OTTUMWA —
While major volunteer events have slowed this summer, there are still opportunities out there for those who want to give back.
“We’re in kind of a lull in the moment in terms of events,” said Ali Wilson, United Way of Wapello County’s Volunteer Connection Center coordinator.
But that doesn’t mean there are not volunteer opportunities available.
Though the Crisis Center and Women’s Shelter, CASA and the local Boy Scouts aren’t new to the Volunteer Center, they have new volunteer opportunities available in the community.
The Crisis Center is looking for volunteers who will be trained to act as advocates for their clients who are dealing with the court system.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) provides support to children dealing with the juvenile courts and the foster system. They are looking for volunteers to help plan recruitment and recognition events and volunteers who can help maintain CASA’s Facebook page and website.
The Boy Scouts are searching for volunteers to act as merit badge counselors. Volunteers for this opportunity would help guide and instruct Boy Scouts in a particular skill or subject while they work toward earning a merit badge.
The United Way’s Volunteer Center has also gained a couple more area organizations.
Iowa State University’s Families Extension works with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, and they are looking for volunteers interested in learning how to help low-income Iowans file their tax returns. This program helps low-income families take advantage of the EITC and Child Tax Credits at no cost to the client.
The American Gothic House Center needs volunteers to help greet visitors and provide information about the house and painting. Some volunteers also take visitors’ pictures, help in the gift shop and even work in the garden.
“It is exciting that new organizations are engaging with the volunteer center and listing more opportunities,” Wilson said. “The more opportunities we have, the better volunteers can find what they’re looking for.”
Wilson said there are currently 29 organizations listed with the Volunteer Center, with some in Ottumwa, Wapello County and surrounding counties, such as the Maple Ridge Assisted Living in Oskaloosa, since Mahaska County does not have a volunteer center with its United Way.
DOVIA membership increases
Since the United Way’s Volunteer Center opened in March 2011, its Directors of Volunteers in Agencies (DOVIA) membership has more than doubled.
“With more people coming and participating regularly, we’re getting better information, more diverse perspectives and just generally better discussions,” Wilson said.
DOVIA, a networking and professional development organization for volunteer managers and nonprofit leaders, has new members and organizations from Ottumwa and surrounding counties.
The goal of the organization is to give people who work with volunteers the skills they need to ensure volunteers serving in our community have positive experiences.
Every month, those who work with volunteers, mostly in nonprofit organizations, convene at United Way of Wapello County for a different training topic.
Wilson said they have included volunteer management techniques, working with different types of volunteers, such as those with disabilities, and trends in volunteerism. They’re also used to network with other volunteer centers, encourage collaboration and provide opportunities to act as mentors to those who are new to the field.
“I’ve learned, from the Volunteer Center’s perspective, what challenges people are facing in getting volunteers and what they’re doing to engage new people,” Wilson said.
While she said the Volunteer Center does not have trouble finding volunteers in the community, they can never have too many.
“There’s always a need for more,” she said. “A lot of organizations, because they’re nonprofits, do depend on volunteers to be able to deliver services.”
More information about volunteer opportunities:
• www.wapellocouw.org and click “volunteer;” or
• Contact Ali Wilson at the Volunteer Center at 641-682-1264
United Way of Wapello County and the Volunteer Center host the DOVIA meetings for Wapello and surrounding counties. The meetings are held from 12-1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the United Way. Meetings are open to anyone who is interested in volunteerism.
Local News
July 24, 2012
Volunteer opportunities available, major events in summer lull
United Way sees increase in volunteer director membership
- Local News
-
-
Ottumwan bound for Oklahoma
OTTUMWA — “We do this because we love it; we love helping people through those tough times.” That’s the message from Brandon Holstrom who will travel to Moore, Okla. today to help those impacted by the tornado that has devastated that community. Hols
- Celebrating Eldon ELDON -- The annual festival celebrating the town of less than 1,000 ties the community's bonds tighter through a weekend of music, food, performances and tournaments. American Gothic Days will take over Eldon again June 7-9. "It's the town festival,
- Lawmakers: We work together for change DES MOINES — State representatives sounded happy Thursday after their session finally ended. But they weren't just happy to be going home. “I think it was a very successful session, where we kept the budget to a sustainable level,” said Larry Sheets,
- Memorial Day weekend typically calm for parks, law enforcement OTTUMWA — With summer unofficially kicking off this weekend, area officials ask those celebrating the holiday to have fun but stay safe. Parks Director Gene Rathje said while camping in Ottumwa Park began on April 1, this weekend is the site's first
- EBF students engage in community service EDDYVILLE - The Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont School Board learned this week about community service work students recently completed throughout the area. "The students did a great job. They were engaged in some service learning opportunities in Fremo
- Iowa school reform to be optional DES MOINES -- State officials hope educators, students and parents soon start seeing changes in the classroom. But only if they want to. Parts of Gov. Terry Branstad's "blueprint for education" have been approved. But like most major issues during th
-
Missing teen located, returned home
SIGOURNEY — The 13-year-old girl reported missing from Hedrick on Monday has been found. The teenager, Hunter Kopp, was located at a Sigourney residence around 10 p.m. Wednesday, said Keokuk County Sheriff Deputy Jeff Runnells. "The officers last nig
-
Ottumwa man charged with indecent exposure
OTTUMWA -- A man has been charged with indecent exposure after passers-by noticed a teenage girl in distress Monday afternoon. Angelo Nick Orfanos, 28, of Ottumwa, was charged with indecent exposure Wednesday as a result of an Ottumwa Police Departme
-
Stabbing trial pushed back
OTTUMWA -- The trial of an Ottumwa man accused of stabbing another man to death has been pushed back. Twenty-year-old Brandon Seim was charged in November 2011, when he was 18, with the stabbing death of Andy Madren, 34. When officers arrived at the
- Clarification ELDON -- It looked even worse in the light of day. A Wapello County farm damaged by high winds in the storm this week, neighbors had first believed, suffered some damage. But the situation is even worse, Eldon's mayor informed the Courier, saying tha
- More Local News Headlines
-
Ottumwan bound for Oklahoma
