Plastic-Free Shop Steering Committee Member

As a Committee Member you share responsibility for directing the activity of the organisation, ensuring it is well run and delivering the outcomes for which it has been set up.

What does the role involve?

Every member of the committee has a different role, dependent on previous experience, skills and personal interest.

If you would like to help run the shop and make a positive impact on the community but are unsure on what tasks you would like to take over, there is the opportunity to help other committee members in their workstreams and complete smaller tasks.

Possible duties

- Build a business strategy

- Recruit, interview, onboard and train new volunteers

- Planning and running events

- Manage the shop’s finances

- Support staff with weekly duties

- Contact new suppliers

- Monitor incoming emails

- Administrative tasks

You will:

- Gain significant experience within your role such as Business Management, Finances or Marketing

- Get the opportunity to practice your skills in a supportive environment

-  Improve your communication and merchandising skills

-  Become part of a unique community project

-  Meet and work with warm and friendly people

-  Achieve a great personal satisfaction by helping people to reduce their plastic intake 

- Meet people from all walks of life and making new friends

The Package Free Larder was founded by members of ‘Zero Waste Portsmouth’ with the goal to provide plastic-free shopping that doesn’t cost the earth. Since September 2018, the Package Free Larder's committee has been working together to make our ideas a reality. We had an initial launch event in March 2019 to our Crowdfunding campaign during June to August 2019. Thanks to the generosity of 905 supporters, we raised an incredible £43,765 making our shop a reality!

Who/what does the organisation support?

We are Portsmouth’s first plastic-free supermarket and the UK’s only zero-waste social enterprise that volunteer-based and community-centred. We care about people and the planet, over profit. Our store is run by the community for the community and as a not-for-profit social enterprise, all profits will be reinvested into the shop and local projects aiming to better Portsmouth & Southsea communities.

Our shop wouldn’t be able to run without our fabulous team of dedicated volunteers, who have donated countless hours to set-up and run our shop, and it is through our volunteers and customers that we hope to become a community hub, where we can all embark on an adventure to sustainability together.

We want everyone to feel welcome, whether you’re trying the plastic-free lifestyle for the first time, or a seasoned environmentalist- they’ll be no judgement here, only encouragement!

Skills

Dependent on role/project taken up. Previous experience is desired but not required.

How many hours per week or flexible?

As a committee member you are expected to independently complete the tasks your role requires each month. Additionally, there is a monthly meeting to attend on the second Monday of each month that lasts up to one and a half hours.

For how long?

The longer you commit to this role the more you will benefit. We recommend at least 6 months.

There is the option to take a break from volunteering (for example for the assessment period) after discussing this with staff.