I NEED VOLUNTEERS!!!!

RSVP of Lake County was established to assist local non-profit agencies with their volunteer needs. Would you like to get started? The first step is call RSVP and make an appointment for an onsite visit. There is no fee but there are plenty of benefits to the agency and the volunteer. Follow the steps below to get started.

1. Call RSVP to make arrangements for an on-site visit, 440.269.3015 or email Cristen.Kane@WESchools.org.
   
2. During the on-site visit the details of the RSVP program will be cover ed and the Memorandum of Understanding can be signed.
   
3. Volunteer descriptions will need to be completed.
   
4. A copy of the agency’s Non-Profit tax status needs to be on-file at RSVP.

Each month RSVP mails many volunteers their own hour sheets, as well as many volunteer stations with organizational hour sheets. In this mailing, each month, RSVP includes a NEEDS LIST. This list compiles the requests we receive from non-profit organizations (RSVP volunteer stations) that need assistance. If you are interested in communicating your volunteer needs, call RSVP the 3rd week of the month to make sure your request is listed in this mailing.

It is most helpful to list the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and HOW when you are calling RSVP for volunteer assistance. In fact, it is preferred to fax or email your request. Each volunteer request should be tailored in the same fashion as a job description. The more a prospective volunteer candidate knows about the position the more likely they are to respond to the request.

CALL TEAM RSVP
Many non-profit agencies have special events, large mailings, fundraiser's, etc., that require an extra set of volunteers they don’t normally need. RSVP of Lake County has created a special category of volunteers just to fit this need.

This group of volunteers is called TEAM RSVP. They even come with orange shirts that say TEAM RSVP. As a member agency of RSVP you are able to tap into this resource by following these guidelines:

1. Call the RSVP office 3 months to 2 weeks prior to the event to register your request. The earlier the request comes in, the easier it is for RSVP to be successfully secure volunteers. RSVP sends out a calendar of events every quarter to TEAM RSVP volunteers. This enables the volunteers to pick and choose which events they would like to participate in, in advance.
   
2. Be prepared to fax or email RSVP a detailed list of how many volunteers, the shifts available, the different tasks needed to fulfill, parking details, check-in process, what to wear, etc. The more details RSVP has to work with from the beginning the more likely volunteers will participate.
   
3. Understand that RSVP will collect names of interested volunteers. RSVP will set a deadline for volunteer response. Once that deadline has passed, RSVP will forward you the name and phone number of each volunteer interested.
   
4. It is the responsibility of the organization requesting volunteers to follow up with each individual volunteer to confirm their attendance and communicate further details. RSVP is the volunteer “broker” if you will. You are still responsible for the volunteer confirmation process.
   
5. It is the responsibility of the volunteer site to collect the TEAM RSVP hours and fax or email them to RSVP within 5 days following the event.

RSVP is here to assist with your volunteer needs and we hope that TEAM RSVP will be a useful resource for your organization. Check out the TEAM RSVP ROSTER on the RSVP website: www.rsvplc.org. Call the RSVP office if you have any questions regarding the TEAM RSVP guidelines.