Weekly Volunteer Opportunities Update

• ASPIRE Therapeutic Riding Program is looking for volunteers for Camp HOPE from August 1st-5th for children of all abilities. ASPIRE needs Buddies, Group Leaders, Activity Leaders, and Registration Help. The camp is held at the National Cattle Congress in Waterloo from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• Volunteers are needed for the 5th Annual Iowa Irish Fest from Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7 at Lincoln Park in downtown Waterloo. Volunteer shifts include gate admission, family area, beer coupons, beer ID and beer stand. We are also looking for volunteers to help with our first 5K Saturday morning. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• The Cedar Valley Volunteer Emergency Club needs help at their popcorn stand in Dike for the Watermelon Days Celebration on Saturday, August 6. It's a one day activity from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

                     

• The Cedar Valley Derby Divas need volunteers for the ticket sales window, will call window, ticket takers and merchandise table for roller derby bouts on August 13 from 5:15 - 9 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

Call or visit the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at
272-2087 or access http://www.vccv.org/ for a complete listing of volunteer

opportunities in the Cedar Valley!

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!

21 Places to Look for Green Volunteering Opportunities

We always encourage the jobseekers that come to us to volunteer with environmentally focused organizations/initiatives in order to network, get some green experience on their resume and do good as they’re jobsearching.

So, you ask: What opportunities are there to dive into a green career through volunteering?

Nonprofits: Given the state of the economy, nonprofits need a lot of help right now and could really value your volunteer time. Find a nonprofit in your area that works on issues you’re interested in -- policy, water issues, international development, etc. Do keep in mind that it’s better to focus on a specific project that you are willing to help with or spearhead. Idealist.org has an extensive list of volunteer opportunities that you can sort by interest and location to get a sense for what’s out there. Find your local Sierra Club chapter; Green for All has resources on how to support green jobs growth in your local community.

Get down and dirty: Add some manpower to a green building project and get industry exposure at the same time. GRID Alternatives is popular in the Bay Area, where volunteers help install solar panels on low-income housing. Habitat for Humanity has some green building related projects as well. Friends of the Urban Forest in San Francisco seeks volunteers to help with tree-planting. Find your local community garden project or farmer’s market and offer to help out. Join AmeriCorps for a year of service. Go help clean up your local park, or find a summer or seasonal job in a national park through The Student Conservation Association.

Get political: Find your state PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) and help it canvass and push green legislation in your state (we've got Environment California here in the Bay Area). Apply to spend a year working with GreenCorps, a year-long, hands-on training program around the U.S. that breeds the country’s top environmental organizers (and has a really strong job placement program and alumni network to take advantage of at the end).

Go abroad! Foundation for Sustainable Development places students and recent grads in internships in developing countries around the world. You are placed in a domestic nonprofit there depending on your development-related interests and can design your own project, seek funding, and get some great hands-on experience … all while experiencing a new culture. Ecoteer.com connects you with green volunteer opportunities around the world. Join Willing Workers on Organic Farms (WWOOF) and spend some time trading your work for room and board in one of many countries around the world that hosts a WWOOF network.

Take a "pay the bills job" and volunteer for a company you're interested in. Make sure you have a specific project suggestion to put in front of them, rather than just willingness to work. For example, a 2007 graduate named Ajay sent us this note about his efforts to get "green" experience. He works for a utility, and offers a few days a week for free to a solar company in the area, which he reached through a contact there (go network!). As he says, "The more I work with this solar manufacturer, the more people I meet and the more people know my name." Troll green job boards such as GreenBiz.com and Treehugger and unpaid internships or volunteering; use contacts at these organizations and others to find out whether you can lend a hand.

Network: Another example is helping to organize green networking events in your city. Green Drinks is a great monthly meet-up that has chapters in many cities. Contact your local chapter to help organize; if none exists, start one! We're working with an amazing team of Green Drinks volunteers here in San Francisco that are helping set up a "Green Careers Connections" event -- by doing so, they're networking with each other and reaching out to lots of companies that they might be interested in working for themselves. We're also big fans of Net Impact -- lend a hand with your local chapter and get connected to passionate professionals.

Conferences need volunteers. When you hear a green conference is coming to town, find out ways to volunteer with the organization and actual conference. Green Festivals needs lots of hands on deck; keep an eye on GreenBiz.com's list of events for anything being planned near you.

Carolyn Mansfield of Bright Green Talent provides a road map for volunteers who want to develop skills, gain experience or simply help out with eco-friendly projects. Her post originally appeared on Bright Green Talent Musings, her company's blog.

Weekly Volunteer Opportunities Update

• Krajiski Teferic – A Bosnian Cultural and Sports Event, needs volunteers on Friday, July 29 from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 30 from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Various shifts available. Opportunities include selling tickets at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center for the cultural performances and events and acting as a hospitality representative at the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex. Volunteers 16 and older can participate and will receive a t-shirt.

• ASPIRE Therapeutic Riding Program is looking for volunteers for Camp HOPE from August 1st-5th for children of all abilities. ASPIRE needs Buddies, Group Leaders, Activity Leaders, and Registration Help. The camp is held at the National Cattle Congress in Waterloo from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• Volunteers are needed for the 5th Annual Iowa Irish Fest from Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7 at Lincoln Park in downtown Waterloo. Volunteer shifts include gate admission, family area, beer coupons, beer ID and beer stand. We are also looking for volunteers to help with our first 5K Saturday morning. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

                     

• The Cedar Valley Volunteer Emergency Club needs help at their popcorn stand in Dike for the Watermelon Days Celebration on Saturday, August 6. It's a one day activity from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

To volunteer, contact Lauren at 272-2087!

Join the VCCV as a Business Partner

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

To become a business partner 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.

Be A Volunteer Leader

Do you have a fun, unique, exciting project you would like to see happen in the Cedar Valley!  Become a Volunteer Leader and make it happen!

HandsOn Volunteer Leaders drive social change.  All across our country and our world, people are investing their time, ideas, resources and experiences to lead others in service for social good. HandsOn Volunteer Leaders are trained to lead well managed projects and programs that build on community assets, meet community needs, and provide volunteers with a positive experience so that they continue their journey of service.

Use the Volunteer Leader Toolkit!

Whether you are engaged in leading others in service or a volunteer ready to take that next step in your volunteer path, the Volunteer Leader Toolkit will help you to plan, organize, and carry out effective projects and create positive community change!  

The toolkit includes:

· Volunteer Leader Guidebook

· My Ideal Community Checklist

· Sit Visit Checklist

· Project Task List

· Volunteer Assignment Sheet

· Project Planning Worksheet

· Volunteer Project Timeline

· Crafting a Volunteer Recruitment Message

· Day of Project Timeline

· Pre Project Checklist

· Professional Skills Matrix

· Day of Project Checklist

· Project Information Sheet

· Project Sign In Sheet

· Project Supply List

· Sample Final Report

· Sample Project Day Agenda

· Volunteer Incident Report

· Service Project Evaluation Survey

 

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

UNI Volunteer Fair

The VCCV would be delighted to have your agency join us for this collaborative effort between the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley and UNI’s Non-Profit Leadership Alliance on Thursday, September 1 from 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in Maucker Union. Last year’s event attracted more than 50 non-profit agencies from the Cedar Valley area and over 300 students.

The Volunteer Fair is a wonderful opportunity for your organization to connect with students, matching your specific volunteer needs to students' skills and personal interests. Agencies may recruit students for one-time or semester-long volunteer opportunities, internships or employment. This is a great chance for you to take advantage of valuable one-on-one contact with UNI students, faculty and staff.

To register access a form at http://www.vccv.org/Unnamed%20Site%202/Registration%20Form%202011.dot.

Weekly Volunteer Opportunities Update

• Krajiski Teferic – A Bosnian Cultural and Sports Event, needs volunteers on Friday, July 29 from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 30 from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Various shifts available. Opportunities include selling tickets at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center for the cultural performances and events and acting as a hospitality representative at the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex. Volunteers 16 and older can participate and will receive a t-shirt.

• ASPIRE Therapeutic Riding Program is looking for volunteers for Camp HOPE from August 1st-5th for children of all abilities. ASPIRE needs Buddies, Group Leaders, Activity Leaders, and Registration Help. The camp is held at the National Cattle Congress in Waterloo from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• Volunteers are needed for the 5th Annual Iowa Irish Fest from Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7 at Lincoln Park in downtown Waterloo. Volunteer shifts include gate admission, family area, beer coupons, beer ID and beer stand. We are also looking for volunteers to help with our first 5K Saturday morning. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

                     

• The Cedar Valley Derby Divas need volunteers for the ticket sales window, will call window, ticket takers and merchandise table for roller derby bouts on August 13 from 5:15 - 9 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

Hy-Vee – Upromise Program

Upromise can turn your purchases at Hy-Vee into college savings! Join the millions of families who turn their everyday spending into college savings. A college education is part of the American dream, and saving for your child’s college tuition is one of the many challenges of being a parent.

Upromise and Hy-Vee are dedicated to helping you save for your child’s college education. When you join Upromise for FREE, your favorite brands, like Nestle®, Tylenol®, Lysol®, Beech-Nut®, Hefty® OneZip® and hundreds more contribute a portion of your eligible purchase at Hy-Vee into your Upromise account.

Visit your local Hy-Vee for more information.

New VCCV Changes!

The Volunteer Center is now accepting new agencies!

Do you know of a non-profit organization in need of volunteers for upcoming events, programs and activities? Please contact the VCCV for information about joining the organization for free. Benefits include access to online database, trainings, networking opportunities with other non-profit professionals, participation in volunteer fairs and partnerships with area schools, programs and clubs.

Changes for VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are the backbone of the Cedar Valley! Due to a recent change in the VCCV’s online database, we would like you to rejoin us at our new site: http://volunteer.truist.com/vcocv/volunteer and create an account under Volunteer Login, Not registered? Sign up now.

For more information on the changes the VCCV is undergoing, please contact Anne Nass at 272-2087 or mailto:Anne_Nass@vccv.org

In the Spotlight - Waterloo Leisure Services

The City of Waterloo Leisure Services Commission is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens by providing the best possible recreational activities, special events, facilities and services that encourage lifelong learning,

fitness and fun. The Commission strives to provide an enjoyable outdoor environment with top quality parks, preserves, golf courses, recreational trails, and healthy urban forest resource.

Volunteers are needed to assist youth sports camps

by helping run drills and games with participants.

Get Involved!

Weekly Volunteer Opportunities Update

• The Waterloo Convention and Visitor’s Bureau needs volunteers for two hour shifts starting at 11:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. July 15-20, 2011 at Veterans Memorial Hall. Bellevue University is sponsoring this touring photo display honoring our military that have died from wounds suffered in a war zone, since September 11, 2001. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

• ASPIRE Therapeutic Riding Program is looking for volunteers at the UAW Hall in Waterloo to set up, clean up, and serve their Cowboy Breakfast on July 17 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• Volunteers are needed for the 5th Annual Iowa Irish Fest from Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7 at Lincoln Park in downtown Waterloo. Volunteer shifts include gate admission, family area, beer coupons, beer ID and beer stand. We are also looking for volunteers to help with our first 5K Saturday morning. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

                     

• The Cedar Valley Derby Divas need volunteers for the ticket sales window, will call window, ticket takers and merchandise table for roller derby bouts on August 13 from 5:15 - 9 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

In the Spotlight - Waterloo Jaycees

In an environment that fosters true friendship, the Waterloo Jaycees offer the best opportunities for business development, career advancement and community action to men and women 21-40 years of age.

The Jaycees provide leadership development through community service and develop and implement programs and projects for the benefit of the community.

Volunteers are needed throughout the year to support activities such as the annual 4th of July Fireworks Festival, Waterloo Open, Canoe Cedarloo, Gift of Giving and Kids Helping Kids.

For more information about joining the Waterloo Jaycees, please visit their website at: http://www.waterloojaycees.org/default.asp

Welcome New Board Member Cindy Braatz

Cindy Braatz was born and raised right outside of Waterloo, graduating from Dunkerton High School. She received her nursing degree from Hawkeye Community College and then a certificate in Microsoft Certified Network Engineering from Hamilton College.

Cindy is the IS Director at VGM, where she has been for 16 years. She is an active Junior League member, recently serving as the President. She is currently involved in Go Red for Women, The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa and is on the Board of Directors of the Visiting Nurses Association.

Cindy is married with adult children and several grandchildren and enjoys traveling, socializing, music and Iowa State Basketball.

  

Thank you Cindy for all you do for the Cedar Valley!