Branch Structure, Officers, Meetings and Communication Channels
The branch area is quite large and ranges from urban to quiet countryside. The branch is always fully aware of this and takes it into account in its decision-making.
Management of the branch, at a local level, is the responsibility of the committee and its officers. The officers are elected at the AGM (Annual General Meeting) which is held every year in November. Vacancies within the year are appointed by the committee.
The committee meets on a bi-monthly basis and manages the branch in keeping with the policies and procedures as laid down by CAMRA at a national level. There are also strong links with the Yorkshire Regional CAMRA structures. Currently committee meetings precede a branch meeting which is open to all CAMRA members who live within the branch area. This ensures that matters and decisions made by the committee are presented to the branch in a timely manner and makes efficient use of volunteers’ time.
Officers and their responsibilities.
CAMRA has defined job descriptions for branch committee officers and below is just a brief summary.
Chairman – responsibility for ensuring the branch is working within the policies and procedures laid down by CAMRA. Chairs all committee meetings and has high-level links with CAMRA at regional and national levels. Monitors and directs all the other committee members.
Seceretary – takes the minutes of all committee meetings and ensures the minutes are circulated to all the committee members. Has high-level links with CAMRA at a regional and national level and also deals with communication between the committee and members of the branch. Often deals with communications with other organisations in the branch area such as the local authority etc. Circulates messages to branch members through the use of the CAMRA comms tool.
Treasurer – manages the branch’s budget and deals with the banking arrangements. Has links with CAMRA at regional and national levels. Also deals with financial matters with local organisations such as the printer of Donny Drinker and advertisers that use Donny Drinker.
Membership Secretary – monitors and reports on the branch membership. Responsible for ensuring the branch supports existing membership and seeks new members. Links at CAMRA regional and national level.
Pubs and LocAle Officer – monitors and reports on all matters and issues related to pubs in the branch area. High level links with licensees and pub owners in the branch area. Manages, supports and seeks pubs that meet LocAle requirements.
Donny Drinker Editor – responsible for the design and content management of the branch’s quarterly magazine. Links to contributors, advertisers and the Donny Drinker printer.
Social Secretary – responsible for organising all of the branch’s social events and venues for meetings. Ensures all branch members are aware of events through the branch magazine, use of CAMRA comms tool, social media, emails and text messages. Links with local pubs, breweries and other CAMRA branches who want to organise socials in our branch area.
Whatpub and NBSS (National Beer Scoring System) Officer – monitors and manages the data held on the branch’s pubs and clubs in CAMRA’s database of pubs. Monitors and reports on scores in the NBSS to the committee. Links with licensees and pub owners.
BLO (Brewery Liaison Officer) Co-ordinator – Monitors and co-ordinates the work of the BLOs. Links at CAMRA regional level.
BLOs – maintain good links with breweries in the branch area to report to the committee and region on activities and developments in those breweries. Help to maintain the national Pilgrim database of breweries.
Media Manager – co-ordinates the branch’s social media activities across Facebook, X and website.
Webmaster – responsible for the management and development of the branch’s website.
Group Communications
The group uses a number of different communication channels.
CAMRA’s Comms Tool – through the branch secretary we use this to make direct contact with members. Used to communicate important issues, notice of socials, notices of opportunities to vote and the closing dates.
Email – used for direct communication between members, committee members, licensees, pub owners, breweries, advertisers and anyone else. The privacy and security aspects are taken into account when deciding to use this method of communication. All branch officers are able to use a generic email address when communicating with others.
Social Media – we use Facebook, X and the website to keep members and the general public informed of CAMRA, branch and local matters where relevant. Our Facebook site is open to real ale pubs to advertise their events.
Charity Fund Raising
We have been known to raise money for a number of charities. The charity is chosen by members with a view to a charity that in some way supports a member or a member of their family.