Entertainment Industry Foundation Launches Nationwide Service Campaign
Earlier this summer the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) announced the launch of
“I Participate” – an unprecedented opportunity to spotlight the power of service
on a national platform and promote the amazing work that your service program is
doing locally.
The campaign will kick off with a week-long television event running from October
19 - 25, 2009. Programs on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and other broadcast networks will
spotlight service through scripted programming, segments and Public Service Announcements
with inspirational messages, and storylines about volunteerism.
New Yorkers Volunteer recognizes that millions of Americans will hear these messages
and many will be moved to volunteer in their community. This is an amazing opportunity
to harness the energy of new volunteers. At the same time, it is critical that organizations
prepare for a potential influx of volunteers.
To help non-profit organizations in New York State maximize this new resource and
ensure each volunteer has a meaningful experience, we have provided some basic strategies
to consider and resources to utilize.
First Impressions - You can’t make a first impression twice and the same
applies when managing volunteers. Make sure your organization has a basic plan to
welcome, orient and place new volunteers who call or arrive unannounced and want
to serve with your organization. Be sure you identify a staff member or leadership
volunteer to oversee the task.
How Can Volunteers Be Used? - Spend an hour with staff from all departments
that can identify service projects to help meet your organization’s objectives.
Those concepts can be turned into job descriptions and classified as spontaneous
or recurring.
Maximize Skilled Volunteers - More people with valuable skills are volunteering
their time than ever before. Your registration process should have volunteers identify
special skills that can potentially support your professional staff so don’t underestimate
them.
Thank you! - Recognize your volunteers and ask for feedback on their experience;
Good or bad it will allow you to adjust your process to be better for the next New
Yorker wanting to serve!