There are various ways to get involved with CSS, depending on how enthusiastic you are, what you enjoy doing, how much time you have, and any specific skills you’d like to share or develop. You can contribute at any level from simply bringing seeds to a Seed Swap or sharing and commenting on our socials to creating educational materials and helping organise outreach events or working groups.
🌱 CSS Facebook Group
If you have a Facebook account, a lovely way to start participating in the community is via our Canberra Seed Savers Co-operative Facebook group. The group is separate from our public page and is for community conversations. It’s a great place to see what other seedy locals are up to, to find inspiration and advice, and to share your wins and frustrations. We have been loving seeing people share their seedy journeys there, and it’s a low-pressure way to get a feel for the community before you decide to volunteer.
🌱 Volunteering
CSS is completely volunteer run! This makes our volunteers pretty special to us. There are so many ways to volunteer, and if you have a special skill set you’d like to use, we can find a way to match you with the right job 😀 You definitely don’t need to be an expert, just be available and willing!
Some volunteer jobs we have include coordinating teams, growing plants, saving seed, doing online administrative work, writing newsletters, dropping off seeds to retail outlets, the list goes on! If you want to sign up to volunteer in a more intentional way, please fill out our active member form. If you are an active volunteer in our community you must be a member to be covered by our volunteer insurance.
🌱 Become a board member
For those of you who want to be part of the core functioning of CSS, the board is the place to get involved with the vision and strategy that keep us looking towards the future. Our board is also more of a ‘working’ board, not so removed from day-to-day runnings as some boards are, so if you apply to become a board member you’ll likely be deeply embedded in how CSS works from the inside.
Board positions are advertised prior to the annual AGM, which is generally held around October. Please email us for further information if you’re interested.
🌱 Come along to an event!
We love getting out into the community and particularly during spring, summer and autumn, you will find us at many local markets, festivals and open days as well as running educational workshops and our own seedy events like Seedy Saturdays. Come along, meet some of the seedy crew and find out more about how seed savers works, learn more about seed saving or share your own knowledge and experiences.