Community Fundraising & Events Volunteer

OVERVIEW

Commitment: Approximately 3-4 hours per week (mostly from home), with flexibility to do more hours in the lead-up to key events (including onsite). Plus availability to attend at least five weekend events per year. A minimum 12 month commitment is required.

Locations: Hybrid – Pets Of The Homeless HQ (Cheltenham VIC), various event locations across Melbourne (mainly CBD and south-east), and volunteering from home.

ABOUT PETS OF THE HOMELESS

Pets Of The Homeless (POTH) helps keep vulnerable people and their beloved pets together during times of hardship. Whether someone is experiencing homelessness, escaping family violence, or facing financial crisis, we believe no one should have to choose between their own wellbeing and their pet's. Pets are family - and our work ensures they stay that way.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We’re putting together a small group of organised, proactive and outgoing Community Fundraising & Events Volunteers to support our Fundraising Team with the behind-the-scenes preparation and hands-on delivery of our fundraising and community events.

This is a varied role for someone who enjoys a mix of administration, organisation and getting out into the community. One week you might be researching businesses and sourcing prizes for a silent auction; another you could be preparing event materials, packing supporter merchandise or setting up a POTH stall at a major community event.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising & Event Administration

• Researching, sourcing, contacting, and maintaining an accurate list of businesses to donate prizes, including coordination of their delivery
• Photographing prizes and preparing engaging descriptions for auction and raffle listings to load on our online silent auction platform
• Printing, preparing, sorting, labelling and packing prizes and event materials
• Assisting with prize distribution and collection following events
• Helping ensure prize donors are appropriately acknowledged and thanked
• Providing administrative support to the Fundraising Team in the lead-up to events

Community Outreach & Events

• Collecting event collateral and equipment from our Cheltenham headquarters before events and returning it afterwards
• Setting up, maintaining, and packing down event stalls, including marquees, tables, signage, displays, merchandise and promotional materials
• Represent Pets Of The Homeless at events by warmly engaging with the public, sharing information about our work and encouraging people to support or get involved
• Assisting with merchandise and raffle sales and donation processing
• Working collaboratively with staff and fellow volunteers

Other Fundraising Support

• Packing and posting merchandise, including running singlets for marathon fundraisers, shop orders and ambassador packs
• Handwriting thank you cards and appreciation certificates for high-value supporters
• Assisting with other practical fundraising and event tasks as required

WHAT YOU’LL GET FROM US

• Play a hands-on role in fundraising and community events that directly support vulnerable people and their pets
• Gain practical experience across event administration, fundraising, donor engagement and community outreach
• Build skills in prize procurement, online auction management and event logistics
• Meet plenty of fellow animal lovers (and four-legged friends too!)
• Volunteer alongside a friendly and passionate team
• Help more people discover the work of Pets Of The Homeless and ultimately help keep vulnerable people and their pets together

COMMITMENT

A minimum 12 month commitment is required.

Approximately 3-4 hours per week (mostly from home), with flexibility to do more hours in the lead-up to key events (including onsite). 

As an important part of this role is representing Pets Of The Homeless at community events, you’ll also need to be available for at least five outreach events each year, including:

• Pets In The Park (Malvern) - March 
• POTH Signature Event (Location TBC) - April
• Run Melbourne (Melbourne) - July
• POTH Trivia Night or similar (Location near Cheltenham) - August 
• Dog Lovers Festival (Flemington) - October

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

As event set-up, pack-down and transporting materials are important parts of this role, volunteers need to be comfortable with moderate physical activity including standing for long periods. Please let us know if you have any pre-existing injury or illness that may be adversely affected by placement in this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send us a brief introduction outlining your experience, availability and why you’d like to volunteer with Pets Of The Homeless to Sophia at [email protected]