Volunteering

New South Wales has hosted some of the biggest and most successful events in Australia. Part of the secret of the success of these events has been the dedicated hard working volunteers who've helped make them happen.

Self-worth, social greatitude, great fun, friendships and job opportunities can all be reason for getting involved with your local community. Volunteering may be an outlet for your natural talents, a way to gain that much needed experience for your new career, or simply a great way to meet new friends.

What ever your reason is for volunteering everyone would agree that…….

Life’s better as a volunteer!

Why do we need volunteers?
As a community based organisation, Bicycle NSW requires the highly valued support given by volunteers to ensure the smooth running of its events. The time and resource given up by our team of dedicated volunteers ensures that our bicycle events are a success every time.

Their labour, intelligence and planning before, during and after the rides are critical to the continuing success. Volunteers not being paid means that we can keep prices down, and therefore make bike riding events accessible to all in communities and the state.

Of course, the benefits are not just entirely for Bicycle NSW and the cycling community, volunteering is a terrific way to meet a variety of people from different backgrounds and areas. You will have fun while at the same time have the feeling that you are giving back to society and doing something valuable and meaningful for the benefit of others. Many of our volunteers have been able to develop useful work-related skills, by furthering their training from universities, colleges and tafes, and used volunteering as practical experience in furthering their careers.

For the Volunteer Charter click here

Volunteering – What can I do?

Currently, Bicycle NSW runs numerous cycling evetns across the state, and these utilise teams of volunteers throughout the year in many different ways.

Event Day

Come event day we need hundreds of volunteers to help us successful run our many events from route marshals to start site assistance there is a role for everyone! So check out the events page and see what’s coming up that you can get on board for.

Pre and Post event
This is for people who can help out in the office, at our equipment store, or around towns and communities.

Office
Office helpers are always needed to sort through the incredible number of print material that is sent out to participants, volunteers, and Bicycle NSW members on various issues throughout the year. Especially busy prior to the events, we need people who are able to come into our office and help with enveloping filling, so all relevant material can get to its destination. This is a great way to lend a few hours of your time and find out everything about the event.

Special abilities

Computer literate helpers that would like to lend a hand are more than welcome. If you have an interest in mapping, computer design, or are able to interpret statistics, we would be delighted if you could spare a few hours of your time to help move our plans and material forward. Just let us know what you can do, and we’ll let you know what we have to do.

What do Volunteers get?
As Bicycle NSW events differ in size and time, there are special perks that volunteers receive on different rides. We try though to make all our volunteers feel special and recognise them for their efforts and for giving up their time and resource to make the events successful. For this we provide every volunteer with the following:

• Special transport arrangements to and from our events

·         Morning Tea or Lunch

·         Specially designed Volunteers hat

·         Event specific Volunteers T-shirt

·         Certificate of participation

·         Satisfaction and social gratitude of helping others

·         Hands on work expereience

·         References on request

·         Pre event briefing and training

How to Apply?

To apply to become a volunteer for Bicycle New South Wales on any of the events, pre or post activities, or as a general office helper:

Email: volunteer@bicyclensw.org.au

Call: (02) 9218 5409

Or call us and make an appointment to come by and see us at:

Level 5,

(entrance in via Little

We look forward to meeting you soon.

From all of us at Bicycle NSW, thank you.

Proudly supported by

The aim of our volunteer program is to match the right task to the right person so that all our volunteers are happy and Bicycle New South Wales events are a success. To find out more about becoming a volunteer and the enjoyable and challenging work you can perform for us in our campaigns, bike events or office administration please phone (02) 9218 5409 during business hours and ask to talk to our volunteer co-ordinator.

RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

What rights do you have?

You as a volunteer for Bicycle NSW have a right to:

* A clear job description and sufficient information to properly carry out your tasks.

* Receive job satisfaction including adequate time off

* Be assigned to jobs that are worthwhile and challenging

* Support and trust from a trained and supervised Team Leader

* Support from Bicycle NSW staff and co-workers to enable you to satisfactorily perform your tasks

* Share responsibilities with co-workers and Team Leaders

* Participate in team meetings, briefings and the organisation of your work area

* Be reimbursed for expenses where appropriate

* Be given adequate transport where appropriate

* Receive training both initial and ongoing where appropriate, as well as on thew job supervision

* Protection, personal safety and a specially designed volunteer medical insurance

* Know to whom they are accountable and have clearly defined channels of communication and contacts

* Receive appropriate feedback on your performance

* Know what tasks you will be expected to perform, and able to say no to unacceptable tasks

What responsibilities do I have?

* Be dependable and give adequate notice if for any reason you are unable to fully carry out your assigned tasks and duties

* Register yourself to Bicycle NSW as a volunteer by properly filling out the volunteer application form

* Be willing to undertake any training necessary to perform the allocated task on the event safely and competently

* Understand and support Bicycle NSW objectives and policies and the role they take within the community

* Co-operate with other volunteers, staff, participants, on-lookers and residents to ensure the event is a success for the whole community and is run efficiently for all involved

* Respect the privacy of others

* Provide feedback, suggestions and recommendations to the Team Leader, Volunteer Coordinator and Bicycle NSW which can improve or better the event for all

* Be careful of your own welfare and safety and not become over committed

* Behave appropriately and acceptably as an ambassador to Bicycle NSW and comply with all event rules and regulations

* Attend the volunteers briefing and all scheduled event meetings

GENERAL INFORMATION

As a volunteer for Bicycle New South Wales, there are certain aspects and areas that are organised and taken care of for you. On all events the following applies:

Insurance
In the event of another party suing over alleged negligence of a volunteer whilst engaged in authorised activities of the rides, you are covered by twenty million dollar Public & Products Liability insurance.

All Bicycle NSW volunteers are also covered by a specially designed one million dollar Voluntary Workers Insurance Policy. In the unfortunate case of a volunteer having an accident that causes any medical expense, permanent disability or injury, this policy covers the volunteer during any event if any medical expense is occurred.

Expenses

While we attempt to provide everything that you will need to efficiently and safely run our events, we do not expect volunteers to spend their own money to purchase items needed for the rides. However, on some occasions volunteers are requested to organise or buy goods, which if appropriate will be arranged by the Team leader for reimbursement.

Clothing and Equipment

Volunteers will be issued with their own t-shirts and caps to wear on the events. These specially designed volunteer only shirts will distinguish you as part of the event, and are a token souvenir for you to keep. All necessary equipment for you to efficiently perform your task will be provided by Bicycle NSW which is to be returned after the event. All other forms of clothing and personal items are the responsibility of the volunteer to provide.

Dealing with the media

Throughout your involvement with Bicycle NSW events, you may be approached to respond to questions raised by the media or community in general. It is critical that no personal comments are made and that any general enquiries are politely directed to the events publicity coordinator who you will be notified of before the event.

Pre Ride Briefing

All events of Bicycle NSW have a volunteers’ briefing, usually one to two weeks prior to the ride. It is conducted in Sydney by the staff at Bicycle NSW and will give you all the necessary information that is needed for you to efficiently and safely perform your task. It is recommended that all volunteers commit themselves to attending this meeting, so that any unclear information can be straightened our or any questions can be fielded

Volunteer Thank You function

The thank you party/function has long been a tradition of Bicycle NSW events. After the rides, we will run a party at a time and place to give the greatest number of volunteers the opportunity to get back together for a social and entertaining gathering. All volunteers are invited with food and drinks provided and some type of entertainment on some occasions. This is a great way to catch up with everyone.