Volunteer Administrators and Leaders United (VALU)

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley (VCCV) invites non-profit member agency representatives to attend the next VALU meeting.

The next VALU Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 19, 2011
from 11:30 – 1:00 p.m.

Topic: “Volunteer Leadership” with Lauren Finke,
Executive Director,
Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley

Location: Meeting Room 1 of the Kimball Ridge Center.

VALU is open to anyone interested in volunteer management.
Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley member agency representatives attend free of charge.
Others may attend for $5 per person.

This is a "Bring Your Own Lunch" event.
Dessert snacks provided.

RSVP to Anne_Nass@vccv.org

VCCV Board Member, Amy Costliow Receives UNI Lux Service Award

Amy Costliow is a public relations/nonprofit and youth services administration major. She has been highly involved with Student Admissions Ambassadors, American Humanics, Residence Life, the UNI Student Leadership Center, Camp Adventure, Northern Iowa Student Government, Summer Orientation Staff, and Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley.

Amy has been instrumental in founding the Student Leadership Center and Up ’Til Dawn, a funding effort for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. She received the Mayors’ Volunteer Award for Outstanding Emerging Leader in 2008-09, and has been nominated for the Student Leader of the Year Award through the Student Leadership Center this year.

We congratulate Amy and thank her for her continued efforts for the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley.

Volunteer Tuesdays at UNI

Volunteer Tuesdays

Spring 2011 Dates

Jan. 25 - Northeast IA Food Bank

Feb. 1 - Stork’s Nest

Feb. 8 - Ridgeway Place

Feb. 15 - Northeast IA Food Bank

Feb. 22 - TBD

Mar. 1 - TBD

Mar. 8 - Northeast IA Food Bank

Mar. 22 - CF Lutheran Home

Mar. 29 - Aspire *tentative

Apr. 5 - Family & Children’s Council

Apr. 12 - Northeast IA Food Bank

Apr. 19 - Cedar Valley Arboretum
 

*visit the website for more details*

www.uni.edu/leadershipcenter

Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Updates

• The Catholic Worker House needs volunteers to help with general maintenance for a variety of projects. Opportunities exist daily with flexible times. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome. 

• Assist the Cedar Falls Historical Society in cataloging and care of materials located in the museum's archives. No prior experience is needed! On-the-job training is provided. Times flexible. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome. 

• The Cedar Falls Lutheran Home has a volunteer program looking for senior companions - someone to sit with, play games, read a book, or just to socialize with residents when family and friends are not available. If you have any mornings or evenings free then we are looking for you! Opportunities exist Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with flexible times. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• The Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau needs volunteers as hospitality host/hostess at the Visitor Center! You will meet people from other states and countries while staffing the center. Visitors are looking for assistance in directions and what there is to do in our community. Volunteers are needed Monday - Saturday, shifts are from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 - 4 p.m. The Sunday shift is from Noon - 4 p.m. Volunteers age 18 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!

Make It A Day On, Not A Day Off - Volunteer UNI

Dr. King believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all, and encouraged all citizens to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the principles of nonviolence to make this country a better place to live—creating the Beloved Community.

On the 25th anniversary of the King Federal Holiday, we still have work to do to realize Dr. King’s dream.  MLK Day of Service is the perfect time for Americans to answer Dr. King’s challenge to do something for others.  Just as Dr. King set big goals and focused relentlessly on results, we need sustained citizen action to address today’s social challenges. 

The MLK Day of Service is a way to transform Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and teachings into community action that helps solve social problems. That service may meet a tangible need, or it may meet a need of the spirit. On this day, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects that strengthen communities, empower individuals, bridge barriers, and create solutions.

UNI students share this commitment, and in doing so, have planned volunteer opportunities for this special day of service.

If you’re interested in participating, please contact Lauren Finke at 272-2087 or Lauren_Finke@vccv.org.

 

Where:	Several locations are available. Please select your top choices on the registration form.
When:	Monday, January 17 Check in begins at 9 am at Maucker Union. Buses leave the Union at 9:30 am. Event will last until approximately 1 pm.
Who:	Any student, student organization, resident hall, class, faculty or staff!
What:	Participants will receive a free t-shirt, transportation, and lunch. Keynote speaker Dr. Dwight C. Watson will open the program and a photo slide show of the day will occur during lunch.

 

Join us for Volunteer Tuesdays! Sign up on the website — www.uni.edu/leadershipcenter
Thanks for making a difference UNI!

Member Agencies in the Spotlight...

Northeast Iowa Food Bank
The mission of the Northeast Iowa Food Bank is to provide nutritious food and grocery products to nonprofit organizations and individuals in Northeast Iowa, while offering hunger education programs to the area and those in need.

The Northeast Iowa Food Bank uses volunteers to serve as Agency Relations Assistants, Agency Shopping Area Worker, Intake Specialist Assistant, and Volunteer Drivers. Volunteers for all positions must be 18 and over with the exception of the Intake Specialist Assistant position which is family and youth appropriate.

Northeast Iowa Center for Independent Living
The mission of the Northeast Iowa Center for Independent Living is to encourage and support persons with disabilities regarding choices for independent living.

The Northeast Iowa Center for Independent Living utilizes volunteers to coordinate ramp building. In doing so, volunteers will describe the residential wheelchair ramp building program: eligibility requirements, home accessibility options, perform intakes, coordinate construction in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area, acquire permits, and take before/after pictures of the project.

Computer Network Technicians will maintain computer networks by maintaining ten workstations, the network desktop server, install software, troubleshoot desktops, and maintain the website using XP and Office 2007, and Windows Server 2005.

The IL Data Collection Specialist will help compile information into the CFAL Independent Living database. Intake weekly staff work logs must be entered under the guidance of the Executive Director, and Consumer Service Reports must be updated.

Volunteers 18 and over are welcome.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Honors 25 Years!

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on the King Holiday to serve their neighbors and communities. The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President's national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems.

January 17, 2011 will mark the 25th anniversary of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday. This milestone is a perfect opportunity for Americans to honor Dr. King’s legacy through service. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a vital figure of the modern era and a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement. His lectures and dialogues stirred the concern and sparked the conscience of a generation. His charismatic leadership inspired men and women, young and old, in this nation and around the world.

Dr. King believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all, and encouraged all citizens to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the principles of nonviolence to make this country a better place to live—creating the Beloved Community.

On the 25th anniversary of the King Federal Holiday, we still have work to do to realize Dr. King’s dream.  MLK Day of Service is the perfect time for Americans to answer Dr. King’s challenge to do something for others.  Just as Dr. King set big goals and focused relentlessly on results, we need sustained citizen action to address today’s social challenges. 

The MLK Day of Service is a way to transform Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and teachings into community action that helps solve social problems. That service may meet a tangible need, or it may meet a need of the spirit. On this day, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects. The estimated dollar value for one volunteer hour is $16.69 statewide and $20.85 nationally. Iowa’s value of volunteering adds up to $2.28 billion.

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley will be working with the UNI Student Leadership Center for MLK Day. UNI students will be a working on a massive service effort with an involvement goal of 80 students. MLK Day of Service is on Monday, January 17 and students will be partnering with the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Catholic Worker House, Hospitality House and Grout Museum District in this effort. Lunch and transportation will be provided.

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley represents over 50 nonprofit agencies with over 160 volunteer opportunities. Individuals interested in participating in MLK Day should contact Lauren Finke at 272-2087 or Lauren_Finke@vccv.org.