Volunteer Why volunteer Why volunteer Why Volunteer? Volunteering is a great way to keep active in retirement, give back to the community, utilise life skills or learn new skills, and help small organisations like COA continue to deliver quality programs at minimal cost to participants. COA simply could not function without its dedicated band of volunteers, who work in all areas of the organisation; from delivering meals, to governance, from making lunches, to arranging activities. Volunteers are the backbone of COA. Many volunteers stay with us as they age and form the nexus of our client group, as all that COA has to offer. Volunteering with COA Our 160 strong volunteer corps is comprised of caring, community spirited individuals, some of whom have been working with us since COA's inception in 1982. They work in all areas of our organisation. So whatever your interests there is bound to be a role which would suit your interests and time commitments. Volunteer Outreach COA runs a number of outreach services, and their delivery relies solely on volunteers. Many of our clients are alone and living on a pension. This means services must be provided at bare minimum cost, and our volunteers save us thousands of dollars each year, ensuring we can deliver our services to the poorest and richest alike. Our outreach services include: a shopping service for those with mobility and financial constraints, delivery of kosher meals-on-wheels, phone calls daily to isolated and housebound Jewish seniors, home visiting, and the Hannah Meyer Project bringing Shabbat and festival candle lighting to Jewish residents in non-denominational aged care facilities. Volunteer Administration In the COA office on any day of the week you will find volunteers undertaking clerical tasks, accounts, and mail outs to members. Our governance is cared for by our volunteer board of management, who are skilled in areas of finance and business practices, and are dedicated to ensuring COA remains open and offering services for a long time to come. Volunteers in the Krygier Center Our in-house catering team, baking team, and our hall hosts are all volunteers. They work directly with members in the center to ensure they are engaged and have someone to talk to . They play games with seniors, serve lunches and afternoon teas, and generally take the pressure off our diversional therapist while activities are running with up to 100 people in attendance at Monday and Wednesday gatherings.