Volunteer
ELLA provides rewarding volunteer opportunities!
ELLA Volunteers
ELLA is always looking for volunteers in all of its operational areas.
Do you have expertise in planning and implementing programs? Promoting organizations? Celebrating volunteers? Working with computers or financials? We need your ideas and skills to provide exciting programs in future sessions.
Current Openings
The ELLA Board consists of volunteers who are interested in planning, promoting and supporting ELLA’s annual online and in-person educational offerings. The Board of Directors consists of 10-16 members elected at the ELLA AGM. The Executive Committee (President, Vice President, Past President, Treasurer and Secretary) and the Chairs of ELLA Committees meet monthly to oversee all aspects of ELLA operations. Board members collaborate in planning and implementing innovative ideas as we grow ELLA.
Are you interested in learning more about how ELLA works and contributing your talents in support of our volunteer association? Serving on the Board of Directors is a rewarding experience that encourages your use of skills and ideas in a supportive, fun environment. Should you not be ready for a Board Committee Chair position, we welcome persons interested in a Board Member-at-Large role to “learn the ropes” and decide where you might best contribute as a Committee Chair. This also helps with succession planning and allows the new member to take time to learn duties under the guidance of an experienced Board Member.
We are soliciting interest in the following positions:
- Chair, Program Development Committee
- Chair, Program Implementation Committee
- Chair, Contributions Committee
It would be our pleasure to talk to you about these opportunities. Contact Brian Sawyer, President at: president@my-ella.com or Vivian Mattia, Vice President at: vice.president@my-ella.com
Winter Online Session (runs from January 12 to February 27, 2026)
The Program Implementation team is seeking volunteers!
Course Hosts
Some requirements and duties include:
- availability for the time period of winter session
- good internet connection
- attendance at course host information and planning sessions
- attendance at Zoom training sessions
- open Zoom courses (start the class, assign co-host role to instructor, admit participants to the class)
- assist the instructor as appropriate
- make announcements as provided by PIC Online Chair
Please confirm your interest with Bill Cook by October 30th at: pic.online.chair@my-ella.com
Volunteer Areas
These are the areas that offer volunteer opportunities with ELLA.
Get Involved! Volunteer with ELLA! Contact volunteer.chair@my-ella.com
The ELLA Board consists of volunteers who are interested in planning, promoting and supporting ELLA’s annual online and in-person educational offerings. The Board of Directors consists of 10-16 members elected at the ELLA AGM. The Executive Committee (President, Vice President, Past President, Treasurer and Secretary) and the Chairs of ELLA Committees meet monthly to oversee all aspects of ELLA operations. Board members collaborate in planning and implementing innovative ideas as we grow ELLA.
ELLA Committees are groups of dedicated, committed individuals who undertake their work with energetic enthusiasm in developing our excellent programs. The Committee Chair coordinates the activities of the committee and provides liaison between the Committee and Board. We have three opportunities for new Chairs this year
Program Implementation Committee which provides the mechanics to run all ELLA sessions has been well organized by Lynne Moulton and her Committee. Whether it is the online or in-person program, this committee organizes the classrooms, timings of classes and scheduling of online experiences and coordinates Zoom operations. Lynne and her committee will support the transition of the incoming Chair.
Operations Committee develops and maintains the information and technology platforms to support ELLA functions. Whether it is assisting members, or dealing with registration and memberships or consulting with our excellent website service provider, Dianne Eustace has been supported by a capable team who are ready to fully support and transition the incoming Chair.
Contributions Committee is an exciting new opportunity to help ELLA acquire and retain new funding sources. A draft strategy is in place that involves attracting new financial contributions, recognizing donors, making application for grants, disbursing grants and scholarships. By getting in on the ground floor of this initiative, you will help build the ELLA “value case” to attract sponsors and donors which will be an important part of growing our community visibility/impact and ensuring our long term viability.
For more information on these opportunities, or to informally explore options for future involvement on the Board, contact any of the Board Recruitment and Development members: Brian Sawyer, vice.president@my-ella.com Fran Galbraith, volunteer.chair@my-ella.com or Walter Archer, pic.online2@my-ella.com.
Board
- Oversees all aspects of ELLA operations
- Maintains adherence to ELLA policies and procedures
- Oversees the management of financial records
Operations
- Develops and maintains technology platforms
- Provides assistance to members
- Supports the work of all ELLA committees
- Publishes courses and timetables online
- Coordinates membership and course purchases
Program Development
- Plans and evaluates online and in-person educational offerings
- Selects courses for next year’s sessions
- Identifies and contact instructors
- Utilizes sub-committees: Sciences, Humanities, Fine Arts, Wellness and Leisure, Noon Hour Presentations and Evaluation
Program Implementation
- Sets up the mechanics to run ELLA sessions
- Obtains and assigns rooms for individual classes
- Provides session information
- Recruits course facilitators (online and in person)
- Organizes and provides training for online classes
- Coordinates Zoom operations for online classes
Marketing and Communications
- Manages advertising, publicity and promotion of the ELLA organization and its programs
- Communicates with members through newsletters and bulletins
- Manages and updates the ELLA website
- Manages photographic records of ELLA
- Prepares program and online course information
Finance
- Maintains financial records
- Provides accounting management
- Provides financial reports
- Makes application for grants
Volunteer Recruitment and Recognition
- Recruits volunteers
- Communicates volunteer information with members
- Communicates with volunteers with members
- Organizes volunteer recognition
- Maintains volunteer records
