Volunteer with us

Forestry Australia is an active professional association and community.

At any one time there are over 50 volunteers serving Forestry Australia as part of a committee, as a Director or on a project specific working group.

The benefits of volunteering with Forestry Australia include:

  • Serving and assisting the forest profession and forest growing community
  • Extending your forestry networks and participate in a professional forestry community
  • Opportunities to develop skills and experience
  • Volunteering can assist with your professional and personal development
  • Growing your awareness of the issues and opportunities in the sector
  • Volunteering looks great on a resume!!

Volunteers can expect to participate in 4 – 5 committee meetings (face to face or via video conference) each year and on average spend two – three additional hours each month working in their areas of interest. In line with good governance principles we are seeking individuals with a variety of skills and experiences.

If you are a member and have a passion for the forestry profession or growing trees, Forestry Australia invites you to consider volunteering for one of the following opportunities.

Current Opportunities

ADVOCACY COMMITTEE: Call for Volunteers

Purpose
The purpose of the Advocacy Committee is to assist the CEO, Forestry Australia Office Holders and Forestry Australia spokespeople to:

  • raise the profile of Forestry Australia as a go-to organisation for forest science, management and growing expertise
  • promote sound research, forest policy and the best evidence-based approach to forest and land management in Australia, across all land tenures

Functions and Scope
The Advocacy Committee is responsible for:

  • Working with the CEO to devise and implement an advocacy strategy, philosophy and work plan for Forestry Australia, to be approved by the Board
  • Working with the CEO, in accordance with the agreed strategy and plan, to: (1) develop an annual Advocacy Priority Statement (2) identify opportunities and coordinate Forestry Australia responses and submissions to national forestry consultations (3) identify and implement approaches for Forestry Australia to grow its political influence, media influence, engage with key issues; as well as link industry, forest managers and growers with research; and support collaboration (4) assist Forestry Australia to promote forestry science and management best practice to policy makers, stakeholders, the media and the broader community, including through media releases and strategic challenges to misinformation and rhetoric (5) identify opportunities to strengthen strategic partnerships with other relevant organisations and stakeholders, including universities (6) liaise with Forestry Australia State Divisions and other relevant Committees to ensure coordination of a cohesive voice for advocacy on behalf of the Forestry Australia membership
  • Identify required resources and develop resources including research, position papers, presentations etc to be used to support advocacy efforts of Forestry Australia and our members
  • Maintaining and building upon Forestry Australia list of spokespeople and other members who may be called upon to assist with Forestry Australia advocacy initiatives (the Advocacy Collective)

Interested?
If you are interested in joining the Advocacy Committee, please send your expression of interest with a brief description of your background and areas of interest to Jacquie Martin ceo@forestry.org.au

Click HERE to view the Advocacy Committee Terms of Reference

2022 SYMPOSIUM COMMITTEE: Call for volunteers

The Forestry Australia’s 2022 Symposium will be held in Albury, NSW from Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 October 2022. The 2022 Symposium is a three-day gathering, consisting of two days of plenary sessions and a field trip day focused on a few specific themes. The program will feature a range of invited speakers and experts in their fields, a range of field trips and networking opportunities. The Symposium will be offered as a hybrid event, delegates will be able to participate in person or online.

The Symposium Organising Committee will:

  • Conduct a review of the most recent conferences including speaking with key stakeholders and review the conference feedback and present ideas to the Board for opportunities to build upon the success of past major meetings hosted by the IFA and AFG
  • In consultation with stakeholders set the Symposium theme
  • Develop an informative and engaging Symposium program that includes a blend on local and national issues; meets the needs of forestry professionals, forest growers and researchers including: (1) Identifying keynote and invited speakers (2) Develop the program and program schedule (3) Organise Field Trips and identify each field trip’s objectives
  • Approve all correspondence with delegates
  • Sign off on collateral including Sponsorship Prospectus; Registration brochure; webpage and all promotional material
  • Assist the Conference Manager with securing sponsors and exhibitors
  • Approve speakers and chairs briefing notes
  • Optional – be available to provide advice to the CEO on marketing, logos, hero images, menus, speaker gifts, delegate satchel, social events etc.
  • Proofread and sign off on the Symposium handbook
  • Be prepared to Chair a session at the Symposium
  • Provide onsite assistance as required including registration, Speaker and Chair liaison, Field Trip supervisors, exhibitor liaison etc
  • Approve the post Symposium survey
  • Consider technology options that compliment delivery of the Symposium

Interested?
If you are interested in contributing to the delivery of the 2022 Symposium, please respond email conference@forestry.org.au with a brief description of your background and your interest.

Expressions of Interest close Monday 29 November.

Click HERE to view the Symposium Committee Terms of Reference

PUBLICATIONS The Forester: Call for Volunteers

The Forestry Australia Member Services Working Group (MSWG) was established in 2019 to support the Board and CEO in their efforts to deliver more for members. With the release of the new Strategic Plan, the MSWG has another big year ahead. To help the group to continue delivering more services for members, a new MSWG structure has been developed, with Sub-groups to manage key member service offerings.

The MSWG is seeking volunteers to join the Publications Sub-group. The draft Terms of Reference can be found below.

Download HERE

If you are interested in contributing to the delivery of these important services, please respond email events@forestry.org.au with a brief description of your background.