World’s Greatest Spring Break for Kids 2012

Why travel miles and miles and spend a fortune to entertain your children during spring break? Stay home and visit the World’s Greatest Spring Break in Waterloo, March 10-18, 2012. Seven cultural, arts, and recreational attractions in downtown Waterloo are opening their doors for kid centered activities for just $1 per person, per attraction. 

Venues include: Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum and Grout Museum, Bluedorn Science Imaginarium, Phelps Youth Pavilion, National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum, Black Hawk Children’s Theatre, Young Arena, and the Waterloo Public Library.

There will be special activities three days of the week. On Wednesday, from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. a Sock Hop will be held at the Waterloo Public Library. Sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley and the Library, youth will participate in a sock hop, listen to a book reading, learn different dance steps, try playing a rhythm instrument, and enjoy a snack.

On Thursday, March 15 Black Hawk County 4-H will provide hands on activities at a Mystery Corner at the Grout Museum from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Experience multiple mysterious experiments, have fun, be amazed, and find out what summer will bring.

 

Friday, March 16, will allow children the opportunity to explore the Digital Arts Studio at the Waterloo Center for the Arts. For the day on Friday, March 16, Met Transit will stop at all sites approximately every 20 minutes, including at the parking lot under the viaduct across the highway from the Grout Museum. The rides are free of charge to anyone wishing to visit any of our World’s Greatest Spring Break sites. During the ride, Quakerdale will be providing fun activities. Please Note: Kids must be accompanied by an adult to ride.

For more information visit http://worldsgreatestspringbreak.com/.

This event is sponsored by the McElroy Trust. Come early, come often. The excitement begins Saturday, March 10^th. Remember, all kids must be accompanied by an adult.

Come and have fun!

Service Stay-cation

Are your friends going to exotic places for Spring break and you have to stay home?  Are you depressed that you have no money for that plane ticket to sun and sand?  Do you think Spring Break will be boring?

Never fear, we have a solution to cheer you up and make this spring break memorable. This Spring Break you have an opportunity to build self-esteem, develop problem solving skills, gain experience as you build a resume, and learn the value of helping others.

Volunteer in the Cedar Valley!

Some possibilities include:

·        Teach games, dances, or sports to youth at the Boys and Girls Club

·        Entertain residents at a local nursing home or at Country View

·        Cook and serve a meal at the Salvation Army or the Catholic Worker House

·        Stock shelves at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank

·        Clean up litter in your neighborhood

·        Make play-dough and take it to a local pre-school

·        Do data entry or type for a local non-profit

These are but a few suggestions.  Give us a call at 272-2087 and we will gladly assist you in finding that perfect volunteer opportunity. 

Remember, a sun tan will fade quickly. Your contribution to making the community a better place will last a long time in the hearts and mind of those you help. 

65 Ways Kids Can Make a Difference!

Sharing

1. Seniors love your artwork! Brighten walls – and smiles – at the local senior center.
2. Got a favorite game? Teach it to younger kids.
3. Win brownie points! Organize canned goods at home and take extras to a food pantry.
4. Got talent? Share it!
5. Your old backpack needs a new friend…donate it!
6. Gather up outgrown, gently worn shoes and clothes for your local Salvation Army, Goodwill, church or synagogue.
7. Party leftovers? Local soup kitchen guests are gonna love ‘em!
8. Neglected stuffies in your room? Little kids at shelters are aching to cuddle them.
9. Like a challenge? Your game board skills are in demand at the senior center.
10. Friend forgot their snack? Share yours!
11. Read aloud to little kids at the library – they’ll love you!
12. Dust off your old - but still good - books and give them to your school library.

Giving

1. It’s your birthday! Give a gift to someone in need.
2. Share your lemonade stand $$$ with your favorite worthy cause!
3. How about a toy drive for kids stuck in the hospital?
4. Get a haircut! And give your ponytail to Locks of Love.
5. Got old sports equipment? Bring it to your local Parks & Rec!
6. Calling all chefs! Bake cakes and donate the proceeds.
7. Feed your furry friends at the animal shelter…drop off a bag of food!
8. Time is precious…share a bit of yours to help others.
9. Kind words lift spirits…give a compliment and lift yours too.

Conserving

1. Compost your fruit and veggie scraps…and watch your garden BLOOM!
2. Help save a gazillion disposable water bottles…reusable bottles rule!
3. Save a tree! Use both sides of your notebook paper.
4. Reuse, recycle. Reuse, recycle. Reuse, recycle. Got it?!
5. Keep the earth cool…walk, bike or use public transportation.
6. Got energy? Pick up trash! Remember: wear gloves & work with an adult.
7. Your town doesn’t recycle? Yikes! Create a program now!
8. Nourish your neighborhood green spaces…grow a community garden.
9. Like clean air? Grab your friends and plant trees.
10. Drat those petroleum-based plastic bags! Use fabric bags instead - for everything!
11. Buzz your town selectmen for more neighborhood trashcans and recycling bins.
12. Want to save energy while leaping tall buildings in a single bound? Turn off the boob tube and play outside.
13. Love surprises? Plant fall bulbs and flower seeds…and keep a weather eye for spring blossoms!
14. “Turn off the lights!” Make switch plate reminders for your whole house.
15. Save water and tons of $$$ - turn off the water when you brush teeth!
16. Keep sturdy takeout containers for future leftovers.
17. Transform colorful magazine pages, comics and more into artful projects and gift wrappers!
18. Learn how to donate/recycle old computer stuff & post instructions (with permission!) at your local electronics stores.
19. Breathe in nature…turn off the AC and open a window to the world.

Doing

1. Whip up your favorite yummy snack and present it to a soup kitchen!
2. Love history? Visit folks at the senior center and ask about the amazing things they’ve witnessed.
3. Want to change the world? Practice random acts of kindness.
4. Keep your brain sharp and body strong. Ask for healthy lunch options at school.
5. Say “thank you!”…’tis music to your teachers’ ears.
6. Seeking positive change? Ask your local government officials for help.
7. Lead by your good example.
8. New kid at school? Eat lunch with them!
9. Volunteering? Invite your nearest and dearest along.
10. Have an older neighbor? Rake their leaves or shovel their sidewalk!
11. Need a cat or dog to snuggle? Visit the animal shelter.
12. Help end poverty. Check out the UN Millennium Development Goals online.
13. Make soldiers smile…send letters & goodies!
14. There’s nothing like a warm hug…share one today.
15. Show gratitude and write thank you notes!
16. Get fit and have fun…start a neighborhood exercise group.
17. Eating healthy? Partner up to share knowledge, tips and encouragement.
18. Share a home cooked meal – and cheerful chat – with a homebound person.
19. Got a big idea? Launch it with a community event!
20. Friend on a mission? Help them!
21. Tummy grumbling at the grocery store? Buy a canned good for the food pantry box.
22. See somebody struggling with heavy bags or boxes? Lend a hand.
23. Active voters make our country great. Ensure adults in your life are registered!
24. Adorable pets await loving homes! Where? The animal shelter… tell your friends and family!
25. Brighten the world…smile often!

GenerationOn is a division of the Points of Light Institute and a resource for youth, teen, family, and teachers.

To volunteer, call 272-2087! 

Reserve Your Spot - Appetite for Service

Join the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley on Saturday, March 24, 2012 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 who 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, make a donation to our auction event, or by sponsoring a table of 8. Call Lauren at 272-2087 or lauren_finke@vccv.org for more information.



MidWestOne Bank guests
enjoying the 2011 event.

Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Update

• Ushers are needed for the production of “Dying City” at Strayer-Wood Theatre on the UNI campus. Performance dates include March 1-3 at 7:30 p.m. and March 4 at 2:00 p.m. Ushers will arrive one hour before curtain for instruction. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.
  

• Western Home Communities is looking for Excursion Assistants to assist residents and employees in boarding a Western Home bus, assisting with doors, wheelchairs and walkers if necessary and providing social companionship for residents on the excursion. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare needs volunteers to serve as Care-A-Van Drivers. This free service provides transportation to patients using Covenant Medical Center services, giving patients a ride to our door and returns them safely to theirs. The volunteer driver will drive a Wheaton van and is provided with a cell phone to allow two-way communication with the Medical Center. Volunteers age 21 and over are welcome.

• Allen Hospice volunteers providing direct care may spend time reading to and visiting with patients or providing respite care to allow family caregivers a break. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

To volunteer call 272-2087.

Hasbro Community Action Hero Awards - Nominate Now!

Do you know a young person between the ages of 5 and 18 who has done remarkable community service in the past 12 months?

The Hasbro Community Action Hero award recognizes outstanding young volunteers who show that you are never too young to make a difference in your local or global community. From diverse backgrounds across the nation, Hasbro Community Action Heroes demonstrate extraordinary commitment to service in their local and/or global communities.

Hasbro Children's Fund and generationOn will celebrate five young people (ages 5-18) for their tremendous community service and volunteer activities at a special recognition event in New York City on May 31, 2012 and award each youth a $1,000 educational scholarship.

Nominations for the 2012 Hasbro Community Action Hero award must be received by Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 5:00 p.m. EST.

NOMINEES MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

• Be in school (grade K-12) and age 5-18 at time of nomination
• Be a resident of the 50 United States or District of Columbia
• Be available to travel for a special, expense-paid, two day, one night event in New York City on May 31, 2012 (travel May 31-June 1, 2012)

BENEFITS:

• Recognition by generationOn and Hasbro Children’s Fund
• Travel and lodging for the awardee and one parent or guardian to attend the recognition event in New York City
• Inclusion is a national press release as well as opportunities for additional local or national media attention
• Educational scholarship in the amount of $1,000 provided by Hasbro Children’s Fund to the awardee

NOMINATION PROCESS:

• Nominations for the 2012 Hasbro Community Action Hero award must be received by Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 5:00 p.m. EST.
• All nominators will be notified of the status of their nominees on or around Tuesday, April 3, 2012.
• Staff phone interviews may be requested of nominees and their parent or guardian.
• Awardees and a parent/guardian must participate in an orientation call prior to the award ceremony (tentatively scheduled for the week of May 14, 2012).
• Awardees and a parent/guardian must be available to travel to the recognition event in New York City on May 31, 2012 (travel May 31-June 1, 2012).

ELIGIBILITY:

• Open only to residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are 5-18 years old and in grades K-12 at the time of nomination. Awardee and a parent/guardian must be available to attend the expense-paid recognition event in New York City on May 31, 2012 (travel May 31-June 1, 2012). A parent/guardian must give consent to participate and accompany the awardee to New York City 
• It is the nominator’s responsibility to submit a complete nomination. Only fully completed nominations will be considered. GenerationOn accepts no responsibility for incomplete nominations, nominations lost due to technical difficulties, or any other submission in exception to the above instructions.
• By accepting this recognition, the awardee agrees to grant generationOn and Hasbro Inc. permission to publish any photos for promotional purposes. Awardees may be publicized in local and national media outlets.

TRAVEL TO RECOGNITON EVENT:

The travel provided is two (2) coach airfare tickets from the major commercial airport nearest awardee’s primary residence in the US to New York and one (1) standard hotel room (double occupancy) for one (1) night at a hotel selected by generationOn. Ground transportation will be included. In-room or other personal charges at the hotel (e.g., mini-bar, movies), telephone calls, gratuities, incidentals, and all other expenses are not included. Awardee and parent/guardian must be available to travel on the same itinerary. GenerationOn will attempt to accommodate member’s preferred itinerary, but all specifics thereof will be at the sole discretion of generationOn. If, in the sole judgment of generationOn, air travel is not required due to awardee’s proximity to prize location, ground transportation may be substituted for roundtrip air travel. Travel companion must be the parent or legal guardian of the awardee, unless otherwise permitted by generationOn. 

Visit http://www.generationon.org/birthday_check?original_destination=node%2F3164 to nominate.

9 Ways Board Members Can Raise Money Without Fundraising

Nell Edgington, Social Velocity

Here are 9 things you could ask your fundraising-shy board members to do:

1. Help create or evaluate a business plan for an earned income venture. If you have business leaders or entrepreneurs on your board this would be a great use of their time and add tremendous value to your organization. If they can help you create a more profitable business, they are directly contributing to your organizations bottom-line.
   
   
2. Advocate for government money. You may have a board member that can’t stand the idea of asking their friends for money, but they are well connected in city, county, state or federal government and could open doors to you for government contracts, grants, fee-for-service or other government monies.
   
   
3. Provide intelligence on prospects. If you have a board member that seems to know everyone in town, but for whatever reason refuses to ask any of them for money, they can still be incredibly useful. You may be getting ready to ask a prospective donor for $1,000, and this board member can tell you what that person has already given to, at what level, who else might know them and so on. When you make an ask, the more information you have going into it, the more successful you will be.
   
   
4. Set up a meeting with a prospective customer. If your nonprofit is engaged in an earned income venture, you probably always need help with new sales. If you have a board member who is part of, or connected to, the target customer(s) of your business, they could open doors to new customers. Or at the very least, they could help you think through your sales and marketing strategies and make them more effective so that you can attract more customers.
   
   
5. Email, call or visit a donor just to say thanks. The stewardship of a gift is an often forgotten, but incredibly critical, part of the fundraising process. According to Penelope Burk’s annual donor survey, 84% of donors would give again if they were thanked in a timely way. And being thanked by a board member is a bonus. A donor who renews their gift to a nonprofit is providing more money for the organization.
   
   
6. Explain to a prospect why you serve. A board of directors is a group of volunteers who care so much about the mission of the organization that they are willing to donate their time (a precious resource) to the cause. As a donor, it is affirming to see that a volunteer is contributing time, but it is even more motivating to hear, in the board member’s own words, why they feel compelled to serve this organization. That story can be enough to convince someone to give.
   
   
7. Host a small gathering at your home. Over the course of a year, most people invite a gathering of friends and/or family into their home at least once. A board member could take a few minutes at their next dinner party, birthday celebration or Super Bowl feast to talk about something that is near and dear to their heart: the nonprofit on whose board they serve. They don’t have to ask people for money, but they could simply say, “If you’re interested in learning more, let me know.” And then the nonprofit’s staff could take it from there with those who are interested.
   
   
8. Recruit an in-kind service. If a board member could remove an expense line item from a nonprofit’s budget that would directly contribute to a stronger bottom-line. For example, if a board member works at an ad agency, could they convince their company to provide some pro-bono marketing services to their nonprofit? But keep in mind, these in-kind donations must be of value to the nonprofit and provide an offset to a direct cost that the nonprofit would otherwise have to bear.
   
   
9. Negotiate a lower price from a vendor. Do you have a board member with great negotiating skills (think of all of those lawyers on your board)? Could they negotiate with your insurance providers, office space Rental Company, or printers, for a lower price? If so, that’s more money in the bank.

If you think of a board member’s “get” responsibilities in these much broader terms, then I find it difficult to imagine a board member who cannot bring money in the door. You just have to get strategic about how each individual board member can best contribute to the organizations bottom-line.

About the Author: Nell Edgington is President of Social Velocity (http://www.socialvelocity.net/), a management consulting firm leading nonprofits to greater social impact and financial sustainability. Social Velocity helps nonprofits grow their programs, bring more money in the door, and use resources more effectively. For more information, check out Social Velocity consulting services and clients.

Help Strengthen Kids and Communities Through Family Volunteerism

Doing Good Together is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that provides information and support to help people raise compassionate and socially conscious children through family volunteerism. Every month DGT provides ideas to help get children involved. Here some ideas for February.

If your kids seem impatient, they may have good reason! Studies show that we spend about 45 to 62 minutes each day waiting - waiting in traffic, waiting for a ride, waiting in the checkout line, waiting for the doctor. To make the time go faster, use that time together for some easy, offhanded lessons in kindness. Imagine how much good you could do if your family spent its "wait time" on service! 

Make a Difference.....

Here are simple projects that can be done on the go.

• Keep a "kindness" book in your bag, backpack or purse. Pull it out to read and discuss with your child.
• Consider an anonymous kindness, like leaving quarters in a vending machine or gum machine for the next person to use. Include a quick note saying "Enjoy!" or "Use me." Or perhaps leave a kindness quote..
• Keep ingredients for an on-the-go service project in your bag. It might be a few paper lunch bags (along with crayons and stickers) to decorate for Meals on Wheels, or some blank cards and decorating supplies to create a card of thanks or gratitude.
• If you live in a city where people hold signs saying they need money, you could make "care kits" to hand out. Simply fill resealable plastic bags with clean socks, a granola bar or other snacks, lip balm, hygiene items and perhaps gloves or sunscreen, depending on the weather. 
• Kids love making lists. Brainstorm these things and write them down: 

• Fun acts of kindness you can do in the future
• Your favorite charities
• All the ways people have helped you
• All the things you're grateful for
• Fun volunteer projects you'd like to do.

Talk About It.....

  

Riding in the car on the way to soccer practice? Sitting in a waiting room? These are great opportunities to ask little children big questions.

• If you had one wish for the world, what would it be?
• If someone gave you $1,000, would you give any of it away or would you keep all of it? If you did decide to give some away, who would you give it to?
• If someone tripped a kid in the lunchroom and everyone laughed, would you too?
• If you see someone asking for money, should you give them some?
• If you could have any superpower, what would it be? How could you use it to help people?

Quote ~ Always be a little kinder than necessary.     James M. Barrie

UNI Community Service Clearinghouse

The University of Northern Iowa is offering an opportunity for enhanced collaboration and communication between UNI and the community. This is the creation of the UNI College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Community Service Clearinghouse. 

At UNI, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences encompasses a variety of disciplines and programs that address important social and political issues that affect our society and our world today. This college includes the following departments and programs:

• Department of Geography
• Department of History
• Department of Political Science
• Department of Psychology
• Department of Social Work
• Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology
• School of Applied Human Sciences (includes the Counseling, Family Studies, Gerontology, Textiles, and Interior Design programs.)
• Graduate Program in Public Policy (interdisciplinary with other Colleges)
• Women’s and Gender Studies Program (interdisciplinary with other Colleges.)

The College contains approximately 120 faculty members, who have an incredibly broad range of research and service interests. If you would like to find out more about faculty interests and expertise, please go to the College’s web page (www.uni.edu/csbs). This will give you an overview of programs and also provide linkages to the departments’ web pages, which typically list faculty background and interests.

In 2010, the College adopted a strategic plan in which increasing outreach to and communication with the community was listed as an important goal. This goal is also in keeping with the UNI Strategic Plan, which also includes service to the state and community as an important goal. 

In order to achieve this goal, the College is creating a clearinghouse in which faculty skills and interests can be matched with community needs. This clearinghouse will be managed by the Graduate Program in Public Policy.  Community organizations that have particular needs or issues to which they think that faculty expertise might be relevant will be able to complete the attached form, outlining the particular needs that they have. This information will then be circulated to an email distribution list of all College of Social and Behavioral Sciences faculty who have indicated an interest in community service. If there is a faculty member who is interested in the request, then they will contact the agency or organization directly and arrange a meeting to discuss the request. 

Some examples of organizational needs that a faculty member could address might include (but are not limited to):

·         Assistance with research on a policy issue of importance to the organization.

·         Assistance with program design.

·         Assistance with program evaluation.

·         Assistance with organizational strategic planning.

·         Assistance with preparing grants or other funding requests.

As we launch into this experiment in collaboration and communication, there are some important caveats that must be given attention:

·         There is absolutely no guarantee that any particular agency request will be matched with an interested faculty member.  Faculty participation is strictly voluntary, and a request may not match the interest or expertise of any SBS faculty member. Our purpose here is to create opportunities for the College and the community to connect, as appropriate to their mutual interests. 

·         The specific work undertaken will be determined by a formal or informal agreement between the organization and the faculty member. This includes the issue of whether the faculty member will be compensated for his or her work or will do it as a volunteer. The clearinghouse will play no role in helping to craft such an agreement.

·         Students may or may not be involved in projects initiated by the organization and the faculty member.  The College believes that student involvement is highly desirable, but the main purpose of this clearinghouse is to match faculty with community needs. If student involvement can be arranged as part of any agreement, so much the better!  

·         This clearinghouse covers only faculty members in the above listed departments and programs. If organizations have needs that they believe would be better covered by departments or programs in another UNI college, they will need to contact them directly. A listing of all UNI academic departments and programs may be found on the UNI website under “Academics.”

If you are interested in tapping into the expertise of the faculty of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, please complete the attached brief form and email it to communityclearinghouse@uni.edu. Your request will then be circulated to the list of SBS faculty members who have indicated an interest in community service. If a faculty member is interested, he or she will contact you in order to initiate further discussions about what his or her role might be in serving your organization. 

If you have further questions about the clearinghouse, please feel free to contact Dr. Hays at allen.hays@uni.edu. We sincerely hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to tap into the knowledge and skills of our faculty!

YWCA 2012 Women of Persimmon Awards

Celebrating women whose lives, talents and passions shape the Cedar Valley community is at the heart of the YWCA of Black Hawk County.  Beginning in 1911, the YWCA has empowered women and girls, advocated for equal opportunities for all people, developed young female leaders and promoted cultural appreciation.  Since 2007, we have recognized and honored women whose lives, talents and passions shape the Cedar Valley community

Cedar Valley Women of Persimmon candidates exemplify the YWCA mission and make a difference in their community.  Please take this opportunity to nominate a friend, relative or colleague for this special honor.  Winners will be announced at our luncheon on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. at the Sky Event Centre.

Nomination forms may be picked up at the YWCA of Black Hawk County front office, online at www.ywcabhc.org; or call 234-7589 to have one mailed to you. Deadline for nominations is Friday, February 17, 2012.  Please have nomination forms post-marked by this date.  Completed nominations can be delivered, emailed or mailed to:  Cindy Mohr, YWCA of Black Hawk County, 425 Lafayette, Waterloo, IA 50703 or lmohr@ywcabhc.org.

We request that the nominator escort the nominee to the luncheon.  A special package for the nominee and nominator (two tickets) for $50 is available.  Additional tickets are available for $35 per person.  Group reservations and tables are available.

Proceeds from this event will financially support the mission and programs of the YWCA of Black Hawk County. 

For more information regarding 2012 Women of Persimmon nominations please contact Cindy Mohr, Executive Director at (319) 234-7589 or lmohr@ywcabhc.org.  For information about event sponsorship or to make a reservation, please contact Tonya Ledvina, Marketing and Development Director at (319)234-7589 or tledvina@ywcabhc.org.