Volunteers in Action is excited to bring a free professional training opportunity to Great Bend on Aug. 20th. The Kansas Volunteer Commission is one of our funders and has commissioned this training to be created especially for Kansas by Susan Ellis, Energize Inc, a nationally recognized leader in the area of volunteerism. The training will be from 9 a.m. -- 4 p.m. in room F30 at the Fine Arts Building on the Barton Community College campus and is open to anyone that is interested. The trainers from the Kansas Volunteer Commission will be discussing innovative ways to utilize volunteers that will provide a more meaningful experience; thinking outside the box will definitely improve volunteer retention and a stronger connection to the mission and the project. We will also learn more about targeted recruitment of volunteers designed to improve effectiveness and make the most of your recruitment efforts. And we’ll learn how to recognize and thank your volunteers on an on-going basis instead of having one big event a year. I believe this is a great opportunity for us here in Central Kansas and I hope you will pass the word along to anyone you think might be interested. The training is FREE but you must register to attend. The registration is online at www.kanserve.org, the website of the Kansas Volunteer Commission. If you don’t have a computer or need help registering, call Donna at 792-1614. You are on your own for lunch but we have made arrangements for lunch at a reduced cost at the BCC cafeteria in the Student Union Building for all attendees. You do not have to be working in a professional capacity to attend this training. Anyone that works with volunteers or is interested to learn more about working with volunteers is welcome. Please call Donna at 792-1614 for more information or for help registering.
The Great Bend Senior Center is in need of volunteers willing to work in the kitchen assisting kitchen staff with lunch and Meals on Wheels preparation. This person would work from 8 a.m.—12 p.m. one or more weekday mornings, wrapping the homemade bread, making coffee, etc. If you know someone who might be interested, please call Rosy Tomlin at 620-792-3960.
The Thrift Shop in Hoisington needs volunteers to work in the shop, helping customers. The shop is open 11 a.m.—4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m.—2 p.m. on Saturday. Call Selma at 620-653-4118 for more information or to volunteer.
Linn Hogg has been busy this week attending high school enrollment in Great Bend with information for students about the Presidential Service Awards. So far we have received almost 50 applications from students. We will be providing volunteer opportunities to these students to satisfy community service requirements for various clubs at the school. These hours can also be tracked and counted towards a Presidential Service Award. This program is definitely a win-win in my book, promoting volunteerism in the younger generation while providing the students with great experience for college applications or resumes. We will be going to Ellinwood, Hoisington, and Larned High Schools to offer this great opportunity for all their students as well.
We are in the process of upgrading our wheelchair-accessible vehicle. The current van is more than 20 years old and needs major repairs. We will be purchasing a used trolley from the City of Hoisington to be able to continue to offer out of town transportation services for residents of Barton and Pawnee Counties that need a wheelchair for mobility. We hope to have all the arrangements made soon to resume this valuable service. Thanks for your patience.