As HI HUB approaches its 5th birthday, the need for more community involvement has become vital. Liz Hill explains why.
On 1 February it will be five years since HI HUB was launched in the village, offering a hyperlocal news service specifically for the community of Histon & Impington. It is one of around 100 or so similar public interest news publishers across the UK, most of them serving much larger areas.
A not-for-profit organisation, HI HUB has been admitted to the Independent Community News Network, is involved with the Public Interest News Foundation and operates to the exacting professional standards required by press regulator Impress. But nonetheless it is a micro enterprise which is volunteer-led. The board works with three very-part-time staff and a team of volunteers. Without volunteers, the organisation is not financially viable and would close.
Looking ahead
What’s more, to ensure that HI HUB can continue serving the community for the next five years and beyond, more volunteers are needed. Expanding the wonderful team of people who contribute their time and skills free of charge will help give HI HUB a secure future – so that’s what we want to do.
Yes, it could be YOU! Training can be given to anyone with the enthusiasm and aptitude for the wide range of activities that come together to provide HI HUB services for the community.
So that no volunteer is asked to contribute an unreasonable amount of time, we have identified ‘bite size’ roles in many different areas. We would love to talk to anyone who might like to be part of this exciting and unique venture which is the envy of many other communities in South Cambridgeshire.
There are volunteer and board roles that we would like to fill.
Volunteer roles
- Feature writer
To write a minimum of 3 feature articles per year on subjects agreed with the editorial team. All contributors are given full editorial support and everything published is subject to HI HUB’s ‘two pairs of eyes’ policy before publication.
- Researcher
To search for job and volunteer vacancies in the village and post them to the website
- Copy editor
To be part of the team who read, raise author queries (if required), edit and upload news and features created by the writing team.
- WordPress developer
To look after ongoing maintenance to make sure the technical aspects of the site are up to date, generate reports and help to implement new features.
- Fundraiser
To identify potential sources of funding, sponsorship, advertising and donations, and work with the Administrator and board to convert leads.
- Graphic designer
To create digital adverts on behalf of advertisers and work with the board and WordPress developer on the visual development of HI HUB.
- HR adviser
To advise the board on HR-related issues, including contracts and management systems.
Board roles
- Chair
To succeed the current chair, setting board agendas, convening board meetings, initiating and responding to ideas for organisation development, and supporting other board members with issues that arise.
- Commercial lead
To advise on marketing strategy, sales strategy, sponsorship and fundraising, including advising the Administrator who implements campaigns.
- Editorial co-lead
To work alongside current board member Amanda Borrill, advising on editorial policy and content, contributing to editorial planning, advising volunteers, supporting journalists and maintaining the relationship with PINF and ICNN.
- Financial lead
To advise on financial issues, including the annual budget, supporting the Administrator who maintains the accounts (Xero) and liaising with sponsor Streets on annual returns.
Come and find out more…
Even if you think volunteering for HI HUB is probably not for you… but it just might be… let’s have a chat. To celebrate our 5th birthday we will be in the Library from 10.30am to 12.00 on Saturday 1st February, followed by 12.00 to 1.30pm in the ‘bottle room’ at the Red Lion. We can tell you more there.
But whether you can or can’t join us then, we will soon be holding a meeting at a local venue to explain more about what HI HUB does and answer questions.
To be kept informed about this, with no obligation at all, simply email admin@hihub.info and we will add your name to a Doodle Poll to find the date that most can attend.
If you can’t make that meeting, or if you’d prefer an initial one-to-one chat with the most relevant member of the HI HUB team, we can arrange that instead.
We need you – and we very much hope to hear from you.
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