My role: Membership secretary

Return to Weasel Winter 2008

When I first started volunteering with OCV, I was somewhat aghast that I should be asked to pay a membership fee - THEY want to charge ME for my hard labour?! But over time I realised that I was geting a lot out of it, such as:

• A fun day out in the countryside every Sunday
• Free transport to the site (if I make it out of bed in time)
• Hot drinks resembling tea, and plenty of biscuits
• Plenty of opportunities to learn new skills
• Free use of tools (sometimes sharp) and gloves (sometimes without holes)
• A great talking point on my CV (this really works, try it next time you have a job interview: I trim sheep's toenails)

Most importantly, joining OCV has introduced me to a group of friendly people who like to do something practical to protect our environment and have fun in the process.

There is no need to become a member to do any of the above. But there are some other benefits that are reserved for those who have paid their dues:

• The right to vote in committee elections
• The option go on residential trips
• A snazzy membership card
• Free training days
• OCV branded clothing
• Special members-only events
• A warm fuzzy feeling, knowing your money went to a good cause!

There are a lot of expenses involved in running a practical conservation group. The most obvious cost is in owning, maintaining, fuelling, and insuring the minibus. Other things that your membership fee goes towards include tools and safety equipment such as gloves and helmets, insurance, all the tea-making kit from teabags to kettles, publicity, site inspections, and all-important training.

The role of membership secretary is to encourage people to join OCV, providing important funds for the group and increasing peoples’ sense of belonging. The membership secretary can represent the views and interests of the members at committee meetings, so do get in contact if you would like something to be raised at the next meeting. The membership secretary also works on improving the range of membership benefits and your ideas are always welcome.

If you would like to join or renew for 2009, please fill in the membership form (copies available on task or to download here) and return it to any committee member, along with your £5 donation. Cheques should be made payable to “Oxford Conservation Volunteers”.

So make one of your New Year's resolutions of 2009 to join OCV (it's much cheaper and more fun than joining a gym).

Return to Weasel Winter 2008