Become a Volunteer or Member
The Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre (SHNC) relies on volunteers and members. Without them, it cannot continue to deliver essential services to our community. The Centre receives funding and other support from all tiers of government, but this resourcing alone is insufficient. The Centre uses volunteers in almost all its activities. For example, volunteers help in the office, they help with our Multicultural services and they deliver our community newspaper, The Surry. The Centre's management committee is entirely composed of volunteers. And, about 100 volunteers were involved in each Surry Hills Festivals. Without those volunteers, our Festivals could not take place, and the funds they raise would not be available to support the Centre's community activities.
Interested members of the community can join the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre. Volunteers should become a member as well. While we are a cooperative, the joining fee is $2. When we become an association, the joining fee will be $1, and there will be an annual membership renewal fee of $1.
Interested members may nominate for the SHNC's Management Committee (MC). The MC consists of 4 office bearers and 4 others. The MC needs people who are prepared to contribute their skills and time to the management and strategic planning of the SHNC. The MC meets once a month, but be prepared to have to do some work outside these meetings.
Download Membership Application Form to join the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre. (176kB download) The application form has space for you to show what you're interested in, and how you'd like to support the SHNC.
Click here for important information on the Management Committee.
Note: Downloads require Adobe Reader or similar.
Volunteers Q&A
Who can volunteer to help the SHNC? Anyone, but please become a member first!
Who can become a member of the SHNC? Anyone, but preferably people who live or work in Surry Hills.
What are the boundaries of Surry Hills? It's bounded by South Dowling St on the east, Oxford St on the north, Chalmers and Elizabeth Sts on the west, and Cleveland St on the south.
What does it cost to become a member? It costs $1.00 once off to join. This buys membership and under the Association Rules, there is an annual fee of $1.00.
How do I volunteer? Fill in the Volunteer/Membership form, and send it or take it to the Centre. Make sure you show what sort of work you would like to do for the Centre.
How do I become a member? Fill in the Volunteer/Membership form, and take it to the Centre together with your $2. Make sure you show how you would like to help the SHNC.
What duties do I have as a member? To maintain membership, you have to be active and pay your annual fee. All members are regarded as volunteers.
How can I join the Management Committee? Firstly, you become a member of the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre. Then, you get yourself nominated for the Management Committee at an Annual General Meeting. If there are too many nominations, there may be a ballot, but this is rare. Vacancies in the Management Committee can be filled at any time. Make your interests known!
What are the privileges of membership? You know that there's a place where you can have a say, and it feels good to be able to contribute, even a little, to the local Surry Hills community, your community.