Rebecca Dawes, who works for Jane Craigie Marketing and is a director and co-founder of the Rural Youth Project, has joined the board.
She works in PR and communications, specialising in the rural and agricultural sector. A farmer’s daughter from a mixed beef and sheep livestock farm in Kinross-Shire, she now lives with her partner on a dairy farm in Galloway and has her own herd of pygmy goats.
Rebecca has a degree in events management, is a Scottish Enterprise Rural Leader, trustee and Next Generation Facilitator for the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth and Scottish co-ordinator for LEAF Open Farm Sunday.
She said: “This year, more so than ever, the human element of agricultural and rural life has been at the forefront of our minds. RSABI’s work to support the most important element within Scottish agriculture, its people, has and continues to help hundreds of individuals and their families right across the country, and I have been immensely in awe of the work they do.
“With a background in farming, my career in events and agricultural and rural communications, and more recently my work with the Rural Youth Project, I felt now was the right time to give back to an organisation that gives so much so others.”
Meanwhile, RSABI has also launched a new programme to encourage young people to get involved with the organisation’s board.
Applications are being accepted from people aged 18 to 30 from this region for its Trainee Trustee programme.
The 12-month programme will see young people shadow the charity’s trustees and participate in board, committee and staff meetings – all virtually while restrictions are in place.
Successful candidates will receive support and mentoring from the charity’s senior staff and chairman David Leggat, and find out what it’s like to be a charity trustee.
RSABI chief executive Nina Clancy said the aim is to increase diversity: “We’re looking for enthusiastic young people who are keen to find out what it’s like to sit on a charity’s board. You don’t need to have a background in farming or crofting to apply, just a real interest in the role and the work of RSABI.
“I’d encourage anybody who’s interested to apply. It’s a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a good cause as well as enhancing your CV with new and improved skills.”
To apply send a CV and covering letter to [email protected] by April 19.
