2023 Winners - Cootamundra Meals on Wheels

2023 Meals on Wheels NSW Innovation Awards

Working with the Workforce Winner

Congratulations to Cootamundra Meals on Wheels, for their nomination - Recruiting and retaining skilled management committee members.

It was a long-held policy for committee members standing down to recruit a suitable replacement. This has become more and more difficult in recent years, so a further recruitment strategy was needed. Open discussion at management committee meetings on which local people could be suitable candidates, led to a list being compiled. They are then formally invited by letter to join a management committee meeting and information day, where they are fully informed of the requirements and commitment required before agreeing to be nominated. If elected, the outgoing member assists with their orientation. In this way Cootamundra Meals on Wheels has been able to successfully recruit and retain a team of skilled and dedicated management committee members, ensuring the ongoing success and governance of the service. New members are better equipped to make an informed decision about their ongoing commitment.
One of the barriers faced by small community organisations is the limited number of paid staff. By electing committee members with the skills to step in and assist when there are inevitable staff shortages has provided long term benefits, including prevention of staff burnout, and service continuity.
Invited community members who attend a meeting have a better insight into the running of the service and the meaning of ‘More than just a meal.’