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PrintVolunteer Central of Greater Tulsa is ready to serve
A look at how the nonprofit equips volunteer coordinators and provides opportunities for Tulsans to serve their community.
A beautiful thing happens every day in Tulsa. Tulsans step up to help other Tulsans, working on behalf of those who need assistance and, in doing so, improve the community one hour at a time.
Giving the gift of time is nothing new to our city, says Brenda Michael-Haggard, executive director of Volunteer Central of Greater Tulsa.
A nonprofit itself, Volunteer Central connects Tulsa-area volunteers to the people and organizations who need them. Volunteer Central, formerly an embedded program of the Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa, was established in 1983 to encourage the spirit of volunteerism community-wide.
But the most successful volunteer organizations are self-governing, Michael-Haggard says, and that is why Volunteer Central became a fully staffed and operating independent nonprofit two years ago.
“We have 501(c)(3) status, a board of directors, a new logo and are physically separated from the Community Service Council, but we have the same mission,” she says.
The two-person staff operates with an annual budget of just $136,500 to connect volunteers with more than 900 local organizations and 1,250 opportunities. With limited funds, Volunteer Central relies on private philanthropy, annual contributions, special events and companies such as Public Service Co. of Oklahoma, which provides the organization with space in its downtown building.
“Service is the middle name of the company; it’s a lovely partnership,” Michael-Haggard says. “The location places us downtown, and we are seeing increased traffic in those interested in volunteering.”
According to Michael-Haggard, 33.6 percent of Tulsa volunteers average 100-plus hours per year. Volunteers in the region place Tulsa as a national leader, ranking eighth in average volunteer hours per capita. And a down economy is only increasing those numbers, because individuals and companies that cannot give monetary gifts will often step forward to provide volunteer man hours instead.
As a local affiliate of the Points of Light Institute/Hands On Network, America’s largest volunteer and citizen action network, Volunteer Central assists individuals, companies and volunteer administrators in managing volunteer resources and finding meaningful ways to serve the community.
“We are committed to looking at our community overall and working with businesses whose employees want to make an impact in the community,” Michael-Haggard says. “Volunteer Central helps volunteer coordinators at companies, nonprofits, municipalities and civic organizations become better coaches and supervisors.”
In fact, the organization offers volunteer coordinators training services, workshops and the opportunity to earn credit toward a Certified in Volunteer Administration certification. However, volunteers do not have to be affiliated with a company or organization to find opportunities through Volunteer Central. The nonprofit hosts several events throughout the year to promote volunteerism to college students, families and children.
A Web site, www.1800volunteer.org, allows volunteers to search local opportunities and manage hours, and nonprofits to post needs for both one-time events and ongoing projects. Volunteer Central posts Tulsa-area service opportunities on the national online database.
The Web site has been especially beneficial to Tulsa Community College students enrolled in the Tulsa Achieves program. Through the tuition-waiver program, students must meet certain academic requirements and serve 40 volunteer hours per academic year, but many serve above and beyond the requirement, Michael-Haggard says.
“It is our goal to turn each one of those students into a lifetime volunteer,” she says.
College students who participate in service learning make higher grades and are more likely to graduate, but these aren’t the only benefits, according to Michael-Haggard. She says volunteers of any age eat alone less, live longer, spend less time in front of the television and have a sense of fulfillment.
To further reward volunteers and recognize their efforts, Volunteer Central presents a number of service awards to outstanding volunteers nominated by Tulsa-area organizations. Awards are given in a number of categories, including “Change Agent of the Year,” “Volunteer Administrator of the Year” and “President’s Volunteer Service Awards” by age group.
But Michael-Haggard says Volunteer Central’s top priority is making sure volunteers have the ability to make a difference for organizations asking for help.
“When the volunteers’ needs are being met and the organizations’ needs are being met, the end result is fireworks,” Michael-Haggard says. “It’s beautiful.”
Editor’s note: Volunteer Central is a designated action center of “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.” Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, individuals who sign up for a day of service are eligible to receive a one-day pass to a Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme park.
Volunteer Central’s mission
To create a volunteer environment that enriches the lives of all area residents while addressing issues and needs within the community by promoting volunteerism; building capacity for effective volunteerism; connecting people with opportunities to serve; and mobilizing volunteers for targeted community needs.
For more information on College Service Day, Family Volunteer Week, Kids Care Week and other volunteer-related events, visit www.volunteercentraloftulsa.org. Or find a volunteer opportunity at www.1800volunteer.org.
