Welcome to the CERES Volunteer Program!

Volunteers make up a large part of the CERES Community and we welcome your request to volunteer to help us create environmental sustainability and social equity in the world. CERES has many different areas that you can be involved in from working with animals or plants, to helping out with projects or administration.

• User surveys
• Supporting other volunteers
• Office Administration work
• Landscape Gardening
• Community Agriculture
• Animal Care
• Site Maintenance
• Kitchen Hand or bar work at festivals
• Art Work
• Festivals & Events
• Information Stalls
• Promotions / Communications
• Nursery Work
• Project Work

Talk to us about where you would like to be involved - You will have access to -:

• Designated Supervisor to work with
• Volunteer Co-ordinator for support and guidance
• Invitations to volunteer social activities
• Appreciation for your contribution

CERES has a Volunteer Policy providing guidelines for your involvement.

Volunteer Philosophy

CERES belongs to the community in that it is a public resource for environmental sustainability, social equity, cultural richness and community participation.

Volunteers represent the community that CERES serves, and by providing input, contribute to CERES evolution and development.

Volunteers bring an abundance of skills, energy and passion for the values CERES promotes. Volunteers therefore support CERES in striving towards its vision. Volunteering at CERES focuses on working together to fulfil common goals and therefore CERES is committed to providing a unique and enriching experience for volunteers.

Potential Volunteers Under 18 years of Age

CERES will not register legal minors as volunteers unless they are accompanied in their volunteering by a parent or a properly authorised guardian who is over 18 years of age. 
If you are interested in setting up this type of ‘paired’ volunteering at CERES follow the steps to making a request below and forward volunteer questionnaires for BOTH adult and child together.

High School Work Experience Volunteers

We closed the CERES Work Experience Program during mid-2007 to conduct a review of this program.

The reason for the review is that we cannot properly respond to all the enquiries CERES receives for work experience placements and we want to develop a clear, high quality, educational program for students in the future.

The review is currently taking longer than intended but will be nearing completion at the end of June 2008.   (One of our loyal volunteers will be working on the final details of the new program during that month).

The new program will have limited places and placement is likely to follow a written application from the student and require attendance at an interview.

Enquiries for the 2008 program are welcome but will not be formally responded to until at least end of June.

The Volunteer Program and Coordinator’s Role

This is my corner of  the ‘train’. It is just inside the door.  I encourage current or prospective volunteers to pop in and see me at CERES with their questions or feedback any time.  Alternatively you can  send me  an email to volunteer@ceres.org.au . 

Greg Thorpe, CERES Volunteer Coordinator.

Volunteers have been an integral part of developing CERES since day 1!   CERES receives over 400  Volunteer Requests each year and that number seems to be growing each year, reflecting a wider growth in environmental and community consciousness and interest in CERES. 

The Volunteer Program manages these requests across all areas of CERES and aims to match what each volunteer wants out of  volunteering, to the needs of CERES staff requesting help from volunteers. 
 
We presently employ  Greg Thorpe as the CERES Volunteer Co-ordinator for 14 hours per week to manage and structure the program  - this involves being the primary contact and support person for all current or prospective volunteers.

Greg is usually on site in the mornings on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and currently works in the ‘train’ beside the sandpit near the CERES café.

An important part of Greg’s role is to support volunteers who find their volunteering at CERES does not live up to their expectations and to empower CERES to learn from our current volunteers.  If you have feedback or questions on any volunteering-related matter please contact Greg!

Steps to Making a Volunteer Placement Request

General Volunteering Request

• Check out the rest of the CERES website to get a clearer view of the work we are doing and what team you might like to support with your time, effort and energy.
  
• Download following questionnaire and covering letter below VOLUNTEER QUESTIONNAIRE

• Fill-in the questionnaire and return it to volunteer@ceres.org.au

Responding to a Posted Volunteer Position Description

• Check out the Position Descriptions on this web site.
• Follow the same steps as for a ‘General Volunteering Request’ above.
• If requested by the Position Description: Attach a Resume and/or Work Samples and return it with your filled questionnaire to volunteer@ceres.org.au
• Write the name of the position in the subject line of your email (this may give it priority).

Your contact details will be placed on our confidential volunteer database, where they will be managed with regard to privacy legislation.
Making Volunteer Requests Without Email Access

• Visit the Office at CERES and ask at Reception about applying to volunteer.
• You will be given a paper copy of the Volunteer Questionnaire and asked to fill it in.  (If you need assistance with this it can be provided by the Volunteer Program).
• The receptionist will send your request to the Volunteer Co-ordinator to seek a placement for you.

If you would like information on other organisations where you can be a volunteer, contact Volunteering Victoria 9642-5266. Volunteer Victoria have a huge database of volunteer organisations. They will help you find suitable places in your area of interest.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at CERES
We look forward to seeing you!

Volunteering at Festivals and Events


Volunteers are regularly needed for all of our events.

Harvest Festival 2008
Now’s the time to celebrate harvest! Preparations have started for this year’s Harvest Festival on Sunday the 30th of March from 3-9pm. The Village Green will be packed with 15 food stalls where volunteer cooks prepare their own culture’s dishes, Kurdish, Australian, Greek and many more. And there will be live music acts throughout the day.

To find out more about the upcoming Harvest Festival click here to go to the Festivals Page to see what is in the pipeline for this fantastic event!!  

Festivals and Events Email Group
One good way to be kept informed about volunteering opportunities with CERES festivals and events is to ask to have your email address included on the Festivals and Events Volunteer Email Group.

To be put on the Festivals and Events Email Group list contact Greg Thorpe  at  volunteer@ceres.org.au
 

For Further Information on Volunteering at CERES


Greg Thorpe
CERES Volunteer Program Co-ordinator
Email: volunteer@ceres.org.au
Phone: (03) 9387-2609