The property-based social enterprise, which is located in Clondalkin, is aiming to fill a number of vacant spaces for board members in 2021.Oakfield Trust has been operating in the Clondalkin area for more than 20 years and provides a range of property based services and related supports to local communities and projects. There are currently four active board members, but Oakfield Trust is seeking three additional candidates to oversee the running of the organisation.
The Board of Oakfield Trust is a voluntary, collective decision-making and oversight body acting in the best interests of the organisation. It is now recruiting additional members as the organisation continues to develop and innovate in response to new and emerging needs.
Oakfield Trust is seeking people with experience in any of the following sectors; Finance, Property Development and Management, Planning and Legal, Business Management/HR; Communications/Marketing/Social Media to join the board which meets approximately 10 times a year for two hours, usually mornings on Tuesdays/Thursdays where applicable.
Former CEO of the Clondalkin Partnership, Aileen O’Donoghue, set up the board in 1996. Aileen had the idea for the organisation after reading about similar ‘Community Corporations’ in the USA which helped disadvantaged communities to acquire funding and premises for local projects. She is still an active member of the Oakfield Trust Board of Directors. Aileen said: “It is about community investing in itself – spending money to generate money within the area. There was not much property available for local groups at the time and I thought there was an opportunity for community groups to benefit. The [Clondalkin] partnership needed property and, as the CEO, part of my job was to look for space – but there was nothing suitable available. Eventually we found a property and refurbished it and I thought it was a good opportunity for an organisation to do that on behalf of other community groups.”
Oakfield Trust currently acquires and manages properties which are then leased to organisations that work with marginalised groups and socially excluded communities in South Dublin. The organisation seeks to act as a catalyst for social gain by providing a range of property solutions for community, public and private endeavours, and using surplus profits to assist community-based initiatives. Oakfield Trust also offers loans and grants, property management services and development advice to local projects and groups. Aileen said: “Board members look at the governance of the organisation, to ensure Oakfield Trust is meeting legal requirements, financial oversight, strategic planning and that is where we are now. Ideally, we would like three or four new people who are interested, able and motivated. People who are skilled in finance, marketing or those with property expertise would be a fantastic fit. We would love to have some people from the local area on the board too.”
If you are interested in joining the Oakfield Trust Board of Directors please contact Chairperson Brendan Bartley at Brendan.bartley@gmail.com or Manager Marie Duffin at MDuffin@OakfieldTrust.ie. For more information visit the website www.oakfieldtrust.ie.
