Fall 2011
National Service Training Roundup
AmeriCorps State Programs Update
Volunteer Generation Fund
The Volunteer Center of Southern Iowa (VCSI) has been hard at work expanding volunteerism in six southern Iowa counties since receiving the VGF Grant in March. Three areas that have had the most impact on growing the Center and establishing strong connections have been networking, training of partners and Days of Service. The Center has focused on creating strong partnerships and being present in the communities it serves. Networking on a regular basis makes the Center aware of opportunities and needs and able to act on a proactive basis. Center director Julie Waske stated, “We have also found it very beneficial to bring community partners together to share ideas and resources.” Active collaborating groups include over 40 partner agencies drawn from inter-agency organizations, Emergency Management associations and schools. “Through our Advisory Board meetings we have really seen strong connections formed between community members and VCSI.”
The Center stimulates volunteerism by creating opportunities based on community needs. Iowans share a sense of duty to neighbors and community, Waske reports. People want to get involved. Giving them the opportunity to serve, where they can see direct impact, ensures they will come back repeatedly. Waske reports that one partnership that has had tremendous growth has been with Graceland University. College students are one of the fastest growing volunteer bases and by engaging these students’ passions, the Center has been able to meet many community needs and offer skills and a sense of a fulfillment to the students.
Days of Service are another way the center has increased volunteer numbers in this service area. The 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance project reached across county boundaries and created a sense of unity among many different agencies and groups. Volunteers completed a letter writing campaign for the A Million Thanks organization and were able to send more than 450 letters to U.S. troops around the world. Many of the sites have decided to expand the project into other service opportunities including coat and food drives.