TOP 10 Reasons to Apply to Bergen LEADS, our dynamic civic leadership program

REASON #8... 

“With what other group can you visit the County Jail and not have to stay?”

                                                                                           -Kim Caesar, CL09

Bergen LEADers are on the move - each seminar day is packed with experiences you'll remember for a lifetime, like visiting the county jail, eating lunch in the school cafeteria or learning firsthand how Bergen County's finest and bravest are trained.

Other Reason's to Join:

• Reason #9: Two words: Pat Schuber
• Reason #10: "You'll find out what you don't know about what you don't know…about yourself and Bergen County."

Bergen LEADS will:

•           introduce you to County leaders and decision makers

•           illuminate and strengthen your leadership style

•           bring Bergen County to life through exciting field trips and site visits

•           challenge your assumptions about Bergen County and its people

•           expose you to widely divergent views of Bergen County issues

•           expand your personal and professional network

Attend a FREE informational Open House to find out how you can become a part of Bergen LEADS, meet alumni and members of the Class of 2011.  Click here for a complete schedule and to register for an Open House.

For more information, go to www.bergenleads.org.

Finding Love while Volunteering

 

Valentine’s Day is always full of stories about people finding love while volunteering.  While the 80’s saw singles’ nights for everything, now-a-days the Internet drives the “match” market, and volunteering still a great way to meet people!  

Debbie Emery, director of Community Volunteer Services at the Volunteer Center, says “Singles may always be on the lookout, but if they are doing it with a cause in their heart, then that’s okay by me.” 

“Volunteering on an episodic basis is also increasingly popular,” she continues.  “People lead busy lives, so if they can volunteer short-term and meet others in the process, that’s two for two in my book.”    

The Volunteer Center can help you find opportunities to volunteer and maybe even do some match-making in the process. For information on episodic volunteering please visit http://www.bergenvolunteers.org/volunteer_opp.asp#ind or check out Jersey Cares for project-based volunteer opportunities.

Top Ten Reason to Join Bergen LEADS

REASON #9...  

"Two words:  Pat Schuber"

                          --Carolyn Smith, CL11

William "Pat" Schuber, former Bergen County Executive, is the Bergen LEADS Seminar Director.  Pat's extensive, behind-the-scenes knowledge of the political landscape provides a fascinating backdrop to every seminar.  He knows a lot about a lot of things, especially leadership.  And he's the nicest guy in the room!

 Bergen LEADS will:

• introduce you to County leaders and decision makers
• illuminate and strengthen your leadership style
• bring Bergen County to life through exciting field trips and site visits
• challenge your assumptions about Bergen County and its people
• expose you to widely divergent views of Bergen County issues
• expand your personal and professional network 

Attend a FREE informational Open House to find out how you can become a part of Bergen LEADS.  Meet alumni and members of the Class of 2011.  Click here for a complete schedule and to register for an Open House.

For more information, go to http://www.bergenleads.org/.

Business Volunteer Council Celebrates 11th Anniversary

Members and supporters of the Northern New Jersey Business Volunteer Council (BVC) will celebrate eleven successful years of service to the community on March 7, at Sanducci’s Trattoria, River Edge. Since its launch in January of 2000, employee volunteers at 30 BVC member companies have worked on behalf of low-income children and families, generating and distributing over $1.2 million in resources.

More than 3,200 foster children have been provided with backpacks filled with personal care items, socks, underwear and gifts.  Approximately 13,000 children in early learning programs have received new books to encourage love of reading and to foster literacy.  The yearly August back-to-school supply drive has generated over $320,000 worth of school gear for non-profit organizations and schools, while the annual summer food drive has resulted in over $325,000 worth of food and grocery store gift certificates being distributed to low-income families who rely on school meal programs that are not available when school is out.

The mission of the nationally-recognized BVC, which is sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, is to provide leadership in meeting community needs, especially those of children and families, by mobilizing employee volunteers.

The Northern New Jersey Business Volunteer Council welcomes new members, representatives from area companies who are interested in learning more about the BVC are invited to join in the 11th Anniversary Celebration on Monday, March 7.  The cost is $30 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres, dessert, and wine.  RSVP by March 2 to Tess Tomasi at (201) 489-9454 ext. 114 or email her at ttomasi@bergenvolunteers.org.

Hats Off to Mentors

The Volunteer Center of Bergen County recently thanked several volunteers in its Mentoring Youth Program at a breakfast celebrating of National Mentoring Month in January.

The Mentoring Youth Program trains and supervises adult volunteers who serve as mentors to children facing challenges, including social, emotional or behavioral problems at home and in life.  Our 85 mentors are positive role models who provide guidance, friendship and support, as well as advocacy on behalf of the kids they are mentoring.

There’s a great need for mentors throughout Bergen County, both in our Mentoring Youth program and in our Mentoring Moms program, in which women mentor overwhelmed mothers who are trying to sustain their families. 

For more information about becoming a mentor and to find out when the next training sessions will be held, call the Volunteer Center of Bergen County at (201) 489-9454, or visit www.bergenvolunteers.org and click on Bergen Mentors.

Top 10 Reasons to join Bergen LEADS

REASON #10...  

"You'll find out what you don't know

about what you don't know...

...about yourself and Bergen County."

 

Donna Corrieri, Class '09

Bergen LEADS will:

• introduce you to County leaders and decision makers
• illuminate and strengthen your leadership style
• bring Bergen County to life through exciting field trips and site visits
• challenge your assumptions about Bergen County and its people
• expose you to widely divergent views of Bergen County issues
• expand your personal and professional network 

Attend a FREE informational Open House to find out how you can become a part of Bergen LEADS.  Meet alumni and members of the Class of 2011.  Click here for a complete schedule and to register for an Open House.  Directions will be sent upon receipt of your registration.  For more information, go to www.bergenleads.org.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 8, 2011

LAST CHANCE! Cell Phone Recycling Drive

Did you know that cell phones, digital cameras, PDAs, and laptops contain toxic materials? Did you know that most of these devices are not disposed of properly and often wind up in landfill? But you can recycle these devices to raise money for a great cause!
 

The Northern New Jersey Business Volunteer Council (BVC) is collecting used cell phones, PDAs, laptops, and digital cameras for recycling. The BVC will receive money for each device that can be recycled or reused; proceeds will support BVC initiatives that direct resources to low-income children and families in our community.

So don’t throw that old cell phone out – recycle it for a great cause! Drop off your items to the Volunteer Center, 64 Passaic Street, Hackensack, Monday - Friday from 10:00am – 4:00pm now through February 28. 

For more information please contact BVC at 201-489-9454 ext. 114 or email ttomasi@bergenvolunteers.org.

Save the Date - Derby Day 2011

Practice Random Acts of Winter Kindness

By Tess Tomasi

We often think of volunteering as a formal and structured process, but how many millions of unheralded events happen every day between neighbors?

We're probably all guilty of complaining about this wild winter we're having so far. Who isn't tired of weather alerts, slipping on ice, cabin fever, and shoveling and shoveling and more shoveling? But as bad as all that sounds, for some people winter snow storms can mean helplessness and isolation. For our elderly and disabled neighbors who can't manage the physical exertion of shoveling, they can quickly become stranded in their own homes, particularly people who are on a limited income and can't afford to pay for the service.

You can make a meaningful difference by "practicing random acts of kindness and senseless acts of shoveling." Being a nice neighbor is a quick and easy way to "volunteer" to make your community a better place for everyone.