Presented by: Volunteer Partners Your volunteer connection. [

Transcription

1 UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN PRE-RETIREMENT SEMINAR April 4 th, East Campus Student Union Presented by: Volunteer Partners Your volunteer connection [ Health?: Finances?: check check Time?: hmmm 1

2 After you ve golfed enough, you have all those pictures labeled and in photo albums, you know how Judge Judy will rule in 90% of her court cases, every blade of grass is just so (and there are NO weeds) the basement is straightened up (really) VOLUNTEER SERVE GIVE BACK NEIGHBOR HELP OUT 2

3 We can contribute to our community in three major ways: Our money or stuff Blood or body parts Our time and expertise All of these are important but Let s discuss that last one. Why volunteer? Help the community; an agency Feel good (voting, giving blood, religion) Learn a skill ( too old to learn? Not!) Role modeling for (kids, grandkids) Job Application/Resume enhancer Meet excellent people and references Terrific use of available time Payback Payforward Get OUT of the house!?...why else? 3

4 Quiz Question #1 If you were going to volunteer, what would be your primary reason for doing so? Retirement and Volunteering from the web: Volunteer! You ll Improve Your Retirement 10 Best Volunteer Activities in Retirement 5 Important Reasons to Volunteer Your Time: Retirement: A Full-Time Job Retirement Jobs and Volunteering: Baby Boomers Volunteering in Retirement: Perceptions of Midlife Workers Boomers Use Retirement Years to Volunteer Volunteer! You ll Improve Your Retirement 4

5 About those 10 Best Volunteer Activities in Retirement: Habitat for Humanity Helping Troops, Military Families and Vets Working with Children Volunteer Vacations Hunger Relief Disaster Relief Docent or Tour Guide Political Campaigns Legal Advocate Humane Societies and Animal Shelters Self-Assessment Exercise Let s give this some thought with respect to our own personal circumstances. 5

6 A.YES VOLUNTEER SELF-ASSESSMENT The purpose of the Volunteer Self-Assessment is to stimulate thought on your part as to your level of commitment and fit within an organization. Please complete the questions as fully as possible. Thanks! Volunteer Name: Date: 1. Often people with good intentions are just too busy to volunteer. Too often individuals will have great intentions but are unable to follow through with their commitment. Many volunteer opportunities call for several hours of consistent time certain days each week or month. Do you have room in your life for another commitment? 2. Organizations A.YES seek volunteers who are responsible and reliable. They need to rely on volunteers to meet the needs of clients B. or NOcustomers as well as fulfill administrative gaps for the organization. Agencies count on volunteers to fulfill their promises C. YES, and complete their job assignments. Without reliable volunteers, efforts to carry out organizational B. NO BUT missions may be affected. Is your schedule flexible enough to accommodate this commitment? 3. Some opportunities require that you have training or take classes before beginning volunteering. Are you willing to take the necessary training in a timely manner? 4. Volunteering for some organizations involves working with people of different ages, socioeconomic, cultural, racial, ethnic, religious and educational backgrounds. Are you comfortable with people who are different from yourself on these and similar criteria? 5. Typically, individuals who have been and continue to be successful volunteers possess certain skills and characteristics. Let s see where you stand Please rate yourself with an X on the following with 1 as great and 5 as not at all : Skills/Characteristics Time management Teamwork Communication Taking Initiative Follow up Teamwork Communication Working in stressful situations? 6

7 TEN TIPS ON VOLUNTEERING SOURCE: Independent Sector, 1200 Eighteenth St., Suite 200, NW, Washington D.C Your interests. 2. Skills you have. 3. Skill to learn. 4. Combine your goals. 5. Keep Commitments TEN TIPS ON VOLUNTEERING SOURCE: Independent Sector, 1200 Eighteenth St., Suite 200, NW, Washington D.C And you? 7. Family or Friends fit? 8. Virtual volunteering? 9. Be open and observant. 10. If it feels good 7

8 What are the needs? Categories of agencies: Arts Education Environment Health Human Service Recreation and Sports Where, oh where? now that you know EXACTLY how to be an excellent volunteer where can you find places to BE that excellent volunteer? 8

9 Where are the opportunities? w w w. v o l u n t e e r p a r t n e r s. o r g The website is simple: 1. Enter your zip code, 2. Press Search. Journal Star s Saturday Neighborhood Extra 9

10 In Summary You know traits of Excellent volunteers You can assess your limits Defining needs has been addressed Finding opportunities was covered The good chance you may have extra time on your hands has been justified Now, you need to pick up the phone THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! GOT TIME? VOLUNTEER!!! (402) This is the beginning! 10