Non-Profit Training - Fundamental Financial Management

Financial management is the key to planning and directing every aspect of an organization— including people, programs, facilities, fundraising and technology.

The Non-Profit Training and Resource Center of the Volunteer Center of Bergen County will present a half-day workshop, Fundamental Financial Management for Non-Profits, on Thursday, October 14, from 9:30am to 12:00pm at the Volunteer Center.

Trainers from Sobel and Company, a regional public accounting and consulting firm, will cover the basics, in this course designed for non-profit board members and professional staff with little or no accounting experience, and who need a working knowledge of financial processes. Board members in particular will benefit from this class, as they are charged with the financial oversight of non-profit agencies.

Pre-registration is required; the deadline for registration is October 8. Click here to register for this course. For more information call (201) 489-9454, ext.114.

Meet the Bergen LEADS Class of 2011

Bergen LEADS, Bergen County’s first community leadership program, kicked off the Class of 2011 seminar year on Monday, September 20. Twenty-nine members of the new class met their classmates, discovered their personal leadership styles, and learned first-hand about Bergen County.

The men and women of the class of 2011, aspiring and acknowledged leaders of widely diverse backgrounds who live or work in Bergen County, were chosen though a competitive process in early 2010. They will meet monthly to dissect issues, debate viewpoints and develop approaches to community problems.

The members of the 20010-2011 Bergen LEADS class are:

Robert Abreu, Englewood; Laura Amerman, Rutherford; Susan Barbuto, Franklin Lakes; Kenneth Baum, Esq., Woodcliff Lake; Lorna Beebe, Oradell; Michael Blake, Park Ridge; Reverend Eric Brewer, Tinton Falls; Linnet Castro-Pereira, Union; Detra DeNully, Hackensack; Minister Brenda Du Bose, Saddle Brook; James Erwin , Hackensack; Lisa E. Gladwell, River Edge; David B. Hollenbeck, Carlstadt; Eileen Hughes, Wood Ridge; Colleen Hurley, Ridgewood; Trevor S. Jadoo, Esq., Englewood; Elise James-DeCruise, Englewood; Gwen Keeble, Allendale; Miriam Lopez, Fort Lee; Carmine G. Marchionda, Ogdensburg; Charles Martello, Oakland; Jayne Press, Waldwick; Jennifer Reyes, Hasbrouck Heights; Jhovanny Rodriguez, Little Ferry; Sheryl Silver, Paramus; Carolyn Smith, Rutherford; Jose Vincente, Kearny; Karen Winick, Woodland Park; and Pastor James Woodley, Teaneck.

Bergen LEADS seeks individuals from all ethnic, racial and socio-economic backgrounds who espouse different political, religious and social views for future classes. Visit www.bergenleads.org for more information. Applications for the next Bergen LEADS class will be accepted January 4, 2011 to April 1, 2011.

The Bike Tour is Today!

The Bergen Bike Tour is on rain or shine today, Sunday, September 26th, so come on down to Darlington Park in Mahwah, NJ.


We will be there from 7:30 am and throughout the day cheering on riders,
enjoying a delicious BBQ, and raffling off great prizes.
Click here for the schedule for the day.

Pre-registration is now closed, but you can register on-site. We accept cash, checks (payable to Bergen Bike Tour), Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

The Bergen Bike Tour benefits two outstanding local charities: Tomorrows Children’s Fund and The Volunteer Center of Bergen County.

Bergen Bike Tour - this Sunday!

The weather forecast is looking good for the 15th annual Bergen Bike Tour this Sunday, September 26th at Darlington Park in Mahwah!

Hundreds of cyclists will be pedaling on behalf of Tomorrows Children’s Fund and The Volunteer Center of Bergen County, two outstanding local organizations. We'll have food, fun and abundant hoopla -- plus fabulous prizes, including two bicycles: Prize 1: Jamis Satellite Sport Bicycle, retail value $650. Prize 2: Jamis Explorer 1 Bicycle, retail value $375.

Don’t worry if you haven't registered yet - you can sign up on Sunday at Darlington Park. The 50 mile ride kicks off at 8:00 am, 25-mile at 9, and 10-mile at 10:30. Enjoy breakfast before your ride courtesy of Dunkin' Donuts.

Find out everything you need to know at bergenbiketour.org or call us at 1-877-BER-BIKE. See you there!

A Special Thanks to our Sponsors

The Bergen Bike Tour is this Sunday, September 26, and we would love to take this opportunity to thank our generous sponsors one more time and welcome some new sponsors to the event.

Welcome new sponsors, Tanis and Sons, Inc., Wounded Poodle Productions, Flavor & Fragrance Specialties, Inc., Aldo’s/The Brick House Restaurant, Capital One Bank, Downes Tree Service, Flackman, Goodman &Pooter, P.A., Lowenstein Sandler, and United Water.

Thank you again to our Platinum Sponsor TD Bank, also thank you, EisnerAmper LLP; Apax Partners; Eisai; Jamis Bicycles; Lakeland Bank; Oritani Bank Charitable Foundation; PNC Bank; Sanzari Companies; Baker Sports Management; Bald Eagle Management, Inc.; Bolkema Fuel Company; Columbia Bank; Driscoll Foods; Dunkin’ Donuts; Garden State Wiper; Hackensack University Medical Center; Inserra Supermarkets; Murphy, Miller & Baglieri, LLP; Rockland Electric Company; Andrew F. Rubenstein, M.D.; Sharp Electronics Corporation; Topline Products Corporation; Withum Smith+Brown; and Zerega Custom Pasta Company; Allendale Bar and Grill; Bollinger Insurance; The Chatterjee Charitable Foundation; Doherty Enterprises; La Cena Fine Foods; Malesardi, Quackenbush, Swift & Company, LLC; and NIA Group, a Marsh & McLennan Agency.

There is still time to register for the ride, sign up now at bergenbiketour.org. The Bergen Bike Tour is a fun-filled, family-oriented event that annually raises funds for two outstanding local organizations: Tomorrows Children’s Fund and The Volunteer Center of Bergen County.

See you at the Bike Tour!

Chore Handyman Service to be featured at Caregivers’ Conference

Maureen McCormick, Program Director for the Chore Volunteer Handyman Service of the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, will be a speaker at the upcoming Caregivers’ Conference, sponsored by the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

The conference will be Saturday, October 2, from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel, 801 Rutherford Ave, in Rutherford. Those who care for loved ones or neighbors are invited to attend this free event to find out about the services and support available for caregivers in the community. For more information about the conference, call Keisha McLean at 201-336-7468.

The Chore Volunteer Handyman Service provides crews of dedicated volunteers who perform minor repairs for elderly and disabled homeowners, keeping them safe in their own homes, and thereby avoids costly and often unwanted institutionalization. Chore provides service without charge; the only cost to the client is for parts necessary to complete the repair.

To learn more about Chore or to schedule a repair call (201) 489-7790.

Bergen County Senior Picnic 2010

Every September we have the distinct pleasure of joining with literally thousands of seniors at the annual Bergen County Senior Picnic at Van Saun Park in Paramus. The County Division of Senior Services puts on quite a show, and agencies are invited to attend. We, of course, went with the intent of recruiting enthusiastic volunteers for our RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) and our Chore Service.

Enthusiasm is the key word here! The weather was absolutely perfect, and we were literally overrun by many of the approximately 3,200 seniors in attendance who took the opportunity, in the midst of enjoying live music, dancing, lunch and craft displays, to stop by our booth for a chat.

RSVP matches seniors with volunteer positions where their time and talent can have real impact in meeting community needs. Chore offers volunteer handypersons the opportunity to perform minor home repairs that keep the elderly or disabled safe in their homes.

If you are interested in learning more:
about RSVP: call Barbara Wiederecht at 201-489-9333
about Chore: call Maureen McCormick at 201-489-7990

Register TODAY for the Bergen Bike Tour

The 15th Annual Bergen Bike Tour will be held on Sunday, September 26th at Darlington Park in Mahwah. Register TODAY and take advantage of our discounted early registration fee - $35 per person; $70 for a family of four. Starting tomorrow (September 17th), registration is $40 person; $70 for a family of four. Register to ride at www.bergenbiketour.org or call 1-877-BER-BIKE.

The Bergen Bike Tour is a family-oriented, fun-filled event! Proceeds benefit two local charities –the Volunteer Center of Bergen County and Tomorrows Children’s Fund. The Bergen Bike Tour is a great way for families to get some exercise, enjoy the outdoors and do good in the community - - all at the same time. Special activities for kids include a "Kids’ Ride" for kids 10 and under plus crafts, games, music and more. Cyclists of all abilities are welcome to ride routes of 10, 25 or 50 miles throughout Bergen County's most scenic areas.

See you on September 26th!

Come and Frolic

United Water New Jersey and the Volunteer Center of Bergen County request the pleasure of your company at our Fall Frolic on Thursday, October 21, 6-9 pm.

Enjoy fabulous foliage, fine wines, and fine food from select restaurants, all at United Water’s beautiful facility on the Oradell Reservoir in Harrington Park.

Tickets are $50.00 each. Or -- be a Benefactor: 3 tickets for $125. Or -- be a Corporate Sponsor: 6 tickets for $250. Buy online; or send checks to 64 Passaic Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601. For more information call Jane He at jhe@bergenvolunteers.org or at 201-489-9454, ext. 125.

See you there! RSVP today!

My Summer of Service

By: Adam Milano, Senior, Bergen Academies

This past summer I spent a week working with children in a remote Peruvian village called Catapalla with Rustic Pathways, a service organization. Working with these kids was such a rewarding experience. The evident admiration of the children as we hiked with them, or their giggles as we struggled in a second language conversation are memories that I will not soon forget. Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces as we would arrive at the school in the morning or as we walked through the orphanage gates made the endless diarrhea, nine days without a shower, and scorpion infested bedrooms worth it. I don't want to come across as a Negative Nancy at all, I loved my trip and definitely plan on going back to the village at some point. Helping these kids is an experience that I am proud of and will never forget.

Read more about Adam's Journey on our VolunTEENs website.

Support our Riders!

Support your favorite Bergen Bike Tour rider at the click of a button! Visit our Bergen Bike Tour Support a Rider Page. 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 donation will support two well respected local non profits: the Volunteer Center of Bergen County and Tomorrows Children's Fund.

Join us at the Bergen Bike Tour on Sunday, September 26. Register now! For more information call 1-877-BER-BIKE or visit www.bergenbiketour.org.

Snap-Crackle-Give!

Volunteer Center staff got the spirit of giving this summer, donating cereal to its Business Volunteer Council’s Brown Bag Buddies summer food drive. Food banks everywhere welcome donations, especially during the summer. Hunger doesn’t take a vacation.

Contact the Center for Food Action at cfanj.org or check out The Community Food Bank of New Jersey.