Digital Operations and Technology Support (Volunteer)

Volunteer Opportunity: Digital Operations and Technology

Role Focus: Infrastructure, Database, and Event Tech Support

Position Type: Remote Administration & Seasonal Live Event Support (Multi-Track Layout)

Time Commitment: Variable by track. Live Event Support (Track A) requires absolute, dependable availability on Monday mornings (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) during active seasonal program cycles.

Continuity Requirement: Minimum commitment of one full year to ensure vital mid-season program continuity.

Third Age Learning York Region (TALYR) is a federally registered non-profit organization offering intellectually engaging lectures and webinars for retired adults across York Region. As an entirely volunteer-driven organization with no paid staff, our digital infrastructure is quite literally what keeps our operations running and our community connected.

Currently, our entire digital environment—Zoom webinars, customer relationship management (CRM), email servers, feedback loops, and local AV integration—rests heavily on the shoulders of just one dedicated volunteer. To ensure organizational sustainability and prevent burnout, we are aggressively seeking one or more tech-comfortable generalists to join us, distribute the portfolio, and share these critical operational responsibilities.

You do not need to be a software engineer, programmer, or IT systems specialist. We are looking for practical, reliable generalists who take quiet, internal satisfaction in establishing stability, solving workflows, and making sure things run smoothly.

Tailor Your Contribution: Choose Your Track

Because we want to ensure these volunteer responsibilities are deeply sustainable, we are completely prepared to divide these roles based on your natural technical preferences and seasonal availability. You can volunteer for a single track, or manage a combined mix:

Track A: Live Event & AV Support (Active Fall / Winter / Spring)

• Availability Requirement: Absolute availability on roughly 17 scheduled program Monday mornings per year from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (encompassing vital pre-event system configurations, setup, the 10:00 a.m. – noon lecture block, and take-down).
• Zoom Webinar Management: Administer host panels, schedule seasonal webinar runs, configure standard access configurations for speakers, and provide active backend technical troubleshooting during our 10–11 online Winter and Fall live web broadcasts.
• On-Site Venue AV Setup: Provide basic, reliable technical support during our 6–7 Spring lecture series in Aurora by connecting the TALYR presentation laptop to the commercial theater AV interface at the Odeon Cineplex venue.

Track B: Backend Systems & Administration (Light, Year-Round)

• Wild Apricot CRM Administration: Co-administer our central membership and contact management software, process registrations, clean membership logs, and assist with general list hygiene.
• Feedback Infrastructure: Build and configure basic evaluations through SurveyMonkey to collect vital programmatic data following a lecture series.
• Web & Email Upkeep: Execute routine, straightforward text and date updates to the publicfacing website and coordinate bulk informational emails.

Time Commitment & Availability

• Track A (Live Events): Heaviest strictly during active presentation weeks in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. You must be fully available from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on scheduled program Mondays.
• Track B (Backend Systems): Light, flexible, and year-round—requiring a few remote hours per month executed at your own convenience.
• Continuity & Reliability: Because these technical responsibilities are core to the delivery of our programs, we require a dependable commitment for at least one full year. To ensure our mission's stability, we cannot afford technical support coverage gaps mid-season. This role demands a weekday flexibility most naturally aligned with a retired generalist or an individual with an unchanging, highly flexible daytime schedule.

What We Are Looking For

• Functional Comfort with Web Tools: Prior experience with (or an absolute willingness to master) platforms like Zoom, Wild Apricot, or SurveyMonkey.
• Patience and Approachability: The communication skills and composure necessary to calmly explain basic digital processes to non-technical colleagues and members.
• Dependability When it Counts: Highly responsive and reliable during active presentation seasons when timing is mission-critical.

Commitment & Onboarding

Much of the work (other than support for in-person presentations) can be conducted remotely from your own home. Non-Board members are warmly welcome, though given the core nature of our digital systems, we are seeking individuals looking for a longer-term, multi-season alignment. (If a technology volunteer chooses to formally join the Board of Directors, a standard three-year renewable director term applies.) Full orientation and system handovers will be provided thoroughly.

How to Express Interest

Help us fortify the operational core of our educational community. Please send a brief note highlighting your general comfort level with technology and any relevant web tool experience to:

talyr@rogers.com with the subject line "Volunteer Inquiry: Digital Operations & Tech".