The Melbourne Social Forum provides a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages, backgrounds and level of expertise to get involved in the organisation and the events we organise by becoming a volunteer.

Volunteering with the MSF is a great way to:

Volunteering with the MSF is as easy as sending us an email or turning up to our next meeting. Every event we organise is different, so no two experiences are ever alike. Where possible we like to reward our volunteers with a free entry pass and some food or a meal to keep your energy levels high. There are three levels of involvement that you can choose from.

1. Events Volunteer

As an events volunteer, we will call upon your assistance to help run and manage our events. You’ll receive special volunteer training sessions where you’ll get to meet all the other volunteers and some of the MSF organisers. You’ll learn about the skills and tasks that we need your assistance with.

Examples of common events volunteer tasks include:

2. Role based volunteer

In this position you can choose to join an existing team that specialise in a number of different areas. You could choose to take on a lead role or you could begin your journey by learning from the more experienced people in your team. Most positions would require 2 hours commitment per month at a minimum for most of the year. We would expect you to be able to attend some (but not all) of our monthly meetings. When there is an event or action being planned, then some teams will spring into action and more time will be required if you have the desire and ability to participate.

Some examples of teams you could join that specific roles and duties defined are:

Organisers and volunteers unwind after MSF 2007

3. MSF Organiser

Yes, that’s right you can volunteer to be a Melbourne Social Forum Organiser. All MSF organisers are currently volunteers. You can learn more about what the Organiser role involves here, but in short, you’ll be making strategical decisions that determine the future direction of the organisation. Of course someone in this position is also responsible for listening to input and feedback from MSF members, the public and keeping up to date with local and global social and environmental movements. You form the hub that allows the oranisation wheels to turn and you can expect to attend most of our monthly meetings or check-in with the group regularly via phone and email . It’s a wonderfully rewarding role and gives you a lot flexibility to get involved in the day-to-day happenings of the organisation if you choose.

Some MSF Organisers after a web design session

Organisers form the heart and soul of the effort to create a forum that serves the community in the fullest way possible. They do this by drawing upon their networks, knowledge and information and bringing this into the organising effort, which then infuses the deliberative process and organising effort.

Organisers do not always agree on the best way forward. MSF organisers must navigate the ideological diversity within the MSF organising group as well as the community. This requires an awareness of the ways that different people and different groups see the world, and a commitment to respect different ways of being and knowing. Dialogue and debate, and epistemic reflexivity are skills that organisers learn.

Organisers meet approximately once per month, but more often in lead up to the planned events. Meetings are held during weeknights near the city. There is an expectation that as an organiser you will be able to attend some of the meetings and engage in discussion about MSF issues via email. As a guide a commitment of 3 hours a month would be a minimum with more time required when our event organising team kicks into gear.

Meeting Details

Next Meeting Date: We generally meet during the week at 6.30pm for between 1 to 2 hours. For our next meeting date, visit our events page.

Who Can Attend Meetings? Anyone can attend our meeting and we welcome you to join us. For new people attending our meetings, there is no pressure to commit to the group or undertake any follow-up tasks. Come and join us, participate in our consensus decision making.