Volunteer Northwest Mississippi Newsletter: January 2012
In This Issue
Opportunity Spotlight
Upcoming Non-Profit Trainings
 
 
Seeking Nominations for President's Volunteer Service Awards

Volunteer Northwest Mississippi (VNM) is seeking outstanding volunteers for the 2012 President's Volunteer Service Awards (PVSA). Twenty-five awards will be presented at a reception in April, date to be announced.  

 

To nominate an individual send in contact information for the nominee along with a brief description of their volunteer service. Contact information on the person making the nomination is also needed. Send nomination information to [email protected], fax to 662.449.5002 or mail to The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, 315 Losher St. Suite 100, Hernando, MS 38632. Deadline for nominations is April 1, 2012.  

 

Past recipients are not eligible.

The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation (the Council) was established in 2003 to recognize their valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve. The Council created the President's Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.

 

 

Opportunity Spotlight 

RSVP Program -Porter Leath


The RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) was established by the Corporation for National Community Service and is a branch of Senior Corps. Porter-Leath's Generations program sponsors RSVP for Desoto County, Mississippi. Porter-Leath RSVP is for seniors age 55 and over seeking opportunities to improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. RSVP Senior members reap many benefits: In addition to staying active, discovering new friends and helping children; members receive pre-service orientation, volunteer site option, choice of time allocation, supplemental insurance while on duty and annual recognition for service.

If you are interested in participating in this program or finding out more information, contact:
Anna Dickerson at [email protected] or
Shulanda Hastings, RSVP Program Director at (901) 577-2500

 


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Did you know?

Generation X stepped up their commitment in 2010, giving 2.3 billion hours of service-an increase of almost 110 million hours since 2009.

Volunteers served 8.1 billion hours in 2010, valued at an estimated $173 billion.

Information provided by: www.volunteeringinamerica.gov


To learn more about these statistics and more,click here.
Greetings!

Volunteer Northwest Mississippi is excited to kick off 2012.  We have already had a very successful beginning to this new year with a wonderful MLK Day event and the Community Foundation's Crystal Ball. 

The MLK Day of Service, Reflection, and Art was held at all of the local libraries and was a huge success.  Thank you to First Regional Libraries and TeachUp! Mississippi for all of your hard work.  Children attended events at the libraries in Hernando, Olive Branch, Southaven, Horn Lake, Walls, Holly Springs, and Coldwater the weekend of January 14 to celebrate the life and mission of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Children enjoyed story time at each location and had the opportunity to color inspirational sheets relating to MLK's life.  Children also participated in a writing station where they wrote about their dreams.  A "Pledge of Tolerance" was also available at each branch.  Volunteers, children, parents, and guests signed off on the pledge and promised to exercise tolerance and embrace all people, regardless of race, color, or creed.

All artwork and writing will be on display at the libraries for the public to enjoy. 



The 2012 Crystal Ball, benefiting the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, was a huge success thanks to the countless volunteers, sponsors, donors, and supporters.  This year, the theme was "MAY THE FORCE BE WITH US".  Patrons of the ball were able to mingle with many characters from Star Wars.  Thank you to the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion for being an amazing part of the Crystal Ball!



To read more about the Crystal Ball, click here.

ALL STAR WARSTM ELEMENTS PROPERTY OF LUCASFILM LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

Upcoming Non-Profit Trainings


Volunteer Northwest Mississippi and the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi are pleased to announce trainings aimed at supporting and educating local non-profits.  Tonja Caldwell, a certified Nonprofit Accounting professional, will be presenting the following seminars:

 

February 24, 2012 - 9:00AM-12:30PM  

A, B, Cs of Grants:  Learn the basics of research, writing and management of grants.  Presented by Peggy Linton, Community Development Director for the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi.  Light food will be provided.  Registration deadline is February 17th.   

 

March 27, 2012 - 9:00AM-12:30PM

How to Develop a Sustainable Volunteer Management Program: Presented by Tonja Caldwell, MS Tax, Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional, Certified Advanced QuickBooks Professional Advisor Caldwell's Management Services.  Light food will be provided.  Registration deadline is March 20th.          

 

April 26, 2012 - 9:00AM-12:30PM  

How to Manage Your Nonprofit Organization for Sustainability:      

Presented by Tonja Caldwell, MS Tax, Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional, Certified Advanced QuickBooks Professional Advisor Caldwell's Management Services. Light food will be provided. Registration deadline is April 19th.      

 

May 29, 2012 - 9:00AM-12:30PM

How to Maximize Community Engagement and Collaboration For Your Nonprofit Organization:

Presented by Tonja Caldwell, MS Tax, Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional, Certified Advanced QuickBooks Professional Advisor Caldwell's Management Services. Light food will be provided. Registration deadline is May 22nd.     

 

June 28, 2012 - 9:00AM-12:30PM

Record Keeping 101 for Nonprofit Organizations:

Presented by Tonja Caldwell, MS Tax, Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional, Certified Advanced QuickBooks Professional Advisor Caldwell's Management Services.  Light food will be provided.  Registration deadline is June 21st.        

 

All trainings will be held at the Gale Center, 2601 Elm Street in  Hernando, Mississippi.  

 

To register for the trainings, please email us at [email protected] and provide the following information:  

 

Date of Training you wish to register for:  

Organization Name:

Mailing Address:  

Phone Number:
Email Address:  

Number of Attendees: 

 

The fee for each training will be $10 per person.  Make checks payable to CFNM for VNM trainings.  Payments can be made over the phone by calling 662-449-5002 or by mail to 315 Losher Street, Suite 100, Hernando, Mississippi 38632.  

 

 


Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Administrative Volunteers with Baptist Homecare and North Mississippi Hospice: 
Volunteers may assist the hospice team with special projects and events, such as staffing booths at health fairs, assisting with memorial service preparations and activities, assisting with community education and speaking events. Administrative Volunteers provide office support by assembling mailings, typing, filing, copying, and data entry. Administrative Volunteers are needed in both office locations, in Southaven, MS and Batesville, MS. Contact Julie Wright, Volunteer Coordinator, at (662) 349-1546.

Art Gallery Volunteer with Desoto Arts Council:
Duties include greeting visitors, light occasional cleaning, handle gift shop sales and walk-in membership registrations.  Vicky Neyman, Executive Director, (662) 404-5458.

Paint the Tunnel with Hernando Middle School National Junior Honor Society, February 25, 2012:
The tunnel between Hernando Middle and Hernando High is covered in gang graffiti. NJHS will be painting the tunnel in an effort to make Hernando a cleaner, brighter city, and do our part to promote gang prevention in our schools. Contact Megan Kappenman, (662) 429-4154 to find out how you can help. 

Seniors in Action Meeting:
For Seniors 55+ who are interested in fun and volunteering. Group meets 4th Thursdays at the M. R. Dye Public Library at 10:30 am. Volunteer projects are announced on meeting days.
Contact Jesse Pool, Head Librarian, (662) 393-5654 for more information.

Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc.
Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation holds workshops every Spring to teach new volunteers how to help wildlife in need. MWR also supplies the species specific formulas, bottles, syringes with tiny nursing nipples and rehydration fluids. You will be asked to provide your own heating pad and scales to weigh your babies. Give us a call today and sign up for one of our Spring classes!

Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older to work with wild animals. It is not recommended that volunteers have very young children at home. Volunteer may be required to pick up animals and bring them to the Director for evaluation and further instruction. Yearly updated workshops are mandatory. Volunteers must reside in Mississippi.

Contact Petra May, Volunteer Coordinator, (662) 449-5234.

North Mississippi Hospice seeking volunteers

North Mississippi Hospice is seeking compassionate volunteers to volunteer within their office, in a facility or patient's home or offer support from your own home. Volunteer training is provided. Contact Holly Boyd at 662-620-1050.

For more information on the opportunities listed here or other opportunities, please visit our website.  If you are not already a registered volunteer on our site,register now!  It only takes a few minutes and is completely free!  Once you register, you will be able to view the above opportunities and many more!