INTRODUCTION

Octapod welcomes community involvement in its activities and strives to provide meaningful opportunities for volunteers and students. In an effort to make its services accessible to community groups and individuals, only a small fee or donation is required.

There are lots of ways to get involved with Octapod – whether as a member, volunteer, student, or as a financial supporter. For more information, please contact Christina Robberds via email (podadmin@octapod.org) or call her at Octapod on (02) 4927 0470, or pop in on Wed-Fri 9.30-2.30.

MEMBERS

Becoming a member of Octapod is a great way to show your support – every dollar helps us put on a workshop, purchase new equipment and pay the phone bill! Members have access to a network of likeminded creative types, kooky kids and people with know how. How much does it cost? Membership fees are due each year on 1 January. You can pick up an application form at Octapod, or email Christina (podadmin@octapod.org) to have a form sent to you. You can either pay by cash or cheque made out to ‘The Octapod Association’. Please don’t send cash if you are posting your application form. Concession $5 Waged $10 Passionate $20.

BOARD MEMBERS

We are seeking NEW members to join the board. We are particularly looking for people with the following experience: accounting (we need a Treasurer), fundraising (we want to start up a donor program), and staff management (we want to look after our staff!). We are also keen to hear for people with an interest in community, arts and media, and who can commit approx 1 hour per week. Contact podadmin@octapod.org for more info about what's involved in being a board member.

PAID POSITIONS

A number of paid positions are coming up to work alongside the This Is Not Art Festival Coordinator:

(1)  Volunteers Coordinator. $1000 fee. Applications close 6 August. See homepage for more info.

(2) Bar Manager/Licencee. $1000 fee. 2 positions available. Look out for advertisements in late July.

To express interest in any of these positions or to find out more information, contact Simone Sheridan, This Is Not Art Festival Coordinator via admin@thisisnotart.org.  

CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:

OCTAPOD ARCHIVIST

Key tasks: Assist the Arts Development Coordinator to archive Octapod's records. The archives are currently ordered according to year only. More thorough archiving is required.

Reports to: Arts Development Coordinator

Location: In the Octapod office

Hours per week: 1-2 hours per week for approx 4 weeks.

OCTAPOD ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT

Key tasks: Assist with general administrative tasks within the office, such as preparing signs/posters/notices, assisting with mailouts, banking, posting mail.

Reports to: Arts Development Coordinator

Location: In the Octapod office

Hours per week: Varies – up to 2 hours per month.

OCTAPOD MEDIA OFFICER

Key tasks: Assist with the preparation and distribution of media releases.

Reports to: Arts Development Coordinator

Location: Work can be done from home, or at Octapod office (by arrangement with staff)

Hours per week: Varies – up to 2 hours per month.

OCTAPOD WEB WRITER

Key tasks: Produce a variety of web based materials, including editing monthly enewsletter, updating Octapod website and facebook page.

Reports to: Arts Development Coordinator

Location: Work can be done from home, or at Octapod office (by arrangement with staff)

Hours per week: Varies – up to 3 hours per month.

STUDENT PLACEMENTS

Can be taken at any time during the year, provided that a meaningful work experience is available. Getting involved with the This Is Not Art Festival (early October) is a great opportunity, and placements are usually taken in May/June – communications and events management students are most welcome. The Cultural STOMP Festival (mid May) will be taking on student placements in February/March 2009. General Octapod student placements may also arise – eg, publicity/marketing, audience development, risk management, etc.

This Is Not Art Festival is currently seeking student placements to assist with this year's festival. See homepage for more info.

WORK FOR THE DOLE PLACEMENTS

Duties are usually pretty varied and often tied in with project activities, such as the This Is Not Art Festival and culturehunter.org. The focus is on giving participants meaningful work experiences, and we try to tailor the placement to your interests and skills.

FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS

Octapod appreciates both financial and pro bono support. Now that Octapod has Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, making a donation is even more attractive as donors receive a tax deduction for donations above $2!

PRO BONO SUPPORT

Octapod is currently seeking pro bono assistance in the following areas:

*Accounts/auditing

*Fundraising

*Marketing/communications.