Marin Human Race Kick-Off Breakfast: February 11, 2011

The Race is ON!

2011 Marin Human Race Kick-Off Breakfast
Friday, February 11
9:00 to 10:30 AM

Location: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin
240 Channing Way, San Rafael, CA 94903
Parking is limited, so please carpool.

Reserve your seats online or call 479-5710.

Breakfast isn't just a great way to start the day - it's a great way to kick-start the Human Race season into high gear! 

Come meet fellow nonprofits and school representatives, local businesses, corporate sponsors, and community members and learn how to make the most of your Human Race experience. Team Leaders can pick up information packets, registration brochures, and materials, and hear about the exciting changes in store for the 29th Annual Marin Human Race.

For Participating Nonprofit Agencies/Schools - Register your agency to participate in the Marin Human Race before the Breakfast and be eligible for special prizes!*

There is no charge for the breakfast. Limit is two representatives per organization.  *Prize money awarded to nonprofit or school program; subject to verification; must be present to win.

 
GET INVOLVED EARLY:

AGENCY REGISTRATION DETAILS
Nonprofit Organizations and School Programs:
We highly encourage nonprofits and school programs to register early in order maximize visibility among potential donors and donation collectors. Register online or submit completed Agency Registration Form, tax-exempt documentation, and entry fee to:

Marin Human Race
Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership
555 Northgate Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
Click here to read more about the Marin Human Race

2011 Marin Human Race Sponsors:

Autodesk

Bank of Marin

Bellam Self Storage & Boxes

Brayton Purcell LLP

Farallone Pacific Insurance Services

Good Earth Natural Foods

Kaiser Permanente

Marin Community Foundation

Marin County Board of Supervisors

Marin Independent Journal

Milagro Foundation

Redwood Credit Union

Union Bank

Westamerica Bank

Whole Foods Market

Confirmed Sponsors as of 2/1/11
Interested in sponsoring the 2011 Marin Human Race?
Call (415) 479-5710 x336 or email at sdarceymartin@cvnl.org.

Volunteer Recruiting Drive Launched

Skilled volunteers meet to discuss their current projects with Marin Nonprofits.  Featured from right to left:  Tom Batty, Jane Soloman, Judith Saffron, Stan Green, John Kichuci, Julie Burk (Volunteer Services Director) and Bob Kopelman.

From the Marin Independent Journal, Thursday, October 14th, 2010

The Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership of Marin has launched an initiative to recruit more than 1,000 new volunteers ages 50 and older.

The center will recruit volunteers online and will send representatives to senior centers, clubs, businesses and special events, Executive Director Linda Davis said. It also will tap an increased number of "matchmakers" to meet with seniors and find volunteer opportunities for them, Davis said.

The initiative, titled "Share your Lifetime of Experience," will target both retirees and workers in the later stages of their careers, she said.

"We see a future where community engagement is a part of growing older," she said Wednesday at a press conference announcing the project.

The center already runs a number of programs to match volunteers with organizations and volunteer projects, and to advise groups on using volunteers. In addition to recruitment the new initiative will include consulting with other groups to help them take into account the needs of older volunteers, such as more flexible schedules, Davis said.

A key goal of the recruitment is to improve the quality of life for seniors by giving them a sense of purpose, Davis said. Volunteering can also help reduce people's need for medical care and other services in the future, she said, citing studies that show a connection between social connections and physical health.
Marin County Supervisor Judy Arnold said the initiative is well-timed to address a reduction in services provided by the county, which has eliminated about 180 positions over the past three years to help fill a $25 million budget hole.
 

"That's just the first wave of what the economy and this state budget is doing," Arnold said at the press conference.

Also appearing at the event was volunteer John Kikuchi, 54, a former technology marketing executive who retired early last year after losing his job. After a few months of golfing and working around the house, Kikuchi said his wife handed him a flyer for the volunteer center and said, "'You need something to do.'"
Now Kikuchi is volunteering for Marin Advocates for Children, the Marin Human Race -- a project of the volunteer center -- and the Canal Welcome Center.

"I'm one of those that basically gave money and never thought of volunteering my time," Kikuchi said. "I was always too busy."

Kikuchi said volunteering has given him "something to wake up in the morning for," which was lacking in the months after he stopped working.

"Playing golf, you meet people and say hello, but you don't follow up in any way, shape or form," he said.

For more information, visit www.volunteermarin.org or call 479-5710.

Contact Will Jason via e-mail at wjason@marinij.com

Thank you to all  of our wonderful volunteers who have and are making this Volunteer Initiative a success!  If you would like to "Share your Lifetime of Experience" go to www.VolunteerMarin.org today.

The Flexible Volunteer Program Welcomes Fall

 

 

With October already in full swing, the Flex program eagerly greets the Fall season. Although neither the leaves nor the weather seems to be changing too fast, it is easy to appreciate all the wonders the Fall season brings through our full calendar of Flex projects. Through Flex I have noticed the changes in produce that come with each season. I have seen changes in the fruits and vegetables donated by Marin Organic to supplement the Food Bank donations we distribute at the Canal Alliance. The produce moves away from Summer's stone fruits and instead we see hardier produce, like apples, lettuce, and squashes. Although this week, during our Glean Team project, we were still able to harvest tomatoes, I guess due to the cold spell during summer. And most importantly Flex is helping me get in the spirit of Halloween! At the beginning of the month I had so much fun working with other volunteers at a pumpkin patch put on by the Godmothers of Timothy Murphy School. We helped wheel barrow pumpkins and oversee the jump houses and snack shop and I got lots of costume ideas from kids who just can’t wait for trick or treating! I even found my perfect pumpkin and felt good knowing I was helping to support the boys at the St. Vincent school! We will back at the patch on the 27^th and I can’t wait! Come join the fun and get in the spirit of Halloween! …BOO!

For nonprofits, an effective board is crucial

Content taken from Nonprofit Spark. VoiceAmerica Talk Radio Network. 30 Sept 2010. 11 PST.

Host-Renee McGivern, www.voiceamerica.com

written by Sarah Van Dine

The Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership's CEO was featured last week on Nonprofit Spark, an online radio talk show dedicated to igniting nonprofit learning and connections with host Renee McGivern.  With 32 years experience in nonprofit management, Davis was able to provide insight on the vital components for nonprofit boards.

When asked to describe the key duties of a board member, Davis described that “for most executive directors and board members, we collectively feel that the best board member is someone who brings money, attains contributions, brings contacts and positive attention to the organization, and brings a certain expertise while diversifying the board composition.  While that is true, it is only a part of the role because the role is also around governance.”  Board members in California legally have a responsibility to uphold a duty of care—attending and participating in board meetings, of loyalty—acting in good faith on behalf of the organization, and of obedience—following organization bylaws and articles of incorporation.  

One of the best ways to insure that the duty of loyalty is upheld, Davis states, is to have a Conflict of Interest policy in place.  Although such a policy is a best practice for board management, it is not necessarily transferred or known by nonprofits.  Yet Davis says that a Conflict of Interest policy is “often misunderstood.  It is really not meant to say that you (as a board member) can or can’t participate, but it is a disclosure statement” so if a conflict of interest does arise, the board member knows it is their responsibility to voice that conflict and for the remainder of the board to decide what they should do.

Another key aspect of board governance is ensuring that the nonprofit organization is fiscally responsible.  Yet, as host Renee McGovern points out, most people do not know how to read organization financial statements.  Davis agreed.  She said it is “very important for all nonprofit organizations to have somebody in their organization on staff, or as a volunteer,” who does understand that information, and that the executive director knows enough to ask the right questions.  However, an organization can also teach its board members in this area.  Davis said that is not uncommon for the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership to walk their board through forms, encouraging members to ask questions and start a dialogue.  “You can look for an organization like ours in your community where they offer workshops or training where you can send your board members to learn.”

Davis went on to speak about the crucial relationship between board president and executive director.  “There are very distinct roles for both the executive director and the board president, with boundaries, and it is important for both parties to know what those are, to understand them, and to respect them.”  This relationship is an odd aspect of nonprofit work because although an executive director is hired and fired by the board and reports to them, it is the executive director’s responsibility to ensure that they are doing a good job in managing the organization. “Communication is paramount to this relationship.”

If you are a nonprofit in the Bay Area seeking support for your board, the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership provides Board 101, 201, and Strategic Board Recruitment workshops as well as a free-for-members board referral service.  Please go to www.cvnl.org to learn more.

Out-of-work residents turn to volunteer service

From the Marin Independent Journal, Sunday October 10th, 2010

When Mike Moore moved to San Rafael from Sacramento last year, he was unfazed by what he thought would be a brief job search."I was up early every morning going to job websites, going to job fairs thinking it was just a temporary thing," said Moore, 44.
By the summer, he became discouraged.
"Weeks turned to months, and I found that I was kind of just hanging out and not really doing anything constructive," he said.
Then Moore volunteered to help build houses for Habitat for Humanity, and he taught English to immigrants through another nonprofit program. He's been volunteering ever since, most recently as an after-school tutor in Marin City. The experience has inspired him to pursue a new career in counseling, and he is taking community college classes with an eye toward applying to a master's program.
Moore is one of hundreds of Marin residents who have become volunteers since the beginning of the economic downturn. Nonprofit and government agencies say they have been flooded with people looking to refresh their skills, update their resumes or simply get out of the house. Across the county, many organizations report volunteer activity has increased anywhere from 20 to 50 percent - at one agency, applications increased more than threefold - with many new volunteers drawn in by joblessness or under-employment.
"I've been here 30 years and I've not seen anything like this," said Joan Brown, who coordinates public sector volunteers for Marin County.

Brown said volunteer interest is at least triple its level before the downturn, and she receives hundreds of applications from people who have lost their jobs.
"We just don't have enough opportunities for all the people who are interested," Brown said. "There are really outstanding, qualified people who I may not even be able to place."
Victoria Snyder, 30, of Mill Valley, was placed recently as a volunteer attorney in the Marin County counsel's office, working on cases involving children who have been abused or neglected. The work matched her experience at a school for emotionally disturbed children.
"I was really attracted to this area of law," she said.
Snyder could not find a position in the legal profession after she graduated from the City University of New York School of Law more than a year ago, and at first she worked in entry-level jobs. She decided it would be better to work in her field even if it meant not getting paid and moving back in with her family to save money.
"To be employable I needed some legal work experience in 2010," she said. "One of the other benefits is just meeting other attorneys. It's been really wonderful because all of the other attorneys that I've met are warm and friendly and are eager to explain how things work."
For some people, volunteering can lead to a paid job. Anthony Lum was a civil engineer and project designer for BKF Engineers in Redwood City until he was laid off last year. He said he applied to nearly 100 jobs but could not get re-hired.
Lum, who lives in Milbrae, first volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and then learned that many Bay Area public agencies use volunteer engineers. He found a position in Marin County's public works department.
"Initially, from a selfish standpoint, I wanted to have some sort of public sector experience on my resume," Lum said.
Lum helps design projects such as guardrails and sidewalks in the unincorporated county. After two months his position turned into a paid job - albeit one without benefits - and he hopes it will be the beginning of a career in the public sector.
"You feel like you are improving the quality of life for the public," he said.
Not all new volunteers are driven by career goals. Other factors include the introduction of mandatory community service in public schools and the retirement of baby boomers who now have more free time, said Linda Davis, CEO of the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership, a volunteer placement agency.
"More and more people are rising up, teaching younger people about volunteering," Davis said. "Sometimes, things happen in the news that make people want to volunteer, like a disaster," such as the Haiti earthquake in January.
All of those factors have contributed to a huge increase - nearly 50 percent from July 2009 to July 2010 - in volunteers placed through the volunteer center. As those volunteers have fanned out across the county, absorbing them has proven difficult for some groups.
Nadine James-Ward, volunteer coordinator for Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco, said the organization has turned away dozens of extra volunteers since starting its first Marin County project - it now has three projects - earlier this year.
"We always have a waiting list of people who want to come volunteer," James-Ward said.
But volunteers can also provide much-needed help to an organization, especially at a time when the economy and cuts to government jobs and services have increased the need for charity work, said Mary Kay Sweeney, executive director of Homeward Bound Marin. The homeless shelter and service provider has used about 200 new volunteers in the past year and a half - out of a total 1,200 volunteers - including kitchen workers, gardeners, office administrators and even psychotherapists.
"They're the lifeblood of any organization," Sweeney said.
Even with the recent increase in volunteers, agencies say they expect to see a still greater need for their services if cuts are not restored. In particular, they anticipate a greater need for volunteers to assist the county's growing population of seniors.
Furthermore, they see a need to better engage seniors as volunteers themselves, because baby boomers might not be drawn in by the traditional volunteer process. This week the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership is launching a new drive to recruit experienced volunteers age 50 and older.
"Marin has a fast-growing aging community," the center's Davis said. "Human beings naturally want to give back."
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
- The Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership connects volunteers with organizations and projects throughout Marin County. For information, visit www.cvnl.org or call 479-5710.
- Civic Center Volunteers places people in volunteer positions in county government. For information, visit http://ow.ly/2QGF7 or call 499-7407.
Contact Will Jason via e-mail at wjason@marinij.com

Why I Volunteer...

Written by Libby Reyff, 17
San Domenico High School

For the past four years I have been volunteering at Halleck Creek Ranch in Nicasio, the horseback riding club for handicapped people. I began doing it just for fun with my dad, and it has grown into a huge part of my life and something that I look forward to every week (we go every Saturday). Unfortunately, because I'm in high school, sometimes my schedule doesn't permit me to volunteer consistently every week, but in the summertime, luckily that's not a problem. The community that I've had the opportunity to be a part of is fantastic. Out at the ranch, there is nothing to be unhappy about. Even if a rider takes a fall or has a seizure, people stay positive. No matter your age, race, or physical capabilities, you are treated as an equal, and for that I will forever be grateful. Halleck Creek has changed my life, and continues to do so, always for the better. It has helped to shape me into the strong, understanding young woman I am today (if I do say so myself), and will be in my heart forever.