As Fiona Curry’s time as Vice-Chair (Finance) comes to an end, she shares her experiences and encourages others to put themselves forward for this volunteering opportunity.
As I step down from my role as Vice-Chair (Finance) at HELOA, I wanted to share some reflections on my experience, the challenges I faced, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Responsibilities as Vice-Chair (Finance)
In my role as Vice-Chair (Finance), my primary responsibility was to ensure the financial sustainability of HELOA, both now and in the future. This involved managing our finances prudently, maintaining sufficient reserves to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances, and overseeing the cash flow, particularly for the upfront costs of our National Conference. As a financial controller, trustee, and executive member, my duties were aligned with the Charity Commission’s guidelines, which emphasize acting in the charity’s best interests, managing resources responsibly, and exercising care and skill in decision-making.
On a day-to-day basis, this meant balancing HELOA’s annual expenditure and income to stay within budget. I worked closely with budget holders to forecast year-end accounts and plan for the next financial year. Additionally, I handled all payments and expenses for HELOA, and as a member of the UK committee (UKC) and executive committee, I served as a critical friend to other members, ensuring we all worked together for the benefit of the HELOA members.
Balancing Professional and Volunteer Roles
When I first took on this role, I was working full-time and had the benefit of a three-month handover with my predecessor. This eased my transition into the role, especially as it took some time to gain access to HELOA’s accounts. I was fortunate to have a supportive manager and team, which allowed me to attend in-person UKC meetings and our National Conference, as well as participate in virtual meetings. I also made sure to allocate time outside of work to ensure that my volunteer responsibilities did not interfere with my full-time job.
In September 2022, I transitioned to a new job that was part-time three days a week, which allowed me to dedicate more time to HELOA outside of work during the week. This change, combined with monthly executive meetings held after work hours, made the role more manageable. I received full support from my current manager, who understood that while my full-time job was my priority, my work with HELOA was integral to my professional development.
Key Skills for Success
Attention to detail has been crucial in this role. From managing the accounts in Sage accounting software to reviewing contracts and budgets, every detail matters. Effective communication has also been vital, as I worked closely with all areas of the charity to ensure that spending aligned with our financial goals and that income reflected the impacts of inflation.
Balancing this micro-level attention to detail with a strategic, long-term vision was essential. As a member of the UKC and executive committee, I had to consider how HELOA’s finances affected our ability to achieve our long-term objectives and identify any potential challenges on the horizon.
Challenges and Accomplishments
One of the most significant challenges I faced was managing the rising costs due to inflation—everything from the HELOA Office salaries and venue fees to travel and accommodation—while our core income from membership fees had remained unchanged since 2016. Understanding our role as trustees and our duty to manage resources responsibly, I worked with the executive committee and UKC to propose an increase in membership fees, which was ultimately approved at our AGM. This decision was one of my proudest accomplishments, as it ensures HELOA’s financial sustainability moving forward.
Another accomplishment was contributing to the rebalancing of essential functions within the organization, such as increasing the office team’s contracted hours within our budget and allocating funding for their professional development.
Also, I had the opportunity to collaborate closely with the former Chair and the UKC on a process to allocate the surplus generated during the pandemic, when many events were postponed. Our focus was on using these funds to directly benefit our members. This included offering free places at a Professional Development Conference, engaging the consultancy EMBED to review our equality, diversity, and inclusion policies and event operations, and investing in key resources such as videography for our communications team, as well as professional development opportunities for our office team.
Lessons Learned
Throughout my tenure, I’ve learned the importance of flexibility and the need to adapt quickly to changes. Working across different teams and ensuring that finance policies and procedures were consistently followed was sometimes challenging, especially given the volunteer nature of our roles. However, these challenges also provided opportunities to improve our processes and support for volunteers.
On a personal level, volunteering as Vice-Chair (Finance) has been incredibly rewarding. It has allowed me to develop new skills, gain confidence, and build lasting professional relationships. I’ve learned about the charity commission reporting, governance, gained a deeper understanding of the inner workings of HELOA and the critical role that finance plays in achieving our goals.
Advice for My Successor
To my successor, I offer this advice: You’ll get back what you put in. Don’t hesitate to ask for help or clarification when needed—learning on the job is part of the experience. HELOA is an evolving organization with an exciting future, and I encourage you to be a part of that journey.
As I move on, I carry with me the lessons I’ve learned and the connections I’ve made. Volunteering with HELOA has been a truly enriching experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have served in this role.