How to get involved with the EWB Victoria Region Team?

Anyone can get involved. You do not need to be an engineer. In fact, we openly encourage the support and involvement of non-gineers. The EWB Victoria Region Team provides a framework for members to work in our local areas as well as a great way to meet people with similar values. There are many opportunities to volunteer locally by: spreading the message attending an induction session volunteering your time, skills and experience learning about development suggesting new ideas and opportunities attending our events

Below are some of the ways you can directly volunteer with our events and initiatives with EWB in Victoria.

1. Get inducted
Throughout 2012, EWB Victoria will be facilitating Induction Nights for new members (and those who want to brush up on what we do and what we are capable of). This is a cool initiative for those who want to learn about EWB and start volunteering with us. Who can attend: Any bona fide EWB member When: Four times per year, check the dates here: http://www.ewb.org.au/explore/chapters/vic/calendar Contact: Maree Zannis (Engagement Champion) Email: maree.zannis@gmail.com

2. Local Projects
Local Projects are coordinated through the relationships with our Community Partner organisations. Community partners are organisations that EWB works with to assist them gain access to knowledge, resources and appropriate technologies needed to achieve their respective aims. We require assistance with the following Victoria Region Local Projects:

2.1 Spokes in the Wheel Project

In partnership with Sudanese Australia Integrated Learning Partnership (SAIL), EWB is assisting the Sudanese refugee community in Melbourne to access donated old bicycles and fix them up for use. Who can volunteer: Open to anyone with any interest in community development When: Upcoming Bike Teaching sessions each Saturday in September. Contact: Will Clarke (Spokes in the Wheel Coordinator) Email: spokesinthewheel@gmail.com

2.2 Sages Cottage Farm Water Project

In partnership with Menzies Incorporated, EWB is assisting the Sages Cottage farm in Baxter, south of Melbourne, to implement a number of water improvement projects and initiatives. The team employs appropriate technology, sustainable development and educational initiatives to upgrade the water management operation of the Sages Farm in Baxter. Menzies Incorporated offers therapeutic programs to children who have been exposed to family violence, abuse or neglect. Who can volunteer: Open to anyone with any interest in community development When: Weekend workshops, ongoing Contact: Ciara Noone (Menzies Partnership Coordinator) Email: noone.ciara@gmail.com

2.3 North Melbourne Language and Learning

EWB Victoria is in the process of establishing a relationship with North Melbourne Language and Learning (NMLL). Who can volunteer: Open to anyone with any interest in community development and capacity building When: Sporadic at the moment but the opportunity is there to get involved in developing the partnerships and projects. Contact: Ellie Ali (NMLL Project Manager) Email: EAli@powercor.com.au

3. Knowledge and Education

EWB Victoria Region Team is the knowledge transfer link between universities, corporate partners and individuals. The following initiatives aim to ensure that community development and capacity is at the forefront of our processes and community engagement. We are looking for support in the following initiatives.

3.2 School Outreach Program

EWB School Outreach activities engage school students and teachers in interactive workshops, around Victoria, on sustainable development, global sustainability, human development, appropriate technology the role of engineering in poverty eradication. We currently facilitate a range of ongoing, and one-off, workshops with a number of schools around Melbourne and we have a partnership with Akorn Education to deliver these workshops. In 2012, during the Year of Regional Engineering, EWB will be looking to initiate School Outreach Programs in Ballarat, Mildura and Wangaratta. Who can volunteer: Open to any professional or student interested in sustainable development, appropriate technology and knowledge and education. When: During secondary school semesters on weekdays Contact: Jack Clarke (School Outreach Coordinator) Email: j.clarke7@student.unimelb.edu.au

3.3 Knowledge Hubs

Knowledge Hubs are a network of people with a common interest with a theme central to EWB. These Hubs are managed via online communities, however they meet regularly to discuss issues and implement initiatives with our community partners, based Australia and overseas. We have opportunities in the following Knowledge Hubs: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) Energy Structures (or Infrastructure)

Who can volunteer: Engineering professionals (all disciplines), students (all disciplines), professionals of any background interested in any of the above themes. When: Ongoing

Contact: Lesley Smith (Knowledge Champion) **We will forward your details and interest to the relevant Knowledge Hub manager Email: lesley.ewb@gmail.com

4. Fundraising and Events

The success of EWB is critically dependent on the support of individuals, foundations and corporations through their generous donations and in-kind support which enables us to undertake the work that we do. Our goal is to act as a catalyst to initiate a sustainable solution to the root cause of the problem. Therefore, we aim to integrate our work into the larger context of the challenges facing a community or region. We determine success through the long term impact that we have on the community. Our events play a critical part in this knowledge and awareness campaign.

4.1 Fundraising
The EWB Victoria Region Team coordinates and facilitates a broad range of exciting and engaging fundraising activities. We have opportunities for motivated individuals to assist in our fundraising programs. Who can volunteer: Anyone and everyone with a passion for EWB When: Ongoing Contact: Perry Jackson and Alicja Modzelewski (Fundraising Champions) Email: perry.f.jackson@gmail.com and a.modzelewski.ewb@gmail.com

4.2 EWB Speed Date Nights

EWB Victoria Region Team facilitates four Speed Date Nights (we have not developed a better name yet) per year for our members. These sessions provide a quick 15 minute overview of EWB in Victoria and then an opportunity to meet our very active volunteers who are running initiatives across the Region. The idea of the night is to learn about EWB, find out what you want to get involved with and then get some digits to get involved. Who can volunteer: Anyone with an interest in event management and learning about EWB When: Ongoing Contact: Maree Zannis (Engagement Champion) Email: maree.zannis@gmail.com

5. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island engagement

The Victoria Region Team works closely with the EWB National Office on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program to implement our objectives under the 2010 2012 EWB Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Our work is based on a two way sharing of knowledge and cultures to further our ultimate goal of a reconciled Australia. There are opportunities for volunteers to assist in the following programs: Cross Cultural awareness training Dialogues on Country Murray Darling Basin study program Yarra River Walking Tours Yorta-Yorta and EWB Partnership

Who can volunteer: Open to any professional or student interested in listening, Indigenous Australia reconciliation, land management, water issues and stakeholder engagement. When: Ongoing Contact: Dan AVard (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Engagement Champion) Email: davard.ewb@gmail.com

6. Buddies for Overseas In-Country Vollies

EWB Australia has strong partnerships with a number of community organisations in South Asia and South East Asia. The National Office recruits over 40 people each year and places them with appropriate community partners who need assistance with developing their knowledge and technical capacity. We need about 5 to 8 Victoria Region buddies each year who are willing to advocate for these in-country volunteers, assist them whilst they are away, share their stories with the Victoria community and integrate them into the Region Chapter. Who can volunteer: This is a great new initiative for anyone willing to learn about international community development without needing to go overseas. When: Roles are advertised from March 2012 onwards however send an email to Jai Allison if you are interested in setting it up. Contact: Jai Allison Email: j.allison@ewb.org.au

6. Become a Member
If you are not already a member, do it! You need to be one so you can volunteer with EWB. Membership is also the best way get involved in our work across the Victoria Region. It is important to note that EWB membership is not only for engineers. In fact, many of the EWB staff at our National Office are non-gineers. The benefits of becoming a Member are: Voting rights at the Annual General Meeting. Member website login access to Knowledge Hubs and associated programs. Management and mentor opportunities for EWBs Local Projects. Access to our Volunteer Opportunities database. National and international project placement opportunities. Opportunity for Victoria Region Chapter and national leadership positions. Access to EWB events, seminars and conferences. Monthly EWB National Office e-newsletter. Being a part of an awesome organisation.

Membership Categories (Annual) To sign up as an EWB Member, please go to: http://www.ewb.org.au/getinvolved/becomemember/ Student / unwaged Member Professional member $20 $100

Proposing New Events and Initiatives

In addition to the above initiatives, as an EWB Member, you can submit event and initiative proposals for discussion and approval via an online form: http://www.ewb.org.au/admin/initiative_proposal All proposals will be raised at the next possible Victoria Region Team meeting for review.

More information
For more information regarding these initiatives and opportunities across the Victoria Region, please see our website at http://www.ewb.org.au/explore/chapters/vic. On the website is a list of our Upcoming Events, Recent Announcements, Discussions and a list of all of our latest Volunteer Opportunities. For specific inquiries, please email us at vic.chapter@ewb.org.au.