COTA(Tasmania) Policy

1. COTA(Tasmania) accepts the definition of volunteering “voluntary assistance may be defined as unpaid work which is chosen freely by a person and is carried out without compulsion during their free time”

2. Any person over 18 years of age wishing to volunteer is invited to do so without fear of discrimination;

3. COTA(Tasmania) Volunteers are covered by our Insurance and are paid for all out of pocket expenses.

4. COTA(Tasmania) Volunteers are given clear statement of their duties, rights and responsibilities.

5. COTA(Tasmania) Volunteers are given training in their choice(s) of activity and full support and recognition of their contribution to the work of COTA(Tasmania)

Areas of volunteer assistance:-

1. Administration: (collating, photocopying, postage)
2. Library: (acquistion, binding, cataloguing, development of)
3. Newsletter: (editing, production, printing, proof-reading)
4. Peer Education; (development of topics; presentations)

COTA (Tasmania) has received assistance from volunteers since its inception and recognises their contribution. Now, more than ever before, with limited funding and reliant on project monies to fund the majority of its programs, we rely on volunteers to assist in whatever way they can.

We know there are lots of older people ‘out there’ who:-

1. have unused skills;
2. would love to ‘keep their hand in’
3. don’t want a full time or even regular commitment;
4. are lonely, isolated need to feel wanted;

· COTA(Tasmania) is small enough to still have the ‘personal touch’;

· COTA(Tasmania) does need you; can use your skills and would like to talk to you about helping us;

· Please call (03) 6228-1897 and ask for Eileen.