Ritter Center’s Post

Geng Wang returns to the SnapCast. Geng Wang is the CEO and Cofounder of Civic Champs. We celebrate the return of Volunteering. Among the many things we discuss: * Despite popular belief based on the census (old data from 2021), #volunteerism is back and appears to be above pre pandemic levels.  * Multiple data points show this including Civic Champs data (both actual anonymized data from our customers but also surveys we have conducted), Volunteermatch data, and also Google search trends. * In addition with individual #giving continuing to go down, this gives organizations a great additional reason to lean into building up their volunteer programs.  * #Volunteering is the number signal for affinity or the willingness to donate https://lnkd.in/ecU4EkH4

The Governance Guru in the news! Read a bit about Kevin’s volunteerism and Guru’s Rules ,“a compilation of best practices and pragmatic approaches that can help non-profit organizations establish expectations for board members and foster productive meetings.”

Geng Wang returns to the SnapCast. Geng Wang is the CEO and Cofounder of Civic Champs. We celebrate the return of Volunteering. Among the many things we discuss: * Despite popular belief based on the census (old data from 2021), #volunteerism is back and appears to be above pre pandemic levels.  * Multiple data points show this including Civic Champs data (both actual anonymized data from our customers but also surveys we have conducted), Volunteermatch data, and also Google search trends. * In addition with individual #giving continuing to go down, this gives organizations a great additional reason to lean into building up their volunteer programs.  * #Volunteering is the number signal for affinity or the willingness to donate 

It’s National Volunteer Week! Volunteering goes beyond completing tasks–it’s about building connections and spreading positivity. From tutoring to cleaning up parks, there’s a volunteer opportunity for every passion and schedule. 🤝 This week, we challenge you to take the first step: sign up for a community project or reach out to the nonprofit you admire. Small actions can lead to big impact!  Tag your favorite nonprofit below! #NationalVolunteerWeek

🤝 Celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Week 2024 🤝 This week (April 21-27), Q&A Business Solutions highlights the extraordinary contributions of volunteers with our nonprofit partners. Your enthusiasm and dedication make a world of difference. As we celebrate: -What motivates you to volunteer? -Describe a volunteering highlight. -Advice for potential volunteers? Let’s share and celebrate the achievements and stories of our volunteers. Your insights not only inspire, but also drive positive change. #VolunteerAppreciationWeek #NonprofitExcellence #QandABusinessSolutions

Volunteer programs are an excellent way for businesses to give back to their community. An internal council can coordinate volunteer opportunities and streamline philanthropic efforts. Jill Chapman of #Insperity advises enhancing volunteerism by investing in paid volunteer hours for employees. This boosts employee morale and retention and helps out nonprofits. #Volunteering #Community #Philanthropy https://lnkd.in/gME9V7A4

Volunteers strengthen communities. For many, the feeling of coming together in the spirit of generosity with a shared mission in mind makes for a powerful experience. It’s sad to read that the number of Americans who volunteer is declining, which is why it’s so important for organizations that rely on volunteers to celebrate them—and entice past volunteers to come back to the work. In honor of #NationalVolunteerWeek, here are a few tips for celebrating and engaging with your volunteers: 1️⃣ Host a Volunteer Appreciation Event: Whether it's a virtual gathering or a formal award ceremony, be sure to show your gratitude and appreciation for their contributions. 2️⃣ Share Their Stories: Highlight the impact of volunteering by showcasing the stories of your volunteers through social media, newsletters, or your organization's website. Inspiring others through these stories can motivate both current and prospective volunteers to get involved, while also serving as ambassadors for your organization. 3️⃣ Foster a Sense of Belonging: Creating a supportive and inclusive environment where volunteers feel valued, respected, and connected to the organization's mission is key. Encourage collaboration, communication, and teamwork among volunteers to cultivate a strong sense of community and belonging. 4️⃣ Express Gratitude Year-Round: While Volunteer Appreciation Month (April) is a great time to express gratitude, be sure to show appreciation throughout the year. Send handwritten thank-you notes and regularly express your gratitude for their ongoing dedication and support. 5️⃣ Reconnect and Reengage: Reach out to past volunteers and reconnect with them. Invite them to participate in special events, projects, or initiatives that align with their interests and skills. By re-engaging former volunteers, you not only strengthen your volunteer base but also reignite their passion for nonprofit work. How does your nonprofit organization show appreciation for its volunteers? #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #CommunityImpact

Volunteering is a good way to help your community and make a positive difference. But how do you make sure you are really helping? Here are simple things you can do↕️ 💘Figure out what you are good at and what you care about. 💘Look for volunteer opportunities online, at community centers, or with local charities. 💘Reach out to the organization to learn more about what they do and how you can help. 💘Start with small commitments and gradually do more as you get more experience. 💘Be reliable and show up on time. 💘Keep learning new things. 💘Work well with others and build good relationships. 💘Share your ideas to help the organization improve. 💘Be proud of what you accomplish. 💘Tell others about your volunteering and encourage them to join in. By doing these things, you can have a meaningful impact on your community while also benefiting yourself. #volunteers #volunteering #socialimpact #makeadifference #communityservice

🌟 National Volunteer Week: Get Involved and Make a Difference! 🌟 Looking for ways to participate in National Volunteer Week? Here are some simple steps you can take to give back and make a positive impact in your community: 1️⃣ Reach Out: Connect with local organizations, charities, or nonprofits to inquire about volunteer opportunities available during National Volunteer Week. Whether it's assisting at a food bank, participating in a community clean-up, or volunteering at a local shelter, there's something for everyone to get involved in! 2️⃣ Share Your Skills: Identify your talents and passions, and find ways to share them with others. Whether you're skilled at cooking, crafting, gardening, or storytelling, there's bound to be a volunteer opportunity that aligns with your interests and expertise. 3️⃣ Practice Random Acts of Kindness: Volunteerism isn't just about organized efforts—it's also about spreading kindness in everyday life. Look for opportunities to perform random acts of kindness for those around you, whether it's offering a helping hand to a neighbour, complimenting a stranger, or simply lending a listening ear. 🤝 National Volunteer Week is a time to come together, lend a hand, and make a positive difference in the world! #volunteerweek #justlikefamily #homecare #makeadifference

Happy Volunteer Appreciation Month! Today we’d like to send an extra thank you to all the families who come out together to support Nourishing Hope. 💚 Have you met the Mehta/Madison family? They were recently awarded the Daily Point of Light Award from Points of Light. This award honors their service of 45 volunteer projects with our friends at The Honeycomb Project, including home delivery volunteer shifts at Nourishing Hope. Read the full article honoring the Mehta/Madison family: https://lnkd.in/gxdvdsGg Be sure to sign up for a volunteer shift with your family or friends:https://lnkd.in/gcbv7Phw Q: What are some of your favorite projects? Lucy: Probably Nourishing Hope. They started a new thing where they give me labels to write on. I can say things like “Enjoy your food!” or “Have a good day!” and stick it on the boxes of food. It makes me feel happy seeing the people that I’m delivering them to. Kiran: For this particular project, we go to Nourishing Hope, and they give you a list of people. Then, you load up your car with boxes of groceries and deliver them to their homes. Lucy’s always writing inspiring notes on the boxes for people. Q: What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer? Kiran: Volunteering has always been important to me because it builds community. I think everybody in this world is connected to one another, and I see that on a deeper level when I see our impact on people who really need it. We all need help at some point in our lives in varying degrees. It’s been really special for me to be able to see that in my kids. When they were five, they didn’t understand the impact they were making as much as they do now. It’s extra special as a parent to watch your kids grow up with this, learning from different people and really appreciating their own lives. #Volunteer #Service #GiveBack #Community #Chicago #NonProfit #SocialServices #FoodPantry #FoodForTodayHopeForTomorrow #NourishingHope