FLEX ProjectsProgram
Helping Volunteers, Helping the
Community: FLEX Projects
The United Way Volunteer Center makes it easy for
individuals and groups to make a difference in the community by offering a
variety of convenient, flexible, low-commitment volunteer opportunities to
support various Portage County nonprofits. These projects are the core of our
program called the FLEX Projects Program.
What are FLEX Projects?
- Recurring
volunteer projects that address specific needs and help build capacity at
various local nonprofit organizations.
- Volunteer
projects that are coordinated by a trained volunteer Project Coordinator
(PC) in collaboration with the United Way Volunteer Center and the
nonprofit agency for which the project serves.
- Projects
that can accommodate a group of at least 4 volunteers without requiring
them to make a long-term commitment. Projects may not require
pre-screening or separate training sessions for volunteers.
- FLEX
Projects generally last 2-4 hours and often occur on evenings or weekends
(longer projects or projects that occur during week days can also be considered).
How is a FLEX Project Coordinated?
A contact person at the Partner
Nonprofit Agency has overall responsibility for
managing the project: she/he will arrange to have all necessary tools or
supplies, will provide a brief orientation and/or training to volunteers at the
beginning of the project, and will be available during the entire project.
The FLEX Project Coordinator (PC) is responsible for
managing the volunteers: communicating scheduling information between the
agency, volunteers and Volunteer Center staff, managing project sign-ups, and
working with the agency contact to oversee the event. PC's are volunteers
working for the United Way Volunteer Center, not staff, who have been trained
to lead projects. The PC is screened and trained by the United Way Volunteer
Center and he/she makes a six month commitment to lead the same project.
Process for Getting a FLEX Project
Started:
- Complete
the attached Project Request Form and submit by email to aschenk@unitedwaypoco.org.
- The
United Way Volunteer Center will work to recruit a volunteer PC to help
manage the project. If you have a trusted volunteer who might be willing
to take on this role, please let us know. Potential PC's complete an
application with the United Way Volunteer Center, undergo a background
check and provide two personal or professional references prior to being
matched with a project. (The host agency also has the right to interview
the PC prior to placement if they wish.)
- Once
a PC is recruited and screened, the United Way Volunteer Center staff will
train him/her on the specifics of leading a successful volunteer project
and on using the United Way Volunteer Center database to manage volunteer
sign-ups. The host agency has the opportunity to provide additional
training to the PC prior to the initial project.
- A
site visit will be scheduled with the agency contact, PC, and United Way
Volunteer Center staff member to discuss the logistics of the project and
tour the project site.
- Following
the site visit, the first project will be scheduled. United Way Volunteer
Center staff makes every attempt to attend the first project with the PC
to ensure that the project goes smoothly.
- Future
project dates are scheduled between the PC and the agency contact and
communicated to United Way Volunteer Center for inclusion on the monthly
newsletter.
** It generally takes a few months to get a FLEX Project
started. We appreciated your interest and your patience!
Resource Documents:
FLEX Project Program Details
Project Request Form
Project Request Form- PDF Fillable
Volunteer Release
Project Coordinator Position Description
Coordinator Application
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