Role of Volunteer President, Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater Inc

Background

The Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater is a volunteer-led group committed to protecting existing habitat and planting future habitat for the Helmeted Honeyeater, and to raise awareness about the plight of the State Bird emblem and enlist support for its recovery. We are located at Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area.  We are registered with the ACNC and have DGR 1 status.  Our Patron is the Governor, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Cardner AC. 

We run an Indigenous Plant Nursery.  The Friends nursery has over 150 species of trees, shrubs, grasses, herbs, lilies, sedges, groundcovers, climbers and aquatic/semi-aquatic plants available for sale throughout the year. We grow plants which are specific to the Woori Yallock Creek sub-catchment around Yellingbo, Macclesfield, Seville, Emerald and surrounds. Since its inception in 1991, the Friends nursery has supplied over 700,000 plants for local revegetation activities. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the nursery and new volunteers are always welcome.  

A Committee of Management overseas our operations, meeting monthly via Google Meet. 

Role of President

• Chairs the Committee of Management which meets monthly over Zoom. Presents a monthly report to the Meeting.
• Liaises with key stakeholders and helps to write grant and funding applications together with other Committee members. Key stakeholders include local and State Government, Parks Victoria, Charitable Foundations. 
• Liaises with paid staff at the Nursery and visits the nursery from time to time to assist with various issues.
• Acts as media spokesperson
• Helps with financial approval and signs off on accounts, and banking.
• Supports the merchandise function as required and manages the President email box
• Attends Friends Group events and helps to organise community plantings and other events.
• Is a member of the Public Fund Committee (a requirement of our DGR Status).

The role would suit someone who is committed to nature conservation and looking to channel their passion.  The role would require approx. 10 to 15 hours a week.   You may be semi-retired or retired, or with time to spare and an interest in our natural environment.  If you are 55 or over, for the purposes of the activity test for Services Australia, holding the role of President or Treasurer can help you meet your mutual obligation requirements.  A number of our volunteers meet the activity test this way.  A full handover will be provided by the incumbent and plenty of support.  Please consider helping nature conservation and the survival of our critically endangered State Bird emblem  in a very practical way.