Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Updates

·         Exceptional Persons, Inc. needs volunteers to help the weekend of April 9 and 10 in downtown Waterloo at the Ramada for the special event called “Up With Families.” The weekend is a retreat for families who have a child or children with a disability to get away together as a family and have a fun and relaxing time. Opportunities exist Friday through Sunday with various shifts. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

·         Waterloo Leisure Services needs volunteers to coach a baseball or softball team this summer by helping kids learn the basic fundamentals through team practices and league play with a heavy emphasis placed on sportsmanship. Days and times to be determined. Tryouts are on April 15. Practices typically begin in May. Volunteers should have played baseball or softball & enjoy working with kids. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

·         The YMCA of Black Hawk County will be having its annual Healthy Kids Day Health Fair on April 16th. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers will assist by running the many booths planned for the health fair. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

·         Volunteers are needed to assist with Earth Day activities throughout the Grout Museum District on Friday April 22nd from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

Smart Money Week Activities

 Waterloo – The Cedar Valley is hosting several education events during Money Smart Week (April 2 – 9, 2011), designed to help consumers learn how to manage their personal finances. This outreach program of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is being coordinated by a local partnership committee that includes financial institutions, nonprofit groups, government agencies, schools and businesses. April is National Financial Literacy month.

Partnership activities are described below:

April 1 is the official start of Money Smart Week Kick-off event in the Cedar Valley. Valley Lutheran, 4520 Rownd Street in Cedar Falls, is hosting this event.

Registration begins at noon, with the program commencing at 12:15 pm. It is free and open to the public.

Olivia Melon, of Melon and Associates, a money therapist, is the keynoter. Her remarks are titled, “Moving Toward Money Harmony in Turbulent Times.”  She has been a groundbreaker in the field of money psychology, couples therapy, and money conflict resolution since 1982. Author of five books, including Overcoming Overspending, Mellan is an expert in gender difference and money. An Economic Forecast will also be given by Cindy Ivanac-Lillig, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. She joined the Chicago Fed in 2008 as an Economic Outreach Specialist. She frequently speaks on the role of the Fed and monetary policy, and is currently an adjunct economic instructor at Robert Morris University in Chicago.

Ben Franklin, Statesman, will make a special event appearance. Ben has been hailed by many as the “first American” and is noted for his diverse interests. Born in Boston in 1706, he’s been widely recognized as a leading author, politician, printer, scientist, philosopher, publisher, inventor, activist, diplomat, and Money Smart Week advocate.

Closing remarks will be given by Joanne Kuster, Chair, Money Smart Week Iowa. Dave Braton, publisher of the Waterloo Courier, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.

April 5 – The Boy Scouts of America, Winnebago Council and Girls Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois are joining efforts to help scouts be money smart. From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.at MidWestOne Bank, 4510 Prairie Parkway, Cedar Falls, organizing partners will set up 14 stations to help scouts work on money management badges. Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors, grades 2nd - 5th, and Cub Scouts, grades 1st - 5th will be attending with their troop or family. 60 scouts are expected to attend. For more information, contact Roxanne Fuller at Consumer Credit Counseling Services at waterloocr@cccsia.org or 319-234-0661.

            Fifth graders throughout the metro area are participating in a coloring contest titled, “What Are You Saving For?”  Each school will select a winning entry, with results announced during Money Smart Week. Prizes from Money Smart Week partnering businesses will be awarded. These savings tips were shared with each student:

1) Pay Yourself First. Every time you receive money as a gift or get paid for a job, set aside some of that money before you spend.

2) Focus on a goal. Keep your reasons for saving money top of mind. Post a savings goal on a mirror so you see it daily.

3) Comparison shop. Compare prices on the same or similar items at several stores to make sure you’re getting the best price.

4) Track your spending habits. Keep a listing of everything you purchase, from bubble gum to shoes and CDs. Knowing where you spend your money will help you save for the future.

For more information on the essay contest, contact Crystal Buzza, at the Waterloo Community Schools at buzzac@waterloo.k12.ia.us or 319.433.1842.

A complete list of the week’s activities can be found at www.moneysmartweek.org/iowa.

For more information, contact: Sheila Baird at 319.235.6211, Ext. 21 or sheila.baird@cvuw.org.

Operation Threshold Open House

What: Open House for Operation Threshold’s New Service Center/Central Office

Where: 1535 Lafayette Street, Waterloo

When: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Thursday, March 31, 2011. Brief Program at 3:30 p.m.

Volunteer Opportunities

· The 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. Opportunities exist Monday through Friday with flexible times. Volunteers must be proficient in reading and writing and appreciate the importance of strong literacy skills. Volunteers age 55 and over are welcome.

· The Cedar Falls Historical Society is looking for grant writers to assist the Executive Director in researching grant opportunities, identifying needs within the organization, and writing the applications. Opportunities exist daily with flexible times. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

· Country View needs volunteers to assist with recreation activities, special events, or outings under staff supervision. Opportunities exist daily with flexible times. Volunteers age 14 and over are welcome.

· The Grout Museum District needs volunteers to monitor exhibits in the Grout and Iowa Veterans Museum. Opportunities exist Saturdays from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

ALL TOGETHER NOW: A CELEBRATION OF SERVICE

New Special, Monday, March 28th 7 p.m.

The Points of Light Institute is hosting “All Together Now - A Celebration of Service” at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., to honor President George H. W. Bush for his visionary leadership in the American service movement. The event will bring together all four former presidents for the first time since the inauguration of President Obama. President William J. Clinton will serve as the event’s honorary co-chair. He will be joined by President and Mrs. George W. Bush and President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter.

The star-studded lineup will also bring together some of the biggest acts in country music, soul and rock in a unique program celebrating the powerful role voluntary service can play in overcoming the challenges our communities face in the 21st century. “All Together Now - A Celebration of Service” will feature performances by Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Cee Lo Green, Reba McEntire, Sam Moore, Brad Paisley, Kid Rock, Darius Rucker and Carrie Underwood.

Points of Light Institute inspires, equips and mobilizes people to take action that changes the world. 25 million more Americans are volunteering today as volunteered in 1989. To find out how you can get involved and make a difference locally, visit http://www.vccv.org/ or PointsofLight.org.

Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Updates

·         Hawkeye Community College needs volunteers to assist with a career fair on April 1 by helping businesses set up booths, locate needed materials, hang signage, registration, help students find buildings and booths of interest, and provide hospitality assistance. Shifts: 7:00-10:00 a.m.; 9:00-12:00; 11:30-2:30; 3:00-6:00 p.m. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

·         Volunteers are needed to assist with activities to help Brownie Girl Scouts earn their badges at the Grout Museum District on April 2 from 9 a.m. until noon. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

·         Exceptional Persons, Inc. needs volunteers to help the weekend of April 9 and 10 in downtown Waterloo at the Ramada for the special event called “Up With Families.” The weekend is a retreat for families who have a child or children with a disability to get away together as a family and have a fun and relaxing time. Opportunities exist Friday through Sunday with various shifts. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

·         Waterloo Leisure Services needs volunteers to coach a baseball or softball team this summer by helping kids learn the basic fundamentals through team practices and league play with a heavy emphasis placed on sportsmanship. Days and times to be determined. Tryouts are on April 15. Practices typically begin in May. Volunteers should have played baseball or softball & enjoy working with kids. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

Consider Donating to the VCCV

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley is an independent non-profit agency that relies 100% on community support.  If you would like to partner with us in promoting volunteerism through a tax deductible donation,
please complete this form:

Name:________________________

Address:______________________

_____________________________

___$50 ___$100 ___$250 ___other

Please make checks payable to:

Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley

2101 Kimball Avenue
Suite 1414

Waterloo, IA 50702

Thank you!

Join the VCCV as a Business Partner

At the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley, we believe corporate initiatives that give back to the communities in which they operate and where their employees work and live, are reinforced by their alignment with an excellent volunteer and philanthropy program.

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley is the primary resource for workplace-based volunteering and for engaging more companies and employees effectively in volunteer service. We help businesses develop and manage effective employee volunteer programs that meet company priorities, address employee interests and meet real community needs. Throughout the Cedar Valley, we are working with our corporate partners to improve lives and create positive change in local communities.

Call Lauren Finke, Executive Director, at 272-2087 for more information.

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 mailto:Lauren_Pelleymounter@vccv.org.

Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Updates

• The Grout Museum District needs volunteers to assist the Programming Director with various activities during National History Days, March 24 and March 25. Four hour shifts fun from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome. 

• Hawkeye Community College needs volunteers to assist with a career fair on April 1 by helping businesses set up booths, locate needed materials, hang signage, registration, help students find buildings and booths of interest, and provide hospitality assistance. Shifts: 7:00-10:00 a.m.; 9:00-12:00; 11:30-2:30; 3:00-6:00 p.m. Training for this event is on Tuesday, March 22 from 3-4 p.m. at the Brock Student Center. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

·         Waterloo Schools are in need of Mentors to help students achieve personal and academic growth by providing encouragement and one to one assistance. They may work on school projects, play a game or just talk and get to know one another. Volunteers will be matched with a student at a school convenient to the volunteer. Opportunities exist Monday through Friday with flexible times. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

·         The Waterloo Convention & Visitor's Bureau needs volunteers to greet people needing visitor information and directions. Additionally, volunteers will be answering telephones, compiling, addressing and mailing information packets for written or telephone inquiries requesting information on Waterloo, and assisting in putting together welcome packets for groups as needed. Opportunities exist Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. in four hour shifts. Volunteers age 55 and over are welcome.

Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Updates

• The Grout Museum District needs volunteers to assist as Spring Break Exhibit Space Monitors, March 12 through 20. Shifts include, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Saturday, and 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Sunday. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome. 

• Waterloo Leisure Services needs volunteers to help with youth sport camps by helping to run drills and games with participants March 14 through 17 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• Ridgeway Place Assisted Living needs volunteers to escort residents to appointments to relay needed information or documents. Opportunities exist Monday through Friday with scheduled times. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

• The Salvation Army needs volunteers to mow lawns, keep up property, and provide some miscellaneous janitorial work. Opportunities exist Monday through Friday with flexible times between 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome. 

Factors that Influence Volunteer Rates - Iowa

Greater Attachment to the Community Encourages Volunteering

Indicators such as homeownership and the number of multiunit dwellings, help determine whether residents have a long-term commitment and attachment to their communities. Data show that as the rate of homeownership increases the volunteer rate also tends to increase. Nationally, 66.6% of individuals own their home. In Iowa, 72.9% own their home. Conversely, communities with a large percentage of multi-unit housing, such as apartment buildings and condominiums, have lower volunteer rates. Nationally, 32.4% of individuals live in multi-unit housing, while Iowa has a rate of 22.5%.

 

 

Long Commutes Can Curtail Opportunities to Volunteer

Long commutes can be expected to reduce the time and opportunity individuals have to connect to organizations in their communities, thus reducing average volunteer rates. Nationally, commuters travel on average just over 25 minutes to work. In Iowa, commuters travel on average 19 minutes to work.

 

 

Volunteering Rises with Education

For states and large metropolitan areas, as the education level increases, the likelihood of volunteering also rises. At a national level, 85.0% have a high school diploma or GED equivalent and 27.7% have a college degree. In Iowa, 90.3% have a high school diploma or GED equivalent and 24.3% have a college degree.

Volunteering in Iowa

Iowa shines regarding volunteerism!

Highlights: (based on an average using 2007 to 2009 data)

• 883,900 volunteers
• 37.8% of residents volunteer - ranking them 2nd among the 50 states and Washington, DC
• 93.7 million hours of service
• 40.1 hours per resident - ranking them 16th among the 50 states and Washington, DC
• $2.0 billion of service contributed

March Volunteer Tuesday Locations

Registration is open for the dates listed below. Each date takes two sessions: 2-5 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 8
Northeast Iowa Food Bank - Pack meal sacks, senior nutrition boxes, elderly weekend bags, and backpacks for children. Stock pantry shelves with food items.

Tuesday, March 22
Cedar Falls Lutheran Home - Spring planting project with residents during Horticulture Therapy Week.

Tuesday, March 29
Aspire Therapeutic Riding Program - Students will assist with winter clean-up and preparations for classes.

Registration is now open to all University of Northern Iowa students.
Sign up on the website — www.uni.edu/leadershipcenter
Thanks for making a difference UNI!

Volunteer Administrators and Leaders United (VALU)

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley invites non-profit member agency representatives to attend the next VALU meeting on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 from 11:30 – 1:00 p.m. in Meeting Room 1 of the Kimball Ridge Center. The topic is: “Writing Volunteer Position Descriptions” with Lauren Finke, Executive Director, Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley.

VALU is open to anyone interested in volunteer management. Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley member agency representatives attend free of charge. Others may attend for $5 per person. This is a "Bring Your Own Lunch" event. Dessert snacks will be provided.

RSVP to Anne_Nass@vccv.org

Service Learing Update!

The young people of the Cedar Valley are caring, creative, and conscientious in their actions to make this community a better place. Our service learning classes are focusing on a variety of projects. The Janesville middle school students are being successful in raising money to help build a walking bridge that will connect two sides of the town. Peet Junior High students in Cedar Falls are crafting projects to deal with the issue of hunger in the community while another class is designing a project dealing with animal abuse.

The home schooled young people in our community are helping the hungry and homeless at the Salvation Army, making blankets, and knitting hats.

This semester has added two classes at the Waterloo Educational and Behavior Center (WEBC) to our service learning program. One class are beginning an awareness project about STD’s and will produce posters and public service announcements. The other class will work with the hunger issue in our community as will a class of Waterloo West High students.

Three Do Something Clubs now exist at the Boys and Girls Clubs at the main location, at North Cedar in Cedar Falls and at Poyner in Waterloo. We are busy at each site building teamwork and learning about giving back to each other.

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

Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Updates

• The Grout Museum District needs volunteers to assist as Spring Break Exhibit Space Monitors, March 12 through 20. Shifts include, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Saturday, and 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Sunday. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome. 

• Waterloo Leisure Services needs volunteers to help with youth sport camps by helping to run drills and games with participants at camps March 14 through 17 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• Pet Pals provides animal assisted therapy/activities in area care centers and residential facilities, and respite programs. Volunteers willing to give a one year commitment and participate in a three hour training are welcome. Opportunities exist daily with scheduled times. Volunteers age 12 (with a parent) or 16 and over are welcome.

• The 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 age 55 and over are welcome. 

Bergan Paulsen Joins the VCCV as a Business Partner

Not all accounting firms are created equal. Bergan Paulsen is not as big as some of those national firms. But they’re not exactly a small operation either. They’re a mid-sized firm built on solid Midwestern values. They have a staff of experts ready to help you in offices in Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids and Coralville/Iowa City, Iowa.

Bergan Paulsen CPAs & Consultants provides assurance, tax and advisory services to corporate and individual clients across the region. But in their commitment to deliver More, they also go the extra mile to get to know you and your business, and provide you with the personalized service you should expect.

 

Bergan Paulsen is an independent member of the BDO Seidman Alliance, a group of accounting firms around the country that pool resources to offer a level of specialty expertise that’s usually only available from large national and international CPA firms. This alliance allows Bergan Paulsen to tackle complicated issues that most smaller firms can’t handle. It gives clients an edge. It’s just one of the many ways we help you Get More.

Spotlight Agencies - People's Community Health Clinic and Pet Pals

The mission of People's Community Health Clinic is committed to improving the health status of the residents of the Cedar Valley, especially the medically underserved, through a quality, primary care system.

Volunteers are needed to assist in the administering and completion of patient satisfaction surveys throughout the clinic. The volunteer will approach patients in the clinic to complete a patient satisfaction survey form. In addition, volunteers are needed to read to pediatric patients in the waiting rooms and model early childhood literacy pattern roles for parents while encouraging parents/caregivers to read daily to children.

Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome!

P.E.T. P.A.L.S. volunteers will endeavor to provide opportunities for animal and human interaction in the Cedar Valley and surrounding communities by visiting with approved pets in local nursing homes, hospitals, group homes, schools, and other facilities.

Volunteers will 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.

A one year commitment is required with a three-hour training. Pets must receive a temperament evaluation. Junior volunteers under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or adult who has also gone through training.

Volunteers age 14 and over are welcome!

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