United Way seeks community investment volunteers

Wed, Jan 6, 2010    to del.icio.us

Greater Ottawa County United Way is seeking interested community members, who live or work in Ottawa County, to have a voice in the funding of human service programs throughout the county.

Community investment volunteers help decide where the funds raised during the agency's annual campaign are invested or allocated. They review programs organized according to the four impact areas of education, financial stability, health, and emergency assistance and basic human needs.

Volunteers need to simply have an interest in helping to better their community, and may choose an impact area and panel that fit their interests and time schedule.

Last year, 65 citizens volunteered during the community investment process. They decided where $1.2 million in funds were allocated across 63 programs of 38 nonprofit agencies that serve Ottawa County.

"The community investment process is what helps make United Way unique," said Liz De La Luz Vanderby, director of community impact for Greater Ottawa County United Way. "You have community members making decisions that affect the community where they live and work. It's a great way to learn about all the services that make up Ottawa County."

Hillary Hovinga, public relations manager for Herrick District Library, coordinates the Library's United Way campaign and also serves as a community investment panel member.

"Taking part in the community investment process is not just a wonderful way to learn more about all the organizations that are making a difference in the community, it's also an affirmation that United Way holds every organization accountable for the money they receive," Hovinga said.

The process begins with a brief volunteer training session in late January. Volunteers are assigned to panels or teams. Each panel is assigned 4-8 different applications for review. Each volunteer receives a three-ring binder containing the applications and agency information, along with study materials about United Way's community impact model.

Panel members will have a pre-tour meeting to review all panel applications. Two weeks later, the panels visit the agencies to learn all about the programs and the impact they have on the community. After the tours are complete, the panels meet (either in the morning or the evening) to discuss the applications and make their recommendations.

One member of the panel, called the panel leader, finalizes the panel's recommendations, which are then presented to United Way's Board of Directors.

The volunteer time commitment averages about 20 hours over a two-month period.

This year, community investment volunteer training is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 25. It will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Holland Police Department's Community Room, 89 W. Eighth St. in Holland (lunch provided); or from 5-6:30 p.m. at the JSJ Corp. Training Center, 700 Robbins Road in Grand Haven (snacks provided). Volunteers need attend only one of the sessions.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the 2010 community investment process is asked to contact United Way by Jan. 18.

For more information, contact Liz DeLaLuz Vanderby at (616) 396-7811 or by e-mail at lvanderby@ottawaunitedway.org; or visit www.ottawaunitedway.org and click "Advocate" on the home page to learn more.