Cabrach’s Sam appointed chair of organisation supporting Moray’s third sector
A woman behind the ongoing regeneration of one of Moray’s most rural areas has been appointed as chair of the organisation overseeing the region’s charities.
Sam Dowdall, community and development manager at The Cabrach Trust, the charity that will later this year introduce the return of whisky-making to the rural west-of-Moray community, has been appointed to lead tsiMORAY, the third-sector interface whose role being to support, promote, and be a central source of knowledge for and about the third sector in their local area.
Sam succeeds Don Vass, who held the position of chair at tsiMORAY since its inception and for the past 12 years.
Sam said: “I’m proud to be leading this organisation and driving forward its important work on behalf of Moray’s charitable sector.
“My role here goes hand-in-hand with many of my responsibilities at The Cabrach Trust and I’m looking forward to being a part of a talented team from across the region.”
Jackie Maclaren of the tsiMORAY leadership team said: “We are so very pleased to welcome Sam Dowdall in her new role as chair of our board.
“As a community leader, we know that her dedication and compassion will help us take forward the work we need to do.
“Sam’s expertise means that she not only understands the issues facing the third sector and communities locally, but her work with Cabrach, also exemplifies how the third sector can lead when it comes to wider systems change.”
Fabio Villani of tsiMORAY Leadership Team, added: “We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Don for his exemplary commitment to tsiMORAY over the past decade. His dedication and direction, in creating the opportunities for a stronger and more connected third sector, has allowed us to flourish. We are grateful for all that he has given to both our organisation, and to Moray’s third sector.”
Jonathan Christie, Chief Executive of The Cabrach Trust said: “Whether leading community projects or curating our rural skills and wellbeing initiatives, Sam has played a critical role within our small team at the Trust, working closely with the Cabrach community. Her new role at tsiMoray is both exciting and important. This forms part of The Cabrach Trust’s commitment to playing an active role in support of Moray’s vital third sector, whilst also representing a rare professional development opportunity for Sam.”
Moray’s third sector, like those across Scotland, is currently tackling some of the most complex challenges of our time. From climate change to ongoing cost of living pressures, third-sector organisations are being faced with new and ongoing challenges. tsiMoray connects and works with local charities, community groups, volunteers and voluntary organisations, social enterprises, as well as a range of strategic partners, to build the capacity of the third sector and local communities.