I am inspired by the book that we are reading for our Books-to-Action project, The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. In his explorations of four geographical areas (Blue Zones) in which people live long, vital and productive lives, author Dan Buettner discovers that social connections, giving back to others and having a sense of purpose contribute to longevity, health and well-being. We all know that volunteering lifts up the lives of others and betters our community. It’s also encouraging to know that giving back to our community supports our own quality of life.
In collaboration with the Boomer Initiative at the Multnomah Library and Life by Design NW, our Hands On Boomer Initiative (formerly Life by Design) is offering several opportunities for you to learn more about making live-enhancing choices for yourself while connecting with others around purpose and engagement. In addition to the book discussion on November 2nd, we invite you to volunteer with Hands On at the National Conference on Positive Aging, live-satellite viewing at Marylhurst University. We are also beginning an affinity group for Boomers and older adults to gather in mutual support as we explore our purpose through civic engagement. It’s exciting and inspiring as we co-create ways to up-lift others while living our own lives with more intention, purpose and connection.
For more information about the Hands On Boomer Initiative and our projects, visit our webpage.
--Karen Beal
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Meet Our New Americorps Members
Hands On Welcomes Molly, Amelia, and Robyn – Our Three New AmeriCorps Members!
On September 2, Hands On welcomed three new AmeriCorps members to take over the roles of Volunteer Services Coordinator, Washington County Coordinator, and Youth & Family Coordinator for their 08/09 term of service. As Kimmy, Rachel, and Lydia moved on to embrace new and exciting opportunities, Amelia, Robyn, and Molly have spent the last month settling into their new roles, and we’re very excited to have such a dynamic team for the upcoming year! One’s a proud Duck… another sings in a whopping three choirs… and the third finds her inspiration in the realm of public health. Find out who’s who below!
Amelia Lamb:
I am thrilled to be coming on board Hands On Greater Portland as Volunteer Coordinator, with all the opportunities it presents to express my passion for volunteerism and to cultivate positive community-building relationships. I started volunteering in high school with the Oregon Bus Project, and after graduating I left Portland for Tacoma, WA and the University of Puget Sound, pursuing dual studies in Music and Politics & Government.
In my spare time I sang in the opera program, spearheaded a benefit concert for disaster relief, planned events around diversity and social justice, and put together a series of community-building volunteer projects and fundraisers entitled “Conspiracy of Hope”. I also worked as an Outreach Coordinator at the school’s Community Involvement and Action Center, where I helped students get involved with volunteerism throughout Pierce County. From there it was a natural progression to my position at Hands On. When I’m not working I sing in three choirs, read, travel, hike, and enjoy the company of my friends and family.
Molly McFatrich:
I recently joined Hands On Greater Portland as the Youth and Family Program Coordinator and I’m so excited to start developing projects for these energetic populations!
I have just moved to Portland and I am looking forward to volunteering in a city with so many diverse opportunities. My love of volunteering started when I was a girl scout and since then I have dedicated myself to a variety of projects, primarily in public health.
In my free time I enjoy sewing, exploring Portland, creating Oregon friendships, taking naps, sunshine and Arrested Development.
Robyn Hoppes:
I recently moved to Portland after graduating from the University of Oregon in the fields of Planning, Public Policy, and Management and Geography. It was during my time as an undergraduate that I truly became passionate about connecting with my community through volunteer experiences. I spent a great deal of time seeking out service projects, especially concerning the environment and homelessness. I came to realize that students at the university really didn’t have an avenue to be involved in service. Knowing how important my experience in service had been, I devoted a significant amount of time to developing ways that students could be involved in their community and promote positive change.
As the new Washington County Coordinator with Hands On Greater Portland, I couldn’t be more excited to continue working in the volunteer field and help individuals connect with meaningful opportunities.
In my off time I enjoy traveling, cooking, hiking, camping, pickling, Oregon Duck games, and discovering and exploring new places.
What is the Citizen Action AmeriCorps Program? The Citizen Action AmeriCorps program is a program of Points of Light & Hands On Network, the umbrella organization of Hands On Greater Portland. The AmeriCorps members at Hands On Greater Portland take part in the Affiliate Based Capacity Building program model, which places members at Hands On affiliates to support volunteer recruitment, training, and leadership development for both volunteers and community partners.
On September 2, Hands On welcomed three new AmeriCorps members to take over the roles of Volunteer Services Coordinator, Washington County Coordinator, and Youth & Family Coordinator for their 08/09 term of service. As Kimmy, Rachel, and Lydia moved on to embrace new and exciting opportunities, Amelia, Robyn, and Molly have spent the last month settling into their new roles, and we’re very excited to have such a dynamic team for the upcoming year! One’s a proud Duck… another sings in a whopping three choirs… and the third finds her inspiration in the realm of public health. Find out who’s who below!
Amelia Lamb:
I am thrilled to be coming on board Hands On Greater Portland as Volunteer Coordinator, with all the opportunities it presents to express my passion for volunteerism and to cultivate positive community-building relationships. I started volunteering in high school with the Oregon Bus Project, and after graduating I left Portland for Tacoma, WA and the University of Puget Sound, pursuing dual studies in Music and Politics & Government. In my spare time I sang in the opera program, spearheaded a benefit concert for disaster relief, planned events around diversity and social justice, and put together a series of community-building volunteer projects and fundraisers entitled “Conspiracy of Hope”. I also worked as an Outreach Coordinator at the school’s Community Involvement and Action Center, where I helped students get involved with volunteerism throughout Pierce County. From there it was a natural progression to my position at Hands On. When I’m not working I sing in three choirs, read, travel, hike, and enjoy the company of my friends and family.
Molly McFatrich:
I recently joined Hands On Greater Portland as the Youth and Family Program Coordinator and I’m so excited to start developing projects for these energetic populations!I have just moved to Portland and I am looking forward to volunteering in a city with so many diverse opportunities. My love of volunteering started when I was a girl scout and since then I have dedicated myself to a variety of projects, primarily in public health.
In my free time I enjoy sewing, exploring Portland, creating Oregon friendships, taking naps, sunshine and Arrested Development.
Robyn Hoppes:
I recently moved to Portland after graduating from the University of Oregon in the fields of Planning, Public Policy, and Management and Geography. It was during my time as an undergraduate that I truly became passionate about connecting with my community through volunteer experiences. I spent a great deal of time seeking out service projects, especially concerning the environment and homelessness. I came to realize that students at the university really didn’t have an avenue to be involved in service. Knowing how important my experience in service had been, I devoted a significant amount of time to developing ways that students could be involved in their community and promote positive change.As the new Washington County Coordinator with Hands On Greater Portland, I couldn’t be more excited to continue working in the volunteer field and help individuals connect with meaningful opportunities.
In my off time I enjoy traveling, cooking, hiking, camping, pickling, Oregon Duck games, and discovering and exploring new places.
What is the Citizen Action AmeriCorps Program? The Citizen Action AmeriCorps program is a program of Points of Light & Hands On Network, the umbrella organization of Hands On Greater Portland. The AmeriCorps members at Hands On Greater Portland take part in the Affiliate Based Capacity Building program model, which places members at Hands On affiliates to support volunteer recruitment, training, and leadership development for both volunteers and community partners.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Nominate Your Favorite Volunteer or Agency!
Heart of the Community Award nominations are now being accepted. The online nomination form is simple and brief. The deadline for nominations is October 15, 2008.
Learn more >> or Nominate today >>
Partner Spotlight: The Bus Project presents Trick or Vote!
Focused on people-to-people politics, the Bus Project is a local Oregon nonprofit determined to bring voters out of the woodwork in fun, engaging, and creative ways. Heavily reliant upon volunteer support, the organization focuses on mobilizing activists and championing voter registration among the younger generations, the bus project is probably best known for its wacky candidate forums such as Candidates Gone Wild, which mixes debate with music, talent show competitions, and some pretty colorful costumes.
Come this October, however, the Bus Project takes the costume approach one step farther with Trick or Vote, anticipated to be the nation’s largest nonpartisan Get-Out-The-Vote-Canvass. Scheduled for the one day of the year when households fully expect a knock at the door, Trick or Vote will draw hundreds of costumed volunteers in Oregon alone to knock on doors on October 31st and encourage folks to submit their vote before the November 4th cut-off. The Bus Project sites evidence that peer-to-peer contact can increase voter participation by as much as 8-12%, especially among younger voters. And for many of the costumed volunteers making this contact, Trick or Vote marks the first time they’ve ever volunteered for a political event. All in all, it’s civic engagement at its best – fun, creative, and crucial in making those last-minute connections and encouraging voter turnout before the following Tuesday.
Love democracy and dressing up? Interested in making a difference this election season? You may be too old to trick or treat, but you’re never to old to Trick or Vote! Sign up to volunteer on Halloween for one or both of two scheduled canvasses. The first "after school" round starts at 3:30 and ends around 7:30, the "after work" round starts at 5:00 and ends around 8:30. All volunteers are invited to attend the Ghouls and Goblins Gala post-canvassing, for an epic Halloween dance party to round out the night!
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER at www.TrickorVote.org
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