ShoreCAN Newsletter 2010 January

ShoreCAN Volunteer Center News January 2010 Vol. 1 No. 2

The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of commitment to make a difference in the lives of others. ~ DeAnn Hollis

Upcoming Events

National Mentoring Month - January 2010

Created by the Harvard School of Public Health and MENTOR, National Mentoring Month will mark its ninth year in 2010. By focusing national attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us -- individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communites and nonprofits can work together to increase the number of mentors, we assure brighter futures for our young people. For more information on National Mentoring Month please view this 30 second YouTube video from SERVE.gov

Volunteer Cafe - January 13th, 2010 (5 pm - 7 pm)

Berlin Coffee House

17 Jefferson Street

Berlin, MD 21811

Interested in learning more about volunteering or just want to learn more about the ShoreCAN Volunteer Center? Volunteer Cafe is a wonderful opportunity to match community volunteers with nonprofit organizations that need their help. Come on out and enjoy free drinks, fellowship, and learn how you can help your community at the same time.

Nonprofit Resource Day - January 20th, 2010 (10 am - 2 pm)

Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore

1324 Belmont Avenue, Suite 401

Salisbury, MD 21804

Join colleagues to gain valuable tools and tips to help increase your organizations effectiveness and identify new resources to help accomplish your organization's mission. Space is limited so register early! The registration fee is $25 and includes lunch.

The Value of a Volunteer

In the state of Maryland the dollar value of a volunteer currently sits at $21.20 per hour, which ranks 9th in the nation. The national average dollar value of a volunteer has risen by $5.69 in the past decade from $14.56 to $20.25.

Volunteers, however, provide many intangibles that can not be easily quantified. They provide support for your organization in a variety of incalculable ways and they do the little things that sometimes go unnoticed that help keep your organization running efficiently. It just doesn't feel right to measure such an invaluable resource in monetary terms, yet it is the dollars and cents get the attention of decision-makers... so how do we get their attention?

We need to estimate the dollar value of volunteers as objectively as possible. The vast majority of volunteer assignments are worth a great deal more than minimum wage. When calculating the value of volunteer contributions there are a number of ways to determine a "figure." One system for determining the true dollar value of volunteer services was developed by G. Neil Karn while he served as director of the Virginia Department of Volunteerism. His key points were:

1. It is possible to find an equivalent salaried job category for every volunteer assignment, even if it means a little creativity and searching. Each volunteer assignment should be given its own dollar equivalency, without trying to find an average rate for all volunteers.

2. The cost of paying an employee includes fringe benefits that raise the total of the "Annual employee compensation package" considerably.

3. We routinely pay salaried staff for hours they do not work, while we credit volunteers only for the hours they actually put in.

4. Volunteers should be "credited" with the dollar equivalent of the hourly amount an employee would earn for actual hours worked.

However you decide to measure the value of your volunteers, never use the phrase "volunteers save us money." The statement presupposes that your organization had resources you did not need to spend because volunteers are free. The more suitable and authentic way to express this sentiment would be that "volunteers extend the budget beyond anything you could otherwise afford." We should just appreciate out volunteers for exactly what they are... priceless.

"Volunteers are not paid...not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless." ~ Unknown

Volunteer Spotlight

Liz Maldve is an extraordinary example of dedication and hard work in the volunteer community, and the measure to which all other volunteers should strive to achieve. At 91 years of age, Liz is in her 46th year volunteering at Deer's Head Hospital, and is still continuing to make a lasting impact on the lives of not only the patients but also the staff at the facility.

Over the past few years Liz has logged over 2,000 hours per year! Liz assists the volunteer office with errands, mailings, logging donations, and delivering patient mail Monday through Friday 7:30 am - 4:30 pm. A 10-year auxiliary board member, she votes on expenditures, plans fundraisers, feeds residents at cookouts, holiday dinners and birthday parties. Liz truly cares about the patients, residents, staff, and fellow volunteers, and it is clear they feel the same.

Liz has more energy and enthusiasm than most young people, is extremely reliable and only absent when sick. She has been instrumental with her contributions of time, talents, ideas and monetary support. For two months in 2006, she manned the volunteer office, and then helped train the new director. In earlier years, she sewed patient projects and managed the beauty shop. In 1959, she received a bracelet for logging the most hours at PRMC, where she volunteered for five years.

Liz is an Estonian immigrant who grew up during the depression, heard Hitler speak, lost a husband and a son who were killed by Soviet soldiers, and then she went into hiding. Needless to say Liz has overcome many struggles through her strength and perseverance. It was a privilege to get to sit down and talk to this amazing woman, and we are proud to spotlight her here at the ShoreCAN Volunteer Center for the month of January.

If you have a volunteer that you would like to spotlight, please contact us at shorecan@cfes.org.

Nonprofit Highlight ShoreCAN Hands

At the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury, volunteers are central in upholding the museum's mission of exhibiting, collecting and promoting wildfowl art and related materials, and interpreting their significance through educational programs and publications. I had the privilege of spending an afternoon viewing the breathtaking exhibits, while talking to the museum's Volunteer Coordinator, Renee Fredericksen.

"The Ward Museum is a fun, respectful atmosphere and volunteering here is very rewarding" Fredericksen remarked. "Everyone feels good when they learn something new." The Ward Museum offers volunteers the opportunity to work in one of the "ten great places to admire American folk art" according to USA Today. Fredericksen's love for her volunteers shows when she talks about them. "They are extremely knowledgeable, extraordinary human beings; they give all the time and energy they can to the Ward Museum and are pleased to help enrich their community" she notes.

The 345 active volunteers at the Ward Museum are delighted to serve at one of Delmarva's "hidden treasures." Volunteers range in age from 14 to 90. "Their commitment and devotion is contagious" Fredericksen exclaimed. The volunteers enjoy their own break room, they receive regular newsletters on special volunteer opportunities to tour other sites, work with international artists, and participate in international competitions. The Ward Museum held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Reception and Banquet on Wednesday December 9th to honor their volunteers and to show them how deeply the museum appreciates their dedication.

The Ward Museum has enjoyed much success utilizing the ShoreCAN Volunteer Center thus far. "ShoreCAN offers great opportunities for the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art to exchange ideas and resources with other organizations" Frederickson stated. She continued "That's good for all of us because volunteer power helps to maintain and improve our lifestyle in Salisbury. In the short time it has been up, the Ward Museum gained six new volunteers from ShoreCAN's interactive website and I have taken advantage of three training sessions that will improve volunteer operations. Hat's off to a wonderful opportunity for efficiency in Salisbury."

So why not join a winning team? Volunteer at the Ward Museum as you laugh, learn and leave a legacy. Join the fun, join the mission, join the Ward Museum today! If you want to learn more about the Ward Museum or are interested in volunteering at the Ward Museum please contact the ShoreCAN Volunteer Center today!

If you would like to highlight your organization please contact us at shorecan@cfes.org.

ShoreCAN Stats
CFES Logo

The ShoreCAN Volunteer Center is off to an amazing start. Since September 1st:

67 Partner Organizations

83 Active Volunteer Opportunities

45 Volunteers

16 Volunteer Connections with Local Organizations

We look forward to the addition of organizations, opportunities, and volunteers in the coming months.

Ask the Editor

Q. Can I enter my volunteers hours retroactively?

A. Yes, you just need to make sure that the volunteer opportunity you are entering the hours for is an active opportunity, which means the end date of the opportunity needs to end on the day you enter the hours, even if the opportunity ended before that time.

If you have questions regarding the ShoreCAN Volunteer Center please send them to shorecan@cfes.org

ShoreCAN Success!

I just wanted you to know that I have connected with a delightful volunteer through the ShoreCAN site. She is very dedicated and so receptive to doing anything I asked. Thanks ShoreCAN!"

Nancy Marasco, Curator, Poplar Hill Mansion

ShoreCAN Success!

"Thanks to ShoreCAN and The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore for help in recruiting a volunteer for our Meals on Wheels program. In just three weeks after we posted the volunteer opportunity, we received two potential volunteers. One became the Thursday driver we were looking for and the other became a backup driver. Thanks again for all your help."

Valerie Wagner, Volunteer
Coordinator, MAC, Inc./RSVP

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

January 18th is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. To learn more on how to get media for your MLK Day event please visit the Corporation for National and Community Service, and visit MLKDay.gov today! Don't forget to contact ShoreCAN to let us know what you are doing for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service so we can post it on our website!

Ready to become part of the ShoreCAN family, but not sure where to begin?

Join the ShoreCAN Volunteer Center and find the volunteer opportunity or volunteer that you've been looking for. On February 24th and May 12th from 11 am - 1 pm at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore we will be holding "ShoreCAN 101" Lunch and Learns for you to come hear more about ShoreCAN. But why wait? Email us today at shorecan@cfes.org. For more information please visit www.shorecan.org

Follow the ShoreCAN Volunteer Center on Facebook or Twitter!