Profile: Sue Kozij

My role: I’ve been managing the Queensland chapter of Australian Pituitary Foundation for 11 years. I was previously the Secretary and now I’m Treasurer.

Our team: We have no paid employees. Seven volunteers act as Directors and six run state groups. We use other voluntary help, very often pituitary patients themselves, as we need it.

Our toughest challenges: Letting people know that the Foundation exists and what it does, raising awareness of pituitary disease and its impact on the patient, family, and wider community, and establishing contact with groups, such as government departments, that can influence different types of treatment regimes for the various diseases.

My responsibilities: I wear a few hats – I assist with our membership, I edit and organize the publication of the newsletter and I maintain the website. I’m also part of the team that puts together education seminars and support gatherings, and supplies support and resources for individuals and group members.

How do you manage skilled volunteers: Appreciate that they are donating their time and expertise, acknowledge their input regularly, really consider any ideas they contribute, and encourage them to share their skills and expertise.

My advice for managing skilled volunteers: Be clear about your needs and how they can help. Be open to their ideas and expertise. Make sure they feel they are an important part of your organisation and share milestones with them.