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Want the opportunity to contribute to awareness and action on the issues you care about?
Want to gain experience as a well-supported volunteer with one of Australia’s leading development and advocacy organisations?
then Get Involved!
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OxfamUQ is based at the University of Queensland, but is open to everyone to get involved. Through our events, campaigns, and volunteering, OxfamUQ gives opportunities for everyone to:
- develop a sense of connection to humanitarian and development issues, and
- learn from one another and contribute to change
There are many ways you can be involved – from joining in events, to lending a hand when you have some free time, through to regular or ongoing volunteer roles (for example, in events, communications, IT, finances or planning).
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» If you are interested in any of our current volunteer opportunities – or if you have skills or contacts in another area that you would like to contribute to our group – then get in touch!
Just send an email to our volunteer co-ordinator at: oxfamUQ@oxfam.org.au and we’ll give you a call or arrange a time to meet up with you soon. Thanks!
(For current information on volunteering overseas, or on training & employment, please visit the Volunteers & Careers page).
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Why volunteer?
By volunteering for OxfamUQ, you get to meet great people, contribute your skills and ideas to something enjoyable and meaningful, and get involved in many exciting aspects of development, humanitarian relief and advocacy.
Several of our past exec volunteers have become Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development in Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines and elsewhere, and the skills and insights you’ll share as an Oxfam volunteer are ones that you can take with you anywhere in the world.
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Volunteer positions within OxfamUQ include:
Casual volunteering
- help out when you see an event or campaign that interests you! If you join our e-list (email: oxfamUQ@oxfam.org.au), you will receive our newsletter once every 2 weeks, with news on events and volunteer opportunities.
OxfamUQ Executive
The OxfamUQ Executive team meets each week to organise the Group’s events and activities, and exec members can either have specific roles (examples given below), or may be ‘general exec volunteers’, who take on roles or share tasks as they arise.
If you’d like to find out more, or to ask when our next meeting will be, just send us an email at:
oxfamUQ@oxfam.org.au
You are always welcome to come along to meet us or see what it’s like. ( Yes, there will be fairtrade chocolate! )
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Examples of specific roles on our Executive:
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Secretary – shared role, or training for sole charge
The Secretary of Oxfam UQ works closely with the Coordinator to communicate with the wider University community, Student Union, and Oxfam Australia. Other duties include arranging regular meetings: including times, meeting spaces and equipment required (e.g. laptop), and sending out reminders to members. The secretary may also be required to take minutes and send them out to the executive group, co-ordinate the AGM (in conjunction with Coordinator), and support the Membership, Volunteers, E-list and Website Coordinators with the administrative aspects of their roles.
Requirements for the role:
- A minimum time commitment of 2-3hrs per week for at least six months
- Good computer and typing skills
- Good organisational skills
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Treasurer – shared role, or new volunteer to focus on fundraising
The treasurer is responsible for the finances of the club, and works with the Coordinator and Secretary to take care of all financial transactions for the group, maintain records of income and expenditure, arrange bank account signatories and payments by cheque, arrange an annual audit, organise reimbursement of expenses.
Requirements:
- Basic accounting skills
- Attention to detail
- A small time commitment of 1-2 hours per week
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Volunteers coordinator - sole or shared role
The volunteers coordinator is responsible for responding to volunteering enquiries, determining the volunteer needs for events and activities, sending out calls for volunteers via the e-list, creating rosters for events and tasks, orienting and managing volunteers on the day of an event, and recording volunteer hours. There is also scope for developing volunteer leadership, education events and ‘skill-shares’ to help build the capacity of the group’s volunteers.
Requirements:
- Good organisational skills
- Good computer skills (Excel, databases)
- At least six months commitment in the role
- An average weekly time commitment of about 3 hours per week
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Website and IT coordinator
The Website & IT Coordinator position involves regularly updating the OxfamUQ website and setting up an efficient system to enable members to subscribe and unsubscribe from the group, and to update members’ information.
Requirements for the role:
- Good IT skills and experience with website design
- Experience with software such as Excel
- A minimum time commitment of 1-2hrs per week for at least six months
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Media coordinator
Works closely with the Communications Coordinator to publicise Oxfam and events through local media, e.g. local papers, scene ‘zines, radio; to design posters and flyers for events, or arrange for this to happen; and to arrange distribution of posters and flyers
Requirements for the role:
- Good interpersonal skills
- Experience with design software
- Preferably knowledge of, or willingness to learn, how to contact media organisations
- A minimum time commitment of 1-2hrs per week for at least six months (occasionally more hours during events, and less hours during quieter periods)
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Events coordinator
Key tasks:
- initiate and oversee the smooth planning, on-the-day running, and post-evaluation for all OxfamUQ events
- work with others coordinators to organise a range of events each year
- ensure that the following tasks are completed:
- venue booking
- catering
- logistical elements
- equipment & decor
- event entertainment (incl. guest speakers)
- construct event management plans relative to each event
- liaise with the Communications and Media coordinators to promote the event
Requirements for the role:
- Good organisational and time management skills
- Basic computer skills (Microsoft Word and Excel preferable)
- At least 6 months commitment in the role
- Hours will vary according to OxfamUQ’s event agenda for each semester
- Expect to commit 1-3 hours per week during quieter periods
- Leading up to events, required hours are likely to increase, this can be up to 10 hours per week in the final 2-4 weeks before an event (depending on event, and number of co-ordinators)
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Members & E-list coordinator
Key tasks:
- ensure sign-up sheets are available at each event or stall
- enter membership information into Excel spreadsheets
- add members to the Google Group e-list
- respond to enquiries at events for more information related to Oxfam
- liaise with the State Committee’s e-list co-ordinator regarding the Queensland office’s monthly lists
Requirements for the role:
- Good computer skills
- Some experience of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
- A minimum time commitment of 1-2hrs per week for at least six months (occasionally more hours during events, and less hours during quieter periods)
