Renaissance of Idealism in the Legal Profession
Volunteer Resources
The following resources are brought to you as a public service by the American Bar Association.
Volunteering Resources - At-a-Glance
Overview: There are many ways your practice can answer the call for employee volunteer engagement. A volunteer service project or program can be constructed to meet the needs of your employees and your organization's priorities. Whether your firm or company is thinking about group, individual or even virtual employee volunteering, many options are worth considering. Volunteering can take a variety of forms, including serving on a nonprofit board, volunteering in a school, or having an employee team volunteer on or off the work site during a lunch break. The following organizations and links provide a good start to understanding the field of volunteering and how to get involved.
Organizations Focused on Volunteering
Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network
The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network engages and mobilizes millions of volunteers to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities. Through a variety of programs and services, the Foundation encourages people from all walks of life - businesses, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, low-income communities, families, youth, and older adults - to volunteer. More than 300 American communities have Points of Light Member Volunteer Centers that provide essential, locally based infrastructure to support volunteering. Their work is focused in four core areas: connecting people with opportunities to serve, building capacity for effective local volunteering, promoting volunteering, and participating in strategic initiatives to mobilize volunteers. To find a Volunteer Center in your area, visit www.1800Volunteer.org.
United Way of America
A national organization dedicated to leading the United Way movement in making measurable impact in every community across America. Many Volunteer Centers are part of local United Ways. The United Way of America's National Corporate Leadership Program (NCL) engages partner United Ways and global corporations to achieve corporate philanthropic objectives that increase community impact. United Way and community Volunteer Centers work with volunteers and local nonprofits to develop the best opportunities for youth, busy working adults and seniors to serve. When you work with your local Volunteer Center, you can feel comfortable about quality and safety of the opportunity you choose and about the organization you donate your time to support.
USA Freedom Corps
In 2002, President George W. Bush issued a Call to Service for all Americans to volunteer two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lifetime in service to others. President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility and to help every American answer his Call to Service.
Hands On Network
Hands On Network leads a national civic movement bringing people together to tackle tough community problems through service. They are a growing Network of local nonprofit organizations that act as civic action centers-helping people "be the change" in their communities through effective volunteer action. The Hands On approach inspires volunteers, creates leaders, and changes lives. Hands On is rooted in the belief that every individual has the power to make a difference. They believe that engaged citizens are the cornerstones of a vibrant democracy, and that effective volunteer action is a path to broader civic involvement. Hands On is a proven approach to community gain, a unique network of innovative organizations, and a broad movement advancing civic engagement. Their work is characterized by action, innovation and impact.
Corporation for National & Community Service
Provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through three programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. Members and volunteers serve with national and community nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies to help meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other critical areas. The Corporation is part of USA Freedom Corps, a White House initiative to foster a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility.
Finding Volunteer Opportunities
www.1800Volunteer.org
1-800-Volunteer.org connects you to volunteer opportunities in your community, helps you track your volunteer service, and sends you automatic e-mail notifications - enabling you to respond when you're needed most. This free service is your direct link to local opportunities selected by your Volunteer Center and brought to you by the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network.
www.VolunteerSolutions.org
.Volunteer Solutions is a volunteer matching application that helps Volunteer Centers connect individuals to volunteer opportunities in their community. Volunteer Solutions helps volunteers, nonprofit agencies, corporations, event organizers, and Volunteer Centers get connected. Volunteer Solutions is a program of the United Way of America.
www.VolunteerMatch.org
VolunteerMatch.org is a leader in the nonprofit world dedicated to helping everyone find a great place to volunteer. The organization offers a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement. This popular service welcomes millions of visitors a year and has become the preferred Internet recruiting tool for more than 30,000 nonprofit organizations.
www.USAFreedomcorps.gov
. President Bush created USA Freedom Corps to build on the countless acts of service, sacrifice, and generosity that followed September 11th. When he announced USA Freedom Corps in his 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to commit their lives to serve a cause greater than themselves. Over the past three years, USA Freedom Corps has helped Americans answer that call, and the American people are responding. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 64.5 million Americans volunteered in 2004 - an increase of more than 5 million since 2001.
Comprehensive Resources on Volunteering
www.VolunteerResource.org
Through a partnership between the Points of Light Foundation and the James J. Hill Reference Library, a digital library is available free to the public. It includes feature articles, white papers, surveys, and information on effective practices related to volunteerism and volunteer management - including workplace volunteering. Users need to register once to gain access to a broad cross section of free volunteering related resources.
Recognizing Volunteers
Points of Light Foundation's awards and recognition programs celebrate the success of volunteers and spotlight the impact that various individuals, groups, businesses and families have made in their communities.
The President's Volunteer Service Award is issued by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the President of the United States to recognize the best in American spirit, and to encourage all Americans to improve their communities through volunteer service, and civic participation. The Award is given to individuals, families, and groups that have demonstrated outstanding volunteer service and civic participation over the course of a 12-month period. Any individual, family, or group can receive Presidential recognition for their annual commitment to volunteer service. Your company or firm can apply to be a certifying organization which will offer the opportunity to recognize your employee volunteers for their dedication and support.
Learn More About Becoming a Certifying Organization
