RSVP ADVISORY COUNCIL ORIENTATION WEST CENTRAL MN COMMUNITIES ACTION ELBOW LAKE, MN

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Volunteer Recruitment Volunteer Placement Volunteer Management

The Corporation for National Service

OTHER CNS PROGRAMS LEARN & SERVE AMERICA AMERI CORPS/ VISTA Some have cooperative programs. Some have shared local sponsors.

OUR LOCAL SPONSOR West Central MN Communities Action, Inc. 411 Industrial Park Blvd. Elbow Lake, MN Phones: ext. # ext #

FUNDING SOURCES Federal Grant--CNS State Grant--MBA 5 Counties Served--used for vol. Expense WCMCACEO portion of salaries In-kind & Donations Occasional fund raising

RSVP ADVISORY COUNCIL 4 members from Grant, Pope, Stevens, and Traverse Counties 5 members from Douglas County 50% age year terms 2 consecutive terms Support & planning Input on local issues Local fund raising Annual evaluation referrals promotion/ PR/ communications PURPOSEMAKE UP

RSVP MISSION Develop meaningful retirement roles for Seniors Assist public and private nonprofits in recruiting and retaining volunteers Resource for addressing community problems

ELIGIBILITY AND PRIORITIES Age 55 + Desire to serve in the community No income guidelines Isolated persons Disabilities Special skills Willing to work in difficult to fill positions Working duel or new sites Males/ under 70 Intergenerational

BENEFITS FOR VOLUNTEERS On the job insurance Limited reimbursements Recognition events Information, opportunities, placement

BENEFITS FOR VOLUNTEER SITES Insurance for volunteers Reimbursement for volunteers Recognition for volunteers Assistance with recruitment Technical assistance Networking opportunities

SOME ASSIGNMENTS AVAILABLE Schools, preschool, & Head Start- national priority Literacy programs Food shelves & clothing banks Nursing homes Congregate meals & home delivered Transportation programs Hospitals County & local Senior Citizen Programs Habitat for Humanity Programs

Program Statistics 923 active volunteers 110,150 volunteer hours 86 volunteer sites plus Advisory Council $785, dollar value to the communities (figured at $7.76 per hour) 134 newly enrolled volunteers 155 volunteers discontinuing service $15, transportation reimbursement paid $ meal reimbursement paid Cost of recognition events (5) $7, (a portion was covered by donations)

RSVP FOCUSES ON IMPACTS OF VOLUNTEERS ON THE COMMUNITY IMPACTS: SHOW THE DIFFERENCE MADE ARE VIEWED IN THE LONGER TERM SHOW HOW THE COMMUNITY NEED WAS MET

FOR PROGRAMMING IMPACT Community need Service activity Input Accomplishment Impact

WHAT MIGHT WE MEASURE? NUMBER OF CLIENTS/PERSONS SERVED ESTIMATED DOLLAR VALUE OF SERVICE MEASUREABLE CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR ie. decreased incidents of violence MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENTS IN HEALTH ACTUAL NUMBERS OF PRODUCTS PRODUCED ie. Number of homes built, quilts made etc.

SO WHO CARES ANYWAY? FUNDING SOURCES AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WANT TO SEE REAL RESULTS ACCOUNTABILITY COMPETITION FOR SCARCE RESOURCES OBLIGATED TO USE TAX DOLLARS WISELY