Branch Secretary

Keep your branch organised, connected and active.

As Branch Secretary, you play a central role in keeping your branch running smoothly. You are responsible for communication, organisation and supporting members to get involved, helping to ensure your branch is active, welcoming and effective.

This role suits someone who is organised, proactive and a good communicator, and who enjoys working with others to make things happen.

What success looks like

A strong Branch Secretary helps create a branch that is:

• Well-organised – meetings, communication and records are clear and up to date
• Welcoming – new members feel included and supported
• Connected – members, officers and the CLP are well linked
• Active – members are informed and involved in activity

What you’ll do

Keep your branch organised

• Organise meetings, including dates, venues and communication
• Prepare agendas with the Chair and circulate information in advance
• Record and share minutes and follow up on actions

Lead communication

• Ensure members are informed about meetings, campaigns and opportunities
• Use Organise and other tools to communicate with members
• Share information between the CLP and branch
• Share updates from local councillors, candidates and campaigns with members

Support an active and welcoming branch

• Welcome new members and help them get involved
• Encourage participation in campaigning, events and discussions
• Help ensure members are informed about local campaigns, elected representatives and opportunities to get involved
• Support a friendly and inclusive culture

Work with the CLP and officers

• Keep in regular contact with the CLP Secretary and officers
• Represent the branch on the CLP Executive Committee
• Share information on campaigns, training and opportunities
• Ensure branch activity is aligned with the wider CLP

How you’ll work with others

You’ll work with officers and members to support inclusion, engagement and participation.

• Branch Chair – works closely with you to organise meetings and activity
• Branch Treasurer – supports planning and fundraising
• CLP Secretary – key contact for coordination and information
• Other branch officers – support engagement and campaigning
• Councillors – support communication with members and reporting back on local issues

Top tips to get you started

• Keep it simple – clear systems save time
• Stay organised – regular updates prevent problems later
• Communicate regularly – keep members informed and involved
• Work with others – share responsibility across the team
• Focus on engagement – help members feel part of the branch

Your first 90 days

• Meet with your Chair, officers and local councillors to understand priorities
• Check communication systems and member contact details
• Introduce yourself to members and make your role visible
• Support your first meetings and follow up on actions

Tools, guidance and support

• Organise – support communication and engagement at http://organise.labour.org.uk
• Labour Hub – manage roles, contact details and CLP information http://hub.labour.org.uk (Admin pages)
• Training and resources – available via www.labour.org.uk/resources and the CLP Hub on Labour Learn at https://learn.labour.org.uk/clp-hub

If you need support or advice, you can contact your CLP officers or regional office, or Scottish or Welsh Labour.