Volunteer Voice August 2013

August 2013

The Volunteer Voice Bicycle Safety Rodeo: Volunteers Needed!

Friday 16 August We are hosting a bicycle safety rodeo with the support of the USO, MPs, and other organizations in the Vicenza military community to teach kids about bicycle safety and improve their biking skills. We need volunteers to help run stations, assist with registration and more! If you are interested in volunteering please log into Volunteer Connection and select “Special Events” under “Shifts” or Click Here to sign up. The Rodeo will be at the Vicenza Middle School Bus Parking Lot on Villaggio and run from 0900-1100, but we ask that our volunteers arrive at 0800 to assist with setup. We hope you can join!

July Volunteer of the Month: Mai Nacionales VOLUNTEER CONNECTION Volunteer Connection is the volunteer management system for the American Red Cross. It is where you can log your hours, learn about volunteer opportunities and special events, communicate with other volunteers, manage schedules and much more.

If you do not or have not been given log on information or forgot yours, just contact the Vicenza office and we will give you your user name and reset your password.

Volunteer Connection is the new place to record your hours. Instead of logging them on paper, just sign into volunteer connection, go to “My Profile,” select “Shifts/Hours” and log them there. We will review them every week and approve them so that they will show in your record.

The Volunteer Connection URL is https://volunteerconnection.redcross.org.

Dental Assistant Program (DAP) It’s that time of year when we are about to begin the next Dental Assistant Program (DAP) class. DAP is a training program designed to provide basic education and skills needed to successfully volunteer at the Vicenza Dental Clinic. These skills could assist you in getting a job as a dental assistant in the future!

There are only four positions available and interviews will be conducted by the Dental Clinic and Red Cross staff. If you are interested, please come by the office to pick up an information sheet and application.

Applications are due no later than 19 August 2013.

August 2013

Meet Your Advisory Council

Laura O’Donnell Chair of Volunteer

Rich Price Health & Safety Chair

Tonya Brogan Dental Chair

Christina Davis Special Events Chair

Vicki Lucio Red Cross Club Chair

Andrew Smierciak Red Cross Club Chair

Loraine DeOliviera Station Advisor

Nancy Hudson Publicity Chair

Ken Watkins Disaster Chair

August 2013

Fiaccolata On 22 June, the American Red Cross and the Vicenza military community joined in the torchlight procession known as “Fiaccolata.”

The “Fiaccolata” commemorates Henry Dunant’s experience assisting the wounded in the aftermath of the Battle of Solferino and his subsequent founding of the Red Cross movement. The 7km procession between Solferino and Castiglione brought Red Cross volunteers and employees from all over the world together, sharing camaraderie, exchanging t-shirts, and honoring the work of the Red Cross.

CHILDCARE FUNDS

Safety Tip of the Month Did you know that “Heat Index” is the temperature the body feels when the effects of heat and humidity are combined? Direct sunlight can increase the heat index by 15 degrees Fahrenheit!

Stay Red Cross Ready by  Drinking lots of water  Eating small meals frequently  Never leaving kids or pets in enclosed vehicles  Wearing lose fitting clothing  Staying inside during the hottest parts of the day  And checking on friends and neighbors without A/C

Did you know while volunteering you can receive up to 8 hours per week per child of paid childcare? It’s easy too!

Just come by the office to pick up your application and validation slips to submit to the CDC or SAS. The Red Cross will be billed monthly and payment will be made to the CYS directly. Using a Family Child Care Provider is also an option.

Of course there are a few restrictions. You have to be volunteering in your ARC volunteer position during the time frame your child is in childcare and it must be hourly care through the Post Child Development Center (CDC), School Age Services (SAS) or a Family Child Care Provider (FCC).

For the full details, just request a copy of the Childcare Reimbursement Policy. The program lasts for as long as there are funds still in the account. If you are interested, swing by the office to pick up more information on how the program works!

This program exists thanks to a wonderful grant from the Vicenza Community Club!

CALENDAR August 3 – CPR/First Aid/AED Course 6 – Volunteer Orientation 16 – Bicycle Rodeo 17 – Pet First Aid Course 19 – DAP Applications Due 23 – CPR/First Aid/AED Course

September 3 – Volunteer Orientation 7 – CPR/First Aid/AED Course 21 – Babysitter Training 24-26 – VHC Facilitated In-Processing

Questions, comments, concerns?

American Red Cross Building 333 Caserma Ederle Vicenza, Italy Phone: 0444-71-7089 Vicenza@redcross.org