer, please read this article from a recent AHSS Magazine
Council members – all members of our governing body are volunteers, including the regional group chairs, officials and sub-committee members
Publications – copy-editors for the AHSS Magazine, Journal and Magazine editors, contributors to Magazine, including reviewing recent books
Librarian – keeping order in our National Office library
Outreach – helping to prepare for and at outreach events e.g. Doors Open Day
Administration – general administration tasks
Volunteering opportunities currently available are as follows:
Membership secretary – monthly renewal notices (a few each month, with the bulk falling due for renewal in January), welcome packs to new members, keeping membership database up-to-date
Casework secretary – circulating correspondence to Cases Panels, Historic Scotland and local authorities once a week
Media / marketing – to undertake media and marketing work for the Society, helping to write press releases
Fundraising – to follow up on the compilation of a database of funding sources that has already been completed by another volunteer
Glasite Meeting House Trust building assistant – ideally someone who lives close to the building and is willing to show prospective users of the building around and also secure the building after events
Glasite Meeting House Trust project development assistant – to progress developing the vision for the building and investigating fundraising options
Education and outreach event assistant – to attend events, such as Doors Open Day, to speak about the Society and its work to members of the public
If you think you may be able to help us, please contact us at the National Office.
