School Governors needed - Can you help?

This message is from national charity School Governors' One-Stop Shop which needs to encourage more people to volunteer as School Governors in!

School Governors are the most important voluntary workers in education BUT there can still be as many as 40,000 vacant places across England at any one time!
Being a Governor allows you to make a positive difference to the lives and aspirations of local children AND provides a fantastic opportunity for personal and professional development.
There are many myths surrounding school governance:
MYTH: You need to be a parent to be a school governor
FACT: Anyone over 18 is encouraged to apply. Only parent governors are required to have children.
MYTH: I don't have anything to offer a governing body
FACT: You don't need any special skills or knowledge of the education system to be a governor. The most important quality is a desire to help give children the best possible standard of education.
MYTH: I don't have enough time
FACT: Being a governor generally takes between 6 and 8 hours per month, mostly in the evenings and during term time. Volunteers can resign at any time or apply to be re-elected for another term of office.
About the Role:
Governors act as 'critical friends' to the Head Teacher and make major strategic decisions that affect the school's long term future. These can include allocating budgets, setting the school's priorities and appointing and evaluating the Head Teacher.
Research demonstrates that volunteering as a governor can allow you to develop your skills in a range of areas including financial management, communications, team working and strategic decision making, as well providing the personal satisfaction of knowing you are adding value to children's life chances.
Where do I apply?
Although the level of vacancies can alter frequently and can be quite localised within Local Authorities, the following are some of the areas urgently in need of new volunteers:
Croydon, Hillingdon, Havering, Waltham Forest, Hounslow,
Derby, Doncaster, Hull, Norfolk, Kent, Hertfordshire, Essex
To speak to someone about the vacancies in your area call
020 7354 9805 or go to www.sgoss.org.uk to view an interactive map.