Volunteering for Learning – Thank You ELLA Volunteers!

Did you know that for more than 25 years, the Edmonton Lifelong Learners Association (ELLA) has supported learning by older adults largely through voluntary effort? Each year many skilled and willing volunteers invest thousands of hours in maintaining and growing the organization, with special emphasis on producing the annual Spring Session, for adults fifty plus, at the University of Alberta. Since 2001, the Edmonton Lifelong Learners Association has successfully transitioned to an independent non-profit organization (Registered Charity) operating in partnership with the University Of Alberta Faculty Of Extension. In recent years the organization has grown substantially requiring additional and more diverse volunteer resources.

During National Volunteer Week and throughout the year we wish to thank our volunteer colleagues for the time, effort, skills, energy and focus they contribute to ELLA in support of lifelong learning. What do ELLA volunteers do? They lead, govern, instigate, develop,  manage, administer, market, plan, maintain, implement, evaluate, organize, communicate, negotiate, coordinate, document, welcome, organize, network, audit, remember, and mentor, as well as many other roles. We appreciate the significant difference that all volunteers make to ELLA and to our community. This has been an especially challenging year for many ELLA leadership volunteers, who have frequently taken on multiple roles to ensure the health of the organization. Very special thanks to each of you for your wisdom and grace in supporting transition.

Are you interested in using your skills to support lifelong learning, in meeting interesting people, in contributing to change and growth, or in exploring other volunteer roles?  We’d welcome your involvement. Watch this website year-round or visit the Volunteer Information table at Spring Session for more information. During a number of noon hours, we’ll be located just outside the auditorium where noon hour programs take place. We’d love to meet you and discuss volunteer opportunities.