Adventures in Volunteering

AmeriCorps*VISTA Position Available

A full time AmeriCorps*VISTA position is now available at Volunteer Kalamazoo!

Do you know an outstanding community member who is looking to make a difference while gaining valuable experience? The Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) Civic Engagement AmeriCorps*VISTA program is recruiting an enthusiastic individual to serve at Volunteer Kalamazoo from August 2013 – August 2014. The VISTA will work with area schools to implement service, service-learning and philanthropy in the classroom to mobilize student volunteers, facilitate engagement in the community, and increase awareness of poverty-related issues.

Serving a year as an MNA AmeriCorps*VISTA provides valuable personal and professional development, community connections, opportunities for leadership and initiative, and a living stipend and education award.

Applications will be accepted through June 10, 2013, though early application is encouraged.

For more information or to apply, visit: http://mnaonline.org/mnacivicengagementvistaprogram.aspx.

Volunteer Kalamazoo is Hiring!

Do you have what it takes to be a part of this fun team? Volunteer Kalamazoo is currently taking applications for a Program Director. Applications/resumes will be accepted through June 7th, 2013. Interested candidates should send application, resume, and cover letter to Carrie Vanderbush, Executive Director, at carrie@volunteerkalamazoo.org.

Click here for an Application (.doc)
Click here for Job Description (.doc)

POSITION TITLE: Program Director

SUMMARY:

The Program Director is responsible for the implementation of programs designed to strengthen nonprofit organizations by fostering effective volunteerism and board leadership, and to connect community members with opportunities to serve nonprofit organizations for maximum community impact. This position reports to the Executive Director.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement training programs for current and potential board members, volunteer managers, and other nonprofit staff to develop leadership capacity and effective volunteer programs.
  • Identify and develop relationships with local businesses, nonprofit organizations and service clubs to provide employee/member training sessions.
  • Prepare all class materials, schedule speakers, facilitate sessions.
  • Conduct volunteer management training, board development training and resources (public and custom).
  • Provide consulting support to nonprofit organizations and/or individuals.
  • Develop and implement a schedule of training workshops and classes, including volunteer management training and other training as needed.
• Manage Days of Service Program
  • Contact program partners and facilitate meetings to coordinate outreach activities, develop relationships and partner roles.
  • Identity and contact local nonprofit organizations that increase public and neighborhood safety and invite their participation in large episodic volunteer events.
  • Engage Kalamazoo Community in three days of service throughout the year, where community members can volunteer at local neighborhood associations to increase neighborhood safety.
  • Create and implement marketing tactics to promote days of service and engage community members in service projects.
  • Effectively recruit volunteers and place them at volunteer opportunities where their skills will be best utilized.
  • Promote events to the public to increase volunteer participation.
  • Create and engage new “volunteer leaders” who can assist in planning events.
  • Identify and apply for relevant supplemental grants for the program
  • Facilitate evaluation of the program
• Manage VolunTEENs program and Michigan Student Service Awards.
• Assist with other youth programs as needed.
• Advisor to the Youth Council.
• Manage Day of Caring program to engage community members in volunteer events.
• Effectively recruit volunteers and match potential volunteers with appropriate volunteer opportunities.
• Promote volunteerism through speaking engagements, articles and interviews.
• Manage special projects as required to implement the strategic plan.
• Represent VK at KAVA meetings.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated strong written and oral communications skills.
• Knowledge of principles and best practices for nonprofit boards and volunteer management; nonprofit board or staff experience and/or volunteer management experience is desirable.
• Able to lead training activities, speak to organizations and media.
• A high level of competency using MS Office and desktop publishing applications is required.
• Ability to work independently or in collaboration with others.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

The qualified candidate will possess a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, business or related field of study. Minimum two years of related experience, or a Master’s Degree in Public Administration or Business Administration.

Applications/resumes will be accepted through June 7th, 2013. Interested candidates should send application, resume, and cover letter to Carrie Vanderbush, Executive Director, at carrie@volunteerkalamazoo.org.

Introducing Carrie Vanderbush, Executive Director of Volunteer Kalamazoo

Hi, I would like to introduce myself. I am Carrie Vanderbush, the new Executive Director of Volunteer Kalamazoo. I have now been serving you since January. I am proud and excited to have been chosen to lead this organization. I’ve spoken with some of you since I came on board, and I look forward to connecting with many more of you in the months and years ahead. Thank you for the warm greetings I have received thus far.

The mission of Volunteer Kalamazoo is to build capacity for effective local volunteering, to connect people with opportunities to serve and to promote volunteerism in our community. This is a mission that I fully support. Volunteerism is something that I passionately believe is essential to a strong community. It is also something that I personally believe has helped shape me. My journey with volunteering began at my mother’s side following her example. My mom, JoAnn, sought to help where she could and we, as a family, volunteered at our church and in our community. We picked up trash on our street, walked our elderly neighbors’ dogs, and helped rake leaves for another neighbor with disabilities. My mom believed that “you do what you can without expecting anything in return.” When I was young, she shared with me one of her favorite poems by Emily Dickinson:

My mom, with me and my sister & great aunt

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

I have carried this poem with me on my own volunteering journey. It is a reminder of my mom’s legacy – her belief in helping your neighbor and strengthening your community ties. Volunteering is all about the power of one – giving one hour, one day, one action that can change one person’s life. Together all those “ones” add up to one great community.

My family – photo courtesy of Becky Howrigon Photography

Prior to coming to Volunteer Kalamazoo, I worked at Pretty Lake Camp as the marketing manager. I have my Master of Public Administration from Western Michigan University. I am a Past-President of the Junior League of Kalamazoo and have volunteered in various capacities in the community. I am originally from Gaylord, Michigan but have called Kalamazoo home for the last 23 years. I have a wonderful husband, Pat, who is an engineer at Pfizer and three energetic, amazing children, Zoie (13), Halle (11) and Quinten (8). I am striving to follow my mom’s lead and teach my children the power and reward of volunteering. My oldest daughter is looking forward to being a VolunTEEN this summer, so I hope I’m succeeding.

Because I believe so strongly in this organization’s mission, in the power of volunteering to strengthen communities, and in this fantastic community I now call home, I invite you to join me in pledging your support of our mission with your time as a volunteer and with a financial donation. Giving is easy – click here to make a secure online donation. Your contribution will go directly to support volunteerism in our community. Volunteering is just as easy, click on this link to take a look at the current opportunity calendar. I hope you will join me in making Kalamazoo an even stronger community – a true network of neighbors.

Best regards,

Carrie

Volunteer Kalamazoo Recognized as Michigan’s Volunteer Center of the Year

Residents in Kalamazoo County have yet another reason to love where they live. As part of National and Michigan Volunteer Week, the Volunteer Centers of Michigan presented the inaugural Volunteer Center of the Year Award to Volunteer Kalamazoo during the annual Giving and Volunteer Celebration at Michigan’s Capitol on April 24, 2013.

The Volunteer Center of the Year Award recognizes the work of one local Volunteer Center that has made significant growth and is engaged in innovative initiatives in their community related to volunteer engagement.

“In the inaugural year of the award, the Volunteer Centers of Michigan is very excited to have presented Volunteer Kalamazoo with the Volunteer Center of the Year Award for their organization’s use of new technology and deployment of Days of Service Projects,” said Diana Algra, executive director of the Volunteer Centers of Michigan.

Volunteer Kalamazoo’s commitment to service and ongoing innovation has allowed the center to build and strengthen relationships with community partners and increase the engagement of volunteers. Their mission of …”Build…Connect…Promote” is exemplified by their local impact.

“We are very humbled to receive the first-ever Volunteer Center of the Year Award. There are over 30 Volunteer Centers in the state of Michigan and to be recognized as one of the best is an honor,” says Carrie Vanderbush, executive director of Volunteer Kalamazoo. “Kalamazoo just keeps getting better and better and we are happy to play a part in that.”

About Volunteer Kalamazoo: Volunteer Kalamazoo has been the center for volunteerism in Kalamazoo since 1965. Volunteer Kalamazoo builds capacity for effective local volunteering, connects people with opportunities to volunteer and promotes volunteerism in our community. Each year thousands of area residents contact Volunteer Kalamazoo to find ways to serve their community. Volunteer Kalamazoo maintains and publishes a comprehensive, up-to-date list of nonprofit volunteer needs that local organizations and individuals can easily search to find volunteer opportunities that match their skills and interests.

Volunteer Centers of Michigan:

Volunteer Centers of Michigan is a statewide network of over 30 Volunteer Centers serving 59 Michigan counties. Volunteer Centers mobilize people and resources to deliver creative solutions to community problems. Through the convening of organizations, the promotion of community service, and the matching of volunteers to nonprofit programs and events, Volunteer Centers take a leadership role in addressing key community issues.