In praise of volunteers
Sydney’s JCA has recognised the role played by volunteers in the community.
Peter Philippsohn, Michael Graf and Stephen Chipkin
They were thanked for their contribution at an event, held at the Burger Centre attended by volunteers from a range of communal organisations and members of the JCA Board of Governors, Executive Committee and its CEO.
“Our volunteers are the best expression of a committed and caring community. Volunteers are on every board and committee in our community, they are involved in every project and they help with every event” said JCA President Stephen Chipkin, as he welcomed guests. “The efforts of volunteers are often unrecognised and as the community glides by, it is these people who paddle furiously under the surface to keep things going, and this evening is dedicated to thanking them.”
In recognising the effort volunteers have, and will continue to play in JCA’s community engagement efforts and strategic initiatives, Mr. Chipkin made special mention of a number of volunteers stepping down from key communal roles including Michael Graf who served eight years on JCA’s Executive Committee, the last four as Chair of Fundraising, Louise Thurgood Phillips who has completed her four-year term on the Allocations Committee, Brian Schwartz from the Status Committee, Ian Pryer who served on the Awards Council and Craig Shapiro from the Investment Committee.
President of Montefiore Home, David Freeman praised Michael Graf’s past contributions and expressed his pleasure that this was not the end of Michael’s communal life as he takes up a position on the Montefiore Board of Directors. Mr. Graf was then presented with a very special gift of over 1000 books, which will be sent to Jewish children in NSW and the ACT in his honour over the next month.
“This evening was about you and all the other volunteers who make this community what it is” concluded Mr. Chipkin as he thanked the assembled guests for attending.
