It’s that time of year again! The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley, in partnership with UNI’s Office of Community Engagement, is preparing for the fall semester UNI Volunteer Fair. Unfortunately we don’t feel like this year’s event can be in-person. BUT, we’re ready to unveil a Virtual Volunteer Fair model that we think will provide your organization the opportunity to recruit students who want to serve your mission.

Registration

To help us effectively promote your opportunity, we ask that you provide as much detailed information as possible. Examples of robust and informative volunteer position descriptions are below this section. The registration process is simple.

1. Complete the Volunteer Opportunity Information Form (this form is different than our usual form, so make sure to fill out this form to ensure your opportunity will be included in the fair).
2. Please complete a separate form for each opportunity.
3. You will receive a confirmation email with the position information displayed as it would be on Get Connected. If there are any corrections needing to be made, please email us with those. 

Register your volunteer opportunity

Registration deadline is August 14, 2020

Preparation

Get Connected

We encourage agencies that will participate in the fair to update your agency page on Get Connected. This would be a great time to add any new information or details to ensure students understand the mission of your organization. If you need help logging into Get Connected, email us. ​

Training Webinar

Because of the changes in the fair, the VCCV wants to help your organization create a strong recruitment message. We will host a UNI Volunteer Fair training that will walk you through how and why this will work, share examples of strong recruitment messages, and talk about what opportunities UNI students are seeking.​

Join us on Thursday, July 23 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

REGISTER HERE

Examples of informative volunteer opportunities

Long-term opportunity

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

What does the organization need?
The purpose of this position is to obtain payment for goods by itemizing and totaling customers' purchases and provide service to customers before, during, and after a purchase. 

Responsibilities

• Collects payments by accepting cash or charge payments from customers; making change for cash customers.
• Enters price changes by referring to special sale bulletins.
• Answer the phone.
• Schedule donation pick-ups.
• Complete donation intake forms.
• Assist ReStore staff with returned items.

What does the organization have in place to support the volunteer?

​Training

• Volunteers must complete the ReStore orientation to volunteer in the position.
• Additional cashier and guest services training is required.

How will this help our organization?

​Impact of assignment 
Process of the ReStore go towards repairing homes and building affordable housing in Black Hawk, Bremer, and Buchanan, and Butler counties. Volunteers in the ReStore are supporting our vision of everyone having a decent place to live.

Benefits to Volunteer

• Build relationships with a great community of staff and volunteers.
• Working side by side with future Habitat homebuyers.
• Cashier experience gained.
• Customer service experience gained.

For the Volunteer
Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Friendly and helpful attitude.
• Willingness to help a diverse customer base.
• An ability to count back cash change.
• Self-motivated.
• Outgoing personality.
• Willingness to help a diverse customer base.
• A general understanding and an ability to communicate Habitat’s mission.
• Prior cashier experience is preferred but not required.

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Requirements

• Volunteers must complete the ReStore orientation to volunteer in the position.
• Additional cashier and guest services training is required.
• Volunteers age 18 and older are welcome.
• A criminal history check is required for this position.

Shifts - 2 volunteers per shift
Tuesday - Friday

• 8:45 am - 12:15 pm
• 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm
• 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Saturday

• 8:45 am - 12:15 pm
• 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm

One-time opportunity

Friends of the Family

What does the organization need?
​The purpose of this position is to count the number of people experiencing homelessness in the 9-county service area: Allamakee, Bremer, Butler, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Clayton, Howard, Fayette, and Winneshiek.
​
Responsibilities: 

• Work with an assigned team (made up of staff and other volunteers) of 2-3 to survey the designated area (e.g., park. 
• Collects and reports required demographics from any person living unsheltered on the night of the count.
• Give resources to any person found to be living unsheltered on the night of the count, including but not limited to, shelter resources, completing paperwork to get the person connected with housing programs, and/or other items such as water or blankets.

What does the organization have in place to support the volunteer?

Support Provided

• Volunteers will be paired with a staff member during the Point in Time Count.
• Volunteers will be provided with resources that can be offered to any individuals surveyed during the count.
• Volunteers will be reimbursed for mileage.

Training

• A training/webinar about Point in Time Count is provided to learn about safety while conducting the count.

How this will help the organization?

Impact of assignment
This count allows us to gather data and information about the need for housing programs in our area.

​Benefits of volunteering

• Gain knowledge about homelessness in the community
• Assist a nonprofit in providing assistance to the homeless population
• Build relationships with staff

For the Volunteer

• One-time opportunity
• July 31, 2020
• Time TBD and location TBD
• Groups and individuals are allowed 

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years or older