Featured Board Member: Julie Pitzen

Julie Pitzen is Executive Director of Family & Children’s Council which is Black Hawk County’s local child abuse prevention agency. As most Family & Children’s Council programs rely on volunteers, being on the Board of the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley is a natural fit.

Julie is also adjunct faculty at the University of Northern Iowa and Hawkeye Community college. Getting students out into the community to begin their careers as human service professionals through volunteerism is a primary goal in Julie’s classes.

Julie believes that volunteering is a win-win situation in that:

· Agencies, organizations, schools and medical facilities win by engaging the community in their missions

· Volunteers win by expanding their life experiences, meeting new people and gaining a sense of well being that comes with improving the community

Volunteerism is good for children, young adults, students, and adults – young and old.  It’s also a great family activity!

Julie is married to Keith Pitzen, and together they have one son, Kyle, who is 24 years old and a senior at University of Northern Iowa.

Join the VCCV for An Appetite For Service!

Join the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley on Saturday, March 26, 2011 from 6 - 10 p.m. at Sunnyside Country Club for an evening of fun and fine food!

An "Appetite For Service" consists of a select group of community leaders from the Cedar Valley are invited to "serve" during this memorable evening designed to raise funds for the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley.

You may become involved by becoming a Celebrity Server by serving our gourmet dinner to eight of your most generous friends, becoming a creative celebrity server by doing whatever it takes to raise tips, sponsor your table of eight guests for $750, decorate your table with a special theme of your choice, and competing against other Celebrity Servers to win the coveted "2011 Silver Tray of Service Award.”

Make a donation to our auction event! You are welcome to donate an item for the silent/live auction held during the dinner event, or consider giving a monetary donation to the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley.

How does the Volunteer Center use the money raised? We assist over 55 non-profit agencies by recruiting volunteers and helping them to build their skills in recruiting, managing, retaining, and recognizing volunteers. We also support a thriving service-learning program, encouraging youth to solve community problems through volunteerism in the Cedar Valley.

For more information contact Lauren Finke at 272-2087 or Lauren_Pelleymounter@vccv.org.

Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Updates

• Approximately 30 volunteers are needed for Culture Fest 2011 on March 3, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Tasks include: gallery assistants to monitor the All-School Art Exhibition, food/beverage services, performance assistants, craft assistants, greeters, set up and clean up. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome. 

• Strayer-Wood Theatre needs volunteers to usher one or more performances of "On the Verge." Performance dates include March 3, 4, and 5 at 7:30 p.m. & February 27 and March 6 at 2:00 p.m. in the Bertha Martin Theatre, located in the Strayer-Wood Theatre on the UNI Campus. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• The Hawkeye Chapter of the American Red Cross will be holding CPR Sunday on March 6 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. CPR Sunday is a day for community members to take CPR, First Aid, and AED classes at reduced rates. Volunteer instructors are needed to make this event happen.  Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• The annual Maple Syrup Festival for Hartman Reserve Nature Center is March 5 and 6. Volunteers are needed in the kitchen, clearing tables, assisting with 'Chris Cakes', sap collection, ticket sales, parking and helping with the bake sale. Saturday and Sunday shifts include: 6:30 - 10:15 a.m. and 10:00 - 2:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome. 

Join us for the 11th Annual Appetite for Service Dinner!

The Volunteer Center of

Cedar Valley invites

you to the 11th Annual

Appetite for Service

 Dinner

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Sunnyside Country Club

1600 Olympic Drive, Waterloo

6:00 p.m. Cocktails and Registration

7:15 p.m. Introduction of Celebrity Servers

7:30 p.m. Dinner served by Community leaders

to support Volunteerism

Formal dress, black tie optional

The mission of the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley is to promote and support effective volunteerism; to serve as the resource and coordination center for volunteers and as a catalyst in building coalitions and community partnerships.

About the Event

The server who raises the most tip money
will earn the coveted

“2011 Silver Tray of Service Award”

How can you help your server win the award?

It’s easy! We have created “funny money” which you can purchase when you arrive and throughout the evening. During the evening, your server will be tending to your every need in order to raise as much in tips as they can. Of course, you can also be thinking of creative ways for your celebrity server to earn tips such as having them sing a song or perform special talents.

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley will be accepting cash, checks, MasterCard and Visa for your Funny Money and Auction item purchases. All proceeds benefit the Volunteer Center.

Tickets

$100 per person

$750 per table

____ I (We) will be happy to attend.

If you have any dietary needs, please call (319) 272-2087.

____ I (We) cannot attend.

____ I (We) would like to support the

Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley; my (our) donation is enclosed.

Reservations are requested no later than

Friday, March 18.

Reserve your spot now by calling the

Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at (319) 272-2087

Awards announced for Iowa Volunteer Generation Fund grants

The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service (ICVS) is pleased to announce funding to the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley to support Volunteer Generation and Community-Based Service-Learning. Volunteer Generation Fund grant funds are awarded to organizations to support development and strengthening of the volunteer infrastructure in Iowa by serving as a Volunteer Connector Organization (VCO). While Iowa reached the number two spot in the nation for volunteering in 2009, this funding will help even more Iowans find opportunities to provide meaningful service in their communities. The initial round of grants is awarding $250,000 statewide for each of the next three years.

In addition to the Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) funding, ICVS is awarding $30,000 in funding to support Community-Based Service-Learning. Community-Based Service-Learning programs connect the service opportunities to other learning goals, such as team-building and leadership. The Service-Learning grants are made possible through funding provided by a partnership with State Farm Insurance. Service-Learning grantees include the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley.

Overall, these grantees represent an increase in population served from 1.1 million to 1.6 million Iowans. The grantees have committed to engaging more than 40,000 volunteers and partners in year one.

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley (VCCV) has been in existence for over 15 years. The VCCV works to mobilize people and resources to solve community problems. It currently has 55 member agencies and offers over 170 local volunteer opportunities. Service-Learning is a component of services offered by the VCCV. In addition, the VCCV is available to work with local businesses in educating and promoting employee volunteer involvement. For more information on the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley contact Lauren Finke, Executive Director, at 272-2087 or Lauren_finke@vccv.org.

Training for Member Agencies

Running a non-profit agency takes a broad spectrum of knowledge. The Volunteers Center of Cedar Valley assists member non-profit agencies by training staff and helping with management related tasks. We will tailor the fees for this service to fit your budget.

 

Consultations with Non-profits

When agencies need help finding solutions to specific management problems, we offer individual consultation services. The first 30 minutes of any consultation is provided without charge.

 

Volunteer Management Training Series

This six-part series is a high quality, comprehensive course designed to provide new and practical skills for anyone who manages or plans to manage and administer volunteers.

 

Basic Training Courses

Understanding Volunteerism
Trends and characteristics for engaging volunteers

Planning A Volunteer Program
Needs assessments, budgets, and job descriptions

Recruiting & Placing Volunteers
Developing the volunteer position

Orienting & Training Volunteers
Training models and practices

Supervising Volunteers
How to communicate expectations and deliver rewards

Evaluation Volunteer Programs
What to track and how to get results
This curriculum is based on research and best practices in volunteer management.

 

Volunteer Administrators and Leaders United (VALU)

Connect with leaders in the field by attending bi-monthly educational programs in volunteer management. The mission of Volunteer Administrators and Leaders United is to provide educational opportuntieis in volunteer management and to facilitate communication among leaders of volunteers.

 

Key Principles are to...

• Remove barriers to volunteering to broaden the potential pool;
• Move away from the concept of the volunteer as amateur;
• Ensure that the mutual expectations of volunteers and their organizations are met;
• Develop, not "use" volunteers;
• Look for collaboration among non-profit organizations as a means to maximize volunteer opportunities.

VCCV Offers Consulting for Teachers

Consider engaging your students in service and service-learning programs. We can help support your service and service-learning efforts.

Here's how:

• Develop service or service-learning opportunities at community organizations that enhance learning about concepts included in the Iowa Standards.
• Plan a project that can be done in the classroom that will help the community, non-profit agencies and improve classroom learning.
• Provide your school with copies of our youth volunteering opportunity resources.
• Make presentations to faculty or students about volunteering and volunteer opportunities in the community.

Our youth programs are as follows:

Service-Learning (grades K - 12)

Service-Learning is a method by which young people learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully-organized service experiences.
NYLC and Compass Institute

In the classroom students learn basic skills like calculating, reading and verbal expression. Service-Learning takes those skills and puts them to work in the real world. This hands-on experience teaches students the real purpose of what they learn in school, and provides personal growth and development. The essence of Service-Learning is that everyone can learn from helping others.
Joe Herrity, Director Iowa Center for Community Education

Benefits

Service learning opportunities:

• Sustain student motivation
• Provide dynamic education opportunities
• Support academic success
• Make the community a part of the learning environment
• Strengthen the relationship between your school and your community
• Enlist your school in a growing national effort

Points of Light Foundation
School Guide for Teachers

This seven part program includes all the essential steps for effective service-learning and can be adapted for all age levels:

1. Mapping the community - students begin by defining "community" and identify the resources, strengths, and weaknesses in their community.
2. Selecting a problem - students research community problems, select one, and research it more fully.
3. Training & Orientation - students acquire an understanding of the organization that addresses the problem, in order to provide effective service and to maximize learning.
4. Meaningful Action - students engage in the actual service experience, which is meaningful and well planned.
5. Reflection - students use critical thinking skills in order to learn from their service experience.
6. Evaluation - students evaluate their project and their own learning, in order to assess process and impact.
7. Celebration & Recognition - students are recognized for their valuable service to the community and their efforts.

Do Something Club (grades 6 - 12)

The Do Something Club is dedicated to giving youth the tools and support to bring their unique vision to life. Do Something works with young people in grades K-12 in order to shape beliefs and behaviors about participation before negative attitudes and cynicism develop.

The Do Something Philosophy is as follows:

Youth-Led Participation: Young people create their own vision for a better community and lead community projects to make their vision a reality.
Learn By Doing: Young people build leadership skills in communication, planning, organizing, and problem-solving as they take action to improve their communities.
Ongoing Action: Civic engagement is more than volunteerism or voting. It's taking action every day and every year.

Youth-Adult Partnerships: Caring educators called Community Coaches offer guidance and support as young people speak out and take action.

Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Updates

• Approximately 30 volunteers are needed for Culture Fest 2011 on March 3, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Tasks include: gallery assistants to monitor the All-School Art Exhibition, food/beverage services, performance assistants, craft assistants, greeters, set up and clean up. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome. 

• Strayer-Wood Theatre needs volunteers to usher one or more performances of "On the Verge." Performance dates include February 24, 25, 26, and March 3, 4, and 5 at 7:30 p.m. & February 27 and March 6 at 2:00 p.m. in the Bertha Martin Theatre, located in the Strayer-Wood Theatre on the UNI Campus. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• The Hawkeye Chapter of the American Red Cross will be holding CPR Sunday on March 6 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. CPR Sunday is a day for community members to take CPR, First Aid, and AED classes at reduced rates. Volunteer instructors are needed to make this event happen.  Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• Hartman Reserve opportunity should read:  The annual Maple Syrup Festival for Hartman Reserve Nature Center is March 5th and 6th. Volunteers are needed in the kitchen, clearing tables, assisting with 'Chris Cakes', sap collection, ticket sales, parking and helping with the bake sale. Saturday and Sunday shifts include: 6:30 - 10:15 a.m. and 10:00 - 2:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome. 

Become a Business Sponsor

 

How do businesses and the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley work together?

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley serves as local leadership and resource organization for volunteering. We work with businesses in these ways:

Partner with businesses in promotional efforts

• Promote businesses’ volunteer efforts in the community.
• Establish partnerships to fund/sponsor Volunteer Center promotional efforts.
• Partner to support award/recognition programs

What is a business sponsor, and how can my company become one?

Any business can become a sponsor. A successful volunteer center depends on business sponsors. We see their support as an investment in the economic development and quality of life of the Cedar Valley.

The Volunteer Center National Network (VCNN), made up of over 400 Volunteer Centers, is working diligently to answer the President's call to engage every American in service. And we've been working for many years doing this and more. We engage volunteers in traditional voluntary service, and in 2002 alone, our network mobilized and deployed over 2.4 million Americans to more than 100,000 nonprofit organizations. Volunteer Centers remain the best-leveraged charitable investment available. Your charitable investment will result in an enormous, and measurable, impact on the Cedar Valley community.

• We ensure that all residents in the Cedar Valley have easy access to comprehensive, quality information about volunteer opportunities in their neighborhoods;  
• We enable local schools, community, faith-based groups and other nonprofit organizations to have access to quality training and support to increase their capacity to recruit, manage, retain and recognize traditional volunteers; 
• We coordinate activities to promote the ethic and practice of volunteerism and to recognize the work of local volunteers in their communities.

To become a business sponsor of the VCCV, call: Lauren Finke at 319-272-2087 or e-mail her at lauren_finke@vccv.org. We look forward to discussing our programs and services with you and to learn how we can make your support as economically beneficial to you as possible.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

• Volunteer Management Conferences
• Appetite for Service - Charity Dinner
• Seasons of Service - a portfolio of service projects and activities scheduled throughout the year
• Youth Leadership Conference
• Service-Learning Projects
• Awards/Recognition Events
• Young Leaders In Action

Business Services

In an effort to mobilize volunteers, the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley is pleased to offer a menu of services to our business partners.

If your particular needs fall outside the scope of what is shown here, please let us know. We would be delighted to create a program for your business.

We will provide:

• Up-to-date information on available opportunities in the community
• Opportunity for the VCCV to attend a staff meeting and share information regarding volunteerism
• An information table in lobby or cafeteria for employees to find out about volunteer opportunities
• Assistance with arrangement of a Volunteer Day
• A place for your business logo on our website

We ask that you provide:

• A main contact for your business
• An easily accessible location for your employees to view available opportunities
• A place on your website for our logo and link to our website

Benefits of Volunteering for the Business and Employee

Benefits to Business:

• Increase community awareness of mission of business
• Shows community investment
• Provides a positive atmosphere for employees
• Increases employee retention
• Increases employee productivity

Benefits to Employees:

• Teambuilding activities
• Raise morale
• Increase productivity
• Improve values and self-esteem
• Increase sense of responsibility
• Provide a sense of loyalty and pride for company

Benefits of Corporate Volunteerism

For the Company	For the Employees	For the Community
Increases and enhances public image and reputation	Contributes to employees' personal and career growth through developing and enhancing their skills and broadening their experience	Enhances quality of life in the community by helping to identify and support solutions to social problems
Improves employee teamwork, morale, productivity, commitment, retention, performance and loyalty	Increases interaction between employees in various departments and levels of the company	Increases talent and energy in the community by increasing the number of volunteers and the pool of available skills/services
Enhances corporate competitiveness and provides a recruiting edge over other companies	Improves employee initiative, teamwork, confidence, social and interpersonal skills	Facilitates the transfer of skills and knowledge from the private to the public sector

To become a business sponsor of the VCCV, call: Lauren Finke at 319-272-2087 or e-mail her at lauren_finke@vccv.org. We look forward to discussing our programs and services with you and to learn how we can make your support as economically beneficial to you as possible.

Young Leaders in Action Conference - April 5

Youth Leadership Conference

The purpose of the leadership conference is to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding youth need to become effective leaders within a culturally diverse community. Through a series of seminars and high energy activities, the conference serves to increase youth knowledge and expand fundamental leadership skills. The materials and training that the youth receive give them a set of proven tools to deal successfully with real life.

Conference goals include the following:

·         Increase participants' understanding of the concept of leadership;

·         Increase participants' understanding of and appreciation for cultural diversity;

·         Increase participants' awareness of themselves and how they relate to others; and

·         Provide opportunities for participants to apply the knowledge, skills, and understandings through meaningful service to the community.

The spring YLA Conference is scheduled for April 5 from 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Hawkeye Community College. It is entitled “Leaders Without Borders” and the keynote speaker is Enrique Ochoa, Director of Leadership and Team Development at Nazareth Lutheran Church. The cost is $12 per student grades 9 – 12 and includes food, materials and a t-shirt. Partial need based scholarships are available at area high schools. Registration must be received by 5 p.m. on March 8 and is limited to the first 250 students. Registration materials are available through the high school Guidance Counselor. Service opportunities will exist from 1:30 until 2:15 for those interested.

Youth - Why Volunteer?

Why Volunteer?

Through volunteerism, teens have the power to positively impact their community! Have you ever thought about volunteering your time to a community organization? There are many different reasons for you to start volunteering:

·         To explore a career

·         To improve your communication skills

·         To gain work experience for your resume

·         To enhance personal development and growth

·         To develop new friendships and meet interesting people

·         To learn how to bring about community change

·         To use individual creativity and explore new ideas and concepts

·         To develop leadership sills, gain confidence, and self-esteem

·         To learn skills in problem solving

·         To fulfill need to achieve

·         To increase chances for scholarships

·         To help others

·         To practice something you're good at, such as music or computers

The "DO's" of Great Volunteering

·         Do be flexible. Open-mindedness will help you enjoy your experience even more.

·         Do be persistent. If you are not contacted by your volunteer coordinator or agency right away, it doesn't mean they aren't interested. Why not call them?

·         Do be responsible. Show up on time and follow through with commitments. Your work ethic now will be your work ethic later in life.

·         Do take initiative. You can even start your own volunteer program and do it on your own time.

·         Do expect to get plenty of satisfaction and fun from your volunteer experiences.

Here are some areas to think about:

Homeless Shelters
Most homeless shelters welcome volunteers and have a variety of programs through which you can get involved. You might help prepare or distribute meals, work behind the scenes in the business office, help organize a food drive to stock the pantry.

Food Bank
Food banks often work with homeless shelters, but they also serve poor people living in the community (especially around the holidays). Food banks collect food, manage their inventory and distribute food to those in need.

Hospitals
Hospitals have teen volunteer programs to help patients both inside and outside the hospital. The volunteers programs allow participants to explore medical careers and gain work experience.

Libraries
Libraries need help re-shelving books, running children's programs, making books available to the community. Teen volunteers can also be trained to assist library staff during the Summer Reading Program.

Senior Citizen Centers
Senior citizen centers offer volunteer programs to provide friendship and community activities to senior citizens.

Animal Shelter
Animal shelters welcome volunteers to help take care of animals, keep facilities clean and work with the public.

Web site Creation
Some of the non-profit organizations that we serve do not yet have Web sites. You can help by learning how to create a Web site and volunteering your services. When creating a Web site for a non-profit organization, you will want to take care to understand the organization's needs to establish exactly how they want their Web site to look and feel like.

Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Updates

• Pet Pals needs volunteers to provide animal assisted therapy/activities in area care centers and residential facilities, respite programs, etc. Humane Society puppies and kittens may be used. Personal pets may also be used after receiving a temperament evaluation. Opportunities exist daily with flexible times. Volunteers age 14 and over are welcome.

• Retired & Senior Volunteer Program needs volunteers to assist students with literacy enhancing activities to help improve the student's reading and writing skills. All activities will take place in the school during school hours. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday with flexible times. Volunteers age 55 and over are welcome. 

• Ridgeway Place Assisted Living needs volunteers to escort residents to appointments to relay needed information or documents. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday with scheduling dependent on resident needs. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

• Strayer-Wood Theatre needs volunteers to usher one or more performances of "On the Verge." Performance dates include February 24, 25, 26, and March 3, 4, and 5 at 7:30 p.m. & February 27 and March 6 at 2:00 p.m. in the Bertha Martin Theatre, located in the Strayer-Wood Theatre on the UNI Campus. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

February Volunteer Tuesday Locations

Registration will open January 10, 2011 for the following dates listed below. Each date takes two sessions: 2-5 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.

  

Tuesday, February 8

Ridgeway Place - Valentine's Day activities and crafts with seniors. 

Tuesday, February 15
Northeast Iowa Food Bank - Pack meal sacks, senior nutrition boxes, elderly weekend bags, and backpacks for children. Stock pantry shelves with food items.

Tuesday, February 22TBD

Join us for Volunteer Tuesdays! Sign up on the website —

www.uni.edu/leadershipcenter

Thanks for making a difference UNI!

Make It A Day On, Not A Day Off - UNI Students Volunteer

UNI students were encouraged to honor King's life on the January 17th national Day of Service and volunteered at the Catholic Worker House, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Cedar Valley Hospitality House, Grout Museum District or Country View.

Dwight Watson, dean of UNI's College of Education, set the tone by addressing King's work.

"Dr. King truly believed that a life worth living is one that was lived for others," remarked Watson. "As you embark on your day of service, I too want you to embrace Dr. King's belief.  As a part of a community, you must participate in the well-being of that community and there is no better way to effect community change than through service."

The UNI students were coordinated by the Volunteer Center of the Cedar Valley, which also sponsors UNI's "Volunteer Tuesdays" program.

Lauren Finke, executive director of VCCV, said it's the second year of MLK Day of Service activities and they quickly reached their 85-student limit.

If you’re interested in participating, please contact Lauren Finke at 272-2087 or Lauren_Finke@vccv.org.

Service Learning Update!

The second semester is proving to be very busy. We have added to our class list with a greater variety of classes and age levels. We have included Janesville Middle School and two classes at Peet Jr. High to our list of service learning classes.  Students at both schools are in the process of determining strengths and concerns in a variety of communities.  We are also beginning service learning in two classes at Expo Alternative High School. Last fall, we helped a class of home schooled students find volunteer opportunities at a variety of our agencies. The students became so involved and interested that we are now engaging in service learning classes on Friday afternoons. 

We continue with our Do Something Clubs at North Cedar in Cedar Falls and Poyner in Waterloo. In addition, we are beginning a new Do Something Club at the Boys and Girls Club.

For more information on Youth Programming contact Jean Seeland at 272-2087 or Jean_Seeland@vccv.org.