Get tips on running volunteer programs
Mickey Gomez, Director of Volunteer Center Serving Howard County, will facilitate a discussion on new initiatives that can enhance volunteer recruitment and management to jump-start or refresh a volunteer program.
The 90-minute session will begin at 1 p.m. Monday at the Association of Community Services office, 10480 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 920, in Columbia.
Included in the discussion will be:
Do you know how to use 1-800-volunteer.org ?
Are you providing youth and family volunteer opportunities? Would you like to create them?
Are you celebrating National Youth Service Day and National Volunteer Week in April? If so, how?
What are some new ideas for volunteer recognition?
What are the top 5 "best practices" of volunteer management?
The program is free. Registration is required by e-mailing info@acshoco.org or calling 410-715-9545.
Ceremony to honor those who serve
County Executive Ken Ulman and the Howard County Council will host a ceremony honoring volunteers at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building in Ellicott City.
Forty-four individuals and eight community organizations will be recognized.
At the conclusion of the event, Howard County's Volunteer of the Year will be announced.
Information: 410-313-2018.
Horse rescue seeks help in moving
Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Lisbon is seeking volunteers to help in the farm's move to a 58-acre agricultural preservation property near the current 18-acre facility. The nonprofit horse-rescue organization received an agritourism enterprise permit last month, which gave permission for the move.
Volunteers are needed to help pack up the old farm and organize the critical-care area, feed and tack rooms, barns, offices and classroom at the new facility before April 30, when equipment, materials and horses must be moved.
The farm conducts a variety of educational programs, including a large-animal rescue program, a horse lovers' program and Farm Days for children. A horse owners' clinic is also offered.
A wish list for donations will be posted on the farm's Web site: www.defhr.org. Information: 301-854-5037 or 410-442- 1564.
Presentation set for Tuesday
In cooperation with the Community Emergency Response Network, the Volunteer Center Serving Howard County is recruiting and referring members of the community to local nonprofit and government agencies in need of volunteers for Disaster Preparedness and Recovery.
A presentation on volunteer opportunities is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at volunteer center offices at 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia.
Registration is required.
Information: 410-715-3179 or www.volunteerhoward.org.
Monitors sought for Frogwatch USA
The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks is urgently seeking volunteers to participate in Frogwatch USA, a program that monitors frog and toad populations in the county.
Volunteers are assigned to a pond and asked to conduct a minimum of two calling surveys a month, through July, at dusk. No experience is necessary.
Information: Sue Muller, 410-313-4697.
Domestic Violence Center needs help
The Domestic Violence Center, a nonprofit agency providing services to women and children who are abused, is seeking volunteers.
One or two volunteers are needed to put fundraising information into a new database at the center. Applicants must be knowledgeable about computers, reliable and able to work independently during regular business hours.
Volunteers are also needed to work with the organization's legal advocate coordinator to help clients petition the courts for protective orders. Training is offered and legal experience is not required.
Child care providers are needed while parents attend counseling sessions. Child care is needed during evening hours.
Volunteers are also needed to staff a help line and to assist at events.
Information: Danielle Bormel, 410-997-0304.
Neighbor Ride seeks drivers
Neighbor Ride, a county volunteer-based transportation program, needs volunteer drivers to help those ages 60 and older. Daytime, evening and weekend drivers are needed.
Also, ride coordinators are needed to assign rides for three to four hours Monday through Friday.
Volunteer orientations are held at the Neighbor Ride office, 8808 Centre Park Drive, Columbia.
Information: 410-884-7433 or volunteer@neighborride.org.
Help seniors, others clear snow and ice
The Howard County Department of Citizen Services is recruiting volunteers to help clear snow from sidewalks and driveways for seniors and people with disabilities.
The Howard County Code requires homeowners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjoining their properties within 48 hours.
Volunteers, who will be matched ahead of time with a person who needs help, are asked to assist as soon as possible. Families are invited to help.
Information: Regina Jenkins, 410-313-1417.
Web site offers ideas for projects
The Volunteer Center Serving Howard County's Web site, www.volunteerhoward.org, lists age-appropriate volunteer projects for young people.
Kindergartners and first-grade students can make greeting cards and art for local nursing home residents, collect stuffed animals for children in a homeless shelter, participate in Arbor Day events or take part in similar projects.
Second-graders can visit a nursing home as a group to entertain residents with singing, storytelling or games; adopt a zoo animal; or hold a food drive for the homeless.
Third- and fourth-graders can collect clothes, toys and shoes for poverty-stricken countries; start a community garden; or adopt an elder (writing letters, visiting or assisting with expenses through fundraising).
Activities are also suggested for youths through 12th grade.
Adoptive homes for dogs sought
Greyhound Welfare is seeking adoptive homes and volunteers for its retired racing greyhounds. The dogs, former racers from East Coast tracks, are kept in foster homes until adopted.
Information: 301-949-0615, or www.greyhoundwelfare.org.
Organization needs tutors in English
FIRN, a nonprofit organization serving foreign-born Howard County residents, is seeking volunteer tutors for English-as-a-second-language programs.
Club Leap volunteers plan and conduct English enrichment activities for elementary and middle-school students. The programs are held twice a week at Howard County schools.
In the Adult English Tutoring Program, volunteers tutor adults one-on-one Tuesday evenings or Saturday afternoons. Volunteers are also needed to tutor adults to prepare for the citizenship examination.
Experience is not required; training is provided.
Information: Paula Blackwell, 410-992-1923 ext. 14, or info@firnonline.org.
Send volunteer announcements to howard.events@baltsun.com or fax to 410-715-2816.