Bergen LEADS Featured in (201) - Best of Bergen

Hot off the presses: the February issue of (201) magazine, entitled Best of Bergen 2008, features an article on the Volunteer Center of Bergen County's new program, Bergen LEADS. The article, "Leading Questions", includes a full-page photo of the Bergen LEADS Advisory Panel and describes how the program will address the diverse issues facing Bergen County. David Warshaw, Chair of the Bergen LEADS Advisory Panel stated, "LEADS' aim is to bring emerging leaders together so they can see beyond their own organizations, and see how by working together, we can solve some of Bergen's issues."

A link to the article will be posted here soon. In the meantime, you can request a copy of the article by contacting jhe@bergenvolunteers.org or call 201-489-9454, ext. 125.

Strategic Planning for Non-Profits

Yogi Berra once said, “You got to be careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.”

A strategic plan is is something every organization needs to help determine what it is and where it is going. Strategic planning is the process by which an organization identifies its resources, develops goals and implements ways to achieve those goals. It is a road map to ensure the organization’s success in an ever changing environment. In short, strategic planning helps an organization do a better job.

The Volunteer Center of Bergen County is presenting a workshop, Strategic Planning for Non-Profits, on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 from 9 am to 12:00 noon at the Volunteer Center’s offices at 64 Passaic Street in Hackensack. The fee is $45.00 and includes all program materials and continental breakfast.

This workshop is part of a series designed specifically for staff and volunteer leaders in non-profit and governmental agencies and is sponsored by the Non-Profit Training and Resource Center of the Volunteer Center of Bergen County. For more information or to register, e-mail training@bergenvolunteers.org, or call (201) 489-9454, ext.114.

Business Volunteer Council Celebrates 8 Years of Service

The Northern NJ Business Volunteer Council (BVC) is celebrating its 8th anniversary on Thursday, February 7 at the Hilton Woodcliff Lake from 6-8 p.m. All are welcome to join the festivities – tickets are $25/person for the cocktail reception.

The BVC is a membership organization of 31 companies whose employee volunteers work year-round to help children and families. Since 2000, the BVC has generated almost $900,000 in resources for low-income children and families. For more information or to reserve tickets for the anniversary celebration, please call 201-489-9454, ext. 114.

Volunteer Ventures

Did you make a New Year's resolution to get involved and help others? Then check out Volunteer Ventures! Their first meeting of 2008 is on Tuesday, February 5, at 7:15pm at the Volunteer Center, 64 Passaic Street, Hackensack. Volunteer Ventures is a group of more than 100 busy, working adults who provide extra hands for special evening and weekend group projects at area non-profit agencies. It's a great way to get involved in volunteering - you can pick and choose which projects interest you and fit your schedule, have fun, meet new people and help your community! New members are always welcome - so bundle up and come and see what Volunteer Ventures is all about!

As a special project for February, Ventures will be collecting boxed Valentine Cards for both girls and boys so that needy kids in local schools can give valentines to their friends.

For more information on Volunteer Ventures, call 201-489-9454 or email mailto:ventures@bergenvolunteers.org.

National Mentoring Month

Did you know that January is National Mentoring Month? Thank Your Mentor Day will be celebrated on Thursday, January 24. On that day, people are encouraged to reach out to thank those individuals who encouraged and guided them, and who had a lasting impact on their lives. Why not acknowledge someone who has mentored you?

• Contact your mentor directly to express your appreciation
• “Pass it on” by becoming a mentor to someone in your community
• Make a financial contribution to a local mentoring program, like the Volunteer Center’s Mentoring Moms and Volunteers in Protective Services Programs.
• Write a tribute to your mentor for posting on the national mentoring website www.WhoMentoredYou.org
  

The Volunteer Center's mentoring programs have been highly regarded for over 30 years. Volunteers in Protective Services (VIPS) are caring men and women who provide guidance, friendship and support to abused and neglected children ages 2 to 18. Currently there are 34 girls and 66 boys waiting to be matched with a mentor. Mentoring Moms help isolated and overwhelmed mothers of all ages, many of whom are trying to move from welfare to work. The mentors listen, share ideas and offer encouragement, helping overwhelmed mothers face challenges one step at a time.

We welcome men and women willling to give a little time and a lot of caring to become volunteer mentors, and we provide comprehensive training during three six-week courses offered in the spring, fall and winter. We especially need male mentors for boys and bi-lingual Spanish speaking volunteers of both sexes.

For more information about becoming a mentor, call (201) 489-9454, or visit www.bergenvolunteers.org.

A Good Reason to Shop

Join us on February 1st, 2nd and 3rd for a shopping event at the fabulous Blue Tulip store in Closter to help raise funds for the Volunteer Center of Bergen County. Mention you are shopping for the Volunteer Center and 10% of the proceeds for your purchase will be donated to the Volunteer Center of Bergen County. Blue Tulip has a wonderful selection of elegant and fun gifts for you or your loved ones - just in time for Valentine's Day! The event is only at the Closter store, which is located at 270 Closter Dock Road in Heidenberg Plaza. Hours are Friday and Saturday 10-8, Sunday 11-5.

Food, Awards, and More: Volunteer Ventures Celebrates the Holidays

Volunteer Ventures celebrated the holidays with their annual Pot Luck Dinner Party. Over 30 members attended with food in hand to sample and dine on each others dishes. Old friends reunited with new members as they socialized over unique and interesting cuisine brought in by the group. A favorite of the group was no doubt the vegetarian chili made by Sharyn Banks.

Spectrum For Living, an organization that many Ventures members work closely with, gave an award to Volunteer Ventures for their outstanding volunteering this past year.

Co-coordinators of the event Sue Silverstein and Edith Browne (pictured) planned one fantastic event.

Save the Date for Derby!

The Volunteer Center of Bergen County's annual Derby Day party will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at a private residence in Alpine, NJ. Please save the date and plan to join us for fabulous food, live jazz, mint juleps, a silent and live auction, and - the Kentucky Derby! Stay tuned for more information.

All Wrapped Up is officially all wrapped up!

The Volunteer Center of Bergen County's All Wrapped Up program successfully matched 981 individuals and 792 families with willing donors from the community who generously provided holiday gifts to make the season a bit brighter for those in need. The entire Volunteer Center staff (pictured at left) celebrated and congratulated Debbie Emery, Melissa Leibe and Donna Leibe (center, holding sign) of the Volunteer Center's Community Volunteer Services department who worked tirelessly on All Wrapped Up to ensure that everyone was remembered this holiday season. A great big thank you to all the individuals, families and corporations who "adopted" or donated gifts and spread some cheer to those who needed it the most. Happy Holidays!