Board members are responsible for the strategic management of each bureau, including oversight of planning, evaluation, staffing, managing finances and ensuring legal and regulatory compliance. Skills and experience are welcome, but training is provided. Interest in the community and bureau is most important.

Aberdeen in Recovery (AiR) was granted Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) charitable status in March this year. We are now looking to find talented, passionate and skilled people to fill some vacant seats on our Board of Trustees to help us grow and develop our innovative and solution focused new charity. This is a unique opportunity to help lay the foundations to ensure AiR has a long-term future as a charity with solid processes in place to ensure it meets its mission of: “To be a bridge from ‘dependence’ to ‘independence’ for the individual seeking to recover from problematic substance use and addictive behaviours”. This is such an exciting and invigorating prospect for individuals to get involved and be participant in the tsunami of change which is now gaining momentum and being driven by “Experts by Experience” and the vibrant Lived Experienced Communities which are blossoming, not only locally but are now established as a national phenomena. Since its conception, AiR and its members have worked tirelessly to establish and build collaborative relationships with professional services and third sector support agencies. We have consistently driven the message that individuals who have personal lived/living experience of active substance use, including Family members who have been affected by the addictive behaviours of a loved one, and the Recovery Communities they represent have something valid, essential and extremely beneficial to bring to described Recovery Orientated Systems of Care (ROSC). We can provide existing services and clinical structural systems with resources, skills and capabilities that they, no matter how much effort, time and money they invest, will never be able to offer or provide. So, it gives the greatest of pleasure to see this is now recognised on the highest levels that “Recoverists” can productively contribute to the design, development and delivery of truly person-centred ROSC. This being evidenced by the vision, philosophy and content of the Scottish Governments “Rights, Respect and Recovery” Drug and Alcohol Strategy. We also believe it is reaffirmed by the recent success in being granted funding from the Government’s National Development Fund, with our principle partner Alcohol and Drugs Action (ADA), for our ‘Recovery Peer Pathway’ joint two-year project. This collaborative venture will build on three years of pilot work to further establish and build proactive and productive Developmental Pathways within ADA and their Volunteer network while in synergy with AiR membership for individuals who desire to initiate change in their behaviours and outlook as they progress on their recovery journeys within, and imperatively out-with, statutory and formal support services. We believe that the blue sky thinking behind this project categorically and emphatically fits with the expectations, outcomes and concepts of the above Government policy. So, if you have lived experience, or a stakeholder interest, and a passion for recovery and are willing to give of yourself that another may learn, you will not find a better opportunity to indulge your appetite than from within Aberdeen in Recovery. For more information please contact Dermot Craig, Recovery Community Development Manager at E Mail: dermot@aberdeeninrecovery.org or tel.: 01224 638342 / Mobile: 07751 213108.

Branches are run entirely by volunteers with advice and support from the national charity. The Fundraising Volunteer role is important to the running of the branch as they help organise fundraising events for the branch. Without these roles, we would not have as many branches as we do. What you will be doing Putting collection tins in local shops or community areas. Holding a ‘tin collection’ in a local town – this is where Branch members stand outside shops with collection tins and get donations. Holding a sponsored event such as a swim or walk. People will sponsor branch members' money to complete certain tasks. Holding an event for local people to attend – quiz night, auction, raffle, talk, coffee and cake morning – people will give donations when they come. Having a section on the branch website that people can click on if they want to give money. Talking to committee members about different ways to fundraise and deciding what to do as a Branch. Talking to NAS Fundraising Team and ensuring the branch complies with the NAS rules on fundraising. Talking to committee members about different ways to fundraise and deciding what to do as a branch. Publicising events, distributing information or fundraising forms. Supporting people who are fundraising on behalf of the branch. Working with the Treasurer to ensure that the money is collected safely and banked accurately.

Helping with raising funds for the Bureau. -Researching potential opportunities for raising funds for the Bureau -Developing fundraising strategies and plans -Working with Board Members/Treasurer and Management to meet fundraising objectives -Organising events to raise money for the Bureau -Drafting and delivering presentations to potential and existing funders