Archive for March, 2012

Show That You’ve Been Blessed by the Luck of the Irish

Friday, March 16th, 2012

We’re counting our lucky clovers this weekend, why? In case you don’t know tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day! Let the parades, “Kiss me I’m Irish” stickers, and everything green begin. St. Patrick’s Day is a great time to celebrate not only being Irish, spring being around the corner, and good luck, but it is also the perfect time to perform a little charity!

How can you turn a day of drinking green beer into a day of charity? It’s easy, choose from one of these fun ideas and get your volunteer party started!

You don’t need to find a four leaf clover for good luck when you are doing good works!

  1. Host a bake sale for good: Whether you want to get your kids involved in volunteering or you’re just a cookie monster yourself, a bake sale is a great way to have fun, while doing good. Choose a good cause or a nonprofit that really means something to you. Bake up some of your favorite St. Patty’s Day treats (shamrock sugar cookies?) and raise some money! You can set up your stand at your town’s St. Patty’s Day parade, neighborhood, etc. Donate the money you raise to your chosen good cause or nonprofit.
  2. Host a St. Patty’s Fundraising event: You can make this a day of celebration, while raising money by turning games into charity fundraisers. For example, fill a jar with shamrock shaped candies. Place the jar in your kid’s school, neighborhood clubhouse, etc. Those interested must donate a set amount of money to guess how many shamrocks are in the jar. The one who is closest to the amount will win a donated prize, while the money goes to charity.
  3. Irish jig flash mob: Gather your friends, neighbors, or family members together to perform an Irish jig style flash mob. Explain to the crowd that you are doing this for charity if they would like to donate to your cause.
  4. Let your volunteers know you are “lucky” to have them: Thank your volunteers for all of their hard work on St. Patrick’s Day. We all know you would be out of luck if you didn’t have their help.
  5. Host your own Irish pub: Gather your community members together for an Irish-style pot-luck. Ask guests to bring an Irish dish to the dinner. Your dinner is the perfect opportunity to gather together to discuss the issues that affect your community and how you can work/ volunteer to find their solution. This is the perfect time to form your super volunteer team with your neighbors!

Whether you are searching for four-leaf clovers or pinching those who are not wearing green, show how lucky you are by doing some good tomorrow. What better way to celebrate the luck of the Irish than by helping those who may not be so lucky!

From all of us at HandsOn Network we wish you an early Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

How are you showing your luck this St. Patrick’s Day?

Lessons from AmeriCorps

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

Today’s post comes from Carrisa Pawell, Interactive Strategy AmeriCorps Member with Points of Light. She is currently serving as an AmeriCorps member.

I started my year of service with AmeriCorps with not much of an idea what AmeriCorps did. I had heard them called the “domestic PeaceCorps”, and that is the description I still use with my friends and family! However, I may yet adopt the AmeriCorps week slogan, AmeriCorps Works! as it encompasses the breadth of the wide variety of service AmeriCorps members provide.

Approximately halfway through my term of service at Points of Light, my definition of volunteerism has expanded in ways I never expected. As a support member on the Interactive Strategy team, I volunteer mainly through the computer! In my past service experiences, I have volunteered in retirement communities, libraries, children’s day camps, and food kitchens. Although I use it for the majority of my entertainment and education, I never dreamed that the Internet would be the next frontier for service.

I’d like to share with you a few things I’ve learned over my term so far.

Volunteer online! You don’t have to be a Twitter expert to volunteer online. Did you know that you can play online games for free that donate to charities on your behalf? One example is Charitii – a charity-donating crossword Web site that raises money to provide clean water, food for the malnourished, and protection of the rainforest worldwide.

Be open to opportunities outside of your expectations Why limit yourself? My AmeriCorps term of service has taken me in so many directions I couldn’t have predicted a year ago, including a big move from California to Georgia! Service can take you in a variety of directions. I know the option of voluntourism is next on my list! Consider combining your travel and service experiences with a voluntourism vacation.

Microvolunteer Not all acts of service have to be year long commitments! Sparked provides a place where nonprofits can post small, digitally-based volunteer opportunities that can be done in a small amount of time. These opportunities aren’t just computer-based; many of the opportunities can be done on a smart phone, so time spent waiting in line at the grocery store can turn into time helping to improve a user’s experience with a nonprofit’s website.

Embrace your “Aha!” Moments As my AmeriCorps predecessor, Ken Tran, wrote in his Turning Point post for Points of Light, AmeriCorps members experience many “aha!” moments during our service years. Those situations are when the imaginary light bulb finally lights up and we realize that what we’re doing has purpose and direction. That our actions are positively impacting those around us and that the effects of our service will be felt long after we have left. During “AmeriCorps Works” week, I invite you to think back and remember your own “aha!” moment. What is your purpose and direction in the service field? How do you feed the need to impact others in a positive way? Take some time to refocus on that moment and the resulting actions; it can only increase your commitment to service!

Are you an AmeriCorps alum? If so, how will you be celebrating this week?  Be sure to register as an AmeriCorps Alum and register or join an AmeriCorps Week event.

5 Tips For Managing Volunteers from my AmeriCorps Service

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

Today’s post comes from Michael Nealis, Interactive Strategy Coordinator with Points of Light. He served as an AmeriCorps member with Volunteer Maryland from 2008-2010. You can read about how AmeriCorps was a turning point for him on the Points of Light blog, and how AmeriCorps helped prepare him for a job he never knew he’d love on the AmeriCorps Alums blog!

Some people don’t think AmeriCorps members should manage volunteers. I disagree.

When I joined AmeriCorps I had never really volunteered. Everything I knew about volunteering I’d learned in journals while doing research in my master’s program.

Volunteer Maryland brings  all of their members together for two weeks to learn how to manage volunteers, how to promote volunteer programs effectively, and how to successfully recruit volunteers. Not to mention all of the other skills you’ll need to run a measurable, successful volunteer program. Plus they keep bringing their members together to make sure they can improve on their skills. Yep, I’m the goofy looking tall guy in the back.

Here are my biggest recruitment take-aways from my first year of service:

1. There is no one right way, so try a lot of different ways!

There is no magic bullet to recruiting volunteers, no single way that has a guaranteed success rate. The best way is every way that you can think of.

Do you want to post a flier at the library? Do it.

Want to get in touch with some reporters to talk about the importance of your volunteer program? When they interview you, ask them to share how to volunteer!

Want to put your opportunities in a volunteer database? Awesome.

Sitting at the bar and don’t know what to talk to the person next to you about? Why not volunteering?

The important thing to remember is that people aren’t going to volunteer with you unless you ask them. Do it whenever you get the opportunity.

2. A warm body isn’t necessarily a successful volunteer. 

Recruiting volunteers is important, but screening volunteers is important too. Screening is important when volunteers will be working with protected populations like the elderly, children or the homeless. It’s important to make sure a volunteer is a good fit for your organization.

If you find out that the potential volunteer isn’t a good fit, let them know. Don’t just drop the conversation with them.

Whenever I had a volunteer that wasn’t quite the right fit I’d let them know, and I’d also give them a list of programs that I knew about that were looking for volunteers that might be a better fit based on what I learned from them during the screening process. That way, their end experience isn’t a ‘no,’ it’s an opportunity they may not have known about!

3. Make everyone in your organization your advocate.

You’re just one person. You can’t talk to everyone yourself.

This is why getting everyone in your organization involved with the volunteer program is important. Try making everyone from the Director on down a passionate advocate not only of the organization, but of the work that volunteers can do with your organization. Make sure everyone knows how volunteers can get involved with the organization!

4. Don’t forget to say thank you (and mean it).

Ever.

Got a phone call about volunteer opportunities? Say thank you.

Had a sit down to find out if a volunteer was a good match? Say thank you.

Volunteer’s first day on site? Say thank you.

National Volunteer Week?

Just a normal day? Say thank you.

Notice a trend?

5. Be flexible.

No matter how well you plan, something is going to happen that you didn’t plan for. Be ready to take it in stride and react well. Try not to freak out too much (a little bit is ok, but don’t let’em see you sweat).

If you play your cards right you can turn it into a big win for your program and your organization.

 

What were your best lessons from AmeriCorps? Let us know in the comments!

 

Go Out and Show How AmeriCorps Works

Tuesday, March 13th, 2012

So it is AmeriCorps Week, what can you do to celebrate? AmeriCorps Week runs from March 10 to March 18, and it is being celebrated across the nation! It is a week dedicated to recognizing the commitment to service made by each member and the hard work they do everyday in their communities.

The theme of this year’s AmeriCorps Week is “AmeriCorps Works. ” What does this theme mean exactly? AmeriCorps “works and gets things done” in the community and around the nation. It is a program that not only benefits the organizations that host members, but also the members themselves. Benefits for members include: professional development, money for higher education, self-fulfillment, friendships, and so much more. AmeriCorps benefits the community and various organizations because they gain creativity, a dedicated work force, new ideas, etc.

So how can you show AmeriCorps works this week? Try out these tips this week and show others you are proud to be a part of AmeriCorps!

  1. Smize! Take part in the AmeriCorps Works Here photo campaign. Take a picture at your current place of employment to show the diversity in career paths and leadership rules pursued after AmeriCorps. You can share these pictures through AmeriCorps Alums social media with the hashtag #AmeriCorpsWorksHere.
  2. Find an AmeriCorps themed event: Participate in activities ranging from mentoring future members to service projects in your community. Check out AmeriCorps Alums to find an event near you.
  3. Host an AmeriCorps party: Invite friends over to tell them about AmeriCorps and what it is like to serve or go to dinner with your AmeriCorps friends and supervisors.
  4. Tell your supervisors thank you: Let your supervisor know that you appreciate them.
  5. Share your service story or promote AmeriCorps through social media: Use hastags #AmeriCorpsWorksHere, #ACWeek, or #AmeriCorps
  6. Keep up with the latest develop
    ments in AmeriCorps
  7. Wear your AmeriCorps gear to work
  8. Take part in the AmeriCorps Online Townhall: “Inspirational Paths of Service and Leadership” will take place Tuesday, March 13 from 3 to 4:30 PM ET. Participate in this webinar to hear from 5 different alums who have benefited from their time as an AmeriCorps member, and now as an Alum.

No matter what you do to celebrate your term of service this week, take pride in the hard work that you have dedicated yourself to. When the going gets tough just remember AmeriCorps Works!

We hope that you have a wonderful AmeriCorps Week!

Are you celebrating this week, how are you showing that AmeriCorps works?

 

Check out this from to get some “Smizing” inspiration!

 

It’s AmeriCorps Week, but what is AmeriCorps?

Monday, March 12th, 2012

Hooray, hooray! Happy AmeriCorps Week everyone! Let’s kick off the week by explaining what exactly AmeriCorps is, in case you still do not know.

AmeriCorps is a United States federal government organization set up under former President Bill Clinton, and it was later expanded under President George W. Bush. AmeriCorps is a division of the Corporation for National and Community Service whose focus ranges from service in education to the environment. Each year AmeriCorps offers more than 75,000 opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities in a variety of ways.

Why is AmeriCorps the coolest?

Your term of service through AmeriCorps will have multiple benefits. By serving in an AmeriCorps program, members become eligible to for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. This award can be used toward the payment of student loans or graduate school tuition. Many programs offer an allowance that will cover the basic costs of living.

A term of service will also be beneficial when searching for professional work. Those who make a commitment to service have better networking options, and become more competitive in the job force, than those who do not. Members also have the opportunity to develop skills that they may not have had the chance to use otherwise.

What options do you have?

AmeriCorps is split into three different programs that have different focuses.

  • AmeriCorps State and National: Refers to a broad range of service areas in your local community. The main focus is intensive service in community programs. Members have the opportunity to serve in a variety of agencies including faith-based, community organizations, higher education, and public agencies. Their goals are to raise awareness in the fields of education, environment, public safety, and health. They engage in direct service such as after-school tutoring, volunteer recruitment, and capacity building.

Does AmeriCorps State and National Work?

  • AmeriCorps VISTA: VISTA was originally created under Lyndon Johnson as a way to fight poverty. Former president Bill Clinton brought it under the AmeriCorps program during his presidency. There are currently over 5,000 VISTAs serving throughout the country in various organizations. They work to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, and strengthen community groups.

Does AmeriCorps VISTA Work?

  • AmeriCorps NCCC: NCCC is a full-time program for adults ranging from the ages of 18 to 24. NCCC stands for National Civilian Community Corps. Their goal is to strengthen communities, while building leaders out of team service. NCCC members focus on aiding national crises.

Does AmeriCorps NCCC Work?

AmeriCorps Week is March 10-18, it is the perfect time to recognize and celebrate the dedication to service that AmeriCorps members make every year. There are many great ways to get involved in celebrating AmeriCorps and service this week! The theme for this week is AmeriCorps Works. Although, these are just a few examples of how it works, you can see that AmeriCorps truly accomplishes its goals and provides a great deal of service to our communities.

Now that you know more about AmeriCorps, how will you show that it works?

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Improve Business with Corporate Volunteering

Friday, March 9th, 2012

Time-crunched employees are increasingly looking to their jobs to provide opportunities for the good deeds that they don’t have the hours for outside of work, and companies are responding. Corporate social responsibility programs are no longer an afterthought in corporate planning, but garner big payoffs.

Volunteering offers participants the opportunity to strengthen their skills, broaden their networks, break out of a career rut, and find new meaning in their job. These benefits return to employers in the form of increased engagement and retention. A strong employee volunteer program can also increase company loyalty, develop ties to the community, and spur innovation.

The vast majority of college graduates want to amplify their commitment to good causes through their employer. Generation Ys employees who frequently participate in their company’s volunteer activities are more likely to be very proud to work for their company, feel very loyal, and are very satisfied with the progression of their careers. In fact, for many recent college graduates, a robust corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandate makes a crucial difference in where they choose to work, with 77% of respondents in a recent study (PDF) indicating that “a company’s commitment to social issues is important when I decide where to work.” This sentiment crosses generations, with the majority of people polled acknowledging the importance of contributing to their community or the wider world through work.

Corporate volunteer programs can range from one-day community service activities to mini-sabbaticals that send top performers to developing countries to lend their expertise to nonprofit organizations and proven entrepreneurs. Moody’s Afternoon of Service is a good example of a once-a-year opportunity for people who want to dip their toes into volunteering. The program takes place during the workday; employees sign up for a variety of team-based activities, including sorting library books at a public school in a poor neighborhood, planting flower bulbs in a city park, lending a hand at an organization that gathers clothing for and coaches disadvantaged women going out on job interviews, and preparing lunch at a community soup kitchen.

Such volunteer assignments can do more than inject excitement into a humdrum job; they can ignite a career. Despite the growing prevalence of corporate volunteer programs, placements are super-competitive — Intel, for example, says that only 5% of applicants win spots in its Education Service Corps. It’s also high-profile, with blogs and videos of participants’ experiences distributed throughout the company and on the internet. Who knows what kind of connections could result?

Corporate volunteer programs benefit employers, employees, and service recipients alike! By providing a practical bonus for both participants and employers, they’re not just a “nice to have” perk but a retention tool, leadership development opportunity, and strategic business initiative.

Have you participated in a corporate volunteer program? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

Related Posts

Four Benefits of Employee Volunteer Programs

Twelve Tips for Planning an Employee Volunteer Event

Volunteer for International Women’s Day

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

Happy International Women’s Day! Today countries around the world celebrate the contributions of women to the strength of history and their nations. American women have played a unique role throughout the history of the country by providing the majority of the volunteer labor force. They were particularly important in the establishment of early charitable, philanthropic, and cultural institutions.

Juliette Gordon Low Low started the first Girl Scout troop in 1912. Low brought girls of all backgrounds into the out-of-doors, giving them the opportunity to develop self-reliance and resourcefulness. She encouraged girls to prepare not only for traditional homemaking, but also for possible future roles as professional women—in the arts, sciences and business—and for active citizenship outside the home. Girl Scouting welcomed girls with disabilities at a time when they were excluded from many other activities.

Lillian Wald Often called the “mother of public health nursing”, Wald the Visiting Nurse Service of New York in 1893 on New York’s Lower East Side, when it was the world’s most densely populated slum. Wald blazed a trail for a multicultural workforce, and pioneered American social work to establish the Henry Street Settlement House, which was nonsectarian and would charge fees only to those who could pay.

Despite the contributions of these women, and countless others, women still face hardships in our country and across the world. This International Women’s Day, take some time to do good for women.

Volunteer at a women’s shelter Women’s shelters are often under-served and underfunded, while domestic abuse is the leading cause of injury among women 15 to 44 years old in the United States. One woman is beaten by her husband or partner every 15 seconds in the United States, and 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Consider spending some of your volunteer time at a women’s shelter.

Invest in women with microfinancing Consider making your next donation a loan, through a microfinancing organization, like Kiva or WAM (Women Advancing Microfinancing). Women are a significant untapped resource for creating opportunity that can change lives. And yet millions across the world struggle to access the resources they need and deserve to jumpstart change.

Organize a feminine hygiene product drive Domestic violence shelters and homeless shelters often face  a shortage of feminine hygiene products. The lack of these products prevents women from attending work and school. Find out which organization in your community could most benefit from your donation and start a collection. To take this project world wide, check out Pads4Girls, which provides reusable pads for girls in developing nations so they can continue to attend school.

Find an International Women’s Day event near you! What will you be doing to celebrate women today? Let us know in the comments below!

How the phone patent changed volunteering!

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

 

It’s March already?! Sheesh! But hey cheer up because spring is right around the corner! March is also awesome because in March, Alexander Graham Bell patented the phone, an invention that changed the world AND volunteering! That’s right, the phone-which paved the way for other technological inventions, allows for people to participate in virtual volunteering! Here’s how:

  1.  Call, text, skype, or email someone who is homebound, in a hospital or a rest home! By simply using some form of communication and letting someone know that you care and are thinking about them is inspiring and can brighten someone’s day! Whether sick or healthy, it’s always nice to know that someone took the time out of their busy day to contact you.
  2. Staff an e-mail or chat room answer/support line: Whether it’s a phone answer/support line, people can write in questions and trained volunteers can answer them; or, volunteer to be part of an online support group, where members provide advice to each other via a chat room, list or newsgroup.
  3. Conduct online research: find information an agency can use in an upcoming grant proposal or newsletter. Gathering information such as similarly –focused organizations’ web site addresses or a particular government program or legislation could greatly benefit an agency’s clients.
  4. Welcome people in advance who are about to enter the hospital, go to summer camp, etc. from volunteers, via email or a special Web page or Intranet, and post-service follow up to the same group via email or the Web! This provides them with support and care!
  5. Help an organization dot their eyes and cross their T’s by proofreading papers and online publications to ensure that they convey a grammatically correct message to their audience!
  6.  Add an agency’s volunteer opportunities into online databases: We totally understand the benefits of a volunteer doing this as this is very beneficial to an organization and volunteers seeking volunteer opportunities.

These are just a few ways that technology and phones have contributed to the expansion of volunteering. Let us know how you plan on celebrating the phone patent anniversary in the comments!

It’s Time to Feed the Hungry in March

Tuesday, March 6th, 2012

In 2010, it was reported that a record 17.2 million American households were food insecure. This was the highest number ever reported in United States history. Although the American economy is slowly starting to pick up, food insecurity is still a major concern in the daily lives of Americans.

The media is constantly reporting about the problems of childhood obesity, food insecurity, and malnutrition. With all these negative topics, it is easy to feel overwhelmed to the point that it feels like there is nothing that can be done.

March is the perfect month to become proactive about this issue. Why? March is National Nutrition Month!

  1. The obvious, but always helpful: Volunteer at your community food bank or soup kitchen. These organizations are always appreciative of some extra hands.
  2. Volunteer with organizations focused on hunger: Nonprofits such as Feeding America, FoodCorps, Meals on Wheels, and many others are great sources to not only find volunteering opportunities, but also to get facts on hunger and who it affects.
  3. Hold a canned food drive: Food banks always need donations, especially after the holidays when their shelves run low. There are many ways that you can spice up your canned food drive. It is a great way to get your whole community involved to tackle hunger.
  4. Tackle hunger as a team: Organizations such as generationOn have excellent resources to tackle hunger with your family, neighbors, or friends. Make fighting hunger fun by turning it into a competitive game.
  5. Educate your community about nutrition: Obesity is a serious issue, especially in communities where food diversity is scarce. Talk to your local school about teaching students about the benefits of good food choices. Suggest healthier lunch options, if they are not already available.
  6. Join the local food movement: Encourage your friends and family to buy local. Your body will be thankful that you are feeding it well! Your local farmers will be happy that you are supporting them too.
  7. Got leftovers? If you have a decent amount of leftovers after dinner, give them to someone who truly needs them, instead of taking them home to the dog.
  8. Raise money for organizations that feed the community: Hold a fundraiser at your child’s school, your church, workplace, or neighborhood. You can donate the proceeds to your community’s soup kitchen, food bank, or your favorite hunger cause.
  9. Spend a day in the life of the hungry: Volunteer to fast for a day, see what it is like to be hungry.
  10. Lobby to get better food options: Does your local school not provide nutritious lunches to school children? Have you noticed that your community only has fast food options for its residents? Make a change! Educate your community members on the harmful effects of bad nutrition and make a plan to make a change.

 

By incorporating just one of these tips into your volunteering schedule, you can really make a difference in the American hunger statistic!

Are you volunteering to end hunger? We’d love to hear about it in the comment section below!

Spread the Volunteer Love for National Volunteer Week

Monday, March 5th, 2012

This year’s National Volunteer Week is April 15 through April 21! It’s a week dedicated to recognizing and honoring the amazing work of volunteers throughout the nation. Whether you’re serving your local school, nursing home, community organization, or mentoring someone, the service volunteers provide is PRICELESS, ha ha no pun intended! But in all seriousness, we are so thankful for the great service of volunteers and want offer you 4 ways to honor volunteers during National Volunteer Week or year-around.

  1. The Daily Point of Light Award: The Daily Point of Light Award was established by former President George H. W. Bush to engage individuals, families, businesses and groups to solve community problems through voluntary service. Recognize an individual or group that is inspiring change through voluntary action by submitting a nomination for the Daily Point of Light Award. If selected, your nominee will join an esteemed group of volunteers recognized on the Points of Light blog for their leadership and voluntary service, and receive a certificate signed by President George H. W. Bush and Points of Light Institute CEO Michelle Nunn honoring their achievement!
  2. Recognize a Point of Light on the Pointsoflight.org Tribute Wall: The Points of Light tribute wall provides you with access to an online community dedicated to recognizing volunteers. Whether you’re shouting out George H.W. Bush or posting a video or simply writing kind words about how a volunteer has inspired you or changed your life, the tribute wall is a way to point out the Points of Light in your life and/or your community.
  3. The President’s Volunteer Service Award: Established in 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. Recognizing and honoring volunteers sets a standard for service, encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation, and inspires others to make service a central part of their lives. The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals, families, and groups that have achieved a certain standard – measured by the number of hours of service over a 12-month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime.
  4. Celebrate people who went the Extra Mile: If you’re visiting the Washington, DC area or just surfing the exciting highways of the world wide web, visit the Extra Mile national monument. This new national monument in the heart of Washington, D.C. is a testament to the tradition, spirit and culture of service in America. From founders of major service organizations to civil rights leadersExtra Mile, the monument tells the story of people who have gone the “extra mile” to help others realize a better America. Comprised of a series of bronze medallions, it will form a one-mile walking path just blocks from the White House.

No matter what you do to recognize volunteers, make sure they know that their services help to improve your life or spark a light of volunteerism and inspiration in their community. Comment and tell us how you plan to honor your volunteers during National Volunteer Week and beyond!