Current skills-based volunteer opportunities with the VCCV

Today Skills-Based Volunteering (SBV) is the new way of doing volunteering. In a few years from now SBV and Pro Bono volunteering services will be so natural that the expression will not need to be defined anymore. Using personal talents or professional competences will be a usual way for volunteers to help nonprofit organizations in their internal organization – pro bono, business-oriented consulting services for free – or in the delivery of their services while developing new talents or leadership skills.

• Nonprofit organizations and corporations, VCCV can help you!

• Volunteers – individuals or employee – you can help the VCCV supporting its myriad of nonprofit organizations.

From a baby boomer delivering free logistic consulting services to a food bank organization to a millennial teaching how to use multimedia for a better awareness of a fundraising event or to an architect helping redesign libraries in schools, skills-based volunteering is a strategic type of volunteerism that exponentially expands the impact of nonprofits by incorporating a whole range of skills that strengthen the operations and services of nonprofit organizations.

Connecting the volunteer with the right skills to the right project at the right time will allow getting a greater impact and building stronger relationships between volunteers and the nonprofit sector. Therefore it means increasing the volunteer interest to do on-going projects for the already known organization. And why not to imagine that a VCCV Partner in Volunteerism can ‘adopt’ a nonprofit entity to help it on a long run.

SBV is an innovative approach that is rapidly gaining recognition as a powerful driver of both social impact and business value. Skills-based volunteerism utilizes the skills, experience, talents and education of volunteers and matches them with the needs of nonprofits. By leveraging all types of knowledge and expertise, SBV helps build and sustain nonprofits’ capacity to achieve their missions successfully. Individual skilled volunteers may offer their particular expertise to a nonprofit agency, while corporate SBV involves employee volunteers working on projects for a nonprofit organization through a developed structured program.

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley offers skills-based opportunities for volunteers. Here are a few:
Calling all Artists – North Star Community Service

Financial Mentor/Tutor - The Job Foundation
Oral Historian - Cedar Falls Historical Society
Planetarium Assistant - Grout Museum District
Out Reach Coordinator Intern - Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois
Disaster Action Team Member- American Red Cross
Volunteer Office Assistant - Care Initiatives Hospice
Mending and Sewing Volunteer - Country View
Join a Blue Zones Project Committee - Cedar Valley Blue Zones Project
Advocates needed for Abused and Neglected Children - CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate Program
Office Administration Volunteer - Family & Children's Council of Black Hawk CountyBoard Members Needed - Cedar Bend Humane Society
Special Events Internship - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast
Volunteer Attorneys Trained in Advance to Respond to Disasters - Iowa Legal Aid
Become an Extension Council Member - ISU Extension and OutreachTrain to Be A Domestic Violence Victim Advocate - Waypoint Services, Cedar Valley
Patient Advocate - Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare
Dan Gable Museum Seeking Volunteers - National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable MuseumRespite Providers for Area Foster Families - Iowa foster and Adoptive Parents Association
Hospitality Specialist - Cedar Falls Tourism and Visitors Bureau
Grass Roots Organizer - People’s Community Health Clinic

These are just a sampling of the volunteer needs of the 150 member agencies that are the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley. Contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley for more information about skills-based volunteering at (319) 272-2087, email, or visit www.vccv.org

10 tips on Volunteering Wisely and using Personal Skills

1. Research the causes or issues important to you.
   Look for a group that works with issues about which you feel strongly. You might already be giving money to one of these organizations, and that might be a good place to begin your volunteer experience. If you can't find such an organization, here's a challenging and intriguing thought: why not start one yourself? You can rally your neighbors to clean up that vacant lot on the corner, patrol the neighborhood, paint an elderly neighbor's house, take turns keeping an eye on the ailing person down the street, or form a group to advocate for a remedy to that dangerous intersection in your neighborhood. There is no end to the creative avenues for volunteering, just as there is no end to the need for volunteers.
2. Consider the skills you have to offer.
   If you enjoy outdoor work, have a knack for teaching, or just enjoy interacting with people, you may want to look for volunteer work that would incorporate these aspects of your personality. Many positions require a volunteer who has previous familiarity with certain equipment, such as computers, or who possesses certain skills, such as ability in athletics or communications. For one of these positions you might decide to do something comparable to what you do on the job during your workday, or something that you already enjoy as a hobby. This sort of position allows you to jump right into the work without having to take training to prepare for the assignment.
3. Would you like to learn something new?
   Perhaps you would like to learn a new skill or gain exposure to a new situation. Consider seeking a volunteer opportunity where you'll learn something new. For example, volunteering to work on the newsletter for the local animal shelter will improve your writing and editing abilities - skills that may help you in your career. Or, volunteering can simply offer a change from your daily routine. For example, if your full-time job is in an office, you may decide to take on a more active volunteer assignment, such as leading tours at an art museum or building a playground. Many nonprofits seek out people who are willing to learn. Realize beforehand, however, that such work might require a time commitment for training before the actual volunteer assignment begins.
4. Combine your goals.
   Look for volunteer opportunities that will also help you achieve your other goals for your life. For example, if you want to lose a few extra pounds, pick an active volunteer opportunity, such as cleaning a park or working with kids. Or, if you've been meaning to take a cooking class, try volunteering at a food bank that teaches cooking skills.
5. Don't over-commit your schedule.
   Make sure the volunteer hours you want to give fit into your hectic life, so that you don't frustrate your family, exhaust yourself, shortchange the organization you're trying to help or neglect your job. Do you want a long-term assignment or something temporary? If you are unsure about your availability, or want to see how the work suits you before making an extensive commitment, see whether the organization will start you out on a limited number of hours until you get the feel of things. Better to start out slowly than to commit yourself to a schedule you can't or don't want to fulfill.
6. Nonprofits may have questions, too.
   While most nonprofits are eager to find volunteer help, they have to be careful when accepting the services you offer. If you contact an organization with an offer to volunteer your time, you may be asked to come in for an interview, fill out a volunteer application, or describe your qualifications and your background just as you would at an interview for a paying job. It is in the organization's interest and more beneficial to the people it serves to make certain you have the skills needed, that you are truly committed to doing the work, and that your interests match those of the nonprofit. Furthermore, in volunteer work involving children or other at-risk populations, there are legal ramifications for the organization to consider.
7. Consider volunteering as a family.
   Think about looking for a volunteer opportunity suitable for parents and children to do together, or for a husband and wife to take on as a team. When a family volunteers to work together at a nonprofit organization, the experience can bring them closer together, teach young children the value of giving their time and effort, introduce everyone in the family to skills and experiences never before encountered, and give the entire family a shared experience as a wonderful family memory.
8. Virtual volunteering?
   Yes, there is such a thing! If you have computer access and the necessary skills, some organizations now offer the opportunity to do volunteer work over the computer. This might take the form of giving free legal advice, typing a college term paper for a person with a disability, or simply keeping in contact with a shut-in who has e-mail. This sort of volunteering might be well suited to you if you have limited time, no transportation, or a physical disability that precludes you from getting about freely. Virtual volunteering can also be a way for you to give time if you simply enjoy computers and want to employ your computer skills in your volunteer work.
9. I never thought of that!
   Many community groups are looking for volunteers, and some may not have occurred to you. Most of us know that hospitals, libraries, and churches use volunteers for a great deal of their work, but here are some volunteer opportunities that may not have crossed your mind:
• Day care centers, Neighborhood Watch, Public Schools and Colleges
• Halfway houses, Community Theaters, Drug Rehabilitation Centers, Fraternal Organizations and Civic Clubs
• Retirement Centers and Homes for the Elderly, Meals on Wheels, Church or Community-Sponsored Soup Kitchens or Food Pantries
• Museums, Art Galleries, and Monuments
• Community Choirs, Bands and Orchestras
• Neighborhood Parks, Youth Organizations, Sports Teams, and after-school programs
• Shelters for Battered Women and Children
• Historical Restorations, Societies and National Parks
10. Give voice to your heart through your giving and volunteering!
    Bring your heart and your sense of humor to your volunteer service, along with your enthusiastic spirit, which in itself is a priceless gift. What you'll get back will be immeasurable!

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley has volunteer opportunities from 150 nonprofit member agencies that will fit nearly every category listed. Contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley for more information at (319) 272-2087, email, or visit www.vccv.org.

Thanks to Network for Good

Random Acts of Kindness

We all struggle. We all stress. But, thankfully, we also all care.

In fact, we can’t help but care! It’s part of the human condition. You can’t have ‘humankind’ without ‘kind’, after all.

The problem is that, when we get wrapped up in our own problems, we forget to take care of others – because our brains go into self-preservation mode. Don’t get us wrong, taking care of yourself is super important: you can’t take care of others without also taking care of yourself. We just need to remember to look beyond ourselves, and see the need in others as well as ourselves. It can sometimes be hard, but it’s immediately, demonstrably worthwhile... because it only takes one kind act to powerfully affect us. You know the sort of acts we’re talking about. It’s the person enthusiastically praising their co-worker’s hard work, or the waiter covering a bill for struggling parents, or the window cleaner dressing up as a superhero at the Children’s Hospital.

They’re the little moments that have a big impact – and stay with you. That connect you back to your humanity, remind you how much love there is in the world, and feel so good that they inspire you to spread kindness yourself.

We know how important kindness is because we’ve all felt its importance! But that’s not the only reason we know. Scientific studies have shown that random acts of kindness are good for you! They improve your life satisfaction by increasing your sense of belonging and self-worth, and they improve your health by decreasing your anxiety, depression and blood pressure. And here’s the best part: these benefits apply to the giver of kindness, the recipient of kindness, and anyone who witnesses the act! Every act improves the lives of at least three people.

So, why kindness? Scientifically? Because it’s good for your health. Economically? Because it’s free. Practically? Because it’s easy. Socially? Because it improves the world.

But the real reason, of course... is that kindness is the key to lasting happiness.

Random Acts of Kindness Day Ideas

Below are some of the things and you can perform on Random acts of Kindness Day:

1. Pay it Backward: buy coffee for the person behind you in line.
2. Genuinely compliment the first three people you talk to today.
3. Send a positive text message to five different people right now.
4. Post inspirational sticky notes around your neighborhood, office, school, etc.
5. Tell someone they dropped a dollar (even though they didn’t). Then give them a dollar.
6. Donate old towels or blankets to an animal shelter.
7. Say hi to the person next to you on the elevator.
8. Surprise a neighbor with freshly baked cookies or treats!
9. Let someone go in front of you in line who only has a few items.
10. Leave a gas gift card at a gas pump.
11. Throw a party to celebrate someone just for being who they are, which is awesome.
12. Have a LinkedIn account? Write a recommendation for coworker or connection.
13. Leave quarters at the laundromat.
14. Encounter someone in customer service who is especially kind? Take an extra five minutes to tell their manager.
15. Leave unused coupons next to corresponding products in the grocery store.
16. Leave a note on someone’s car telling them how awesome they parked.
17. Try to make sure every person in a group conversation feels included.
18. Write a kind message on your mirror with a dry erase marker for yourself, your significant other or a family member.
19. Place a positive body image notes in jean pockets at a department store.
20. Smile at five strangers.
21. Set an alarm on your phone to go off at three different times during the day. In those moments, do something kind for someone else.
22. Send a gratitude email to a coworker who deserves more recognition.
23. Practice self-kindness and spend 30 minutes doing something you love today.
24. Give away stuff for free on Craig’s List.
25. Write a gratitude list in the morning and again in the evening.
26. Know parents who could use a night out? Offer to babysit for free.
27. Hold up positive signs for traffic or in a park for people exercising outside!
28. Return shopping carts for people at the grocery store.
29. Buy a plant. Put it in a terracotta pot. Write positive words that describe a friend on the pot. Give it to that friend!
30. Write a positive comment on your favorite blog, website, or a friend’s social media account.
31. Have a clean-up party at a beach or park.
32. While you’re out, compliment a parent on how well-behaved their child is.
33. Leave a kind server the biggest tip you can afford.
34. When you’re throwing something away on the street, pick up any litter around you and put that in the trash too.
35. Pay the toll for the person behind you.
36. Put 50 paper hearts in a box. On each cutout write something that is special about your partner or a friend. Give them the box and tell them to pull out a heart anytime they need a pick-me-up.
37. Everyone is important. Learn the names of your office security guard, the person at the front desk and other people you see every day. Greet them by name. Also say “hello” to strangers and smile. These acts of kindness are so easy, and they almost always make people smile.
38. Write your partner a list of things you love about them.
39. Purchase extra dog or cat food and bring it to an animal shelter.
40. Find opportunities to give compliments. It costs nothing, takes no time, and could make someone’s entire day. Don’t just think it. Say it.
41. Take flowers or treats to the nurses’ station at your nearest hospital.
42. Keep an extra umbrella at work, so you can lend it out when it rains.
43. Send a ‘Thank you’ card or note to the officers at your local police or fire station.
44. Take muffins or cookies to your local librarians.
45. Run an errand for a family member who is busy.
46. Leave a box of goodies in your mailbox for your mail carrier.
47. Tape coins around a playground for kids to find.
48. Put your phone away while in the company of others.
49. Email or write to a former teacher who made a difference in your life.
50. When you hear that discouraging voice in your head, tell yourself something positive — you deserve kindness too!

What is Skills Based Volunteering?

Today Skills-Based Volunteering (SBV) is the new way of doing volunteering. Five years from now SBV and Pro Bono volunteering services will be so natural that the expression will not need to be defined anymore. Using personal talents or professional competences will be a usual way for volunteers to help nonprofit organizations in their internal organization – pro bono, business-oriented consulting services for free – or in the delivery of their services while developing new talents or leadership skills.

From a baby boomer delivering free logistic consulting services to a food bank organization to the millennial teaching how to use multimedia for a better awareness of a fund raising event or to an architect helping re designing library in schools, skills-based volunteering is a strategic type of volunteerism that exponentially expands the impact of nonprofits by incorporating a whole range of skills that strengthen the operations and services of nonprofit organizations.

Connecting the volunteer with the right skills to the right project at the right time will allow getting a greater impact and building stronger relationships between volunteers and the nonprofit sector. Therefore it means increasing the volunteer interest to do on-going projects for the already known organization. And why not imagine that a corporation can ‘adopt’ a nonprofit entity to help it in the long run, as the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley, is proposing today to local businesses.


To learn more about Skills Based Volunteering contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at (319) 272-2087, email, or visit www.vccv.org.