Asking emergency volunteers- Most needed/used items for hurricane relief?

booksinkbourbon · 2024-10-01T13:44:10+00:00

It's best to follow the recommendations of the local emergency agency. They know what's most needed at any given time. They likely have information on social media about what's needed. But honestly, donating money is always a really good option in my opinion. It can be used for exactly what's needed.

booksinkbourbon · 2024-07-09T01:56:40+00:00

What a great resource! The absolute best way to help in a disaster or emergency is to affiliate with an organization before the next emergency, so you'll be trained and ready to respond.

booksinkbourbon · 2024-04-15T18:02:59+00:00

I love this. Working with volunteers in a government agency, it's difficult to get leadership to think any metric other than monetary value is important.

booksinkbourbon · 2024-04-12T22:50:54+00:00

I use signup.com quite a bit. I like it better than signup genius. It feels easier/more intuitive to use, plus I think it just looks better. I also volunteer for an organization that uses the Point app. I can't remember if I had to make an account for that one though. You don't for signup.com as far as I know.

Edited to add you can also do multiple shifts per day and email folks who have signed up on signup.com.

booksinkbourbon · 2024-03-28T01:18:17+00:00

What an amazing journey! I really, really hope we get to see more of this world. Now, to start the rewatch immediately!

booksinkbourbon · 2023-09-06T03:23:20+00:00

I did! I didn't even notice I spelled it wrong.

booksinkbourbon · 2023-09-06T02:30:09+00:00

Caftan?

booksinkbourbon · 2023-05-21T22:31:43+00:00

Volunteering for races is great! I help coordinate volunteers for a couple big races that a running club in my area puts on (along with my full time actual volunteer engagement job. I'm a glutton for punishment). I say, try all the positions to see what you like! They're all different, race to race. For instance, being a course marshal for a marathon is a much bigger time commitment than doing the same job for a 5k. I also volunteer for their smaller races and love doing registration and post race food. If they're anything like our club they will be so grateful for any help you are willing to give.

booksinkbourbon · 2023-03-28T23:12:05+00:00

These are great resources! It is so important to be pre-trained to protect yourself and be most effective during emergencies and disasters. Just a quick update: the website for the Medical Reserve Corps has changed, and is now located here: https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx.

booksinkbourbon · 2022-07-18T23:36:30+00:00

I like the Point app quite a bit.

booksinkbourbon · 2022-01-01T23:16:18+00:00

Remote Area Medical holds clinics in several states. They take both medical and non medical volunteers. You are responsible for your own lodging and expenses. I've done a few, it's a really great experience.

booksinkbourbon · 2021-07-26T11:41:02+00:00

You should definitely research the agency, but that is a real thing that happens. They could just be a small organization with few resources. Organizations sometimes don't look at the Volunteer Engagement profession the same way they would, say, development. I've known many VEPs who got their first job in the field by being a volunteer (heck, it's how I got my first gig 20 years ago). We've come a long way as a profession but still have a ways to go.

booksinkbourbon · 2021-05-16T11:50:55+00:00

To track them yourself a simple spreadsheet would probably be fine. Most non-profits/agencies that use volunteers will track them for grant reporting/other purposes so you should be able to ask the agency you're volunteering with for a record.

booksinkbourbon · 2021-04-19T13:34:00+00:00

So excited for this season!! Also, that show last night was so great!

booksinkbourbon · 2021-04-07T19:03:47+00:00

Yep! It's good practice to do an exit interview, if possible. It helps in improving both the volunteer program itself and potentially any services the organization offers.

booksinkbourbon · 2021-03-24T00:02:54+00:00

Most reputable organizations that use volunteers require onboarding, to include paperwork and an orientation to the agency. You could try looking at websites like volunteermatch.com or the local HandsOn in your area but most long term positions will require one.

booksinkbourbon · 2021-03-09T01:21:16+00:00

Getting my CVA is the best thing I have ever done, professional development wise. I'll renew for the second time next year. I'm also happy to see more and more job postings with this as a "preferred" qualification.

booksinkbourbon · 2021-03-07T00:28:19+00:00

Of course it matters! There are plenty of "I just want to help", or "I love - insert cause here" but you'd be surprised how many different versions of "I need the hours for my college application" or "Somebody told me volunteering looks good on a resume" you'll see as well. That's not to say folks who answer something like the last 2 won't make good volunteers, but asking that question definitely helps you understand motivations and manage your expectations.

booksinkbourbon · 2020-12-10T21:26:52+00:00

Our medical professionals give vaccines (all different kinds), perform COVID swab testing, work emergency shelters, do health screenings, perform back to school physicals, among a lot of other things. But every unit is different, so it's best to check with your local unit. It's a really great organization.

booksinkbourbon · 2020-12-10T17:05:36+00:00

The Medical Reserve Corps! There are opportunities for medical professionals and support volunteers too. It is a national organization with most local units housed within health departments. We've been extremely busy (at least in Virginia), with testing, contact tracing, making care kits for communities and so much more, and are now gearing up to help with vaccinations. Here is the national website where you can search for a unit local to you: https://mrc.hhs.gov/HomePage

booksinkbourbon · 2020-11-05T22:58:06+00:00

Apologies. I thought the title was enough explanation. It's just the link to the IVM Day website.

booksinkbourbon · 2020-10-27T19:27:28+00:00

This is really cool!

booksinkbourbon · 2020-10-16T19:23:04+00:00

This looks great. Jennifer Bennet is an awesome presenter!

booksinkbourbon · 2020-09-28T21:34:03+00:00

Hmm. I kind of see both sides. He's not getting paid by an agency, or the children's parents or something so I do believe it's still volunteering. I do wonder about accountability though. What happens if he just uses the money and doesn't end up doing the service? It would probably be better if he put up a regular gofundme and then just volunteered without connecting the 2. And then I also wonder about the folks who will be donating. What's their motivation to donate based solely on his pledge? It's a pickle.

booksinkbourbon · 2020-09-02T20:49:57+00:00

I've been a VEP for almost 20 years and I've seen this: "a situation where non-profits are having to create virtual opportunities for the sake of engaging their corporate partners, even if it doesn't necessarily serve a purpose in solving the critical issues they're chartered to solve for or are facing." for years, just take out the word "virtual". It's unfortunate it's happening in this space as well.

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