Welcome to being a volunteer

I am very pleased that you have offered to play a part in creating Limmud Conference 2007.

I would like to tell you about three things:

1. A volunteers event on 28 January, 1pm-4pm

2. What's happening at the moment

3. How we'll make sure you have the right role

So ...

1. A volunteers event on 28 January, 1pm-4pm

We are holding a meeting for all volunteers on 28 January.  In addition to embarking on a trip in the Limmud Tardis, this will be a time to hear about the challenges that we will be facing as a team, an opportunity to meet others and a chance to take part in our first major Conference 2007 meeting (see the next section for 'what's happening at the moment').

Whether you are a first-time volunteer, or have contributed for the last 25 years, if you know your role or you want to find out how 250 volunteers come together to put on the event, we hope to see you there.

We are grateful to the London Jewish Cultural Centre for hosting this meeting.  If you are based outside London, I want you to know that we are keen that the Conference team includes those from outside the M25, so please bear with us.

London Jewish Cultural Centre
Ivy House
94 - 96 North End Road
London NW11 7SX

2. What's happening at the moment

Although it's only a few days since Conference 2006 ended, we've already started looking at what we can learn for next year.  Along with the vice chairs, I've been busy looking through the feedback from last year and working with an embryonic team to organise initial meetings (mainly the one on the 28th) and to set up a volunteers support structure for the year.

We've also asked Judy Trotter, a long-time friend of Limmud and former chair of the organisation, to lead a group on the subject 'if it ain't broke'.  We know we are very good at putting on Conference and want to stand on the shoulders of the giants who've gone before;  however there may be one or two areas that are in need of major refreshment or renewal.  Judy already has a representative group to meet and discuss what these might be.  If you think an area is 'broke' and ought to be added to her agenda, you may wish to tell Judy in a brief email to judy[at]jt96.co.uk by 14 January (if it's something that can be tweaked to fix it, instead include it in your Conference feedback form http://www.limmud.org/conference/conference06/feedback/).

Judy will be presenting her findings as an important part of the meeting on the 28th.

3. How we'll make sure you have the right role

One of my responsibilities in the next few weeks will be to make sure that you have a role that suits you, interests you, and hopefully stimulates you in the year ahead and through Conference 2007.

The exact team structure will partly depend on what comes of Judy's review.  For this reason, you may have expected but not received a call.  If you would like to discuss a particular role then please let me know on the number below.

Or, if you can't make the meeting on the 28th, again please call or email me.

Best wishes

Kevin