Today is my first job anniversary at Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS). Funnily enough, I started in my role the day after my second wedding anniversary – making my start date at RACS easy to remember.
I had expected to write more about my new work over the last 12 months. I had expected to post more on LinkedIn. Rest assured, the lack of public sharing bears no correlation to my job satisfaction. Anytime a friend or family member has asked me how the job is going, I tell them that it’s been good. My husband agrees it’s been good for me.
It’s definitely been the right role at the right time.
So, unfortunately I don’t have anything deep or poetic to share with you today. What I do have is four simple things I’m enjoying about working at this nonprofit.
Openness to creativity and new ideas
My husband has likened RACS to a startup – which seems strange when the organisation has been around since 1987. But while the legal team and services are quite established, it is more of a startup environment when it comes to the marketing side of things – with the aura of possibility and potential (and yes, a bit of chaos) that goes with it.
I’ve enjoyed having the freedom to apply my own experience and work with my team on how we can improve our marketing strategy, processes and outputs. I’m also excited about finding and creating opportunities to level up our brand presence.
In my first year, I’ve been a little cautious about changing things left, right and centre simply because I had initial thoughts on better ways to do things. I wanted to make sure I was listening well to the reasons some things were done the way they were done.
In hindsight, I needn’t have worried about rocking the boat. The Board and leadership team have generally been open to new ideas, which is encouraging as I begin my second year here.
Communal lunchtimes
There are three picnic tables lined up end to end in the backyard of the two-storey house that is the RACS office. From 1-2pm each workday, phone lines are switched off while staff and volunteers eat together.
I’m sure this isn’t unique, but I like that we are small enough as an organisation to be able to do this. I like that we have a culture where we can sit next to and strike up a conversation with anyone at this table.
Particularly being on a very small marketing and communications team at an organisation where most staff have legal roles, it’s been a fun and helpful way to understand who’s who. I’ve also been able to gain a clearer picture of the work we do by asking questions in this casual setting.
Communal lunchtimes reflect the camaraderie that staff enjoy beyond that table. I love seeing how staff support, celebrate and have fun with each other – while also getting serious results for refugees and people seeking asylum.
Lunchtime yoga
I don’t even really like yoga. I always thought it was kinda okay. But I like it a whole lot more when it’s free of charge and free of chanting, happens at the office and is run by the Co-Principal Solicitor.
I reckon this tells you quite a lot about the kind of workplace this is.
I haven’t even mentioned the memes. And I’m sorry, but I don’t think I should show you the memes. Just know that they exist and they are glorious.
Second-term staff
I’ve noticed that many people want to work at RACS, and several people who used to work at RACS have come back for a second stint. This includes very senior and highly accomplished lawyers.
Similarly, we have a consistent flow of volunteers supporting the work, and we often hire from our pool of (mostly UNSW law) students.
This boomerang effect is a good sign. Being the kind of place people want to come back to says a lot about how rewarding the work is and how positive the culture is.
*
None of these things are reasons to donate and this isn’t a marketing post. But given we’re just a few days away from the end of the financial year, if you were looking to make a tax-deductible donation … please consider funding critical legal help for people seeking protection in Australia: racs.org.au/more-than.
Food, housing and employment etc are all useful things to give refugees and people seeking asylum – but the only thing that can get them certainty and safety in Australia is legal help.
Header image: TiAchen Aier.
