Volunteer Boards & Advocacy

The Critical Role of Volunteer Boards in Disability Advocacy: Stewardship, Strategic Vision and Advocacy in Action

In the landscape of disability services and advocacy, volunteer boards serve as the backbone of organisations that drive meaningful change in our communities.

As Caringa prepares for its 2024/2025 Annual General Meeting, it’s worth reflecting on why these dedicated volunteers are so crucial to advancing disability rights and ensuring quality support services.

The 2023/2024 Caringa elected directors came together as individuals from various professional backgrounds, each contributing unique insights and expertise. The professional diversity these six elected members brought to the Caringa Board is not just beneficial – it’s essential. When making decisions that affect people with disabilities, having multiple viewpoints and lived experiences ensures that solutions are comprehensive, and consider all aspects of community needs.

Think of it as assembling a puzzle: each board member brings a different piece, and together they create a complete picture of what the community needs. A lawyer might understand regulatory compliance, while a healthcare professional grasps medical necessities and a business leader comprehends operational efficiency. This combination of perspectives leads to more robust decision-making.

Community Connection and Accountability

Volunteer boards and members, create a direct link between disability support, community organisations and the participants, families and stakeholders we serve. Our Caringa 2023/2024 volunteer directors and members each have deep roots in the local community and personal connections to the disability sector. This connection ensures that Caringa remains true to our grassroots origins and maintains focus on our core mission: supporting all people with disabilities to live complete, independent lives.

The 2023/2024 Caringa Directors:

• Kept informed about disability policy and legislation
• Attended regular meetings and special events
• Made difficult decisions that affect many lives
• Balances organisational sustainability with community needs
• Maintained professional development and governance knowledge

It’s precisely this level of commitment that makes volunteer boards so valuable. Their dedication sends a powerful message: disability advocacy is worth our time, attention, and best efforts.

The Caringa Board’s commitment to this stewardship is particularly crucial in the disability sector, where consistent, quality support can make the difference between independence and isolation for many individuals. Their strategic vision helps Caringa and the executive team navigate challenges while maintaining an unwavering focus on improving lives.

The Caringa Community extend our deep thanks to:

As we get ready to host our AGM for the 2024/25 year ahead, we are appreciative and indebted to the 2023/24 Board of Directors for the past 12 months of their collective wisdom, community support and advocacy. They have spent the past year in purposeful collaborative work, to ensure that everyone in our Community can live their “Complete Life” with Caringa.

Their work ensured that;

• Resources were used effectively and ethically
• Services remained focused on all of the community needs
• Caringa as an entire community continued in our unwavering commitment to Caringa’s vision, mission and values.
• Innovation and improvement continued, with a future-focused Leadership Team looking towards 2025 and beyond
• Community voices were heard and respected EVERY DAY

Caringa directors and members often become powerful advocates for disability rights in their own professional and personal networks. They carry the message of inclusion and accessibility into boardrooms, government offices, and community gatherings. This multiplier effect helps break down barriers and creates more opportunities for all people with disabilities across the Coffs Clarence Coast region.

The volunteer nature of the Caringa Directors and Board ensures that resources are directed where they matter most – into services and support for people with disabilities. When community members see our respected local leaders volunteering their time and expertise, it builds trust and encourages others to support Caringa’s values. Consider how a board member might influence their workplace to adopt more inclusive hiring practices, or how they might advocate for better accessibility in local infrastructure projects. These ripple effects extend far beyond the boardroom.

The dedication shown by Tim, Matthew, Deb, Phil, Peter and Joshua has sent a powerful message:
disability advocacy is worth all our time, attention, and best efforts.

THE CARINGA VALUES:

RESPECT | ACCOUNTABILITY | EMPOWERMENT

INCLUSION | COMMITMENT | RIGHTS | PURPOSE

Discover the Caringa Vision, Mission & Values HERE

The Ripple Effect of Being on a Volunteer Board

When skilled professionals volunteer their time and expertise to disability advocacy, they create a ripple effect that extends far beyond their board service. They inspire others to get involved, bring disability rights into mainstream conversations, and help build more inclusive communities.

The impact of a volunteer board extends far beyond governance – it demonstrates that disability advocacy is a community responsibility we all share. As we acknowledge the contributions of outgoing board members and welcome new ones, we’re reminded that positive change often starts with individuals willing to volunteer their time for the greater good.

Whether you’re considering board service or simply want to support disability advocacy, remember that every contribution matters. The path to a more inclusive society is built on the dedication of volunteers who believe in the power of community service and the right of every individual to live a complete life.

Join the Community AND become a Caringa Member

Your membership is a powerful statement of our commitment to authentic representation and empowerment, reinforcing our mission to create a more inclusive and equitable community for all.

Did you know that for 71 years, Caringa Australia has been helping folks with disabilities in our community live their best lives? Yep, that’s since 1953. We’ve come a long way from our humble beginnings as a little community-funded school started by fundraising.

Now we’re out here changing lives every day. Your support in giving back to the Caringa Community means a complete life for everyone.

Download a membership form PDF here

WANT TO READ MORE?

Your support today means a complete life for everyone. Learn more about Giving Back to Caringa.

On the Blog:

NOV 2023: Meet the current Caringa Board Members

SEPT 2024: Disability Voices in the Boardroom – the WHY of having all voices heard and respected

SEPT 2024: Notice of the 2024 Annual General Meeting of Caringa Australia Limited