Welcome! Wisconsin Caregiver Support Community Monthly Call: December 11, 2017 Agenda Welcome Learn Something New: Maximizing Volunteers/Volunteerism Powerful Tools for Caregivers and other Caregiving Programs Presenters: Sue Pleskac, Support Coordinator for PT4C, Professor Emeritus and Retired Volunteer Specialist Lynn Scheinoha, Family Caregiving Program Specialist and Prevention Program Coordinator for ADRC of the Lakeshore Carrie Myers, Resource Specialist for ADRC of Northwest Wisconsin Carrie Porter, Transportation and Volunteer Specialist for GWAAR Get the Skinny! Updates from the State Level (GWAAR, WIHA, Others) Rally Time! Open Discussion on sharing your thoughts, questions, and local needs Final Thoughts Next Conference Call: Date and Focus

Volunteers At Your Door! Sue Pleskac Support Coordinator for Powerful Tools for Caregivers Professor Emeritus UW-Extension, Retired Volunteer Specialist

Start With End In Mind What do volunteers bring to your program? What do volunteers gain through involvement in your program?

Why Include Volunteers In Your Programs? Credibility Connections Expand Your Outreach Skills that Contribute to Your Purpose/Mission

Defining Volunteers Wisconsin Department of Labor An individual who performs hours of service for a public agency for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered, is considered to be a volunteer during such hours. The services are offered freely without coercion.

Some Wisconsin Facts Over 35% of Wisconsinites Volunteer Time Value of Volunteers in Wisconsin: $23.06 up 2.6% Independent Sector 2017 Factors that affect Volunteering: Increase of volunteers: Home ownership, education, transportation, number of community organizations and non profits, Less volunteers: poverty and unemployment

Why People Volunteer Volunteering provides a variety of personal benefits and satisfaction, in addition to the benefits received by nonprofit organizations and society as a whole. The most important reasons cited were : feeling compassion for those in need (86%) having an interest in the activity or work (72%) gaining a new perspective on things (70%) the importance of the activity to people the volunteer respects (63%) learn new skills both personally and path to employment civic engagement/ citizenship in action

Cycle of Volunteer Staffing Orient and Train Volunteer Provide Support and Evaluate Recognize Volunteer Work Recruit and Place Volunteer Design Volunteer Roles Identify Program Needs

Starting with You What is Program’s Mission/Purpose? What are your Program Needs? How can you think outside the box?

Where to Focus Efforts Recruit Support Retain

Top 5 Tips in Recruitment Ask! Ask! Ask! Listen! Be clear about the volunteer role and responsibilities Be clear about what they may gain Offer support: training, transportation, etc.

Top 5 Tips in Supporting Volunteers Ask! Ask! Ask! Clear role description of responsibilities Provide training Provide materials and supplies Have a go-to person for questions and ideas

Top 5 Tips for Retention Recognize and Appreciate! Listen! Match the recognition to why they volunteer Listen! Provide constructive feedback in a safe space. Build connections with volunteers to the organization. Provide personal development opportunities

Welcome Carrie Myers – Resource Specialist for ADRC of Northwest Wisconsin Lynn Scheinoha – Family Caregiving Program Specialist and Prevention Program Coordinator for ADRC of the Lakeshore Carrie Porter – Transportation and Volunteer Specialist for GWAAR

Volunteer Empowerment Answer phones, make appointments Input data Compile outreach information packets Distribute resources to community partners Develop contact lists Create marketing and outreach plans Organize outreach events Direct outreach activities Peer mentoring/Volunteer training Provide counseling & information and assistance Directive Consultative Participative Shared Leadership Increasing skill, responsibility, autonomy Carrie P.

Volunteers Stop Volunteering When: Not respected and treated professionally Not made an active player in determining what gets done and how Unsure of the desired result Unsure of the value of what they are doing either to the organization, those served, or the community Not given opportunity to use all their skills, abilities, and experience. Being micro-managed Not understanding the significance of what they are asked to do; what contributions they will make to lasting improvements. No opportunity for advancement and new learning Health issues Volunteers Stop Volunteering When: Carrie

It’s a PRIVILEGE to volunteer - not a right.

Resources For You Corporation for National & Community Service: https://www.nationalservice.gov Volunteering and Civic Life in America https://www.nationalservice.gov/vcla Independent Sector: https://www.independentsector.org Points of Light: http://www.pointsoflight.org