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United Way Volunteering Growth Rate Outpaces U.S., New Survey Says
Char-Em United Way Seeing Rise As Well
Charlevoix & Emmet Counties – While American volunteer rates are declining, United Way is seeing a dramatic increase in volunteering – with more than double the rate of growth in volunteers compared to the U.S.’ and predicted increases next year, according to a new community leaders' survey by United Way Worldwide.
These results are a reflection of United Way's unique role in bringing together individuals, companies, government, labor, nonprofits, faith communities and more to create community solutions that drive lasting change and results in communities around the world.
Char-Em United Way is dedicated to mobilizing volunteers in our communities and has hosted Volunteer Connections, a “virtual volunteer center” on our website for the past 4 years. Char-Em United Way continues to help connect volunteers with local non-profits through an updated and user friendly version of Volunteer Connections. Non-profit agencies in Charlevoix and Emmet County post their volunteer needs on an online database where volunteers search based on their skills, interests, and availability and can track their hours spend in volunteer efforts. Agencies on the Volunteer Connections website vary in interests from environment and animals, arts and history, festivals and construction to education, health and safety, and emergency needs. Many opportunities are appropriate for youth, seniors, families, teambuilding, and professional development.
In May 2014, United Way Worldwide’s research team surveyed 74 U.S. and international United Way CEOs. The survey found that:
• The United Way network has seen a bigger increase in the growth rate of volunteering than the nation as a whole.
As Dee Vincent, Char-Em United Way Board President put it, United Way brings people and organizations together to accelerate community change that goes beyond short-term charity. “United Way spotlights education, in-come and health because they’re building blocks for a good life and a strong community,” Vincent said. "We've made it a priority to ask people all across the community to get involved. People donate to United Way, of course, but more and more people are answering the call to step up and give their time to make their community a better place. We're working to connect people with what matters most to them and creating positive impact all across our community."
Here are other findings from United Way's report on volunteering:
• What Americans tend to volunteer most for isn’t what communities say they most need to drive lasting change. Among U.S. volunteers, only 7% of their main activities revolved around mentoring. Meanwhile, 89% of United Way CEOS say mentoring is what’s most needed to make lasting change in their communities.
Tutoring struggling students is also critical, according to 62% of the United Way CEOs. Last year, 10% of volunteer activity was related to tutoring or teaching, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Here’s what the Bureau reported as top volunteer activities: collecting, preparing, distributing or serving food, 11%, fundraising, 10%, general labor or transportation, 8%, serving on boards, 7%.
Nationally, United Way has been working to recruit mentors, tutors and volunteer readers for struggling students. So far, more than 300,000 people have signed up at www.unitedway.org/volunteer.
Char-Em United Way has recruited 102 literacy volunteers to support struggling students. We’ve recently piloted a summer program with the Boyne District Library, matching our literacy volunteers with students throughout the summer and will be expanding this to the Harbor Springs Library in the near future.
• Businesses, schools (including universities) and faith institutions hold great potential to boost volunteering and build stronger communities. Some 61% of United Way CEOs say local employers are the best source for boosting volunteering and creating opportunities at a scale where communities actually improve. Some 50% of the CEOs pointed to schools, including high schools and universities, as holding great potential to scale up volunteerism. And 43% pointed to religious communities as strong partners in this area.
Char-Em United Way partners with a wide variety of employers and nonprofits to engage citizens in community solutions. Businesses such as Circuit Controls, East Jordan Public Schools, Bay Winds Federal Credit Union, Consumers Energy and 31 other businesses and organizations allow their employees time away from work to assist with a projects all over the two county area during our Day of Caring, held on the national day of service, September 11th each year. "These are critical partnerships that are helping to building a thriving community here in Charlevoix and Emmet County," said Vincent