The William Penny Brookes Foundation - Invitation to become a Trustee 

Are you interested in being involved in the creation of a long lasting community, sporting and cultural legacy? If so then we invite you to tell us why you would be a great candidate to become a trustee for the William Penny Brookes Foundation.

William Penny Brookes can be described as the main reason that the modern Olympics are running today. Brookes was born in the town of Much Wenlock in 1809 and organised the first ever Olympian Capital Games during the year of 1850. He was also ahead of his times in promoting educational opportunities, investment in community well-being and arguing for the healthy lifestyles which we aspire to today. The Foundation is being created through a collaborative partnership of organisations in Much Wenlock including, the Wenlock Olympian Society, the Civic Society, the William Brookes School, the Much Wenlock Chamber of Trade and the Much Wenlock Town Council. We hope that the Foundation will help further this captivating story and bring long term benefits to Much Wenlock and other communities throughout the UK.

We are looking to find people who can help us to do this through the appointment of 5 to 6 new trustees who will share our passion in the upholding of the Brookes Legacy. When searching for our new trustees, the Foundation’s members will be looking for people who will provide a balance of skills and are representative of the Much Wenlock community and can bring a perspective that reflects other communities in the UK.

If you are interested, please send a CV and letter explaining the specific qualities you bring and your motivations for getting involved to our advisors, Oaks Consultancy, c/o Adam Walker, Managing Partner, Holly Offices, Lodge Green Lane North, Meriden, CV7 7JZ. We welcome candidates from any background but you must be over the age of 18 years to become a trustee.

If you wish to discuss your application further or to find out more about the Foundation, please contact Adam Walker on adam@oaksconsultancy.co.uk or on 01676 521036 or 07747 778447 

Please ensure that your letter and related information reaches Adam by 10th February,

2010 Councillor Mike Grace Chair of the Much Wenlock 2012 Legacy Group

Additional Information

Aims of the William Penny Brookes Foundation

We haven’t formally agreed the aims and articles of the Foundation yet, but we think that through the creation of The William Penny Brookes Foundation we will aim to:

• Ensure that the William Penny Brookes story is widely known and that the principles behind this legacy encourage many organisations throughout the UK to provide community based sporting and cultural activity.

• Help individuals and communities to develop sporting and cultural activities that will enrich lives and create enjoyment for generations to come.

• Create educational resources that utilise the William Penny Brookes legacy to encourage young children to become involved in participating and organising sporting and cultural events.

• Encourage people to become involved in community volunteering, coaching and officiating.

• Generate charitable income that can be reinvested in the delivery of sporting and cultural activities. Role of the Trustees

As a trustee of the William Penny Brookes Foundation you would be required to:

• Provide a strategic direction for the Foundation and ensure it delivers in line with its charitable objectives.

• Deliver a high quality of corporate/charitable governance, ensuring the charity is run effectively and that it’s resources are invested wisely.

• Contribute to the creative design and delivery of specific William Penny Brookes Foundation initiatives and activities.

• Objectively assess grant applications and prioritise those that will create the greatest cultural and sporting benefit to communities throughout the UK.

• Identify and support William Penny Brookes Foundation fundraising activities, ensuring the maximum income is created.

• Be an ambassador and advocate of the William Penny Brookes Foundation and the sporting and cultural legacy.

We would envisage trustees playing a very active part in the work of the Foundation, though the nature of the role may vary over the period of tenure. Under normal circumstances we would look for the trustees to meet between four and eight times per year, however this may be supplemented by smaller project groups who become involved with developing key elements of the Foundations activities. It will also be a rolling programme with a maximum length of four years and a minimum length of two years.

Make up of trustees

In creating the William Penny Brookes Foundation we are looking to identify highly motivated and skilled people who will be committed to making the foundation a great success. To ensure the ideas and activities of the foundation are rounded and well balanced we will be ideally looking to identify trustees from a:

• Cross section of age, gender and cultural background

• Balance of experiences and views

• Representation of different communities

In addition we will be looking to identify trustees who can bring the necessary skills and experience required to run the foundation effectively, for example this may include a knowledge of:

• Charitable fundraising and giving

• Sport, environment and culture

• Financial management

• Legal management

• Promotion, marketing and communications

• Community regeneration work

Obviously this is not an exhaustive list and we would welcome applications from anyone who feels that they have a part to play. In creating a balance it is vital we are totally open and transparent in our selection.

Time table for the Foundations creation

We are aiming to complete the formal creation of the foundation by April 2010 and then launch its activities by the summer of 2010. Whilst this is our aspiration we will make sure that the foundation is not launched until such time as we have the right trustees and structure in place.