training/consultation assistance (for member agencies)
Running a nonprofit agency takes a broad spectrum of knowledge. The Volunteers Center of Cedar Valley assists member nonprofit agencies by training staff and helping with management related tasks. We will tailor the fees for this service to fit your budget.
Consultations with Non-profits
When agencies need help finding solutions to specific management problems, we offer individual consultation services. The first 30 minutes of any consultation is provided without charge.
Volunteer Management Training Course
This six-part series is a high quality, comprehensive course designed to provide new and practical skills for anyone who manages or plans to manage and administer volunteers. .
Basic
Training Courses
1. Understanding Volunteerism
· Trends and characteristics for engaging volunteers
2. Planning A Volunteer Program
· Needs assessments, budgets, and job descriptions
3. Recruiting & Placing Volunteers
· Developing the volunteer position
4. Orienting &
Training Volunteers
·
Training models and practices
5. Supervising Volunteers
· How to communicate expectations and deliver rewards
6. Evaluation Volunteer Programs
· What to track and how to get results
This curriculum is based on research and best practices in volunteer management.
Toolbox Conference
Providing non-profit agencies with the tools to succeed is what this annual conference is all about. The
Volunteer
Center brings in a nationally known speaker and author to provide training in the areas of volunteer management, fundraising, risk management and other volunteer issues.
Volunteer Administrators and Leaders United (VALU)
Connect with leaders in the field by attending bi-monthly educational programs in volunteer management. The mission of Volunteer Administrators and Leaders United is to provide educational opportuntieis in volunteer management and to facilitate communication among leaders of volunteers.
Key Principles are to ...
o Remove barriers to volunteering to broaden the potential pool;
o Move away from the concept of the volunteer as amateur;
o Ensure that the mutual expectations of volunteers and their organizations are met;
o Develop, not "use" volunteers;
o Look for collaboration among nonprofit organizations as a means to maximize volunteer opportunities.
training/consultation assistance (for schools)
Here's how:
- Develop service or service-learning opportunities at community organizations that enhance learning about concepts included in the Iowa Standards.
- Plan a project that can be done in the classroom that will help the community, non-profit agencies and improve classroom learning.
- Provide your school with copies of our youth volunteering opportunity resources.
-
Make presentations to faculty or students about volunteering and volunteer opportunities in the community.
Our youth programs are as follows:
Speak Up
An intergenerational public speaking course for students. Speak Up! provides an opportunity for volunteers to work one-on-one with fifth grade students to increase their self-esteem, confidence and communication skills through public speaking in the classroom.
Volunteers work with students for 45 minutes each week for two, eight-week sessions. They instruct students on techniques of researching, writing and delivering a prepared speech. Students also learn to "think on their feet" by giving impromptu responses.
In addition to public speaking, students develop listening skills and learn to follow directions by working with adults and fellow classmates.
An intergenerational initiative of United Way of Central Iowa's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.
Service-Learning
Service-Learning is a method by which young people learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully-organized service experiences.
NYLC and Compass Institution
In the classroom students learn basic skills like calculating, reading and verbal expression. Service-Learning takes those skills and puts them to work in the real world. This hands-on experience teaches students the real purpose of what they learn in school, and provides personal growth and development. The essence of Service-Learning is that everyone can learn from helping others.
Joe Herrity, Director
Iowa Center for Community Education
BENEFITS
Service learning opportunities:
Sustain student motivation
Provide dynamic education opportunities
Support academic success
Make the community a part of the learning environment
Strengthen the relationship between your school and your community
Enlist your school in a growing national effort.
Points of Light Foundation
School Guide for Teachers
This seven part program includes all the essential steps for effective service-learning and can be adapted for all age levels:
1. Mapping the community - students begin by defining "community" and identify the resources, strengths, and weaknesses in their community.
2. Selecting a problem - students research community problems, select one, and research it more fully.
3.
Training & Orientation - students acquire an understanding of the organization that addresses the problem, in order to provide effective service and to maximize learning.
4. Meaningful Action - students engage in the actual service experience, which is meaningful and well planned.
5. Reflection - students use critical thinking skills in order to learn from their service experience.
6. Evaluation - students evaluate their project and their own learning, in order to assess process and impact.
7. Celebration & Recognition - students are recognized for their valuable service to the community and their efforts.
Do Something Club
The Do Something Club is dedicated to giving youth the tools and support to bring their unique vision to life. Do Something works with young people in grades K-12 in order to shape beliefs and behaviors about participation before negative attitudes and cynicism develop.
Proud to support the technology initiatives of the HandsOn Network.