September E-News

Vol. XIII, Issue 7, September 2011

It was great to have such a large turnout at our CVC-TC program about on-site volunteer projects on September 15 hosted by GE Capital Fleet Services. Many employees may not be able to leave the office to participate in volunteer events and this session offered some ideas for those busy people who still want to give back.

You won’t want to miss our October meeting Making a Difference: The Who, When and Why of Volunteerism. See you there!

Sincerely,



Shannon Toren, Ecolab, Inc.
2011 CVC Vice President
Shannon.toren@ecolab.com
651-293-2658

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2011 CVC-TC Board of Directors

2011 CVC-TC Officers:

President: Christine Page, Faegre & Benson
Vice President: Shannon Toren, Ecolab
Secretary: Debbie Prince, Land O'Lakes
Treasurer: Rachel Schwalbach, Best Prep
Past President: Katy Friesz, Ameriprise Financial

2011 CVC-TC Committee Chairs:

Awards Luncheon Committee: Mary Bachman, Catholic Charities & Tiffany Calderon, Ameriprise Financial
Leadership Development Committee: Judy Sharken Simon, MAP for Nonprofits & Jenessa Jensen, UnitedHealth Group
Marketing & Communications Committee: Sheila Snapp, Thomson Reuters & Katie Janowiak, Medtronic
Membership Committee: Sue Moyer, Greater Twin Cities United Way & Aly Wallberg,HealthPartners
Program Committee: Zeeda Magnuson, HandsOn Twin Cities & Susan Beatty, Bremer Bank
Special Projects Committee: Phil Losacker, Memorial Blood Centers & Judson McNeil, The Toro Company

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CVC-TC Events

Making a Difference: The Who, When and Why of Volunteerism

CVC-TC is pleased to have Dr. Mark Snyder, professor and McKnight Presidential Chair in Psychology at the University of Minnesota, lead us in a discussion about making a difference through volunteerism. Through his many years of teaching and research, Dr. Snyder has examined who is volunteering and why, often finding that people step outside the confines of their own individual interest to work for the common good for the entire community.

Specifically, Dr. Snyder will cover:

Join us for this one-time opportunity to learn about volunteerism from a veteran psychologist and to ask questions about his research and findings and how it relates to your corporate volunteerism programs.

Space is limited to 45, so please register early.

Friday, October 21, 2011
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Hosted by General Mills
Register Now!

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CVC-TC News

The CVC-TC membership committee and all CVC-TC members extend a warm welcome to new members GE and Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx.

GE is an advanced technology, services and finance company dedicated to innovation. They are part of the Twin Cities GE Volunteers organization, one of 200 GE Volunteers councils that provide 1.1 million volunteer hours in communities worldwide. The local Twin Cities council has nearly 500 active volunteers who contributed 7,800 hours in 2010. Volunteer activities focus on education, health, community building and the environment. GE is participating in CVC-TC to learn from and collaborate with other area companies to help us all serve our community better.

    

The Minnesota Timberwolves, a member of the National Basketball Association, have offered sports fans in the Upper Midwest the entertainment of NBA basketball since the team's inception in 1989. The Timberwolves’ giving efforts and FastBreak Foundation focus on improving the lives of youth in Minnesota. The 100 person organization gave over 4,300 hours of volunteer time in the last year and continues to focus on giving back in Minnesota. The Timberwolves & Lynx are looking forward to joining other members of CVC-TC with similar community-minded missions as well as share best practices and ideas with organizations that are leaders in corporate philanthropic efforts.

CVC –TC will begin accepting applications for associate members on October 3. The bylaws allow for one nonprofit associate member for every four corporate members. Because these are such coveted slots, we expect our associate members to be actively engaged. This helps enhance our community partnerships and allow us to be more involved as leaders in the field of volunteerism.

The application will be posted here, and all applications are due by November 3, 2011. The CVC-TC Membership Committee will review the application to confirm your organization meets the requirements. Associate members need to apply for membership annually.

People in the Field is a monthly CVC-TC member profile highlighting an individual in the field of corporate volunteerism with a compelling or interesting career story to share. This month we are delighted to feature Katy Friesz, Director, Community Relations at Ameriprise Financial.

Katy attributes the knowledge she gained from interning with Judson and meeting other CVC members as a key to her success in landing her first full-time job in corporate philanthropy at the former ADC Foundation. Under the leadership of Bill Linder-Scholer, another long-time CVC-TC member, she managed employee volunteerism and grants administration. During her time at ADC, Katy joined the CVC-TC board of directors as the annual Awards Luncheon co-chair. She also served as chair of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy - Minnesota chapter.

When her career path led her to Ameriprise Financial as a community relations manager, Katy joined a stellar team of community relations professionals (Brian Pietsch, Jennifer Jones, Mark Hiemenz, Tiffany Calderon and Tracy Hall). She remained actively involved with CVC-TC as vice president, then president during its 30th anniversary year. Through her involvement in CVC and other professional associations, Katy has presented on corporate volunteerism and authored articles for the Minnesota Council on Foundation's Giving Forum and the Minneapolis Foundation's At the Table blog. Most recently, Katy was promoted to Director, Community Relations at Ameriprise Financial.

How have mentors played a role in your success?
Mentors have been instrumental throughout my career. I've benefited not only from their words and shared wisdom, but also from watching and really absorbing their actions. Mentors have taught me how to do my job and never settle for the status quo. They've taught me that the causes of issues are neither simple nor black and white, but that doesn't mean we can stop trying to solve them. They've taught me to work hard and do what I say I'm going to do. Mentors have taught me to inquire. They've taught me that we all have a lot to learn from each other, and they've introduced me to inspired leaders. Mentors have taught me how to treat people, from board room to boarding room. Thank you - you know who you are!

Lessons Learned or advice for others in the field?
I've learned that you can make brilliant connections by fostering a genuine interest in others - their work, their hobbies, etc.

Favorite Quote related to the field?
A classic: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Gandhi

Favorite website for inspiration?
I get great insight from Brian Andreas's website, http://www.storypeople.com.

Do you know of a CVC-TC member who would make a great story for our People in the Field Member Profile? Please email Susan Schuster at susan_schuster@bluecrossmn.com with your suggestion.

The estimated dollar value of volunteer time for 2010 is $21.36 per hour. The estimate helps acknowledge the millions of individuals who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to making a difference. Charitable organizations can use this estimate to quantify the enormous value volunteers provide. Read more.

This month Medtronic, Inc. announced Dr. Jacob Gayle as vice president of the Medtronic Foundation and Medtronic community affairs. Gayle brings considerable global health experience to Medtronic, having served as deputy vice president of the Ford Foundation leading the Global Initiative on HIV/AIDS. Prior to that role, he was employed for more than 16 years with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Read more.

For the second consecutive year, Bloomington-based Toro, The Minnesota Twins organization, and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board joined forces to renovate and rebuild three multi-purpose sports fields at North Commons Park in Minneapolis. On Friday, August 12, approximately 75 volunteers from partnering organizations and the community added safety enhancements and renovated three playing fields. Read more.

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Volunteer Management Programs and Training

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CVC-TC Impact

CVC-TC member companies support youth through mentoring in a variety of ways, including:

MAP
Christie Hammes from MAP was a featured presenter and Mentoring Partnership of MN’s Oct. 2010 conference on “Leadership as a Quality Act.” The session was aimed at helping leaders of mentoring programs around the state identify common leadership challenges in their field and learn about affordable ways to develop leadership.

Thomson Reuters
This past spring employee volunteers from Thomson Reuters mentored 92 students from Leah Lencowski’s Keyboarding class at Eastview High School. Over the course of eight weeks, the mentors exchanged emails with the students discussing a variety of career skills. The email topics, chosen by Ms. Lencowski, allowed mentors to share insight in to topics such as managing time, teamwork, problem solving, ethics in business and leadership roles. In addition, mentors introduced students to the importance of professional electronic communications. On May 17, students met their mentors face-to-face at Thomson Reuters for lunch and a celebration. The students were taken on tours of their mentors’ workspace and had the chance to see first-hand what their mentor does at work. Thomson Reuters volunteers offered insight into the company and shared information about internships with the students.

BestPrep
BestPrep’s eMentors program fosters email mentoring partnerships between Minnesota professionals and students, leveraging volunteers from almost every career field. The program includes weekly emails based on a series of guiding questions, monitored by teachers, tailored to meet various curricula. The program matches students one-on-one with an employee volunteer at a company. For seven to ten weeks the students and mentors email on topics relating to business, career or financial literacy. To strengthen the relationship, students meet with their mentor in-person during the middle of the program for a “celebration” at the workplace. During the 2010-2011 school year, BestPrep’s eMentors reached over 3,100 Minnesota students. To learn more about BestPrep’s eMentors, please visit www.bestprep.org/programs/ementors or contact Bonnie Vagasky at 763.233.6330 or bvagasky@bestprep.org.

We typically highlight an impact area in our newsletter each month. We ask for your submissions, relating to a certain impact or focus area. For October, in recognition of domestic violence awareness month, our impact area will be Eliminating Domestic Violence. If your organization or company has a unique story to share about supporting elimination of domestic violence, please send the following information to Susan at susan_schuster@bluecrossmn.com by October 15:

We will compile submissions for the next newsletter, to gain a better perspective on the impact of CVC-TC as a whole. Submissions regarding nonprofit and for-profit partnerships are highly encouraged, but please submit any information related to the impact area. We look forward to receiving your submissions!

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Partner Organizations Update

HandsOn Twin Cities

HandsOn Twin Cities paid tribute to the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 with an incredible volunteer initiative throughout August and September in partnership with Rebuilding Together Twin Cities. On Saturday, September 10th, hundreds of Twin Cities residents gathered at Victory Memorial Flagpole in north Minneapolis to honor 9/11. Before beginning volunteer projects, attendees reflected on this National Day of Service and Remembrance and listened to encouraging words from Senator Amy Klobuchar, Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn and civic leader and niece of Tom Burnett, Kathleen West.

As projects kicked-off, corporate volunteers and community members went to work and participated in tree planting, Loring Community School beautification projects, polishing memorial markers along Victory Memorial Drive, and speed volunteering projects that included writing letters to the troops, signing Freedom Banners and posting electronic tributes to soldiers. This half-day event provided corporations and community members the opportunity to give back and participate in a national movement of reflection and service.

MAVA

MAVA provides a forum to engage people involved in volunteerism across Minnesota to exchange information and ideas, and to link resources to build capacity. With more than 800 members, MAVA is a powerful resource for the volunteer community. MAVA provides news, information, professional development and training opportunities to its members.  

As a member of the Corporate Volunteerism Council, you receive a complimentary membership to the Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administrators (MAVA). CVC is proud to partner with MAVA, an organization whose mission and values align neatly with the Corporate Volunteerism Council.

Visit the MAVA website for up-to-date news and information and a calendar of events across the state.

MAP for Nonprofits

Leadership in Action
Are you looking for an opportunity to impact your community and serve in a leadership role?

If you would like to become engaged in causes you care about and serve in a leadership role on a nonprofit board of directors, contact MAP for Nonprofits. MAP helps nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities metropolitan area find good board members. Nonprofits often seek board candidates with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, who have professional expertise in finance, fundraising, and marketing, as well as other areas. At MAP, our pool of board candidates needs continual refreshing. The first step for interested candidates is our online application form.

We’re looking for professionals with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds who would make great nonprofit board members.

MAP has created a new video which encourages volunteerism on nonprofit boards. Please feel free to share this widely with interested audiences. If you have any additional questions, please contact MAP's Board and Volunteer Services Manager, Judy Sharken-Simon at 651-632-7222 or via email.

Greater Twin Cities United Way

United Way's Leadership Series is comprised of four events throughout 2011 and 2012, each hosted by a United Way Giving Community, and each focused on a critical community need. Learn from the experts and find out how you can help, plus spend time networking with other professionals to build your career. These events are free to United Way donors and their colleagues.

Don't miss the second installment of our Leadership Series—Kids & Communities: How Public Schools Lead to Bright Futures. And make sure to mark your calendar for future Leadership Series events!

Kids & Communities: How Public Schools Lead to Bright Futures
Hosted by United Way Women's Leadership Council
October 13, 2011, 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m.
RSVP.

Join us for an evening of networking and insightful conversation to learn how United Way invests your donation. Children in Minnesota are woefully unprepared for kindergarten, and those that start behind, stay behind. United Way's partnerships with local public schools are helping our state's kids succeed in school and in life.

November 10, 2011 - Voices of the Homeless
Hosted by United Way Community Builders

January 2012 - Health Care Access, Challenges and Disparities
Hosted by United Way Emerging Leaders

For help finding the volunteer opportunity that best meets the needs of your company or team, please contact Caring Connection at 612-340-7440.

Connect with CVC-TC

If you need help finding CVC-TC on Facebook or Twitter, or would like information on how to sign up for an account, please contact Beth Mammenga, CVC-TC Marketing/Communications committee member, at bethany.mammenga@gmail.com or 651.379.5827.

Check out our Discuss-It Forum. This interactive feature on our CVC-TC website was developed to allow members to share best practices in employee volunteerism with each other. Start a new thread or respond to one already posted.

Take today’s poll! Participate in CVC-TC Discuss-it Forum

CVC-TC sponsors a monthly online poll called Discuss-it Forum. Share your views and learn what your colleagues think.  Take our poll! 

CVC-TC Event Photos are now on Picasa

Want to see photos from a recent CVC-TC event? Visit http://picasaweb.google.com/CVCTwinCities.
Have photos to share from a recent CVC-TC event? Please email the best ones to info@cvctc.org.

CVC-TC is on LinkedIn!

In effort to stay connected with current CVC-TC members between program meetings, we’ve created a LinkedIn group! This exclusive group is for CVC-TC members only. Use this group to:

• Discuss best practices.
• Post relevant news articles.
• Search or post job openings in volunteer management or community involvement.
• Network with other CVC-TC members.

Join the group today, and take advantage of all the great CVC-TC membership benefits!