Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo Strengthening Nonprofit Organizations Connecting Volunteers to Community Needs
Dec 10, 2015
Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo
Strengthening Nonprofit Organizations Connecting Volunteers to Community Needs
We Believe…
We believe that through
volunteer service people have the
capacity to enrich their own
lives and improve the
quality of life in their
communities.
Mission of Volunteer Center
Improving our
community by fostering
effective volunteerism
in order to strengthen nonprofit
organizations.
Who We Are
Founded in 1965
501 (c)3 tax exempt organization
Yearly operating budget $227,000
Working with 290+ local agencies
Communications reach thousands
Identifying Community Needs
• Strong heritage of volunteerism in Kalamazoo
• Few nonprofit organizations have adequate resources (money and/or staff) to achieve their mission
• Volunteers are an excellent addition to resources
• Many nonprofit organizations lack a formal volunteer program and do not gain full benefit from volunteers
• Many volunteers become discouraged when their services are not effectively utilized
A community assessment revealed
Addressing Community Needs
• Volunteer management training and consulting
• Improved volunteer recruitment tools
• On-line volunteer management tools and templates
• Improved services for community volunteers
• Expanded listings of organizations and opportunities
• On-line searchable database of volunteer opportunities
Volunteer Center’s Response
Role of the Volunteer Center
Help develop skills,knowledge and programsfor nonprofit volunteer coordinators to improve retention of volunteers.
Help build local capacity of nonprofit organizationsby recruiting volunteers.
Help raise public awareness of the need for volunteers.
Help recruit board members to provideorganizational governance.
Why Nonprofits Want Volunteers
• Help accomplish their mission
• Relieve paid staff of some duties
• Supplemental expertise and skills
• Serve more clients
• Community involvement
• Added perspective from feedback
• Broaden support base
$ Value of Volunteer Time
The average value of a Michigan volunteer is:
$19.70 per hour
Source: Independent Sector, based on 2008 data
Why People Volunteer
• Affinity for organization or mission
• Relationship to clients
• Application of skills
• Community development
• Altruism
• Social outlet
• Requirements (school or court-mandated)
Making the Connection
The Volunteer Center works to connect volunteers with the volunteer opportunity
that best fits their interests and skills.
Programs and Services
• Featuring, special events and an online searchable database of current volunteer opportunities
• More than 500 opportunities from 160 +nonprofit organizations
www.volunteerkalamazoo.org
Volunteer Recruitment
Programs and Services
Youth Programs
• VolunTEENS Summer program for youth ages 12-18
• Michigan Student Service Award Graduating seniors completing 400 hoursof community service
Programs and Services
• Volunteer Management Essentials 3-part series providingcomprehensive volunteermanagement training.
• Lunch Hour Workshops1-hour sessions reviewingimportant, relevant topics.
• Volunteer Tracking SoftwareFree access to online softwareto manage volunteer referrals.
Volunteer Management Training
What Others Say
“The Volunteer Center is like the library of
Volunteer Management. It’s where I go to get
my questions answered. The recruitment
service is amazing. Each week I get five or
more new volunteer referrals so I know it
works.
It’s a wonderful service! ”Barb Fish, Director of Senior Wellness & Volunteer
Management at Heritage Community of Kalamazoo
Programs and Services
• BoardConnect®
A nonprofit board trainingand matching service thatbuilds the leadershipskills of nonprofitorganizations andcommunity members.
Board Member Recruitment and Training
•Custom & Public WorkshopsStrengthening existing boards.Engaging employees in the community that they serve.
Programs and Services
• Annual STAR Awards program honors outstanding community volunteers in 12 categories
• Started in 1986
• Co-sponsored by the Kalamazoo Gazette
Dick & Betty VanderMolen2009 Community Leadership Award Winners
Volunteer Recognition STAR Awards
Financial SupportMost services are offered for little or no cost. We gratefully acknowledge those who provide
financial support to the Volunteer Center.
Fee for service (educational workshops, Guidebook fees, board member training)
Fundraising events (Grape Expectations)
Individual donors(Like you!)
Greater Kalamazoo United Way
Foundation grants (Arcus, Kalamazoo Community, Irving S. Gilmore)
Local service clubs