UNI Volunteer Fair

The VCCV would be delighted to have your non-profit agency join us for this collaborative effort between the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley and UNI’s Non-Profit Leadership Alliance on Thursday, August 30 from 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in Maucker Union on the University of Northern Iowa’s campus. Last year’s event attracted more than 50 non-profit agencies from the Cedar Valley area and over 700 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.

The deadline for registration is August 16. To register visit here. Direct questions to Lauren Finke at 272-2087.

6 Steps to Making Your Nonprofit a Media Star

How to Get the Media to Tell Your Nonprofit's Story

By Joanne Fritz, About.com Guide

 
Carolyn Manning, founder of The Welcome to America Project, had no idea that her sister-in-law had nominated her for a CNN Heroes Award. Then CNN called and put her and her nonprofit in the media spotlight, and on the national map.

Manning agreed that becoming a CNN Hero was a little like being picked for "American Idol," but she says, "What is important to me is the stamp of legitimacy that CNN Heroes provided our small organization and the refugee movement here."

The national exposure for this small organization, located in Phoenix, AZ, did not result in a flood of money, Manning pointed out, but it has brought in supporters who would not have otherwise known or cared about the nonprofit or the people it serves, as well as giving its activities priceless credibility.
 
The CNN Heroes program is testament to the media's interest in stories about nonprofit causes and people helping each other out.

All of these "feel good" stories have been amazingly effective in drawing readers and viewers (not to mention sponsors and advertisers). CNN Heroes has become a hugely successful celebration of public-spirited individuals. The top CNN Hero (chosen American Idol style through public voting) is honored each November with a star-powered prime-time special.

Other national media have followed CNN's lead with series such as NBC's Making a Difference, and ABC's Person of the Week. Meanwhile, stories about good causes show up in national newspapers from the New York Times to the Christian Science Monitor, as well as throughout local media outlets.
Even so, getting attention from the shrinking, but highly diversified, press pool still takes persistence and creativity. Here are six tips for getting your share of the media spotlight:

1. Don't Wait for CNN to Call That's like waiting for lightning to strike to power your lights. Make friends with your local media: TV (don't forget programs on local PBS stations), newspapers (both daily and weekly), and radio (a local station, affiliated with a national outlet can be a conduit to a national story). Check out the business press in your hometown, the local college's newspaper and alumni magazine, localized online websites and blogs, specialty publications, and freelance writers.
   
2. Start Small A small story, even an announcement about your special event or volunteer project, in a weekly newspaper could lead to interest from the local TV station. A local TV story could lead to its affiliate network's interest. A story on the local NPR station could lead to a national spot. Frequent and consistent contact with local media raises the odds of getting some great exposure.
   
3. Tell a Riveting Story CNN Heroes does not feature organizations, but individuals who are doing something extraordinary. That person has usually founded an organization, but it is the personal angle that often grabs media interest.Similarly, entrepreneurial efforts and small niche nonprofit groups often appeal most to news media.
   
4. Monitor and Communicate. Monitor the national media to hone your eye for what makes compelling stories. Then track local newscasts, newspapers and magazines, and tune into local radio stations for examples of feel-good stories and for the names of reporters who cover them. Follow those reporters through their social media. Reporters use social media tools to both communicate with their followers and to find and research topics and ideas they want to pursue. Reporters do not wait at their desks for press releases to arrive. They are active on all the social networks, constantly scanning for ideas for their own stories. Do not pitch reporters through their social media. Instead, use that media to understand what reporters are interested in. Then develop a pitch that is crafted to an individual reporter's particular needs. Deliver that pitch through the channel that reporter or blogger prefers--email is often the preferred method--and only approach one reporter or media outlet at a time. However, don't just send general information about your organization. Highlight specific people and specific actions. Emphasize what makes your story different, and how it is relevant to issues that are already hot topics. Unusual situations and stories that are relevant to current local or national issues are more likely to capture the attention of a reporter.


5. Make Your Website Media Friendly. Once a reporter or blogger knows about you, the first thing they hit is your website. Set up a media or press room, stocked with news releases, fact sheets, and free-to-use photos and videos.
   Include links to media stories that have been done on your organization. Provide good contact information, including email addresses and phone numbers of people reporters can contact immediately. Respond right away to any interest by any media anywhere. Writers, bloggers, and reporters work on deadlines. If you don't respond right away, they will find another organization.
6. Speak Up Don't hesitate to communicate with the media, if you have a good, relevant and people-focused story to tell. The media are looking for feel-good stories. Yours just might be the right one.

Community Impact Highlights

Neighboring is an asset and placed-based approach to volunteering that empowers residents to find innovative, sustainable solutions to local challenges. Over the last five years, our affiliate network has brought Neighboring to low income, immigrant, refugee, Native American, African American, kinship and Hispanic communities. Tens of thousands of resident volunteers have been engaged to create programs such as a community garden to provide fresh produce to low income community members, a neighborhood watch to tackle problems of drug abuse, a mobile volunteer tax assistance site on a Native American reservation to provide an avenue toward financial stability, and many more programs to meet the needs and talents of the community.

One example of the success of Neighboring due to community investment is in Bradenton, Fla. where Hands On Manatee saw a 67 percent increase in application for Florida Healthy Kids Insurance in targeted neighborhoods and a 32 percent call volume increase to 2-1-1 among residents of targeted neighborhoods as a result of volunteers being mobilized from within the community to increase awareness around available social services. A 2009 Points of Light study found Neighboring:

• Helps create stronger communities and families
• Provides more resources for children and youth
• Creates role models for children
• Changes the lines of accountability
• Supplies local leaders
• Helps to promote workforce participation
• Improves relationships and connections between community members, creating mutually supportive exchanges

Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Updates

• August 2 is Family Fun Days at the Phelps Youth Pavilion. Volunteers are needed to help families in the art room working on the make and take activities and to help staff with upkeep of the Pavilion through out the day. Shifts are usually 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.


• Volunteers are needed for the 6th Annual Iowa Irish Fest, Friday, August 3rd to Sunday, August 5th at Lincoln Park in downtown Waterloo. Volunteer shifts include gate admission, selling of food/beer tickets, assisting in our family area and help with our 2nd annual 5K race Saturday morning. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.


• ASPIRE Therapeutic Riding Program’s Camp Hope is a day camp from August 6th – 10^th. Volunteer as a Buddy, Group Leader, Activity Leader, or with registration. Locations and times include: August 6th, 7th & 8th: National Cattle Congress from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. August 9th: Phelps Youth Pavilion from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. August 10th: Lost Island Water Park from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome. 


• Volunteers are needed for the first annual Cedar Valley PrideFest on August 18 in Waterloo. Volunteer jobs include: admissions/gate, stage assistants, security, beer tent, and general/clean-up/logistical helpers. 3-hour shifts will be available, or you can help out all day and be part of the PrideFest team! Volunteers 21 and over are welcome.

Call 272-2087 to volunteer!

A favor for the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

The Research Institute for Studies in Education at Iowa State University is working with the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Services to learn about volunteering opportunities in the state of Iowa.  The goal is to learn about the volunteer centers and the roles of volunteers so that we can improve volunteering opportunities and, thus, strengthen our communities.  To do this, we would like to learn about your personal volunteering experiences. As local volunteers throughout the Cedar Valley and the Volunteer Center, you have a clear insight into the volunteering world and how to connect with volunteer opportunities in our community. This research is for a grant source for the Volunteer Generation Fund.

Would you be willing to join us this Friday, July 27 at 9:00 a.m. for a 60 minute focus group, it would be very helpful to hear about your important experiences. We will meet in Meeting Room #2 at the Kimball Ridge Center.

Call 272-2087 to participate.

Camp Hope Volunteers Needed!

ASPIRE’s Camp Hope is a day camp from August 6th – 10th for children of all abilities ages 4 and older. The Camp includes many exciting and educational activities in a fun and safe environment. The week camp includes:

ASPIRE Therapeutic Riding Program benefits individuals with disabilities through animal assisted activities and outreach programs.

ASPIRE reaches over 800 individuals each year, and provides a unique and entertaining camp experience for all of our participants attending Camp HOPE.

Please join us this year as we continue our tradition of Camp HOPE.

Date of Camp:  August 6 - 10, 2012 

Location:

August 6th, 7th & 8th: National Cattle Congress

August 9th: Phelps Youth Pavilion

August 5th: Lost Island Water Park 

Times:

August 6th, 7th & 8th: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00p.m.

August 9th: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 .p.m.

August 10th: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  

Come Volunteer!

Come have fun and make new friends while helping ASPIRE with Camp HOPE. As a volunteer you can help in many ways:

- Buddy: Work one-on-one with a camper.

- Group Leader: Be in charge of a group and guide them through the day.

- Activity Leader: Lead the camper groups in the different activities.

- Registration Help: Help get campers registered and ready for the day.

 

What to Bring

Volunteers will need to be dressed for the weather and bring a sack lunch, any needed medications, and a swimsuit on the 10th for Lost Island Water Park.

Call 272-2087 to volunteer!

Take the Pledge. Get Results. Lead the Change.

A Billion + Change is a national campaign to mobilize billions of dollars of pro bono and skills-based volunteer service from businesses by 2013. Together, our more than 100 pledge companies are seeking fellow organizations willing to pledge their best business skills and talents to build nonprofit capacity and address critical community needs at home and around the world.

Whether it’s lending strategic planning or IT solutions, contributing the expertise of your financial analysts or marketing gurus, or board service by your company’s leadership, skills-based and pro bono service makes a deep and lasting contribution to the communities you serve and the organizations you support. We invite you to join

A Billion + Change to be nationally recognized for your leadership in advancing innovative, high-impact skills based volunteering. Together, we will inspire the largest commitment of corporate pro bono service in history.

Creating Value for Your Company and Your Community

Take the Pledge. We are asking you to commit to create or expand a skills-based volunteer program in your workplace. As a business leader, you know that investing in your community is not a question of “if” but of “how”:

SBV is a talent management tool: 91% of Fortune 500 human resource managers said volunteering knowledge and expertise to a nonprofit can be an effective way to cultivate critical business and leadership skills.

Engage your younger workforce: Skilled volunteer engagements could provide valuable learning opportunities that respond to millennials’ voracious appetite for professional development, leadership roles and stimulating and rewarding work.

Achieve high-impact social change: For nonprofits and communities, the value of skilled support in areas such as general operations, technology and professional services can be 500% greater than the value of traditional volunteering.

Our Commitment to You

A Billion + Change will help you develop your program so that your pledge brings value to your company.

• When you pledge for free, we will:
• Share your skills-based volunteer story with your peers and best practice corporate citizens
• Give you access to networking opportunities to learn about new trends in the field of national service from top decision-makers and influencers in policy, civic engagement and industry
• Send you invitations to campaign events, peer-to-peer mentoring webinars, e-newsletters and regional and national networking events
• Give you access to free consulting services and vetted resources
• Help you establish your role as a thought leader through speaking opportunities, media interviews and guest blogging opportunities.
• To take the pledge for free, access http://www.abillionpluschange.org/ or call 202-729-8189.

Top 3 Reasons to Tackle Hunger-Action Heroes Needed Update

More than 6,800 average kids and teens have transformed into Community Action Heroes! 

They've answered the call to join forces to do good this summer and are eligible to receive mini-grants, gifts, and special edition t-shirts.

Back to your Action Hero Update on Hunger.

TOP 3 REASONS HEROES ARE TAKING ACTION FOR HUNGER:

1.    School's Out: More than 31 million children in the U.S. receive free or low-cost lunches through the National School Lunch Program. Only 3 million children are served by summer lunch programs. Hunger becomes a bigger struggle in the summer for tens of millions of families.

2.    Lifelong Effects: Children who experience two or more periods of hunger are more than four times as likely to report poor health than those who never went hungry. Childhood malnutrition increases the risk of health problems later in life like heart disease, diabetes, and organ failure.

3.  'Tis Not the Season: Schools and other organizations usually hold food drives in the winter holiday season. During spring and summer, soup kitchens and food banks experience a shortage in donations and find it more difficult to meet the needs of the community.

TOP 3 ACTIONS TO TAKE:

1.   Hit Hunger: Play dodgeball to raise hunger awareness and money for your local food bank. (Perfect project for teens!) 

2.   Food Share Garden: Grow extra food in your garden to donate to an organization that helps feed hungry families. (Perfect project for families!)

3.  Snack Packs for Kids: Add a bit of unexpected cheer to a child's day. Collect and prepare healthy snacks for hungry kids. (Perfect project for groups of all ages!)

HOW TO BECOME AN ACTION HERO:

Kids and teens have until August 20 to become Action Heroes this summer.

 

1. PLEDGE

to do one of generationOn's 80 summer projects or pledge to Do Your Own Thing to be a hero for: animals, literacy, health, environment, homelessness, hunger, military, and emergency prep.  

 
2. TAKE ACTION!

 

3. REPORT BACK

on your project and:

*be featured on the website in hero-like fashion.

*become eligible to receive one of ten $500 grants.

*be one of the first 2,000 heroes to report back and receive a Hasbro gift or special-edition Action Heroes t-shirt.

 

Join forces to do good this summer. Your community needs you! Your project is waiting at CommunityActionHeroes.generationOn.org!   

Kids and teens have until August 20 to become Action Heroes this summer.

   

Join forces to do good this summer. Your community needs you! Your project is waiting at CommunityActionHeroes.generationOn.org!   

 

@generationOn
#ActionHeroes

Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Updates

• August 2 is Family Fun Days at the Phelps Youth Pavilion. Volunteers are needed to help families in the art room working on the make and take activities and to help staff with upkeep of the Pavilion through out the day. Shifts are usually 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• Volunteers are needed for the 6th Annual Iowa Irish Fest, Friday, August 3rd to Sunday, August 5th at Lincoln Park in downtown Waterloo. Volunteer shifts include gate admission, selling of food/beer tickets, assisting in our family area and help with our 2nd annual 5K race Saturday morning. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

• The Cedar Valley Volunteer Emergency Club needs volunteers Saturday, August 4th to work the popcorn stand in Dike for their annual Watermelon Days celebration from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Various shifts available. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

• The Cedar Valley Committee of Make-A-Wish Iowa is looking for volunteers to help make a difference in a child's life by granting their one true wish! Wish Granters are tasked with meeting with children and their families that qualify for a wish (have a life-threatening medical condition) and help them plan that wish. Volunteers must go through a brief on-line training and fill out a volunteer application that can be found on the Iowa Chapter web site. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.

Call 272-2087 to vounteer!

In the Spotlight - House of Hope

The House of Hope is an enrichment program for the betterment of single mothers' and their children. Through the program women will reach obtainable goals that will ultimately secure a better tomorrow for their family.

The House of Hope program assists the women through Case Management obtain higher education, employment, financial skills, parenting skills, and other life skills to better equip them to have an affordable living wage and a safe clean environment for their children.

The House of Hope has been around since 1995. Since 2010, the program has assisted 18 mothers reach their goals and move onto better tomorrows. This program is a 2-year program.

You can volunteer at the House of Hope through any of the following: Donations, Repairs, Maintenance, Babysitting, Transportation, Clerical Work, Special Events, Mentors, or the Guardian Angel Program.

To volunteer, call 272-2087.

In the Spotlight - Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity

Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian housing ministry working to eliminate poverty housing. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need of adequate shelter by providing safe, simple affordable housing so that all God’s children can live and grow into all that God intended.

Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity focuses on home ownership as its solution to affordable housing. By offering zero interest mortgages and accepting sweat equity as a down payment we are able to offer affordable home ownership opportunities to families who would otherwise not qualify for a mortgage.

Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses in partnership with families in need. Habitat has built more than 500,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1,500,000 people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. Habitat for Humanity International has been building homes around the world since 1976.

Volunteers are needed to help on work sites. Volunteers are needed July 28^th.

To volunteer, call 272-2087.

Neighborhood Assessment Volunteers Needed

Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging needs volunteers for a walking assessment in Cedar Falls on Monday, July 23 (rain date Tuesday July 24). This opportunity is for volunteers age 18 and over who will be compiling data on an iPhone regarding streets, curbs, sidewalks, etc. Individuals should be able to walk a mile at their own pace without difficulty. Volunteers will meet at NewAldaya in the morning, be trained, walk and then return for lunch. There will be an opportunity for another walk in the afternoon if people are interested. If you have any questions, please contact Janet Buls at 319-272-2244. 

Collecting for the Community

Jenny Friedman, Doing Good Together

Want to add a bit of altruism to your children's summer? Instead of collecting shells and rocks, hold a collection drive for those in need. It could be cereal for a food pantry, cat or dog toys for a humane society, diapers for a crisis nursery, or books for a family homeless shelter. A donation drive is a fun, easy family activity that can improve lives.  

Make a Difference.....
Before you start collecting, contact a local nonprofit to be sure they can use your collected items.

• Pick a theme, a goal (number of items tocollect) and a timeframe.
• Decide where you'll seek donations -- neighborhood, family and friends, and/or your workplace.
• Get the word out: Make calls, send emails, write letters, make posters or fliers, and post on your Facebook page.
• Make it easy for people to donate. Decide whether they should drop items off or whether you'll pick up. Clear out a place to store them.
• Take a photo when you deliver the items to the nonprofit, and send it to the contributors with your thank-you notes. Report how much you collected, too.
• Note what you'd do differently next time, then start planning for next year's drive.

Talk About It.....

Talk to children about the needs in your community and about what some people do without, whether it's toys, clothes, books or food.

• Let your children help decide the focus of your family's collection, keeping in mind their interests and ages.
• Talk about how your collection will have an impact. ("Did you know that some children don't get a gift for their birthday? How do you think our toy collection will help?")
• Go together as a family to deliver the items you collected. If possible, ask for a tour of the facility (shelter, food shelf, humane society) to learn more a bout the organization's work. 
• Ask agency staff what other ways you might help out, or other names they badly need.

Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Updates

• August 2 is Family Fun Days at the Phelps Youth Pavilion. Volunteers are needed to help families in the art room working on the make and take activities and to help staff with upkeep of the Pavilion through out the day. Shifts are usually 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• Volunteers are needed for the 6th Annual Iowa Irish Fest, Friday, August 3rd to Sunday, August 5th at Lincoln Park in downtown Waterloo. Volunteer shifts include gate admission, selling of food/beer tickets, assisting in our family area and help with our 2nd annual 5K race Saturday morning. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

• The Cedar Valley Volunteer Emergency Club needs volunteers Saturday, August 4th to work the popcorn stand in Dike for their annual Watermelon Days celebration. It's a one day activity starting at about 8:30 a.m. and we're usually home by 5:00 p.m. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

• The Jesse Cosby Center in conjunction with Hawkeye Valley Area on Aging (HVAAA) delivers meals to the sick and shut-in of our community. We are always in need of volunteer drivers and runners. We deliver over a hundred meals five days a week, Monday through Fridays. Drivers can drive on day a week or several times a month. Volunteers age 21 and over are welcome.

Call 272-2087 to volunteer.

A Midsummer Celebration at the Arboretum!

A Midsummer Celebration at the Arboretum:

Flowers, Fellowship & Fun in the Gardens

Thursday, July 26

5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

We have many improvements to share and celebrate.

You’re invited to take a walk on the wild side and enjoy the gardens with a walking taco. 

Refreshments will be served from 5:30 to 6:30.

In appreciation of your support!

Take Action!

We encourage volunteers to use their time, talent, voice and money to make a meaningful difference in their communities.

Below are some ideas to help you take action that changes the world.

· Use your Facebook status to share volunteer project ideas

· Tweet to raise awareness about the power of volunteerism

· Share your volunteer story to inspire others

· Pledge to support military families in gratitude for their service

· Calculate your water footprint and make a plan to conserve water

· Ride your bike to work and decrease carbon emissions

· Write a letter to thank our military troops

· Donate Blood. Find a Red Cross blood drive near you

· Establish an emergency plan in your household, workplace and school

· Donate your clothes to the local homeless shelter

· Give canned food to the local food bank

· Donate books to the local library

· Brighten someone’s day with an e-card

· Send a care package to a military member

· Foster a pet

· Offer a couple hours of free babysitting

· Sign a petition or vote for a cause important to you

Call 272-2087 to volunteer!

Action Heroes Needed

The biggest superheroes are not on the big screen this summer. They're the kids and teens transforming their communities.

Join generationOn and Hasbro in activating young people to change the world with The World Needs More Community Action Heroes!

From July 2 to August 20, 2012, teens and families can Pick a Cause, Take Action, and Report Back on any of generationOn's 80 summer hero projects. Trailblazers can also put their own ideas into action and share their stories.

All heroes who report back are eligible to receive one of our $500 mini-grants to keep up the good work.

Heroes with the power of lightning speed are in luck; the first 2,000 to report on their projects will be sent a limited edition Community Action Heroes t-shirt or Hasbro gift! Beats a cape any day.

Check it all out at CommunityActionHeroes.generationOn.org.

Every hero has a moment of transformation.

GenerationOn says that moment is now.

@generationOn

#ActionHeroes

Volunteer Trends and Highlights Based on 2010 Data

· 867,412 Iowa residents volunteered 80.3 million hours of service through or for a nonprofit or community organization in 2010.
· Service also takes place informally when people work with neighbors to address or fix a community issue. In 2010, 10.2 percent of Iowa residents volunteered informally, totaling approximately 239,663 individuals.
· In Iowa, more than 19,000 people participate in national service each year through 790 national service projects and programs. This year, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) will commit more than $18,400,000 to support the national service initiatives (Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, and other programs) in Iowa.
· 886,900 Iowans volunteered
· 37.9% of residents volunteer - ranking them 2nd among the 50 states and Washington, DC
· 93.4 million hours of service
· 39.9 hours per resident - ranking them 13th among the 50 states and Washington, DC
· $2.0 billion of service contributed

 

To volunteer locally contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at 272-2087.