Wednesday, July 9, 2014

July “Lunch and Learn” for Volunteer Managers

The Volunteer Center of Bergen County will present a Volunteer Managers’ “Lunch and Learn” Roundtable on Thursday, July 22, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Volunteer Center’s offices at 64 Passaic Street in Hackensack. The Roundtables are free, but all attendees must be pre-registered to attend. To RSVP, call 201-489-9454 Ext. 118 or e-mail demery@bergenvolunteers.org by July 22nd.

Participants must bring their own lunches; soft drinks will be provided. Driving directions and parking instructions will be e-mailed to registered attendees before each session.
All professionals who work with or manage volunteers in non-profit, corporate, community, governmental or faith-based settings are invited to attend this seminar—part of a series of bi-monthly meetings that are informal yet interactive, with time for networking and group problem solving activities.
Each Roundtable will provide an opportunity for professional growth and interaction with colleagues as well as a forum for sharing ideas and best practices in the field. Additionally, attendees will get updates on new programs and services that the Volunteer Center has available to enhance agencies’ volunteer programs.
“These meetings have proven to be informational as well as inspirational,” says Debbie Emery, Community Volunteer Services Director for the Volunteer Center. “The lively exchanges have helped participants keep their skills sharp, find out about new ideas, and get answers to questions about making the most of their volunteer workforces.”

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Community Service Was Never So Fun


 
17 High School Students came together during the week of June 23 - 27 to participate in the Volunteer Center’s brand new teen leadership experience, Ready, Set, Serve.
 
Their five day experience provided each teen a glimpse into his or her personal leadership style and strengths, as well as the opportunity to be part of a team and work together for a common good. 

Ready Set Serve (RSS) is a unique training program designed to help prepare the next generation for leadership roles in their communities.  Through a state-of-the-art curriculum that includes both classroom instruction and experiential training, RSS teaches middle- and high-school-age youth a broad array of leadership skills applicable to community service.  The ultimate purpose of RSS is to help create stronger communities - and a stronger nation - by igniting in young people the ability and the desire to make meaningful, lifelong contributions to their communities. 

Kayla, 10th grader at Hackensack high School, shares her perspective, “I have participated in many leadership programs through my school, church and camp but this experience with the Volunteer Center of Bergen County has been one of a kind.”

What’s so unique about Ready, Set, Serve is that it is not just a 5-day program.  The teens are now beginning to embark upon service projects designed during the program which they will work on throughout the upcoming school year. 

Watch to see what happens in August when Middle Schoolers put their talents and enthusiasm to the test during the next RSS session!
 
Click here to link to Ready, Set, Serve.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Summer Program Planned for 6th, 7th and 8th Graders


The Volunteer Center of Bergen County will be offering a one-week summer service and leadership experience for teens this August.  The program, scheduled for August 25-29, will be held at the Volunteer Center in Hackensack from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily.
 
Ready, Set, Serve is an exciting and challenging summer program for Bergen County students who will be entering the 6th, 7th or 8th grades in September.  Teens will be immersed in a week of interactive, interesting and fun activities, learning leadership skills that will help them make a difference in their schools and communities.
 
The focus of Ready, Set, Serve is community service.  Through a state-of –the-art curriculum that includes both classroom instruction and experiential training, teens will participate in challenging exercises including community needs analysis, goal setting, team building, project planning, decision making and other dynamic leadership skills.
 
The Ready, Set, Serve experience continues beyond the one week in summer.   Participants will continue to meet monthly from September through March to discuss and work on individual or group service projects.  A graduation and project presentation will be held in conjunction with the Volunteer Center’s Celebrate Volunteers recognition event in April 2015.
 
“The ultimate purpose of  Ready, Set, Serve is to help create stronger communities - and a stronger nation - by igniting in young people the ability and desire to make meaningful, lifelong contributions to their communities,” says Debbie Emery, Community Volunteer Services Director at the Volunteer Center.  “Students participating in this program will have a great activity to add to their college applications and resumes, as well as service hours they can use to meet requirements of schools and religious institutions.
 
The fee to attend this program is $350 per student, which includes all class materials, snacks, beverages and lunch on the Friday, August 29th closing session.  Students provide their own lunch the other days.  The deadline for application is July 25th.   Tuition can be paid online at www.bergenvolunteers.org.  Call 201-489-9454 Ext. 118  or email demery@bergenvolunteers.org for more information.

Friday, July 4, 2014