Volunteering
COA could not exist without its volunteers. We work with a paid staff of 9 people and over 150 volunteers delivering services to the frail and aged.
Requirements - Who are COA’s Volunteers?
- If you like helping others and being involved in your community,
- If you are recently retired and feeling bored without work to occupy you,
- If you have time on your hands when the kids are at school,
- If you would like to feel better than you would have believed possible,
How to apply
Call the COA (9389 0035) and make an appointment to meet with our Volunteer Coordinator and register for volunteer work.As a requirement of NSW Government Legislation, all volunteers working with the frail and aged must have a Criminal Record Check before being deployed with our clients. All new volunteers should bring documents for a 100 Point Identification at the time of interview (Passport, Drivers Licence, Cards), so we can undertake the Criminal Record Check. All findings are confidential, and depending on the work you wish to do with us a “negative” check may not affect your volunteer status.
Types of Work Available
There are many volunteer jobs available at COA. Below is a sample of the some of the more typical roles:- Meals-On-Wheels Drivers - We have shifts on Mon,
Wed and/or Fri for delivery in the Eastern Suburbs, and on Wednesday
for deliveries to the North Shore. We are always looking for emergency
drivers and helpers to cover our regular volunteers when they are
unavailable, and of course we always accommodate regular drivers (car
essential).
- Transport Assistants - On each bus used to
transport clients to and from the centre, apart from the driver of the
bus. This assistant will help clients on and off the vehicle, or
oversee the clients already on the vehicle while the driver assists
others.
- Transport Drivers - We transport clients to
and from the centre on our own buses, as well as taking people on
outings 2 days a week (licence essential).
- Shopping Assistants - For 1-2 hours weekly to take a person of reduced mobility to the shops for essential food items (car essential).
- Lectures Coordinator - 9 lectures are needed
every 3 months. It is a big challenge – but a most rewarding one. Use
COA office and phones to make all arrangements.
- Presenters - Do you have a topic of interest,
one which you enjoy sharing with others? We are always looking for
interesting new ideas and topics to offer in our programme of
entertainments and events in the COA Hall. Computers and data
projectors are available.
- Piano Players - Do you love tinkling on the
piano? We want you to provide casual background music in our Day Centre
from 10-11:30 Monday & Wednesday. There is no set song list or
expectation of note perfect performance, but we do have a lovely piano
sitting idle.
- Musicians and Singers - Are you a hidden
talent? Do you have friends or relatives who are entertainers? We are
always looking for new acts to showcase at the centre on Mondays and
Wednesdays as part of our programme of activities and events.
- Hall Help - Aiding our Diversional Therapist
in the Activity Centre. Making sure members are comfortable: making
coffee or tea, talking to the isolated, playing games with members,
helping to serve and clean up after lunch.
- Group Convenor - We run many small group
activites and would love to run more – if you have a passion, be it
cooking, knitting, craft, current affairs, internet shopping – whatever
– you can convene a weekly or fortnightly group here at COA centre.
- In-House Catering - We need a reliable
volunteer to help make lunch every Wednesday from 8:30am to 10:00am at
our premises in Bondi Junction. Able to take instruction and work in a
close team environment. No previous experience necessary.
- Hospital Visitors - For 1-2 hours weekly –
flexible to suit your free time. Training will be given on correct
procedure for visiting people in hospital. Happy attitude a must. Bus
travel or petrol can be reimbursed.
- Home Visitors - For 1-2 hours a week, to have
tea and a chat with people who are house bound and unable to go out
easily. One-to-one training will be given on procedures and
expectations when undertaking this role. Happy attitude and caring
nature a must.
- Office/Clerical - For those with an
understanding of accounts, letter writing, legal documentation or
general office duties such as filing and reception we have a busy
office full of opportunities.
- Data Entry - Seeking someone who is
comfortable with a simple database – adding, changing and removing data
for our clients, members and donors and adding in weekly statistics for
service use.
- Library - If you like to keep order, our
library needs you – making sure books and shelves are in alphabetical
order, putting new books into our catalogue system, sorting through
which books should stay and which are ready for recycling.
- Computer Tutor - Many of our members wish to
communicate with friends and relatives overseas. For this reason we
offer two computer courses – Beginners and Easy Internet and Email. For
the more advanced user we offer a course in MS Word and Digital
Photography. These courses are already developed and only lack a tutor.
- Language Tutor - We already have Yiddish and
Hebrew classes, but are looking for people willing to speak and teach
conversational French or another language you may be competent in.
- Management Committee (MC) - COA is governed by a group of individuals who are all volunteers. Each year the members of this group are voted in by the members of the organisation. The MC oversees all activities of the organisation, developing new projects and strategies and future directions.
Why Be A Volunteer?
For many years we have
asked our volunteers what benefits they gain from being a part of the
COA family. Some claim it gives a sense of purpose for those of
retirement age, some find it increases their social circle and fills
their days, some simply feel that it is their duty to volunteer within
their community.But the point all our volunteers agree on is that volunteering makes them happy, to know that they have affected people’s quality of life through the simple act of donating a few hours a week to the organisation.
Without our hard working Volunteers, COA would simply not be able to provide the full range of services that it does - especially our Kosher Meals-on-Wheels, our most heavily patronised service, which employs one full time staff member and over 100 volunteer drivers and administrators.