CONTENTS 3
What’s the pack?
4
where’s the pack based?
6
joining the pack
8
ActivateUTS
9
what does the pack do?
10
What’s in it for you?
12
our events
14
weekly events
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ActivateHQ
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volunteer of the year award
19
apply now
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help for pack members
22
the serious stuff
27
who’s who
28
contact us
WHAT’S THE PACK? Ever wondered how many hands are necessary to put on the awesome ActivateUTS events and activities on campus? LOTS! Sooo many in fact, that it just wouldn’t be possible without them. The Pack is the collective name for the army of volunteers that underpin many of our events and activities. ActivateUTS aims to provide the UTS campus with the best student (and staff) experience possible; and The Pack plays a pivotal role in reaching this goal. “Packers” (as we affectionately call them) help out with ActivateEvents, work with the events team to create the UTS events calendar, and help spread the word of events on campus. 3
WHERE’S THE PACK BASED? Concourse
Building 2
Sushi Stop
Tower Building 1
Rest Stop
Kebab Stop
Food Court Stop
ActivateMarketplace Entry
Kiwi Booth Corn Booth
Entrance
Grape Booth
Exit
Orange Booth
Entrance The Birdcage
Theatre Lounge
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Green Line
Toilet
ActivateRetail
The Underground South
The Tunnel
Food Court
The Loft at UTS
ActivateHQ
Bites
The Chalet
Foo Ju
t
The Pack’s den is in the ActivateSocial office, located in ActivateMarketplace Level 3, UTS Tower Building, Broadway (City Campus). Don’t be a stranger ... pop in and say hello whenever you like!
Rest Stop
Thai in a Box
ActivateMarketplace Ladies Toilet
od Court unction
Lettuce Booth The Underground Junction North
Exit The Underground Junction South
Pool Tables
Disabled Toilet Mens Toilet
The Chalet
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WANT TO JOIN THE PACK? People volunteer for all sorts of reasons: to make a difference to the lives of others; to be more involved in their local community; to get more hands-on experience; or just because they’ve got some extra time on their hands. As part of ActivateUTS’ The Pack, you can: u Have heaps of fun! u Gain valuable working experience u Make friends and socialise u Build employment skills u Attend loads of great events u Make a difference to the lives of fellow students 6
This booklet has been designed to give you an overview of the volunteering opportunities available at ActivateUTS and help you select the best ones for you. If joining The Pack sounds like an appealing opportunity, we want to hear from you! There’s no test, exam, lengthy forms to fill out, psychological testing or any other weird and wacky ways to join. It’s pretty simple, head online for more information. Facebook: www.facebook.com/activateuts Email: ActivateUTS.ThePack@gmail.com Web: www.activateuts.com.au/thepack * Note: to join The Pack you must be a registered member of the ActivateUTS website. 7
ActivateUTS (formerly known as UTS Union), has been involved in all aspects of nonacademic life at UTS for over 40 years, bringing colour, fun, laughs and friendship to the wider UTS community. We’re more than on campus facilities such as the bars and cafes, the gym and retail outlets. We’re also more than the on campus events, clubs and societies (sporting and social). We’re all about enhancing your experience while studying at UTS. We’re the place you come to when you’re looking to make new friends, meet likeminded people and make those connections that last a lifetime. 8
WHAT DOES THE PACK DO? The Pack undertakes duties on behalf of a range of ActivateUTS departments, clubs and affiliates. Members of The Pack are required to perform the following tasks, however everyday will be different; u Liaising and effectively communicating with ActivateUTS departments, clubs, affiliates and other members of The Pack u Perform any duties required before, during and after events u Promote ActivateUTS events and programs u Assist with event sales and registration u Monitor backstage areas at events u Assist with bump-in and bump-out of event equipment u Assist in the collation of O’Week event packs (Semesters 1 and 2) u Distributing flyers/ hanging posters u Plus a range of other exciting tasks! If we see you excelling as a member of The Pack, we may ask you to assist with more specific duties, and act as a leader to the remainder of The Pack. 9
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU? Let’s be honest, when someone asks us to do something, we all want to know, “what’s in it for me”? Joining The Pack is a choice to make a difference by willingly giving your time, skills, and enthusiasm to support and facilitate ActivateUTS in providing worthy services to the UTS community. Volunteering is an opportunity to create friendships, build networks, and be involved in the university community, all whilst having fun. This is a chance for you to use your natural talents and explore your interests, which can be a road-test for your future career. 10
Here are a few of the benefits that volunteering can provide: u An opportunity to network and build your friendships and industry connections u The chance to learn new skills and develop upon your existing skill set u A way to enhance your work experience in event management and administration u Experiences to use in interviews and expand your resume u Recognised and non-accredited quality training in volunteer programs u A means to earn CLiCs (points) for your BUiLD program - for more info, visit: http://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/opportunities/build-program/clics u The process to build your self-esteem and confidence u A way to mentor and lead new, and future, students u A supportive, ethical and safe work environment u Flexible and varied jobs and activities to take part in u A way to give back to the university community u Recognition for your hard work and effort, through positive employment references u Invitation to the exclusive volunteer ‘thankyou’ party 11
OUR EVENTS Throughout the year, ActivateUTS organises and manages a huge range of events, all with a social, cultural or creative focus. Each event offers something different for students and a range of volunteer opportunities for The Pack! Check out some of our regular favourites: 12
o’day
activities day
o’fest
winterfest
quay markets
karoke pop night
u-ball
melbourne cup
oktoberfest
amazing race
events weeks (harmony week, health & happiness week, green week, almost famous week, art expo)
survival of the fittest
city2surf
uts sport championships
ride to work 13
WEEKLY EVENTS Our bars on campus, The Loft at UTS and The Underground, host a range of events throughout the week, which on occasion will require the assistance of The Pack members. 14
songs on stage open mic night
mexican madness
backstage presents
2 for 1 pizza
AD LIBERATION theatre-sports
sundown sessions
trivia
acoustic music
karaoke wednesdays
thursday night live comedy, theatre-sports, poetry and hip hop
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ActivateHQ Members of The Pack will also occasionally be required to assist in general day-to-day duties at ActivateHQ. Based at the entrance to ActivateMarketplace, this is the hub for student information, events, joining a club or society, or simply grabbing a free student diary; the staff at ActivateHQ are here to help. As the first point of contact for ActivateUTS, this is a pivotal role. Staff at ActivateHQ have regular engagement with students so a happy, smiling face and a willingness to help is all that’s required, we can teach you the rest! 16
At ActivateUTS, we like to recognise the hard and selfless work that volunteers do by awarding one special person with the annual ‘Volunteer of the Year Award’. This award recognises the outstanding volunteer contributions to the UTS community every year. The winner receives a cash grant and a trophy, presented at the ActivateUTS Annual Dinner. Current UTS students are eligible to be nominated by a member of the UTS community (you can’t nominate yourself). Volunteer contributions to be considered are: u ActivateUTS sport or activities clubs or societies u UTS Peer Network Society u UTS events, including info day, advisory day, orientation or semester parties u Any other instance where a student has volunteered his or her time and skills to be involved in a UTS or ActivateUTS event or program Keep your eyes on the ActivateUTS website for details on volunteer nominations. 17
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HOW TO APPLY TO JOIN THE PACK u 1. Visit the ActivateUTS website: www.activateuts.com.au/thepack and click on ‘Join the Pack’. If you’re not already a member of the ActivateUTS website, you’ll need to register u 2. Submit an application online, including the list of events you’re interested in getting involved with. You can also nominate which role in The Pack you feel will suit you best Your application will be sent to the Den for review. Upon receipt of your application, you will be emailed a reference number for your application u 3. You will receive confirmation and will begin to receive emails regarding events and activations based on the specific role you have been allocated within The Pack You may be required to attend a brief induction where you will be introduced to the ActivateUTS spaces, basic volunteering procedures and provided with a Welcome Pack. * Note: Volunteers are advised to regularly check the ActivateUTS website for updated list of events.
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I’M A PACK MEMBER... WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? Don’t worry – whenever we need a Pack member to do anything we will contact you! If you want to be proactive, check out the ActivateEvents page on our website and contact us if there are any events you are interested in volunteering. Between two and four weeks prior to an event, Pack members will be contacted advising of roles and associated tasks they have been assigned for the event. You will also be advised of the times that you’ll be required and any additional information on briefing and training (if required). There are always last minute opportunities for volunteers. These will be allocated on a first in, first served basis. Pack members who have demonstrated their reliability may be assigned priority for these opportunities. After events, some Pack members may be required to attend a debriefing, or provide feedback; this just helps us plan the best events on campus. Please note, some popular events may be oversubscribed and in such instances, preference will be given to experienced, reliable Pack members, or those deemed most suitable for the roles available. 20
I CAN’T WORK AT AN EVENT! Anyone unable to attend an event they’ve expressed interest in, or have been requested to volunteer at, are asked to advise us as soon as possible, or a minimum of one week before the event. 21
THE SERIOUS STUFF Volunteer Rights and responsibilities Both volunteers and ActivateUTS have rights and responsibilities. Volunteers are engaged to perform a specific job and ActivateUTS agrees to provide the volunteer with a worthwhile and rewarding experience. In return, each has the right to some basic expectations of the other.
Volunteers have the right to: u Be selected for their roles through an interview and screening process. This might include reference and police checks and, where appropriate, a prohibited employment declaration for roles that involve working directly with children u Be covered by ActivateUTS volunteer personal accident insurance (in place of workers compensation insurance) u Work in a healthy and safe environment (refer to NSW Work Health and Safety Act[s]) u Suitable tools for The Pack role allocated, including access to sufficient training u Be supported, guided and respected by The Pack, ActivateSocial team and UTS Community u Be heard and make suggestions 22
u Access The Pack handbook, and an introduction to ActivateUTS’ purpose, values and code of practice u Be kept informed of ActivateUTS’ policy and procedural changes and the reasons for the changes u Receive an equal employment opportunity; understand anti-discrimination legislation and ActivateUTS grievance processes u Have their confidential and personal information dealt with in accordance with the principles of the Privacy Act 1988 u Know who they are accountable to during each task, and what is expected of them u Work on a task for no more than 16 hours a week on a regular basis, unless otherwise agreed upon to extended their working hours u Reimbursement of agreed expenses incurred on behalf of the ActivateUTS or affiliates u A verbal reference or statement of service, if appropriate
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Volunteers have a responsibility to: u Be willing to learn skills required for the role, undertake any further training provided to them and observe all safety rules. u Speak-up – ask about things they do not understand or are unsure of, provide feedback, ask for support, and offer any suggestions u Be punctual, reliable, and loyal and deliver on tasks allocated to them u Be a team player, respect others and support the rest of The Pack u Report any injuries or hazards that you notice in the workplace, and deal with complaints in an appropriate manner u Allow ActivateUTS to negotiate the best placement of a volunteer in their roles or tasks u Carry out the duties listed in their role descriptions and task outlines u Provide as much effort and service as a paid worker, even on a short-term basis u Adhere to the ActivateUTS’ and UTS codes of practice, policies and procedures u Respect confidentiality and privacy of The Pack, ActivateUTS and their affiliates u Give notice if your availability changes or you are leaving The Pack u Accept constructive criticism and opinions about poor volunteer effort in a diplomatic way
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WHO’S WHO? So, you’re probably wondering exactly who will I be talking to in the ActivateUTS team? Well, here’s a little more explanation for you.
Events and Programs Officer This role plans, executes and facilitates ActivateSocial events. As well as managing The Pack, you’ll probably see the Events and Programs Officer co-ordinating things at some of the bigger events.
Volunteers Officers Volunteer Officers are responsible for the communication and coordination of The Pack and all volunteering opportunities – if you’re a Pack member, they’re your first point of contact!
Manager, ActivateSocial The Manager of ActivateSocial is responsible for all ActivateSocial events, clubs and societies, is the main point of contact for all the club presidents and manages all the large scale events with the ActivateSocial team (and not to mention manages ActivateHQ). 27
CONTACT To get in touch with the super team at ActivateSocial, or to find out more information on your volunteering opportunities, please use the following channels: Web: www.activateuts.com.au/thepack Email: ActivateUTS.ThePack@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/activateuts Phone: 9514 1140