Improve Your Group Volunteer Experience! Engaging with Fellow Volunteers Brings Special Rewards

From the HandsOn Network Blog

We’ve all been touched by the “warm fuzzies,” those satisfying feelings when you know you’ve touched a life because you took the time to give back. There are times, however, when you aren’t rewarded with a gratifying gold star. You won’t always capture the smiles of the family whose home you helped build; nor hear the sigh of a child after they fill their tummy with food you helped prepare.

Volunteering is in many ways honest intentions with a seemingly blind result, and the warm fuzzies don’t necessarily creep their way into every volunteer experience.

Aim to get the most out of your volunteer time by recognizing the benefits to volunteering with a group. Whether with members of your faith group, your child’s classroom, your workplace, team or Scout troop, or a neighborhood or civic organization, chances are you’re probably not volunteering by yourself.

5 tips for getting the most out of your group volunteer experience

1. Making friends: Seems like a no-brainer, right? Maybe not. Relationships unique to this type of shared experienced are special, they stand out and are based off common desires to give back and do good. Recognize and celebrate them! Make the extra effort to stay in touch or find additional ways to volunteer with a new friend whom you already have common hopes and goals.
2. Team-building: Remember those dreaded group projects from school? Little did we know as students that it was not just about the end goal, be it a presentation or report; but our teachers aimed for part of the lesson to be acquiring the skills to negotiate, share, and work with one another as a team. The same goes for volunteering! Working with a new and diverse group of personalities brings out unseen aspects of your own personality, engaging you in new ways and allowing you to become a vital part of a team operation.
3. Stepping out of the box: Especially in a new environment, or when asked to learn and perform brand new skill-sets, make an effort to step out of your comfort zone and encourage others in your group to do the same! The volunteer experience often drags you out of the “same ‘ol, same ‘ol” and into the “I learned something new,” and “I met the coolest person. . .” when you’re willing to step out of the box and volunteer to do something you wouldn’t normally do.
4. Praise and Compliments: Giving back with others allows you the opportunity to support one another in ways which are not necessarily available to you at home or in the workplace. Celebrate one another’s accomplishments; find fun and spectacular ways to thank others for their effort and positive attitudes. Individual recognition within a group setting makes the entire giving back experience warm and fuzzy in its own unique way.
5. Deeper Commitment: If you’ve enjoyed your volunteer experience and are ready for the next level, consider making a deeper commitment to the group you’re serving. Can your group commit to a regular volunteer shift together? Can you engage others at your work, school, Church, etc. to take on a regular commitment? Are you interested in a fundraising role or joining the advisory board? What special skills are needed that you can offer this organization, e.g. video production, carpentry, computer networking? Most nonprofits and schools have many, many opportunities for help and welcome participation at deeper levels.

One more suggestion to get more out of giving back within a group is to simply ASK for the results of your efforts. {Volunteer savvy organizations will preempt the ask and share the impact of your service.}

Inquire of the nonprofit or school you’re serving to show you how your service is making a difference. They should be more than happy to connect the dots and quantify how your service adds value to their mission. When practical, most will share actual statistics of the number of families fed, housed, tutored, etc. and others will be able to share anecdotes and stories of the impact of your good work – possibly directly from the service recipient.

Particularly during the holiday season when schedules are hectic, it’s very important to share your time and talents with others. Enjoy your warm and fuzzy rewards, you deserve them!

Organizational Spotlight: Habitat for Humanity

One of the most satisfying aspects of volunteerism is the sense of accomplishment when you see the finished product of a hard days work. Maybe that is why volunteering with Habitat for Humanity is so much fun. However, it could also be the wonderful work they do for the community.

Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Willamette Valley builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. After a partner family completes 500 sweat equity hours, a Habitat home is sold to the family for no profit, financed with affordable, 0%-interest loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are recycled into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses.

Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Willamette Valley has been serving the community since 1991, working in concert with volunteers, donors, and partner families to build decent, affordable homes in Salem, Keizer, Polk County and the greater Stayton area. To date, our affiliate has built more than 75 homes, housing more than 300 individuals- including over 240 children.

Currently Habitat for Humanity has a variety of volunteer opportunities for all schedules and ability levels. Join them for a build or become a family advocate. No experience required!
Act Now!

Farewell 2011 HandsOn Looks Forward to 2012

As 2011 comes to a close, the staff of HandsOn reflects on the year. We consider the hours of hard work the community has accomplished for its neighbors; the wonderful effort put into the environment; and the enduring friendships that have grown out of service.

During the past year, volunteers in the Salem area have mentored children, and worked with adults transitioning from the prison system. Our parks were made safer with the addition of trails. Community gardens have been planted, cared for and shared; healthy cooking classes have been taught to help people learn how to stretch their food budget. Events like Community Homeless Connect provided support and resources for those who are experiencing homelessness. And our veterans find answers and hope at the Veterans’ Stand Down.

Collectively, volunteers in our community provided almost $10 million in human capital.

The Corporation for National and Community Services is the federal agency that oversees civic engagement in our country. Each year they release the “Volunteerism in America” report. During 2011, this report revealed that Salem jumped eight spots and is now fifteenth in the nation for volunteerism for mid-sized cities. At a time when volunteerism trends have declined around the nation, we can celebrate and feel proud of this accomplishment.

We are so very grateful to all those who joined us as volunteers this past year. Though your contribution may have seemed small at the time, it never went unnoticed. Volunteers have provided incredible service and resources for the community.

HandsOn of the Mid-Willamette Valley is looking forward to 2012 with anticipation and excitement, knowing that as a community we can continue to achieve greatness through our volunteer efforts. We hope you will continue to join us for new and stimulating volunteer options. If you didn’t volunteer during 2011, we encourage you to consider sharing your time and talent during the coming year. Together, let’s aspire to be one of the top ten volunteer cities in the U.S.

We wish each and every one of you a joyous New Year. We hope to see you in the classroom, the garden, the office—anywhere you choose as the best place to share your time and give back to the community. Go to HandsOnMWV.org for volunteer options across the region.

Melissa Gibler is the program director for HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley—an initiative of the United Way. She can be reached at (877) 372-4141, or melissa@handsonmwv.org

Polk Community Connect

For the last few years both those in need and volunteers in Marion County have looked forward to Community Homeless Connect. This one-day resource and referral fair is for those who are experiencing homelessness, or are living on the edge of homelessness.

This year, the Polk County Commission for Children and Families is happy to host a similar event for Polk County residents.

Polk Community Connect is a free, one-day resource fair focused on connecting our homeless neighbors and those at risk of becoming homeless, with as many sources of direct support as possible. Community Connect brings county, government and community groups together in the mission to help our homeless and provide information, services and resources. The approach is designed to help inspire hope and respect for those in need—one person at a time. Services include: medical, dental, housing, employment, pet, bike repair, and children and family resources.

Polk Community Connect

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Living Hope City Church

450 SE Washington Street

Dallas, OR

Oregon’s Ending Homelessness Advisory Council defines “homelessness” as being without a decent, safe, stable and permanent place to live that is fit for human habitation. Therefore, people experiencing homelessness include more than people living on the street.

According to the National Alliance to end Homelessness, new evidence suggests that homelessness will increase by five percent during the next three years. It is clear there is a great need for events such as these and we need your help to help make Polk Community Connect successful.

Community Connect is completely staffed by volunteers; requiring at least 150 volunteer to host the event. From set up, serving meals, guiding attendees, or assisting with clean up—there is something for everyone and no help will go unnoticed. You can volunteer for a few hours, or help for the entire day. Donations are also accepted and appreciated.

For more information and sign up instructions go to: HandsOnMWV.org

Melissa Gibler is the program director for HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley—an initiative of the United Way. She can be reached at (877) 372-4141, or melissa@handsonmwv.org

A New Spin on the Office Holiday Party

From the HandsOn Network Blog

It’s that time of year again, the annual office holiday parties! Great, a day full of awkward socializing, lots of food, and buying presents for people you don’t know very well. What could be better, right? Using this time to volunteer as an office instead of spending awkward quality time together!

“How can this happen?” you may be wondering. By turning your Secret Santa gifts into service donations!

“Whoopee! Wait now what? How do I actually do this in my office?”

Easy, tell employees to bring a toy that they think the employee whose name they drew would have liked as a kid. For example, bring in a football for that jock in your office, a Barbie doll for the fashionista, or a game of chess for the deep thinker. Once the gifts are exchanged, donate them to children in need! Not only does your office get to have a good laugh about the toys that they get, children also get to have an awesome Christmas thanks to your office donations!

Volunteering and donating to your office’s favorite charities is a great way to make a solid bond between co-workers. Want some more ideas to keep this holiday spirit of giving up around your office? Look, we’ve got more!

• Volunteer for your co-workers favorite organizations or causes: Send around an email asking co-workers to share where they like to volunteer or what they are passionate about. Make these ideas into a day of employee service. Choose a place close to the office and try to get all staff members to attend. Try closing the office that day so that your co-workers can reflect on the experience together. Nothing spells teamwork like volunteering as a team!
• Make toys or decorations for your community members: Is there a retirement community in your area? A children or family shelter? They would love help with Christmas celebrations this year! Make cards or pictures so that they can decorate their walls with lots of holiday chair. Make toys or assemble toys for families or children in need so that they can have an unforgettable Christmas! It is a great way to spark conversation among employees that will focus on something besides the stresses of work. *There are a variety of organizations seeking donations during the holidays at database.handsonmwv.org/events
  
• Make a donation to your company’s favorite cause: Do you have spare change laying around your desk or in your pocket? Great donate it to those who need it more than your desk surface! Vote on a charity to make donations to and pass around a collection bucket to your employees at the Christmas party. After donations are received recruit employees to personally donate the money to the designated charity. Who knows, they may like this idea so much that it will become an office tradition?
• Pick an ornament, give a gift: Put up a Christmas tree in the office with names and ages of children or families who may be struggling this holiday season. Get in contact with your local shelters to see who will sponsor this project. Employees can grab a name, buy and wrap a present to put back under the tree. The presents will then get donated to the needy families. Not only will families get a better Christmas thanks to your company’s presents, but also your office will be decorated with the tree and Christmas presents.
• Participate in generationOn’s Holiday Gift Campaign: GenerationOn and Hasbro have a holiday gift campaign running until December 13, 2011. Every time a pledge of service is made, a Hasbro toy is donated to Toys for Tots (up to 100,000 toys). A pledge of service can be made on behalf of an entire organization or company! It is an easy way to not only get this idea of giving back initiated into your office environment, but also a good way to give back to those in need!

Volunteering is a great way to bring employees together because it is a way to collaborate on something other than work. When all employees feel passionate about the activity they are doing they can build a more effective team.

Sounds better than your awkward office Secret Santa event or tacky sweater party? Great! Give back this holiday season, and build a more effective work team through volunteering!

How to Find Time to Volunteer in High School

From the Huffington Post.

Yes, you know it is important for high school students to volunteer. And yes, of course you want to give back to your community. But how does a high school student find the time to volunteer with an exorbitant amount of homework, athletic team commitments, clubs, planning for college, plus a part-time job? Sure, high school students realize the benefits of community service. But how can students find flexible opportunities that fit their packed schedule? Consider being a virtual volunteer.

Is social networking your strength? Many nonprofit organizations welcome youth to set up and maintain their Facebook page, Twitter site or blog postings. High school students can complete volunteer tasks via the Internet and a laptop computer. Virtual volunteering allows nonprofit organizations to expand the benefits of their programs, by allowing more volunteers to participate, and by utilizing volunteers to reach out to the community. It is a win-win situation. High school students tend to be fluent in social networking and can utilize social media to help connect the generations. Do your research. Check to see if the agency you are interested in volunteering has a current online presence on Twitter, Facebook or a blog. Approach a local nonprofit and offer to be their social media volunteer.

Read More!

It's International Volunteer Day!

From the HandsOn Network Blog

It’s December 5th! “So what? It’s just another Monday you may be thinking to yourself.” Think again! December 5th is International Volunteer Day! What is this International Volunteer Day and why does it even matter, every day should be a volunteer day!

December 5th is different from any other day that you volunteer because it allows volunteer organizations and individual volunteers to make their contributions visible through the Millennium Development Goals.Are you still not convinced that this Monday is different from any other Monday? The aim of this day is to promote the importance of volunteering and to engage as many volunteers as possible to respond to key volunteering issues. Thanks to the United Nations Volunteers this day is made possible! The United Nations Volunteers have made this day possible through discussion-point videos, a photo competition, and social media. They hope to collect pictures of volunteers all across the world to be featured on their website as a way to show the world lighted up with volunteers!

Have you been convinced yet this day is important? Do you want your picture to be featured in the United Nations Volunteer mosaic?