Introduction
The Australian Citizen Science Association (ACSA) was formed to advance citizen science through the sharing of knowledge, collaboration, capacity building and advocacy. We are a member-based community that supports, informs and develops citizen science. ACSA membership is open to citizen science project managers, volunteers or anyone with an interest in citizen science. ACSA currently has 255 active members and 11 organisational members.
ACSA is a fully member-based incorporated association and registered charity. We are governed by a volunteer Management Committee consisting of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, three General Members and one Host Institution representative. ACSA currently has one paid staff member or National Coordinator who works three days per week. We have an active social media presence with 4,037 Facebook followers and 4,235 followers on Twitter. For the past four years ACSA has been hosted by the Australian Museum. ACSA is now seeking a new host organisation which can contribute to the ACSA’s mission by providing in-kind resourcing and support, and in exchange have the opportunity to connect with and help develop the National network for citizen science in Australia.
Closing Date: 17th May 2019
Overview of Requirements
Ideally, the host organisation will be able to make available all, or the majority, of the following resources:
- Office resources for up to one full-time equivalent ACSA staff member including computers and telephone, office space and furniture and IT support
- Access to teleconference and videoconference facilities
- Provide work space for ACSA volunteers as required
- Be able to act as an employer of ACSA staff (on and off location) as required
- Make available meeting room space and kitchen facilities
- Support where possible, the objectives and mission of ACSA
- Support efforts to grow the partnership and access mutually beneficial funding opportunities
- Help promote the association through communication channels
Additional ‘nice-to-haves’ include:
- Access to internal graphic design services and print facilities
- Access to host institution merchandise contacts and rates
- Would also welcome the host being able to provide a part time administrative support officer (e.g. managing memberships, general enquiries)
Interested organisations should complete and submit this Expression of Interest form in order to be considered as an applicant for the role of hosting organisation.
Value to host organisation
Citizen science is a field that is burgeoning globally, with significant scientific output and impacts on policy, formal and informal education, and community engagement. The host organisation of the ACSA will benefit through:
- Playing an important and visible role in the development of citizen science in Australia, for the benefit of science, scientists and the wider community.
- Increased capacity and corporate knowledge, particularly in the field of citizen science, and also in related scientific, educational and engagement endeavours.
- Connecting with a large, national and international multi-disciplinary network which includes: community groups, NRM bodies, universities, schools, government agencies, local councils, state and government federal agencies, NGOs and corporate business from across different sectors such as environmental sciences, human science, astronomy, computing and IT.
- Joining a network with influential science champions such as: Dr Geoff Garrett (ACSA’s Patron and former Queensland Chief Scientist), Australian Chief Scientist Alan Finkel AO (through the STAR Portal), as well as State Chief Scientists.
- Engaging with the global citizen science community and developing networks with other international citizen science associations, museums, government institutions, and universities. ACSA is an accredited observer at the United Nations and have sent delegates to UN meetings. We hold an MoU with the European Citizen Science Association and the United States Citizen Science Association. Recently we signed an MoU with United Nations Association Australia.
- Ties and connections with ACSA’s five current Regional Chapters, based in Queensland, ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
- A place on ACSA’s Management Committee in the form of the Host Institution representative.
- Organisational Membership of ACSA (with benefits for up to 5 employees).
- Increased visibility through logo placement on ACSA’s website https://citizenscience.org.au/.
- Agreement that ACSA will help promote relevant host institution programs/projects via its social media channels.
Host Costs
All costs associated with the Expression of Interest will be the sole responsibility of the applicant organisation.
No Contract
Nothing in this Expression of Interest should be construed to give rise to any contractual obligations or rights, explicit or implied, by the issue of this Expression of Interest or the lodgement of it as a submission.
Form Submission
All inquiries and the electronic submission (in Word or PDF only) should be addressed to:
Amy Slocombe
National Coordinator
Australian Citizen Science Association
Email: amy.slocombe@austmus.gov.au
Closing Date
All Expression of Interest forms need to be submitted by 5pm Friday 17th May 2019 in order to be considered as an applicant for the role of hosting organisation.
Each EOI will be assessed by the full ACSA Management Committee according to the criteria below and the successful organisation will be notified by early June 2019.
For more information or to discuss this opportunity further, please contact Amy Slocombe at amy.slocombe@austmus.gov.au or call 0423 902 810.
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