For the City Times
United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s Volunteer Center promotes the volunteer needs of local non-profit organizations in both south Wood and Adams Counties on a weekly basis. Here is how you can get involved and volunteer for these great organizations.
AMERICAN RED CROSS-Disaster Responder: Red Cross disaster volunteers turn heartbreak into hope every day. Volunteers help those affected by house fires, storms, tornadoes, floods, and other disasters with food, shelter, supplies, and hope. Disasters occur in your community every year, whether a house fire that impacts only one family, or a huge storm that affects a whole city. Recovery takes not only the dedication of Red Cross Disaster Responders, but the holistic partnerships within the community. Red Cross Disaster Responders train in a variety of different areas including casework, sheltering, feeding, supply distribution, damage assessment, logistics, etc. In between responses, these volunteers work on community partnerships and readiness simulations to strengthen the resiliency of the community. Examples of these include identifying shelter sites, establishing agreements with restaurants, maintaining relationships with fire departments, setting up a shelter exercise, conducting inventory checks, etc.
Community Educator: Disasters occur in your community every year, whether a house fire that impacts only one family, or a huge storm that destroys a city. Individuals and communities that are prepared recover faster. Help your neighbors be prepared for a disaster by teaching them how to make disaster kits and plans and distributing information about local disasters. The Preparedness Education department focuses on increasing awareness and educational resources for emergency situations, disaster prevention and resiliency. Enhance community visibility and awareness of the American Red Cross by providing a variety of preparedness education presentations to youth, seniors and at risk populations. Qualifications: Willingness to engage the public; Good communication skills; Passion to share preparedness information.
Volunteer Phone Screener: Purpose: The Volunteer Screener gathers relevant information about prospective volunteer candidates while assessing which positions volunteers are best suited for. Provides an excellent experience for all new volunteers joining the American Red Cross.
Qualifications:• Broad understanding of the American Red Cross and its opportunities for volunteer service (training provided). • Enthusiastic about American Red Cross programs. • Ability to work with computer database (training provided) • Excellent oral communication skills – ability to express ideas and facts clearly • Comfortable making phone calls to volunteers
- Previous experience with customer service is a plus • HR experience or experience conducting interviews a plus Time Commitment: 8 hours per week. Can work remotely, from home as long as access to phone, internet, and computer are available.
Volunteer working with Armed Forces Families: The American Red Cross serves and supports members of the military, veterans, and their families, providing needed emergency communications, comfort and assistance each day. One of our most important responsibilities is to make sure service members and their families stay in touch with each other; especially during a crisis. To complete the connection between a military service member and his/her family, we need volunteers! Volunteer and aid with casework follow-up on Emergency Communications, or assist with Military & Veterans events. Qualifications vary depending on role. Caseworkers must have basic computer skills and access to a home computer; Comfortable working with people in crisis; Ability to communicate effectively.
