Call for volunteers: Work with the Obesity Community Fund

The Obesity Community Fund (OCF) is a patient-led non-profit organisation working to improve access to evidence-based obesity care in South Africa.Read more about the Obesity Community Fund at www.obesitycommunityfund.co.za

We are looking for passionate volunteers — including patients, family members, friends, and professionals — who care deeply about serving people living with obesity. These are voluntary roles requiring approximately 4 – 8 hours per month.

Please note: These positions are entirely voluntary. They are not paid roles, and no funds are available for remuneration or stipends.

Your contribution will directly support advocacy, education, fundraising, and access to life-changing treatment.

If you believe obesity is a chronic disease — not a failure of willpower — and you want to be part of a solution, we would love to hear from you.

Available volunteer roles

Treasurer

Oversee the financial health of the Fund with the trustees and the accounting staff. Responsibilities include tracking income and expenses, assisting with budgeting, preparing basic financial reports for the board, and ensuring financial transparency and compliance.

Secretary

Support governance and administration. Responsibilities include preparing meeting agendas, taking minutes, keeping records, and ensuring documentation and compliance processes are up to date.

Social and digital media coordinator

Help grow awareness and fight stigma. Responsibilities include planning and scheduling posts, engaging with the online community, supporting campaigns, and helping share patient stories and educational content.

Membership coordinator

Build and manage our community database. Responsibilities include onboarding new members, maintaining records, communicating updates, and helping grow an active, engaged support network.

Fundraising coordinator

Help mobilise resources to fund patient sponsorships and education initiatives. Responsibilities include identifying fundraising opportunities, assisting with campaigns, engaging potential donors, and supporting sponsorship proposals.

Training and education coordinator

Support the development of educational content and workshops for patients, families, and healthcare professionals. Responsibilities include coordinating speakers, assisting with webinar logistics, and helping distribute educational materials.

Special events coordinator

Plan and coordinate events such as workshops, awareness days, community gatherings, and the annual Obesity Conference. Responsibilities include venue coordination, logistics, volunteer support, and event promotion.

Medical care coordinator

Work closely with the medical teams providing care and with sponsored patients. Responsibilities include coordinating volunteer medical professionals, assisting with patient selection processes, and ensuring alignment and communication across all aspects of pre-operative and post-operative care in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. This role helps ensure clinical integrity, continuity of care, and a seamless patient journey.

Your commitment

·       Approximately 4 - 8 hours per month doing the portfolio activities

·       1 quarterly online board meeting to report progress and plan the next quarter

·       Fully voluntary roles (no remuneration or financial compensation)

·       Remote contribution is possible for these roles and we prefer a national and demographical representation for our volunteer organisation

If you would like to serve, please email: mari@obestitycommunityfund.co.za

Subject line: OCF Volunteer Application

Together, we can mobilise resources, challenge stigma, and expand access to care.