Monday, December 7, 2009

Lt. Governor Greg Bell Announces Launch of First Statewide Volunteer Website

SALT LAKE CITY- Utah’s Lt. Governor Greg Bell and the Utah Commission on Volunteers have partnered with the Utah Volunteer Center Association to launch a new volunteer opportunities database found at www.volunteers.utah.gov. On December 8 at 11 a.m. a press conference will be held on the east drive of the State Capitol and Lt. Gov. Greg Bell will make the announcement official.
The ongoing economic crises has caused many non-profit organizations in Utah to slash budgets, cut programs and downsize staff, which in turn effects our most needy citizens. Many of these organizations are in dire need of volunteers to help where possible. The help received will aid in keeping these programs running.
www.volunteers.utah.gov is the first state-wide volunteer website that will bridge the gap between Utahns who want to volunteer and the non-profit community organizations that need them. This centralized database is an invaluable resource where Utahns can both post and find volunteer opportunities all in one spot.
“Volunteerism is the lifeblood of our state and provides significant economic and social value for our citizens and communities,” said Lt. Governor Greg Bell. “As the #1 volunteering state in the nation for four years running, we all know the value of volunteering. Its part of our culture, who we are, and one of the reasons we as a state are better able to weather the current economic storm.”
As a kickoff to promote the new website database, numerous UTA bus banners will display various eye-catching messages encouraging volunteerism.
“For those who want to help, there are thousands of volunteer opportunities currently listed on the site representing over seven-hundred organizations. These opportunities reach communities all over the state,” said Shar Lewis, Utah Commission on Volunteers executive director. “I encourage you to use this website to find opportunities to serve that utilize your skills and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”
Visuals at the press conference will include a UTA bus with installed banner ads along with a DVD handout of additional graphics and promotions and contact information for regional Volunteer Center Association offices.
The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. For more information on the Commission on Volunteers, and various volunteering opportunities across the state, log onto www.volunteers.utah.gov.
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Sunday, November 8, 2009

Lt. Governor Greg Bell Honors Utah’s Top Volunteers

Lt. Governor Greg Bell Honors Utah’s Top Volunteers
Summer of Service Winners Receive Private Luncheon and Presidential Service Award
WHO: Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell
Amber Barron, 13 year old volunteer from Riverton
Carlos Vinatea, 14 year old volunteer from West Jordan
WHAT: Luncheon and Press Conference Awarding Top Volunteers
Lt. Governor Greg Bell and the Utah Commission on Volunteers are personally honoring two outstanding Utah volunteers. The pair contributed the most hours of volunteer service between June 22, 2009 and Sept 11, 2009 as part of Summer of Service, a national effort launched to engage more Americans in serving their communities during the summer months. Lt. Governor Bell will host a privately catered luncheon with the two teenage volunteers and their families. Following the luncheon, Lt. Governor Bell will hold a press conference and award the teenagers with a Presidential Service Award and pin.
WHEN: Monday, November 9, 2009
Press Conference begins at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Capitol Board Room
Utah State Capitol, Rm. 240 (East Wing, 2nd Floor)
Interviews with Lt. Governor Greg Bell, honored volunteers, and Shar Lewis, Executive Director of the Commission on Volunteers will be available immediately following the press conference.
The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. For more information on the Commission on Volunteers, and various volunteering opportunities across the state, log onto www.volunteers.utah.gov.
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Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Utah Commission on Volunteers Supports the “I Participate” Campaign

SALT LAKE CITY – The Corporation for National and Community Service and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) have collaborated to launch “I Participate,” an initiative that will bring service messages to millions by way of the nation’s top-rated television programs.
During the week of October 19 the four major networks – ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX – will infuse their prime-time programs with inspirational stories of service and the value of volunteering. Dozens of television’s most popular primetime shows have agreed to participate so far, and that number continues to grow.
Utahns understand the value of volunteering–for the past four years, Utah has ranked #1 in the nation for volunteering. On average, Utah’s 792,000 volunteers dedicate 146.9 million hours of service per year. Yet in today’s economic climate, more help is needed.
“Volunteering is a critical component in moving our country on the path to long-term prosperity and getting local families back on their feet,” said Shar Lewis, Executive Director, Utah Commission on Volunteers. “It is proof that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when they join together to give back to their local communities and our state.
“The work is never done, and more volunteers are always needed,” Lewis said. “Local volunteers help respond to unmet needs in our communities from mentoring kids, delivering meals to area seniors, teaching computer skills, to disaster recovery – you name it, Utah volunteers “Participate.”
Volunteering and community service can be a powerful force for improving both communities and personal health and well-being. Individuals who volunteer experience greater happiness, increased self-esteem, and improved mental and physical health. Coming together to serve others makes a positive impact on everyone.
For those looking to “Participate,” visit our website at www.volunteers.utah.gov

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Community Needs Assessment Survey

The Utah Commission on Volunteers, an Office of the Lieutenant Governor, whose mission is to improve communities through service and volunteering, is developing a 3-year State Service Plan. This is a 3-year strategy for coordinating national service and volunteer service activities across all streams of service in the state. This plan will help us ensure that volunteer service organizations are aware of each other and are coordinating activities as we work to meet our communities most critical needs by using service as a strategy.
We would appreciate your input on our state’s needs by following the link and taking a few minutes to complete the Community Needs Assessment Survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=BYeMHM3keOYJgM1UIu17Ng_3d_3d.
Should you have any problems with the link or have further questions please email them to pdavidson@utah.gov or call 801.538.8785. We also encourage you to forward this email on to any individual or organization that would like to have their opinion heard.
Thank you for your time and attention. We look forward to receiving your input.
Yours in Service,
Greg Bell, Lieutenant Governor, Utah
Shar Lewis, Executive Director, Utah Commission on Volunteers

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Utah Supports National Preparedness Month

Utah Supports National Preparedness Month
Start Simple. Start Today!
 
Salt Lake City, Utah – The State of Utah has joined a national effort during September to encourage
Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies and disasters. This year marks the sixth annual National Preparedness Month sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready campaign.
 
During the month of September, the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Division of Homeland Security, the Utah Commission on Volunteers and the Utah Department of Health will be working together to promote various activities, tips, resources and information that encourage emergency preparedness.
 
Be Ready Utah is the State of Utah’s official emergency preparedness campaign managed by the Division of Homeland Security. The campaign is designed as a bottom-up approach with the focus on an individual’s responsibility to prepare for various kinds of emergencies and disasters.
 
Several public and private organizations will be joining the Be Ready Utah exhibit at the Utah State Fair September 10 – 14. Be Ready Utah week (September 14 – 20) will focus on encouraging families,
businesses, government, schools and other organizations to support the Be Ready Utah challenge:
·          Make a Plan
·          Get a Kit
·          Be Informed
·          Get Involved
The Be Ready Utah campaign will launch two new online interactive planning tools during Be Ready Utah week. Soon, visitors to the website will be able to create a personalized family emergency plan and print out wallet-size cards upon completion. In addition, BeReadyUtah.gov will help you create a customized emergency supply kit for three days, one week, one month or even one year.
 
For more information on the Be Ready Utah campaign, Utah preparedness events during September and helpful, simple tips to become prepared for emergencies and disasters, please visit http://bereadyutah.gov.
 
* New on BeReadyUtah.gov : Top 10 Tips for Preparedness on a Budget
 
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

BE READY!! SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

Cottonwood Heights Citizen Corps sets the stage for community preparedness.
Salt Lake City – Cottonwood Heights Citizen Corps council has been awarded with a Collaborative Preparedness Planning Award as part of the 2009 National Citizen Corps Achievement Awards hosted in Arlington, Virginia. This award sets the stage for Utah to lead the nation to get set this September for National Preparedness Month.
“Cottonwood Heights is a young city but we knew we needed to start somewhere. The most important step is taking that first step in getting prepared and that’s exactly what we did by creating a communications plan. We could not have done it without the support of our volunteers, city council, and our mayor,” says Liane Stillman, Citizen Corps Chair for Cottonwood Heights.
The city has developed a mobile technology unit which features Wi-Fi access, cellular towers, and radio communication; all the necessary components in the midst of a disaster. In addition, Cottonwood Heights says they also have an extensive emergency volunteer network already in place.
Utah’s Citizen Corps wants to remind the public this September that it’s never too late to be prepared for possible disaster, not just as a city, but as an individual.
“Being prepared is an individual responsibility with state wide consequences. This month is a good reminder to take advantage of emergency training tips and resources to better prepare you and your family for a disaster,” says Lani Nisbet, Citizen Corp Program Manager for the Utah Commission of Volunteers.
Some easy first steps in getting prepared are:
1) Have an emergency plan and food supply
2) Get a 72 hour emergency kit
3) Equip your car with emergency supplies
4) Prepare to go powerless
5) Have an emergency cash reserve
Interviews and visuals available with Cottonwood Heights Citizen Corp Council, Utah Citizen Corps, and Be Ready Utah. For more information on Cottonwood Heights Citizen Corp Council contact Liane Stillman @ 801-944-7000 or lstillman@cottonwoodheights.utah.gov. For more information on Citizen Corps log on to www.volunteers.gov and how to prepare for an emergency log on to www.bereadyutah.gov.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Sen. Orrin Hatch Applauds Utah Volunteers for their Efforts

UTAH RANKS #1 IN VOLUNTEERISM FOR 4TH YEAR IN A ROW
(Salt Lake City, Utah) A new report released today by the Corporation for National and Community Service ranks Utah as the number one volunteer state in the United States for the fourth year in a row. Although the last year has been a time of economic hardship, volunteering in Utah has continued to thrive.
The research is based on annual surveys of approximately 100,000 individuals collected by the U.S. Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics in partnership with the Corporation. The VolunteeringInAmerica.gov website contains nine years of data on volunteering, and rankings, volunteer trends and demographic information for every state and almost 200 large and mid-sized cities. It is produced to help national, state and local leaders better understand volunteering trends and demographics and use the data to develop effective strategies for recruiting and retaining volunteers.
“While I am not surprised at the results of the latest volunteerism survey, I have to say that I’m very proud to see Utah ranked at the top of the list once again. As I’ve said before, volunteerism is encoded into America’s cultural DNA, and nowhere is that more true than in the great state of Utah. People from our state have, time and again, demonstrated their willingness to put their skills and experience to good use in improving our neighborhoods and communities. I am continually in awe of those from our state who selflessly volunteer their time and talents to assist those in need,” commented Senator Orrin Hatch
Detailed findings from the report include:
For the fourth year in a row, Utah was the top volunteer state with a volunteer rate 43.5%, followed by Nebraska (38.9%), Minnesota (38.4%), Alaska (38%), and Iowa (37.1%).
In the second annual look at volunteering in 75 mid-sized cities, Provo, Utah, again led the nation with a whopping 62.9 percent volunteer rate, followed by Iowa City (42.9%), Ogden, UT (43.6%), Madison, WI (41.5%), and Topeka, KS (40.7%).
Minneapolis-St. Paul once again ranked number one among large cities at 38.4%, followed by Portland, OR (36.7%), Salt Lake City, UT (36.5%), Seattle, WA (34.3%), and Kansas City, MO (33.4%).
According to Shar Lewis, Executive Director of The Utah Commission on Volunteers, “The number one ranking confirms what we already knew at the Utah Commission on Volunteers: Utahns are committed to their communities and passionate about helping those in need. We are thrilled with the news and strive toward continuing this legacy.”
The Utah Commission on Volunteers has continued to support and promote local and national initiatives to increase service opportunities and activities throughout the state, and Utahns are working together to show that community and service are a top priority.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Utah Commission on Volunteers Promotes Summer of Service

2009 SUMMER OF SERVICE: Utah Volunteers can earn national recognition and win lunch with Lieutenant Governor Gary Herbert
Salt Lake City – Utah’s annual Summer of Service has joined forces with President Obama’s national initiative, United We Serve, to recognize citizens who volunteer their time over the next few months to make a difference in their communities.
“Summer of Service is about giving back to our community and enriching the lives of others. I can’t think of a better season to inspire creative ways for youth and adults to use their free time to make a difference and earn national recognition while doing it,” says Shar Lewis, Executive Director of the Utah Commission of Volunteers.
Those who volunteer and track their service hours between June 22 and Sept. 11 can earn national recognition. Children ages 5 to 13 who volunteer 50 hours of service, and those 14 years and older who accrue 100 hours of service, can earn a Presidential Service Award signed by the President of the United States.
As an added incentive, the top youth and adult participants who accrue the most hours during this campaign will win a lunch with the Lieutenant Governor.
“Utah is renowned for its high rates of volunteerism, and it’s important we continue that proud tradition throughout the summer months,” said Utah Lt. Governor Gary R. Herbert. “I encourage all Utahns to spend just a little bit of free time this summer participating in a cause that can make a difference in the lives of others and their own lives, as well.”
For more information on the 2009 Summer of Service log onto www.volunteers.utah.gov and find volunteering opportunities that you and your family can get involved with during the summer months. Those who are currently volunteering may retroactively track and credit their hours from June 22.