Free/Cheap Office for a New Non-Profit Student Organization

gozyla86 on 09/11/2017 - 01:44
Last edited 13/12/2017 - 16:05 by 1 other user

Hi,
My name is Zoli Dinh. I am currently volunteer for a non-profit student organization. As a new organization, we don't have much budget for renting an office for our weekly work and meeting. I just wanna ask for an idea of cheap or possible free usage of office for 2-3 times a week in Melbourne CBD so we can have document stored and board for our planning. Why CBD? We are students who live all over the place in Melbourne, some from Cranbourne, Pakenham. Some from Sunshine, Burnshire so CBD is the most obvious choice for us to meet up.

Any recommendations are appreciated.

• 

  guster33 on 09/11/2017 - 03:45

  +5

  I'm not from Melbourne but I'd reckon you could request to use uni facilities by asking the student organisation like a guild or book out library/conference/common rooms. Given that all of you go to uni I would imagine that would be a convenient place for you to meet up.

  In my experience, when starting out, the key is to have meetings to delegate/organise and work remotely from home to save costs.

  • 

    Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 09/11/2017 - 08:56

    This. Deakin, Latrobe, RMIT all have meeting rooms or collab areas.

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  atris17 on 09/11/2017 - 05:05

  +4

  How about public libary? There always a meeting room u can reserve

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  whooah1979 on 09/11/2017 - 06:45

  +4

  Officeoworks.

  • 

    scotty on 09/11/2017 - 08:31

    +1

    This.

    Hiring a Meeting Room at your local Officeworks store is completely free!

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  mskeggs on 09/11/2017 - 07:29

  +3

  I am part of a couple of non-profits. We meet once a month in a council meeting room for one, and in a school for another.
  We don't leave paperwork or materials on site, but that is hardly a big hassle, as most things are online these days.

  When we need to get together to collaborate outside of larger meetings, we visit at each others houses, or meet at a coffee shop or library.
  If you must have office space for this sort of work, maybe consider the Regis serviced offices?

  If your non-profit has natural links to a more established organisation, try asking them if you can borrow their meeting room or similar.
  In my experience, people tend to overestimate the resources they will need to get things done (this always happens with wasting time and energy incorporating various entities to give the group legal structure). You will accomplish the most if you just start doing things with what you have and let resources take care of themselves, as they are needed.

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  original15 on 09/11/2017 - 08:22

  Depending on what bank you bank with, or organizations you might partner with, they may offer collaborative spaces you can utilize, however may be tough if you don't have a relationship with them at this point in time

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  HighAndDry on 09/11/2017 - 11:39

  "so CBD is the most obvious choice for us to meet up."

  It's a student org… why is your Uni not the most obvious choice for you to meet up…? Also obvious place to get cheap office space.

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  unspoonsored on 09/11/2017 - 17:38

  Documents and board? Use technology e.g. Trello or Google Docs. It's free.

  Meeting place can be anywhere.

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  audeamus on 13/12/2017 - 15:52

  Hi OP,

  have you tried networking with other not for profits or other businesses in your similar space? potential partnerships there can be useful for in-kind resources.

  A few people have mentioned universities, depending on what your NFP focuses on there could be different people to chat to, think about the outreach/special needs/marketing/innovation teams as a start. Uni's are big places and there's certain levels of independance sometimes.

  I'm a casual employee at UTS and sometimes for my NFP i use my staff status to book meeting rooms, you could either get someone on staff on side or recruit students who are student ambassadors who may be able to do this also for you.

  Would love to hear what your NFP is about, we are looking to do things in VIC soon so maybe we can help you out.

  Cheers,

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  ribenaboy on 14/12/2017 - 15:12

  http://www.servcorp.com.au

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  tcwx on 12/02/2018 - 18:13

  Have you tried the Foundation For Young Australians’ Hub? https://www.fya.org.au/our-programs/fya-hub/