Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Service-Learning and the Common Core


Service-Learning and the Common Core:  
An Uncommonly Good Match  


2013 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE


    • Preparing students for life beyond school
    • Teaching students to solve problems through inquiry and analysis
    • Developing students' understanding of real-world issues
    • Demonstrating literacy with a variety of texts
    • Applying learning to new situations, especially real-world contexts
    • Gaining knowledge and skills for success in college and career
    • Engaging students in critical thinking and problem solving

Tuesday, August 13, 2013 -- 8:15AM to 3:15PM
Kean University, STEM Building, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ

 

$45 Per Person - EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT  
REGISTER BEFORE JUNE 30, 2013
 

includes lunch and materials ($60 after June 30)


WHO SHOULD ATTEND? K-12 Educators including...

Teachers, Administrators, Counselors, Volunteer Service Coordinators, Club Advisors, and Curriculum Coordinators.  Attendees will receive a Certificate of Participation for six credit hours of professional development.


 

Friday, May 24, 2013

Volunteer Center Receives Grant From TD Charitable Foundation

The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, recently awarded a $10,000 grant to the Volunteer Center of Bergen County.  Funds will support the Volunteer Center’s Mentoring Moms program, which matches overwhelmed mothers, many of whom are single parents, with caring mentors who provide emotional and practical support by helping them with everyday parenting challenges, including financial issues and other struggles.
 
The funds will be used to provide financial workshops as well as other programs for these families, all of which have very limited resources.
 
“We are so grateful to TD Charitable Foundation for supporting the mothers and families in our program,” says Cindy Andrake, Program Director for Mentoring Moms. “Funding for workshops and events allow us to provide valuable learning opportunities which not only impact mothers, but their children as well.”
 
More women are needed to become mentors, and there is an especially great need for bi-lingual, Spanish-speaking mentors.
 
To find out how to become a mentor, or to support the Mentoring Moms program, call (201) 489-9454 or visit www.bergenvolunteers.org.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

BVC Companies make Mother's Day Suprises

Volunteers from member companies of the Volunteer Center of Bergen County’s Business Volunteer Council packed over 350 Mother’s Day gift bags, filled with toiletries, key chains and gifts for moms who receive food from the Center for Food Action in Mahwah.  

The BVC mobilizes more than 30,000 employee volunteers yearly, with a focus on positively impacting the lives of low-income children and families throughout Bergen County.   Since 2000, the BVC has raised over $1.4 million to address literacy, emotional well-being, hunger and education for these families.  Visit www.nnjbvc.org for more information.

Monday, May 20, 2013

How Can Non-Profits Do More With Less?

Public Forum to explore funding and services in this challenging economy

 
The Great Recession--and slow recovery--have ushered in a "new normal" in the non-profit sector.  In an era of diminishing resources and increasing need, Bergen County non-profits are scrambling to provide much needed services and fulfill their missions.  This challenge will be the topic at an upcoming public forum  presented by the graduating class of Bergen LEADS, the premier civic leadership program for adults sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Bergen County.  The forum will be moderated by Nina Stack, president of the NJ Council of Grantmakers.
 
Sponsored by TD Bank, PSEG and Synetek Solutions, the forum will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2013, from 3-5 pm at Bergen Community College’s Ciccone Theater.  The event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required; call 201-489-9454 Ext. 112 to register. 
 
“When faced with dwindling funds, the traditional response would be to either cut services or grow revenue," says William “Pat” Schuber, former Bergen County Executive and Bergen LEADS seminar director. "Many organizations, already lean, have cut expenses to the bone, severely hampering their ability to meet their mission.  On the revenue side, more and more organizations are competing for scarce dollars, often with little success."
 
The Bergen LEADS Class of 2013 will explore current practices, both locally and in other communities, then make recommendations on ways in which Bergen County non-profit organizations could do business differently to meet the economic challenges of this "new normal.”
 
The men and women in the Bergen LEADS Class of 2013 have been meeting monthly since September to dissect issues, debate viewpoints and get a first-hand look at Bergen County’s infrastructure.   The Forum is the culmination of the seminar year for the Class of 2013. 
 
To register for the forum and for further information, email amissey@bergenvolunteers.org or call  201-489-9454 ext. 112.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Welcome Ameriprise Financial!

 
The Northern New Jersey Business Volunteer Council (BVC) is delighted to welcome Americprise Financial as a new member!  Welcome Ameriprise.
 
Te BVC is a program of the Volunteer Center that helps community minded companies do good while doing well.  The BVC counts 30 member companies which represent every sector of the economy and range in size from small, local businesses to major international corporations. Despite their differences, members agree that being a good neighbor and good corporate citizen impacts our community – and their bottom line.
 
The BVC mobilizes more than 30,000 employee volunteers every year, with a specific focus on impacting the lives of low-income children and families.
 
BVC activity revolves around four annual strategic initiatives designed to address literacy, emotional well-being, hunger and education. Through these initiatives, the BVC has generated more than $1.4 million in resources in 12 years.
 
For more information on the BVC please contact Ellen Lutvak, BVC Coordinator, at the Volunteer Center.

Monday, May 13, 2013

The Jersey Shore is OPEN!

 
The Jersey Shore is OPEN - Bergen LEADS Fifth Friday to Focus on Rebuilding and Restoring After Hurricane Sandy

The next Fifth Friday luncheon will feature Robert Hilton, executive director of the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau, who update us on how the Jersey Shore communities is rebuilding and renewing post-Hurricane Sandy.  The program will be held on Friday, May 31, from 11:30 am to 2 pm at the Stony Hill Inn in Hackensack.  Tickets are $40 and can be purchased here.

Fifth Friday is hosted by Bergen LEADS, Bergen County’s civic leadership program for adults sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Bergen County. Tickets are $40.00 and must be purchased in advance by registering online by calling Beanne at 201-489-9454 Ext. 112.

PNC Wealth Management is presenting sponsor for the 2013 Fifth Friday series. Additional sponsors are TD Bank, Archer & Greiner PC, the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce, Synetek Solutions, Bergen Community College, Kreisler Manufacturing, PSEG, United Water, Rockland Electric,  (201) Magazine and The Record.

Sponsorships for the May 31st event are available. For more information about the Fifth Friday events, or about Bergen LEADS, call 201-489-9454 Ext. 119.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Derby Day Fun!

Apple Ridge Country Club was the prefect setting for a great Derby Day on Saturday, May 4, as the Volunteer Center of Bergen County celebrated it's 21st annual Derby Day PartyMore than 200 guests sipped mint juleps, grooved to the amazing southern rock and blues tunes of the Stuff Brothers, took a chance at the Winner's Circle and Wine Pull, sampled fine wines and cigars and bid on fabulous items in the silent and live auction. 
MC Leo McGuire and auctioneer Andy Russ led the festivities and encouraged enthusiastic bidding, and everyone cheered as "Orb" flew through the mud to win the Run for the Roses.  It was a great way to spend the afternoon and also raise funds for the Volunteer Center's programs and services in the community.
Judge for the “Most Elegant Hat” contest was (201) Magazine Social Editor Deirdre Ward and judge for the “Most Outrageous Tie” contest was Deidre's husband Joseph Ward. Together they stalked the crowd for the winners and finally named Mary DeStefano the "Most Elegant Hat" winner and for the second year in a row, Keith Jensen the "Most Outrageous Tie" winner.
Thanks to all who attended and to our generous corporate sponsors: TD Bank, (201) Magazine, Compensation Solutions, Inserra Shoprite, Oritani Bank, PSE&G, Synetek Solutions, United Water, Reader’s Digest, and Atlantic, Tomorrow's Office.
See ya’ll next year on Saturday, May 3, 2014!