Time to Celebrate! New Technology is Coming
The time is finally upon us. The HandsOn Network has officially announced that the new HandsOn Technology is conducting a pilot now and will be available for all soon. This technology will replace the 1-800-Volunteer database we currently use.
In order for us to prepare for a smooth transition to a new system, we are in the process of proof checking our data. Ideally each organization would input and verify the volunteer hours received through the database, however we have noticed this isn’t happening. If you can verify the hours of volunteers received through 1-800-Volunteer over the next few months it will be very much appreciated. As we know this is a large task, we have recruited an intern to help us with the process. He will be calling all of you over the next few months to verify our volunteer referrals match your data. Until our new intern starts, we have been slowly updating what we know. You might have received an email confirmation regarding a training or project you signed you for long ago. Those emails do not require any action however, please look at the date of the project to ensure it is a past date.
We have seen a demo for the new technology and know it will be a major improvement from what we have been using. If you are interested in seeing a demo, please click the link below.
Planning for the new Fiscal Year
Good Day to all of our wonderful Partners!
HandsOn is in the midst of planning out the schedule for the next fiscal year. We are already scheduling large scale events, regular meetings and managed projects. It is our hope that we will have things scheduled early enough that we can accommodate as much as possible. We are asking all of you to take a look at your own calenders and let us know if you know of anything at this time you would like us to be a part of. This includes recruiting and/or managing volunteers for your own large scale events, sitting on committees we can support, and even community wide events you would like to see HandsOn at.
Once we have an idea of the community need, we will figure out our own capacity to meet that need.
Below you will find a link to our updated partnership agreement. If you haven’t already, please fill it out and send it back. For those who choose to be a Level III Partner, we will need to know shortly which National Day of Service you would like to participate in.
Partnership_Agreement.doc
National Days of Service
HandsOn is so thankful to have so much support for you. Thank you for all that you do.
AmeriCorps Grants available!
Oregon Volunteers is looking for organizations that are interested in sponsoring a team (at least the equivalent of 10 full time positions) of AmeriCorps members to provide direct service to the community.
They are looking for agencies to address one of the following priorities: Education, Health, Clean Energy/Environment, Veterans, unmet needs relating to economic opportunity and nutritional assistance.
Update Mentoring Opportunities
January is the month set aside to raise awareness about the mentoring need and to recruit volunteers to meet that need. If you have a program that needs mentors, please update your volunteer opportunities on your 1800Volunteer account TODAY. We have a huge increase in the number of volunteers on our site with the new year, and the Disney initiative encouraging volunteerism. Now is the time to leverage this momentum to meet your program needs!
TIPS
1.Create a different opportunity for every mentor need. The more specific you are the greater the recruitment potential. Remember that you can clone opportunities, cutting your time by 90%!
2. Check the boxes related to mentoring and the population you serve when completing your opportunity. This is how volunteers search for what they want to connect with.
3. Learn more about the Marion County Mentoring Partnership and how you can join in.
4. Take advantage of the FREE Mentor 101 Training facilitated by the National Guard.
Media Alerts
You might have noticed we have started to take advantage of the free Community Pages in some of the local newspapers. Each week we pick a few of your opportunities to advertise. Because we pick from such a variety of agencies, we chose to only post our website for people to get more information. If you prefer we don’t include your opportunities in media alerts, just let us know. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Seasonal Volunteering
The holidays truly are the season of giving. In the last week alone we have had 3 large groups come forward looking for opportunities they can do in light of the holiday season. We want to make sure all of you have the chance to take advantage of the influx of volunteers. Please keep your profiles updated on the website and let us know about upcoming events. If you have to capacity, projects on the weekends and Christmas Eve are especially popular. Update your profile now
Hunger Action Series
Want to learn more about hunger in the communities you live and serve? Want to learn how you can help support efforts to eliminate hunger in Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties? Join HandsOn for a class that educates participants on the issue of hunger in our tri-county area and inspires them to become involved in a volunteer opportunity that impacts this concern.
Maximize Recruitment
There is power in numbers. As a combined volunteer community we can collectively maximize our recruitment of volunteers by increasing the communities awareness of HandsOn. Our team is finding that more and more teachers, youth group leaders, and businesses are linking to our site as the primary resource to search for volunteer opportunities.
Participate and Increase Your Volunteer Base! Give a Day, Get a Disney Day
Opt in so your agency can be included in this excellent opportunity!
The Give a Day, Get a Disney Day is Disney’s new initiative to increase family volunteering. Everyone volunteer who signs up and participate in the project will be emailed a voucher good for one of the Disney parks in the United States. Any projects scheduled to take place on January 1, 2010 or after are eligible projects. The program will end on December 15, 2010 or when 1 million vouchers are given out.
Key to Recruitment!
As we move in to the holiday season, the general public, media and business community turns their attention to the spirit of volunteerism and giving we experience year round. HandsOn would like to remind all of you to maintain your information on our website and in the volunteer database. The media pulls information for HandsOnMWV.org on a regular basis and prints it in the local papers; often without our prior knowledge. This is a great resource and we are thankful for the media support, however, it is important to send out accurate information.
Blog
Calendar of Events
July 2010
July 30-August 1
Greeter at the Bite and Brew of Salem ACT NOW!
Ongoing
Help the Keizer Boys and Girls Club plan their family events! ACT NOW!
Ongoing
Garden and teach gardening at local prisons with Lettuce Grow ACT NOW!
Ongoing
Raise puppies for the Joys of Living Assistance Dogs ACT NOW!
Project Calendar
Tons of 2 to 4 hour family friendly projects all across the land! ACT NOW!
Service To Go!
Bring the service with you, be the difference everywhere. ACT NOW!
