Express an Interest

Targeting:
Seniors/Retired People

Brisbane Seniors Online Association Inc. (BSOL) is a not-for-profit volunteer organisation that provides mentoring to members in the Greater Brisbane area on how to live in an increasingly online world. This covers how to use online services (e.g. email, train timetables, maps) and devices (e.g. smartphones, TVs, computers). People can join as a Learner (receives mentoring), Mentor (delivers mentoring), or Associate (volunteers in the office, publicity, recruitment etc).  Mentoring is provided at a mutually agreed time and location, typically 1-on-1 at the Learner’s home.

BSOL was founded around 2001 and was very successful initially. Over the recent years there appears to have a been a business as usual outlook without review of the service model and  limited advertising, recruitment, succession planning etc. There are currently approx 350 members: 270 learners & 80 volunteers with 40% of the volunteers 75 or older. The needs of the learners has changed too, from dedicated training (e.g. how to use email) to a more ad hoc requirement & usually more urgent (e.g. my Netflix isn't working).

Volunteers are needed for all positions on the management committee (board) to keep the association operating while looking at its operating & service model to see if it's services are needed & how to make it viable, especially when relying on volunteers for service provision.