Archive for January, 2012
Make it Work! Skills Based Volunteer Management Strategies
From the HandsOn Network Blog
With the jobless rate still hovering around 9 percent, larger numbers of laid-off business executives are turning to volunteering as a way to make a difference to society—and to retool their skills and perhaps change career paths. This is a godsend for the overburdened charities that need this help now more than ever. Nonprofit managers need to take full advantage of this opportunity, making the most of the legions of skilled volunteers to help strengthen the capacity and financial health of their organizations.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Looking for a Job? How Can your Volunteer Service Help?
A great HandsOn partner shared this interesting article with us from RealSimple.com. Check out these tips on how to effectively include your service in your resume.
How Volunteering Helps you Land a Job
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Do You Anticipate Needing Volunteers to Assist with Area Flooding?
Oh my it is wet and rainy out there! Do you anticipate needing volunteers to assist your organization with flooding needs?
We would like to remind all of you that HandsOn is here for you in the event that you need volunteer assistance during inclement weather and at times of disaster. So please start thinking about what volunteers can do to assist you when and if that time comes.
Also remember, HandsOn is the official Emergent Volunteer Center for Marion County. In the event of a disaster, Marion County will activate HandsOn to manage all unaffiliated volunteers who come forward to help. This means if you need any additional volunteers outside of your own volunteer pool, you will need to post your needs with HandsOn. Please contact us if you need assistance with this. You can contact us at 877-372-4141 or via email at volunteer@handsonmwv.org
In the past HandsOn has received a flood (no pun intended) of volunteers during times of disaster. In order to keep things organized we do need to stay ahead of that flood and know your needs. An easy way to keep HandsOn informed is to out “Disaster Volunteers” in the title of any volunteer postings needed in the event of a disaster. Please contact us if you need assistance posting any and all volunteer needs.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )HandsOn’s Big Announcement
Dear Partners and Volunteers,
HandsOn is all grown up! In 2006 the United Way agreed to house the new Volunteer and Mentor Center. This resource was requested in the community and the United Way planned to house what is now HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley until we were stable enough to go out on our own. Well that day has come! HandsOn will become a program of the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency on February 1st. HandsOn will move to their facility located on Center St as soon as renovations are completed in March. HandsOn will remain an intiative of the United Way and will maintain a very strong partnership with the United Way.
The HandsOn team would like to reassure each and every one of you that our service and commitment to the spirit of volunteerism will not change. We will continue to maintain HandsOn’s programs for both partner agencies and volunteers. Our phone number and website will remain the same. With that said, we appreciate your patience over the next two month as we get settled into our new office and get to know Community Action Agency.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns via email at volunteer@handsonmwv.org
To read the full Statesman Journal Article, click here.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Polk Community Connect is coming. Volunteers Needed!
Polk Community Connect is a free, one-day resource fair focused on connecting our homeless neighbors and those at risk of becoming homeless, with as many sources of direct support as possible. Community Connect brings county, government and community groups together in the mission to help our homeless and provide information, services and resources. The approach is designed to help inspire hope and respect for those in need—one person at a time. Services include: medical, dental, housing, employment, pet, bike repair, and children and family resources.
Polk Community Connect
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Dallas, OR
Community Connect is completely staffed by volunteers; requiring at least 150 volunteer to host the event. From set up, serving meals, guiding attendees, or assisting with clean up—there is something for everyone and no help will go unnoticed. You can volunteer for a few hours, or help for the entire day. Donations are also accepted and appreciated.
Sign up today. Act Now!
HandsOn Connect Open House
It’s not too late to sign up!
As promised HandsOn is offering a chance for all of you to receive some follow up training after the HandsOn Connect training in August. Reserve your spot with one of the HandsOn Staff members and we will go over anything else within the system you would like to discuss including posting opportunities, verifying volunteers, data reports and more!
HandsOn Connect Open House
January 17th, 18th and 19th
Click here to reserve your 1 1/2 hour time slot with one of us.
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Save the Date! The Salem Public Library is hosting a Volunteer Fair!
After a series of education sessions offered to the general public, the Salem Library will host a volunteer fair for those who attended the sessions and the general public.
The Volunteer Fair is Saturday, April 28th, 1:00-4:00pm
Partner Agencies interested in hosting a table at the fair should contact Melissa. We hope you can come!
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )ATTENTION PARTNERS! Important Data Update
Happy New Year Partners!
We hope 2012 will be a great year for all of you. HandsOn is about to wrap up reporting for 2011 with the HandsOn Network. We will be going through all the data on HandsOn Connect to make sure it is accurate. Now is the time to ensure you have confirmed or denied all the volunteers that have signed up for your opportunities. If you need assistance doing this, please contact Melissa. *Remember HandsOn does not and will never take credit for your volunteer connections and hours. However, you data needs to be accurate to ensure we are sharing accurate information with national avenues like the Corporation for National and Community Service.*
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Want to Make a New Years Resolution Stick? Volunteer!
From the HandsOn Network Blog
It’s almost that time of year again. After spending too much time in the malls, eating a ton of food, and socializing with too many awkward family members Christmas will come to a close. Now what? It is New Years resolution time!
“Yay! I cannot wait to make another resolution that I will never actually be able to keep.” When most people make a New Years resolution, they tend to try to cut back on things that may negatively influence their lives such as fast food, but what about resolving to do something good?
A New Years resolution that may not be so hard to keep is volunteering your time to help your community! This resolution will not only influence your life positively, but also the well-being of your community.
How exactly can you turn this resolution into an action rather than a statement? Easy! Follow these 5 tips that help you keep a New Years resolution and apply them to volunteering.
- Make sure to choose your activity wisely: Now it is great to be an overachiever, but let’s not kid ourselves you will not fit an activity into your routine, if it is not something that you enjoy. For example, if you are not the outdoorsy type, cleaning up a river bank probably is not your thing. Instead of choosing the newest trend in service, choose your project based on your interests. There is an activity for everyone and every passion.
- Quit being self obsessed: Volunteering allows you to be selfless and take yourself out of the daily stresses of normal life. You are able to try something that you have never had the time to do in the past. While you should choose an activity that you enjoy, you should also choose the activity for the right reasons. Get a group of friends together and help out a cause today!
- Be mindful of your decision: Choosing an activity that you are passionate about will promote growth from your experience. For example, if you are interested in helping your community’s education you should choose a project such as tutoring. Seeing the effects of your service such as your student passing a test, may make you want to serve in bigger projects or devote more of your time. You will grow from the experience because you are devoting yourself to something you truly care about. You are selflessly pursuing your passions.
- Understand your limits: Reward yourself for the great work you participated in. Go grab a bite to eat with the people who you volunteered with or go home and take a bubble bath. Just do something that will not only be enjoyable but will be a relaxing reward for you. You will be more likely to complete an activity and fit it into your routine if you can reward yourself after. After all, who doesn’t like coming home and relaxing after a hard day’s work?
- Recruit some friends: Tell your friends about your resolution and ask them if they would like to participate as well. You are more likely to go serve in person if you have people with you who share in your interests and support your efforts. Who knows they may even want to make service their resolution this year?
Do these tips work? See for yourself, make service your New Years resolution. Service not only will benefit your community, but it will also benefit yourself! This year make a resolution that you can actually keep! Pledge to serve today.
Find the perfect project for you at HandsOnMWV.org
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All HandsOn Deck! 