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

People Need You Kalamazoo Gazette column

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

Contact InformationInterested in volunteering?

Want to learn more?

Call us at 269-382-8350

Visit us online at: www.volunteerkalamazoo.org

Chris Sizemore, Executive Director

Ann MacCreery, Program/Development Director

Amanda Reel, Program Coordinator