It’s National Volunteer Week and we found one person who has volunteered full time for Bridge NSW for the past 18 months.
For those yet to cross paths with him, Jake Andrew is a tireless advocate for the Bridge NSW community and has played a key role in the organisation’s transition from New South Wales Bridge Association (NSWBA).
At first it was a short contract role for NSWBA to help them restructure into two organisations – Bridge NSW and the Sydney Bridge Centre. When that contract finished, Jake stuck around contributing his time as a volunteer.
The source of his volunteering spirit can be traced back to childhood. Jake grew up in the small coastal holiday town of Plettenberg Bay in South Africa, 500 kilometres east of Cape Town. In a fragmented apartheid-era community of only 500 people, many people supported each other. At home, Jake’s libertarian parents and family taught him the values of community with their activism against apartheid and to save wetlands and wildlife.
“I learned that those who can help should help. It may seem old-fashioned nowadays in a time poor and competitive world, but I believe we are all better off if we look after each other more,” says Andrew.
As a boy, Jake was exposed to many card games and had a bridge-playing grandmother. When he eventually took up the game in 2019, apart from being hooked by the challenge of the game, Jake also spotted the social and community benefits it provides.
“Bridge is a great way to strengthen community connections, it’s incredibly cheap entertainment, and it complements Australians’ sporty nature,” he says.
“It is hugely rewarding making an impact to a community and thousands of people, even if I will never meet many of them.”
In his contracted role in 2023, Jake saw firsthand the organisation and community’s lack of resources, and decided to continue to volunteer when his contract finished up.
For the next 18 months, he led strategy development and marketing for the organisation. This has included managing the organisation’s Executive Officer and Marketing Communications Officer, and helping recruit several board and committee members.
“I could see what the community needed and believed I had the skills to help. I also knew the community could never pay for what they needed,” says Jake.
“I really enjoy mentoring and building organisation capability and can clearly see this happening fast for Bridge NSW. There is great teamwork from the many volunteers involved, which makes it rewarding and a pleasure.”
For Jake, the opportunity to volunteer came at an ideal time. He had finished up an eleven-year career with SEEK.com in strategy and ultimately as Chief Product Officer, and needed a break to refresh.
Now, he is on the hunt for the right role back in the corporate world in strategic change delivery and management.
“I will stay on as a board member for Bridge NSW, which will likely be only a few hours a month. Currently, my focus is on setting up people and processes so that they can continue with far less guidance,” Jake says.
“Our community has been led by many incredibly generous volunteers over decades. They have donated countless invaluable hours that have built the community up to this point. We now need more volunteers to continue to thrive and grow.”
For those thinking about donating some of their time to their club or Bridge NSW, Jake says Bridge NSW Chair Catherine Chaffey’s empowering leadership style is a pleasure to partner with.
“Find out what help is needed and how your time and skills could fit. Consider if a one-off project or an ongoing role of few hours a week suits you best – however you feel you can help,” he says.
“For those already volunteering, make sure you keep enjoying it. If it feels fun and rewarding, then it is sustainable. We need you for long term success.”
