One of the roles of the Associate Secretary is to handle Human Resources issues. This job includes a range of concerns, from recruitment to Health and Safety. Jacqui also manages grievances, complaints and disciplinaries. On the other side of this position, she also ensures that all new additions to the SEC are well introduced into the Conference, organising inductions and any necessary training for individuals.
Jacqui helps over 160 people that work for the South England Conference, from teachers, to Ministers to office staff, working alongside the Secretariat to ensure that the legal side of our Conference is kept up-to-date and well informed.
Involved in various committees and meetings, Jacqui acts as assistant to the Secretary, Paul Lockham, as well as running the Human Resources Department.
Read more about Jacqui
Jacqui
Why did you decide to start working for the church?
It was definitely not intentional! God's Spirit led and guided me. I was not born into the SDA Church, but ended up attending A Baptist church. However, during my teens I stopped attending church altogether, yet at 25 got baptised into the SDA faith. I had been self-employed, publishing a magazine which I was allowed to distribute in the churches, and so that proved to be my initial contact with the church. Since then, I have worked within the SEC as a receptionist, in the Communications Department and now, in the Human Resources Department.
What would you say are the challenges of your job?
I feel that working in Human Resources in general is quite challenging because it involves people problems. However, I think my biggest challenge is keeping abreast of outside influences, for example, changes in the Law process or even Immigration policies.
What are the highlights of your time as director of this Department?
'For me, the highlight is to see people develop in their roles'. Giving people training and seeing them grow into the roles they've been placed in is a highlight of my job.
Taking the support staff away for a training weekend made such a difference when returning to the workplace, that it proved how we were building our relationships, and that has been a highlight of my job in the HR Department.
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