“While I appreciate the opportunities the Co-op has provided me, I think what I like the most is that I am able to make my own contribution to the Co-op.” – Laundry Co-op Member

Being part of the Community Laundry Co-op either as a member or a volunteer is very special. Every day, we see examples of the huge impact that belonging to and contributing to a community has on people’s lives.

Volunteer Positions

• Fundraising Committee Member
• CED Committee Member
• Member, Board of Directors
• Drivers
• Translators

Fundraising Committee Member

• Learn about fundraising, proposal writing and sources of funding in the community
• The Laundry Co-op Fundraising Committee meets monthly and members also carry out individual tasks such as writing grant proposals or searching the “Big Online Database” for prospective funding sources.
• One of the Committee’s critical success factors is to have participants enjoy themselves while they work, so meetings usually take place over potluck dinners in Committee members’ homes.
• We are looking for people who are energetic, positive, outgoing and have good communications skills. Connections to community funding sources and experience in fundraising would be great assets to the committee.

Community Economic Development Committee Member

• Be part of an innovative approach to resolving complex social issues
• Through the Laundry Co-op’s Community Economic Development (CED) program, members do laundry contracts on a commercial basis for organizations such as gyms, doctors’ offices spas etc and most recently The Ottawa Mission. This means that low-income individuals, many of whom have difficulty finding employment, can participate in a mentoring program and develop life skills while contributing to the Co-op and the community.
• The CED Committee provides support and advice on matters related to the CED program including policy, funding and operational issues.
• We are looking for energetic people with a strong commitment to making CED work.

The following assets would be of great assistance to the Committee:

• Experience in community economic development
• Business experience to help ensure that we adopt sound business practices
• Marketing
• Commercial laundry experience
• Knowledge and networks in the Ottawa community

Management Board Member

• Be part of the unique management board of a small organization where you can get first hand experience of all aspects of board membership and organizational management
• The Management Board is the legal authority for the Community Laundry Co-op, responsible for the effective governance of the organization. In order to focus the energy of the paid staff on serving Co-op members, the Management Board takes a “hands on” role in several management areas.
• We are looking for enthusiastic new board members with knowledge and skills in policy, finance, law, management, administration and/or personnel.

Volunteer Drivers

• With a small commitment of time, you can make a big difference in people’s live
• Our Community Economic Development program provides delivery services to clients at various times during the week. We require drivers who are strong enough to carry the laundry bags

Translators

• Help us out without even leaving your home
• We produce quarterly newsletters as well as various brochures and marketing materials. We require translation of these documents into French when they are produced

Note: For Committee and Board positions, the time commitment is five to ten hours per month, including preparation and attendance at monthly meetings and carrying out assigned duties. Contact us at info@communitylaundrycoop.ca or (613) 244-4762 for more information.