Discord Community Contributor – Async, Remote Volunteer

AFK Cafe is a consent-based, online community focused on creativity, connection, and sustainable participation. We’re looking for Contributors—helpers who want to support the community without the responsibilities or authority of moderation.

This role is ideal for people who enjoy helping behind the scenes, contributing to building and organization, or supporting creative and systems work in flexible, scoped ways. Contributors support the work, not the weight of the space.

AFK Cafe is intentionally designed to be:

• Cozy, values-driven, and community-centered
• Trauma-aware and neurodivergent-friendly
• Clear in boundaries and expectations
• Built to prevent burnout and hidden labor
• A space where no one is “on” all the time

We prioritize presence over performance, clarity over urgency, and sustainability over speed.

How We Work Together

AFK Cafe is built as a collaborative team, not a collection of isolated roles. While responsibilities differ, we aim to work with shared context, communication, and mutual support rather than fragmentation.

You do not need to be extremely close or highly social to belong here. Some contributors collaborate closely; others contribute more independently. Both are welcome. What matters is alignment, communication, and respect for capacity.

I am a community-oriented admin and welcome growth—for both the cafe and the people helping build it. If there is a skill, role, or area you want to grow in, please mention it. I’m open to working with you to shape your contributions in a way that supports both the community and your development, where possible.

Once accepted onto the team, contributors complete a personality and work-style assessment. This is not something you can fail. It exists to help place people where they flow best, understand communication styles, and offer the right kind of support—so burnout is reduced rather than created.

We are a team. We support one another. Perfection is not required.

What Contributors Help With

Contributors may assist with a wide range of opt-in, scoped tasks across multiple tracks and domains. Tasks vary in size, skill level, and time commitment, and contributors choose what fits their capacity, interests, and strengths.

Community & Building Support

• Supporting community resources, guides, or onboarding materials
• Researching accessibility, inclusion, or community-care practices
• Helping document systems that support healthy participation

Administrative & Management Support

• Organizing documents, spreadsheets, trackers, or lists
• Updating schedules, internal records, or project materials
• Assisting with coordination or preparation for ongoing projects

Research & Discovery

• Researching anime, games, media, themes, or events
• Exploring tools, bots, or platforms that could support the community
• Compiling options, summaries, or comparisons for review

Creative & Aesthetic Support

• Theme ideas, lore fragments, or writing support
• Visual assets such as banners, emojis, or graphics
• Event visuals, prompts, or creative planning support
• Drafting copy for announcements or social posts (posting handled separately)

Events & Experience Support

• Idea scouting and planning support for events or activities
• Preparing resources or materials for hosts
• Helping with post-event wrap-up or documentation

Systems & Tech (Light Support)

• Testing Discord features, bots, or workflows
• Flagging bugs, friction points, or cleanup needs
• Supporting Google Docs, Forms, or organizational tools
• Suggesting improvements (implementation handled by leads/admin)

Internal & External Tasks

• Some tasks happen inside Discord (organization, testing, documentation)
• Some tasks happen outside Discord (research, drafting, prep work)
• All work directly supports the Discord community and its projects

Learning-Based Contributions

• Training into a task with guidance
• Learning new tools or systems at a comfortable pace
• Shadowing small tasks before contributing independently

A Growing, Build-From-the-Ground-Up Community

AFK Cafe is being built from the ground up. While some systems are well-defined, others are still evolving as the cafe grows.

As the community develops:

• New contributor tasks may be added
• Additional support roles may be defined
• Tracks and projects may expand or shift
• Systems will be refined to reduce load—not increase it

Contributors may be invited to help shape early systems or support new initiatives, but no one is ever expected to take on more than they consent to. Participation in new work is always opt-in.

What This Role Is Not

• Not a moderation role
• No authority, enforcement, or decision-making
• No conflict management or emotional labor expectations
• No requirement to be live, on-call, or consistently active
• Not an internship or formal training program

Interest & Application Process

This listing is an initial interest application.

If you submit interest:

• Your application will be reviewed for values and role alignment
• If aligned, you will be invited to join the AFK Cafe Discord
• When you join, please mention that you came from Idealist so we know who you are
• You’ll be encouraged to explore the community and environment to get a feel for our values, tone, and culture
• If alignment continues on both sides, we’ll move forward into a more defined contributor role

There is no pressure to proceed. Alignment matters more than speed.

Why Join

• Flexible, async, and pause-friendly participation
• Clear task boundaries and expectations
• Use skills you already have or explore new ones
• Build alongside others in a thoughtful, values-driven community
• No pressure to advance into other roles

Some contributors later explore other roles. Many don’t—and both paths are equally valued.

Communication & Coordination

AFK Cafe uses Slack for internal communication, coordination, and updates. We also maintain shared logs and documentation to keep everyone informed and aligned.

Participation in Slack and respect for shared logs is an expected part of all roles. These systems exist to reduce cognitive load and prevent burnout—not to increase pressure or surveillance.

How Many Volunteers Do We Need?

10–20 (ongoing, flexible)

Final Note

AFK Cafe is designed so:

• No one carries everything
• Helpers are not silently promoted into responsibility
• Care never becomes coercive
• When things feel calm or “boring,” the system is working