VOLUNTEER ROLE DESCRIPTION POSITION TITLE
Urban Camp Team Member
DIVISION
Youth
DEPARTMENT
Schools Engagement Program
REPORTS TO
Schools Engagement Coordinator
LOCATION
Fitzroy and surrounding suburbs
ORGANISATIONAL PURPOSE: Established during the Great Depression, the Brotherhood of St Laurence was the vision and creation of Fr Gerard Tucker, a man who combined his Christian faith with a fierce determination to end social injustice. The BSL has developed into an independent organisation with strong Anglican and community links. Today, we continue to fight for an Australia free of poverty. The Brotherhood of St Laurence employs over 600 staff and is supported by 1200 volunteers. We are developing social and community enterprises to address inequality by forming partnerships between government, business, community and welfare organisations. As well as providing services and programs for families and elderly people on low incomes, refugees, young people and the unemployed, we research the causes and effects of poverty and advocate national and local policy solutions for people who are disadvantaged. The BSL is currently focusing its work on strategies to alleviate and prevent poverty for those people most at risk at the four transition stages considered critical to their future wellbeing: the early years, the years from school to work, periods in and out of work and retirement and aging.
ABOUT URBAN CAMP The Schools Engagement Team works with schools to inspire and equip young people to be agents of social change and be part of the solution to poverty. This is achieved primarily through the delivery of Urban Camps out of our Fitzroy Head Office. Urban Camps involve 2-5 days of experiential learning where high school students are provided with opportunities to listen to the life stories of individuals whom the Brotherhood assists and participate in practical activities that contribute to the wellbeing of people experiencing disadvantage. These interactions allow students to challenge common stereotypes held about people experiencing homelessness, people seeking asylum, people who live in public housing and other categorised community groups. The essence of Urban Camp lies in genuine human connection and empathy, and the space this provides to demystify a range of social justice issues.
January 2019
POSITION SUMMARY As an Urban Camp Team Member, you will be part of an energetic and fun team who are passionate about empowering young people to be leaders of social change. Urban Camp Team Members are responsible for the ‘on-the-day’ delivery of the Urban Camp program.
Please note Urban Camp Team Members are not required to stay overnight. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: Specific tasks are dependent upon the time slot the volunteer is available. Camp activities revolve around topics like homelessness and public housing, refugees and asylum seekers, social isolation of older people, social enterprise and innovative solutions to social problems. Urban Camp Team Members will: • Help create a fun, positive and safe environment for the students attending Urban Camp • Assist with the facilitation of discussions, workshops, external camp activities and other events • Facilitate meaningful engagement between Urban Camp students and community members from all walks of life • Liaise with key contacts on the session day where required (school teachers, community partner staff, university staff) • Can represent the Brotherhood of St Laurence at schools as a public speaker • Accompanying students on public transport or driving them in a small bus (no bus license required) to and from different locations • Assist with meal preparation and clean-up after camp meals and adhere to food safety requirements. Successful candidates should be able to think on their feet and interact with young people in a dynamic and engaging way. We provide training to ensure volunteers can improve their skills and deliver high-quality content. This includes a mandatory volunteer training session before commencing your volunteer role.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA • • • • • •
•
An active interest in working with young people to tackle the stigma around poverty and disadvantage Empathetic to the issues facing the people the Brotherhood works with and comfortable discussing topics ranging from homelessness, to refugees, to mental health. Ability to work enthusiastically as part of a team but also take initiative in a fast-paced environment Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills You are a motivated, enthusiastic, fun, warm individual passionate about making a difference in this world! You can commit to a minimum of 5 hours a fortnight over a minimum period of 3 months
Note: If you don’t have all the skills listed above, but you are willing to learn and are passionate about working with young people and social justice - please apply. We know that the best people sometimes have no formal experience but are quick learners!
ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to: Supervises: Internal Liaisons: External Liaisons:
January 2019
Schools Engagement Coordinator N/A Brotherhood staff, volunteers, community members Public, school staff, students, external community partners
CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT • • • • •
A valid Working with Children Check is required (of no cost to the volunteer); A standard Police check is required for this role (of no cost to the volunteer); It is a condition of engagement that all staff take responsibility for a safe and healthy work environment and have a commitment to equal employment opportunity and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment; All staff and volunteers are expected to behave in accordance with the principles of the Brotherhood of St Laurence Code of Ethical Behavior The BSL operates a smoke-free work environment.
CERTIFICATION I have read this document and agree to undertake the duties and responsibilities as listed above. I also agree to abide by the fundamental principles of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence. I acknowledge that: I understand the requirements of, and am prepared to undertake the duties and responsibilities stated in the Position Description. The Position Description will be reviewed regularly in consultation with me. I undertake to keep all personal or sensitive information which I have access to, or become aware of in my role as a volunteer in the strictest confidence. I will always respect this confidence by only discussing such details within the bounds necessary to undertake my duties and responsibilities as a volunteer with the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
Volunteer: Name: ______________________________________ Date: ________________
Signature: ___________________________________
Supervisor We have carefully reviewed this Position Description and are satisfied that it fully and accurately describes the requirements of the position.
Name: ______________________________________ Date: ________________
Signature: __________________________________
January 2019
