National Conference Helps Community
Leaders Engage More Volunteers
June 23, 2004
Bowling Green, Ky. - Three Bowling Green community leaders recently returned from a national conference on engaging volunteers.
Cheryl Kirby-Stokes, director of the ALIVE Center; Misty Johnson, director of crisis intervention for Hope Harbor, and Tina Murphy, program director for Community Action's Foster Grandparent Program, returned from the 2004 National Conference on Community Volunteering and National Service ready to implement strategies to increase the number of community volunteers. The conference, which was held in Kansas City, is the premier training and networking event for leading volunteer and community service supporters.
The conference occurred at a time when Americans are answering the call to service in growing numbers. A recent federal study found that 64 million Americans volunteered in 2003, an increase of 4 million over the previous year.
More that 2,500 volunteer leaders from across the country attended the event, which was convened by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network. Under the theme, "Changing Our Communities – One Volunteer At A Time," conference attendees learned new skills to boost their effectiveness in solving serious social and community problems.
"Lord of the Rings" star Sean Astin, who serves on the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, was the opening speaker for the conference on June 6.
Former President George Bush delivered the keynote address June 8 and presented the Awards for Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Programs. He also presented the George Bush Corporate Leadership Award to Robert Haas, chairman of the board of the Levi Strauss & Co.
"I feel the most important thing to keep in mind, when recruiting seniors for the Foster Grandparent Program, is to make them aware that they are needed," Murphy said. "Our Volunteers know they are making a positive difference in the lives of the children they serve and that's what keeps them involved."
Murphy will use information from her recruitment workshop to bring the message of FGP and Community Action to interested seniors. Community Action of Southern Kentucky works to create opportunities for individuals and families to be self-reliant.
Johnson was able to get vital information about the nuts and bolts of working with volunteers at her workshops. This information will assist her in redoing Hope Harbor's reference questionnaire. Hope Harbor provides nonjudgmental and confidential support services to victims of sexual assault and abuse in the Barren River Area Development District region.
Kirby-Stokes was able to sign on as a volunteer with the Volunteer Center National Network, helping to finalize their strategic plan. It is her hope that this relationship with the national network will foster growth of the ALIVE Center through access to experienced staff at other volunteer centers nationwide. The ALIVE Center promotes placement and effective use of volunteers and provides access to information and resources supporting human services.
For more information about the Points of Light Foundation, visit www.1800Volunteer.org. For more information about the Corporation for National and Community Service, visit www.nationalservice.org.
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