UPMC’s Post

As an Executive Director of a nonprofit, recruiting and engaging volunteers is part of the daily work. But there's something transformative about stepping into a volunteer role myself as an advisory board member for the school district. It reminds me that no matter our titles or responsibilities, giving our time connects us to the heart of the mission. Volunteering grounds me in the values I champion, offering a fresh perspective on the challenges we face and the people we serve. It’s more than just asking others to join in—it’s about actively living out what we believe in. By rolling up our sleeves, we lead by example and show that our commitment goes beyond the boardroom.

Below are the slides presented in class covering the work my group and I have done after volunteering at the Community Corner. I hope you all will look into the Community Corner and visit them!

If you're wondering how we've kept at it all these years, watch this clip! Edie knows what we know: There's no substitute for seeing the lightbulb go on in a young person's eyes! There's no substitute for running into a teacher you've worked with and getting good news about a student or program's progress. The Stanford Center on Longevity identified three reasons why people don't volunteer, even though 90% of us reportedly want to (it improves our physical health and cognitive function). In my experience, volunteering with schools responds to them all: 1) Volunteer schedules are too inflexible/ it takes too much time: Schools can offer volunteers all sorts of scheduling flexibility because they often operate with "rolling day" schedules, which means that your "Day 1 of 8" commitment to help out with Music or Careers or whatever your jam is, won't always fall on a Monday or Friday. You can absolutely schedule your life around your volunteer commitments at a school. Taking a benchmark birthday or anniversary trip? Just let the school know "In the second term of next year, I'll be gone for a week". They only need advance notice. 2) Most volunteer roles aren't interesting: Listen to Edie in this clip, she talks about how as she spent more time in the classroom, her volunteer roles evolved to include more one-on-one time with students. Knowing you helped a child master their times tables, a crisis of confidence in reading or preparing for a test is a game-changer. But of course, you have to demonstrate to teachers that you can get that job done before they'll give it to you. "Plum assignments" always go to top performers, don't they? But trust me, the minute teachers know "you're for real", they'll ask you to do more, because they need the help. 3) No one asked me: The shortage of teachers/ aids/ school staff and resources is not a secret. Many schools today do have a vetting process for volunteers (as they should), but if you are committed to helping a school deliver on it's mandate, they'll find a way for you to make a contribution. I've been volunteer-teaching primarily 10-14 year olds how to think before they buy for almost 9 years. I've learned how to structure content so that it easily fits into lesson plans, engages students, and doesn't create pre or post-workshop administration for teachers. I show up on time, conduct workshops, and leave. I make one follow-up request for feedback, in service of keeping workshops as engaging as possible. I've seen the Edies of this world in countless settings. We always give each other a knowing smile. That moment is always a great part of my day. #TeachKidsAboutMoney #GiveMoneySmartz #WorkingTogether #Volunteering

Workshop Alert! On December 19, dive into the world of volunteer engagement with our very own Nate Broeckert. He's hosting the upcoming workshop: "Engaging, Supporting and Managing Volunteers." #Volunteers are the lifeblood of any organization, but effectively harnessing their potential can be a challenge. In this insightful session, we'll explore the art of nurturing, supporting and providing feedback to volunteers, ensuring they become invaluable assets to your mission. Register today! #VolunteerEngagement #NonprofitVolunteers

It's interesting to see what happens when you speak out. In this case, it’s an invitation via Tim Eby to join the board at the St. Louis Civic Pride Foundation and the honor that comes with serving. The Foundation is an education non-profit, part of Explore St. Louis, our local convention and tourism bureau. The mission: to energize St. Louisans to support their community. Here’s where I editorialize. This is an example of passion + need = opportunity. I'm passionate and vocal that each of us needs to SHOW UP to improve the cities we live in, for ourselves and the generations to come. And my home town, which has so much potential and resources, also has many challenges. Improving civic pride is one of dozens of things needed to address those challenges. Which leads to opportunty: when someone comes knocking, asking for help, in my experience you find a way to help. Bottom line: just say yes! I’m excited to join my fellow board members, roll up my sleeves and get to work!

Fatherhood engagement is much more than outreach or marketing. Father-inclusive practice recognizes the crucial role fathers play in their children's lives, and proactively engages and supports them in the parenting process. In turn, it benefits children, families, and communities. We'll hear from the Commonwealth Center for Fathers and Families (CCFF) of Kentucky, an innovative nonprofit focused on increasing positive fatherhood engagement and inclusion across Kentucky. https://ow.ly/FpXF50R7RJm?

Free webinar on incoming parent research for fellow PRs!

My favorite hack for acing volunteer work → Start young and stay committed. Volunteering has always been a cornerstone of my life. Since age 7, I've been actively involved in giving back, starting with local Veterans organizations. Sometimes it’s helping at events. Other times, it’s organizing community cleanups. But it’s always about making a difference. Here’s how volunteering shaped my journey: 01- Early Start: ↳ Volunteered with 16 Veterans organizations. ↳ E.g., SWFL Veterans Alliance, Honor Flight, and more. 02- Consistent Passion: ↳ Maintained a strong commitment throughout high school. ↳ E.g., 145+ volunteer hours at various community events. 03- Community Impact: ↳ Focused on initiatives that have tangible outcomes. ↳ E.g., Beach cleanups, food donations, and more. By staying true to my passion for volunteering, I’ve grown both personally and academically. This approach will help you in 2 ways: A- Build strong community ties. B- Develop a deep sense of purpose. PS: Volunteering is more than just a hobby for me—it’s a way of life. Looking to make an impact? Let’s connect 🙌

Yea it’s a five minute video, who watches those anymore! However, if you followed us over the course of Serve Week 2024 (The Ocho) this is an awesome wrap up and great work by the team. We try and use LinkedIn to open a window into our culture. And while Foundry Commercial isn’t perfect and we will always have work to do in pursuit of our standards, I think this is one of the things we get really right. We are a services company and spending time with these amazing organizations, which we encourage you to check out and support, reminds us what true service looks like. It is a week where we try to give back and we always end up getting so much more than we give. Great job Lauren and the entire Serve Week support team. #foundrycommercial #itspersonal #theocho #serveweek2024

Nothing like reading an article filled with things you've been saying for YEARS and people rolled their eyes at you... "6 Ways a Volunteer Program Can Burst the Bubbles We Live In" All my favs: how volunteering can bring people with very different points of view together, why EVERYONE should be invited to volunteer, why it's sometimes a good idea to say "come help your neighbors" instead of "come volunteer!", and on and on: https://lnkd.in/gax6rYuF