Volunteering

Volunteer Information

AI relies on the work of volunteers to help defend human rights internationally. AI is a democratic and voluntary organisation so you can aspire to work at every level from support work to decision-making and participating in AI activist consultations. Tasks range from general office administration duties to coordinating a major campaign or event.

There are two main ways to volunteer for AIANSW:

Local Action Groups / Specialist Action Networks / Campus / School based campaign and event coordination

Local, Campus and School Action groups are located state-wide, while Specialist Action Networks are largely Sydney based. These teams play a key role in providing community outreach for AIA campaigns. Local, Campus and Schools Groups campaign on human rights in their local area and organise events to inform and inspire the community about AIA's work to defend and promote human rights. Specialist Action Networks do similar work but they focus on particular campaigns, such as Human Rights and Security; Refugees and Stop Violence Against Women.

Campaign work and events are organised by the groups and networks themselves and is open to all volunteers, including those with mainly weekends and after-hours availability and for people who live outside of Sydney. For more information about the Action Groups and Networks and the contact details for the team conveners please click on the link to the right of this page, email nswaia@amnesty.org.au, or phone (02) 8396 7670.

NSW Action Centre office based volunteering

Administrative support and events and campaigns organisation work takes place during office hours Monday to Friday at the NSW Action Centre in Chippendale, Sydney. Relevant skills and experience may be required for these volunteer positions and it is essential that volunteers are available for 2 - 4 hours a week on a regular day during office hours for a 3 to 6 month period. For major projects, longer hours may be required at peak times.

Volunteer Information Sessions

Volunteer Information Sessions are conducted every 4 - 6 weeks to outline the current volunteer roles and projects available in the NSW Action Centre: Level 1/79 Myrtle St, Chippendale, Sydney. The next Volunteer Information Session will be held on Tuesday 25 November at 4:30pm. The session runs for about 1 hour. No RSVP required. For further information please email: nswaia@amnesty.org.au or phone: (02) 8396 7670.

There are regular events and campaigning activities happening statewide and attending any of these is a good opportunity to support the work of AIA and provides an introduction to AIANSW activism and volunteering. See the events page for details.

Special Request for Volunteers to join the Speakers Network

Join a team of over 10 speakers who take up speaking engagements at schools, adult groups, universities and the corporate world. Presentations vary from a 3 minute assembly talk to one hour workshop sessions. The commitment needs to be ongoing but does not require a large amount of time or weekly commitment. The Speakers Network operates mainly in Sydney and fulfils the important function of raising awareness of Amnesty's national and global role in promoting and defending human rights. Time commitment: sporadic speaking engagements plus quarterly training and updates. 80 percent of speaking engagements are in the school terms, daytime. If you are interested please call (02) 8396 7670 or email: nswaia@amnesty.org.au

Regular tasks for volunteers include:
  • general office administration duties
  • responding to e-mails, phone messages and requests for information
  • providing administrative support to the NSW Community Campaigner and Regional Administration Officer
  • assisting with mail-outs
  • sending out new member information
  • updating information databases
  • support work for Local Groups and Networks and the Branch Committee
  • graphic design for posters, newsletters, website and event materials
  • producing campaign material, content for website, newsletters and publicity materials
  • telephone work
  • campaigning work within Activist Networks or Local Groups
  • events administration and coordination
  • reporting on and photographing events
  • if you are a trainer, training workshops for volunteers and activists
  • public speaking
What you can expect from us:
  • a relaxed and friendly work environment
  • an opportunity to work with like-minded people who support social justice
  • an opportunity to learn about and participate in many aspects of human rights activism
What we will expect from you:
  • to demonstrate behaviour appropriate to the aims of AI. It is important that everyone who works for AI respects the rights and opinions of others and especially in public acts in all ways in line with our aims and mandate.
  • to volunteer for a minimum of 2 - 4 hours per week for a period of at least three to six months.
  • to arrive promptly for your shift and notify the NSW Regional Administration Officer in advance if you are unable to come in on your designated day.
  • to be prepared to take instruction and carry out the full range of volunteer tasks asked of you to the best of your ability or to ask for help if needed.
  • to be willing to learn NSW office procedures or new skills as required and be flexible as priorities and work flow change.