"How To" on Volunteer Management

Sign up now for a comprehensive, one-day course on Volunteer Management, Thursday, October 1, 2009 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Volunteer Center. Registration of $75.00 includes continental breakfast, lunch and all course materials. The workshop is designed to help non-profit and government organizations recruit, train and manage volunteers to aid in fulfillment of their organizations’ goals.

“By implementing the practical solutions offered in this workshop, volunteer coordinators can gain the human resources skills necessary to manage people eager to give their time and talent to help our community,” says Janet Sharma, Executive Director.

Topics include understanding volunteering, program planning, recruitment and placement, orientation and training, supervision, recognition and evaluating your volunteer program.

For more information or to register, send an e-mail to: training@bergenvolunteers.org, or call Tess Tomasi at (201) 489-9454 Ext. 114.

Pledge your Support!

You can help support your favorite Bergen Bike Tour rider with the click of a button. Visit our Bergen Bike Tour Support a Rider Page and just enter their name and the amount you wish to pledge. It’s that simple! You can also donate through the Bergen Bike Tour Firstgiving page.

Your generous donation will go support two well respected local non profits: the Volunteer Center of Bergen County and Tomorrows Children's Fund.

If you are interested in participating in the Bike Tour this Sunday, September 27, you may register until Friday for the $35.00 fee. You can register at the event for $40.00, but save yourself the trouble and register NOW! REMINDER: Riders must turn in a minimum of $100.00 on Sunday to be eligible for a Bergen Bike Tour shirt and goody bag. So don’t delay, register today!!!

For more information call 1-877-BER-BIKE or visit www.bergenbiketour.org.

Introducing…Bergen LEADS Class of 2010!

We are delighted to welcome the 2010 Class of Bergen LEADS, members of which recently began the 10-month series of leadership seminars. Led by former Bergen County Executive William "Pat" Schuber, each monthly seminar features experts in a areas of topical concern who interact with class participants through discussion and site visits.

A hearty welcome to:
Damian Albergo, Hasbrouck Heights
Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard P.A.

Stacey Antine, MS, RD, New York, NY
HealthBarn USA

Anthony Baker, Teaneck
BFG, LLC

Susan Barnard, MS, DHSc, Englewood
Bergen Community College

James D. Brown, CPA, Teaneck
James D. Brown, CPA

Charles A. Calabrese, DC, Wallington
Fairmount Chiropractic

Sharon Castanteen, North Bergen
Johnson Public Library

Daniele Cervino, Bogota
EWMA

Muzette Charles, Teaneck
AXA Advisors

Lt. Lisa Crystall, Wyckoff
Bergen County Sheriff's Department

Ray Cywinski, Demarest
United Water

Geri Dawes, Ridgewood
3-D Communications

Karyn Egeland, Upper Saddle River
Huron Consulting Group

George H. Fosdick, Ramsey
Wachovia Wealth Management

Jane He, Wayne
Volunteer Center of Bergen County

Barbara Heiser O’Neil, Hawthorne
PSE&G

Jeanne Johnson, Ridgewood

Lee Miller, Ridgewood
Cushman & Wakefield

Patricia O’Shea, Teaneck
Sprint

Daniel Rothner, Teaneck
Areyvut

Faye Samuels, Tenafly
YCS

MaryBeth Sigler-Garcia, Tenafly
Cantarima Multimedia

Rev. Charles V. Singletary, Somerset
Bergen County Council of Churches

Roberta Sonenfeld, Ridgewood

Suzanne Sweeney, Ramsey
Orange & Rockland Utilities

Joe Thomas, Montvale
FDU

Joanne Westphal, Dumont
TD Bank

Staci White, Hackensack
New Jersey Community Development Corporation

Lynda Wolf, Paramus
Kelly Services

Wendy Worden, Paramus
Alpine Learning Group

Applications for the next class of Bergen LEADS will be accepted from January-April 2010. Candidates must live or work in Bergen County. For more information about Bergen LEADS, please visit www.bergenleads.org.

Making Memories

Families in our Mentoring Moms program recently made some real memories! With generous donations of scrap booking supplies from Volunteer Center Board member Katherine Norain, as well as Center staff members, six families each created a beautiful book to hold lasting memories.

"The day provided a great opportunity for parents and children to enjoy time together," says Cindy Andrake, Mentoring Moms program director. "That's the most important thing!"

Each family went home with a scrapbook they created filled with their memories.

Mentoring Moms trains and provides ongoing support for adult women who serve as volunteer mentors to mothers in need of guidance in parenting and life skills. For more information on Mentoring Moms please visit our website here.

Get in Gear, Still Time to Ride!

The Bergen Bike Tour is just around the corner and there is still time to register! Sign up now for a fun, family-oriented event that raises funds for two outstanding local organizations: Tomorrow's Children's Fund and the Volunteer Center of Bergen County.

The Bergen Bike Tour begins and ends at Darlington Park in Mahwah, NJ. Pick your route: 10-, 25-, or 50-mile routes accommodate riders of every ability and wind through some of Bergen County's most scenic areas. We'll also have a Kids' Fun Ride for children age 8 and under. Each ride begins with breakfast for all the riders, and everyone (cyclists, their friends and families) is invited to enjoy a fun-filled picnic afterwards, starting at 11:30 AM. We'll have a home-cooked barbeque plus a wide array of activities - music, games, clowns, prizes - and a special visit from New Jersey Nets mascot, Sly the Fox! Registered massage therapists will also be on hand to relieve cyclists' tired muscles.

To find out more or to register, visit http://www.bergenbiketour.org/ or call 1-877-BER-BIKE.

Are you coming? Comment below and let us know! See you on September 27th!

Wanted: Mentoring Moms

You can make a difference in a family’s life! Our Mentoring Moms program recruits, trains and supports volunteers who serve as mentors to overwhelmed mothers in need of guidance in parenting and life skills.

Why Mentor a Mom?
When a mother is supported by a mentor, the entire family benefits! Mentors become important role models for the children as well as the mother. Mentors also link families with a variety of services that can impact education and financial well-being.

Our comprehensive 6-session training program begins on Monday, October 5, 2009 at the Volunteer Center; call Susan Hogge at (201) 489-9454, ext. 124 for more information.

P.S. We especially need bi-lingual Spanish-speaking women to mentor Spanish-speaking moms.

On your mark, Get set, Network

The next meeting of the Northern New Jersey Business Volunteer Council (BVC) will be Wednesday, September 16, from 8:30 am to 10:00 am at The Hilton, Woodcliff Lake. Business leaders will participate in a “Speed Networking” session with leaders of local social service agencies.

Leadership is a key concern for many nonprofits, and numerous options are available. Corporate volunteers can utilize their professional and life skills as board members, project leaders or committee chairs at nonprofits in northern New Jersey and, in the process, help people ranging in age from young children to seniors, develop and maintain affordable housing, maintain area food pantries, promote literacy and much, much more.

To reserve your place at the meeting call Tess Tomasi at (201) 489-9454 ext. 114.

Volunteering…more than a ride in the park.

Just because you choose not to ride doesn’t mean you don't have a place at the Bergen Bike Tour! You can volunteer!

The14th annual Bergen Bike Tour will be on Sunday, September 27, with numerous activities at Darlington Park, in Mahwah. Family-oriented and fun-filled, the event raises funds for the Volunteer Center of Bergen County and Tomorrows Children's Fund at Hackensack University Medical Center.

A few volunteer slots are still available! We can use your help between 6:30 am and 10:00 am. Volunteers will help to set up, serve breakfast, and prepare goodie bags. All volunteers receive a free, commemorative shirt and refreshments. Join the fun! To volunteer, contact Debbie Emery at 201-489-9454, x 118 or demery@bergenvolunteers.org.