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Put the VNET to Work
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Keeping Up with Social
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Why I Give Back
On the Way
Find out what the City’s Volun-
Slacking on social media? Check
Heidi Schmidt is a local volun-
See what’s on the horizon
teer Network is capable of and
out some great tips and tricks to
teer who enjoys giving back to
and stay up to date with a
how it can enhance your exist-
help get the most out of your
the community. Hear in her own
variety of community events
ing recruitment strategies.
social engagement.
words why she chooses to vol-
and volunteer information.
unteer.
VOLUME 1
ISSUE 1
FALL 2014
‘Tis the Season: Holiday Outreach It’s that time of year again : the holidays. This time can be one of the most stressful few months of the year but it can also be one of the happiest. Include the Volunteer Network in your holiday outreach plans and make the most of this season.
The holiday season is here again and
The City of Hesperia’s Volunteer Net-
the Volunteer Network has an incredible pool
along with the annual cheer and celebrations also
work is here to help you meet your
of available talent just waiting for you to post
comes an outpouring of gifts to those less fortu-
goals. If your organization hasn’t been
your opportunity. Here are just a few
nate. Kind hearts donate clothes, toys, and even
utilizing this free service, then you’ve
their time simply to help others. In other words,
been missing out. With over 625 regis-
this is your organization’s busiest time of year.
tered local volunteers,
>> CONT. PAGE TWO
This year, use all the tools at your disposal and take some of the heavy lifting out of searching for those in your community who are looking to give back.
Helping Hands
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‘Tis the Season: Holiday Outreach >> CONT. FROM PAGE ONE
time by including it in your strategy for holiday drives and community outreach. In addition, the City of Hesperia also offers an in-
benefits to using the Volunteer Network:
centive program to registered users based on the number of volunteer opportunities each organization posts. At the end of each quarter, the organization with the most volunteer opportunities
The Volunteer Network is completely FREE.
Over 625 local volunteers registered means that you’ll never have to
posted wins a three month lease of City owned bus shelter ad space for the hugely discounted rate of only $54!
hunt down interested candidates from multiple sources again. Simply post your opportunity and you’re done.
Make the most of this busy holiday season and become an active
Gain interested volunteers; all our volunteers have access to our full list
part of the City of Hesperia’s Volunteer Network. For full infor-
of available opportunities and can search and commit based on what
mation on this program or to request a training workshop at your
opportunities actually interest them, not just what’s left over.
organization, With an average of 3 new registered volunteers per week, the Volun-
call
760-947-1019
or
volunteernet-
work@cityofhesperia.us.
teer Network is a constantly expanding resource.
Social Media: The Volunteer Way Is your organization on social media? If not, you should be. Social media has changed the landscape of volunteer recruitment and outreach. In fact, social media has made it easier than ever for people to help spread the word about your organization and help you reach your goals. If you’ve had open volunteer positions for the past few
mission, and what the time commitment is.
Target specific types of volunteers you want (students or working professionals, etc.) and craft messages that will appeal to them.
Explain the benefits of volunteering with your organization. Volunteers
months (or years) and just haven’t been able to fill them, then you might
can benefit from service by developing new skills, meeting new people,
want to consider drumming up your social media presence to help
expanding their professional network, and exploring new hobbies/
reach a wider audience. Perhaps you’ve been inundated with more
career paths.
volunteers than your organization currently has a need for; take the
And last, but not least, keep your calls for help between one to two
time to put out updates via your social media outlets and let people
posts per day. This way users won’t become tired of seeing your ads
know.
appear; if you post too frequently, people might even unfollow your
According to the Volunteer Center of the East Bay, one of the largest
page.
online volunteer placement organizations, the best social media practic-
If you’ve managed to incorporate these strategies into your social media
es for reaching out to potential volunteers include not just one but all of
presence you should be well on your way to not only increasing your volun-
these factors:
teer recruitment, but also creating a valuable communication network that
Make a clear request for help. Set appropriate expectations up
your organization can use to help promote programs, events and fulfill fu-
front by stating what the volunteer would do, how it supports your
ture needs.
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Helping Hands
Why I Give Back: Heidi Schmidt H
eidi Schmidt has spent the last two and a half years volunteering at her local animal shelter in Hesperia. Schmidt describes her initial interest in volunteering as “I just like animals and I wanted to do something to help the community and working with animals at the same time is a bonus.”
didn’t realize that there were so many “ Ianimals that didn’t have homes—it just opens your eyes to all the stuff going on in the world.
”
Over the past two years, Schmidt has been very involved in animal shelter activities and has even been nominated for, and won, the Hesperia Volunteer Network’s Volunteer of the Year award. When describing her experience and how volunteering has affected her perspective, Schmidt recalled “I didn’t realize that there were so many animals that didn’t have homes—it just opens your eyes to all the stuff going on in the world.”
TAKE THE VNET WITH YOU Have to step away from your desk for a while? Don’t worry, you can access the Volunteer Network from virtually any mobile device. Not only will you have access to your organization’s profile, but you’ll have full access to every feature right at your fingertips.
ADVERTISING INCENTIVES The City of Hesperia is proud to offer advertising incentives for members of the Volunteer Network. By simply posting available volunteer opportunities that your organization has a need for, you will qualify for the City’s quarterly advertising reduction.
If you know of an outstanding volunteer in your organization and would like recognize them for their generous contributions, please email volunteernetwork@cityofhesperia.us to schedule an interview and to nominate them for Volunteer of the Year. Volunteer of the Year recipients will be announced at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner in early 2015.
Helping Hands
This incentive is only available to active Volunteer Network organizations. For more information, simply email volunteernetwork@cityofhesperia.us.
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On the Way: Upcoming Events
Questions? EMAIL
VNET user training session planned for November 13, 2014
volunteernetwork@cityofhesperia.us
at Hesperia City Hall at 2:00pm. Don’t miss out on this great
CALL
opportunity to refresh your own, or your team’s, skills on
760-947-1019
the VNET.
New volunteer opportunities have been posted on the Volunteer Network, is your organization in the running for this quarter's advertising incentive?
The 2015 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner is right around the corner! Be sure to send in your Volunteer of the Year nomination form today and recognize the volunteer that your organization can’t live without.
City of Hesperia 9 7 0 0 S e ve nt h A ven u e He sp e ri a, CA 9 2 3 45
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Helping Hands