COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Transcription

1 COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS it s about Time Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world Indeed it s the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead Leslie Wall, Program Coordinator

2 A Little Background Las Vegas Father Flannigan s Boys Town 16 Teenage Boys 2 Adopted Children Voluntary Simplicity in 2000

3 Where is PLUMAS COUNTY, CALIFORNIA? 2,553 Square Miles 100+ miles Across Rural Mountain Communities Winter November-May

4 Quincy is the county seat of Plumas County Population 19, % over age % below poverty $44k Median Income 7.8 People per Square Mile

5 Plumas Rural Services non-profit agency Serving Plumas County for 35 years Diverse service programs Regional Food Network Child Care Payment Assistance and WIC Nutrition Services for adults and children with disabilities Crisis intervention, therapy, emergency shelter Family counseling/support services Plumas Transit Community resource centers

6 Getting Acquainted with Rural Family Advocate Home Visitor Nurturing Parenting Classes Women s Support Groups Rape/Crisis Counseling Child Abuse Prevention

7 EXCITED TO BUILD A NEW KIND OF COMMUNITY Unique to our rural communities Open to all ages Utilize individual strengths and skills Support community residents, events, and services Create opportunities to connect people Equality of Members Innovative way to meet needs

8 An Idea is Born The definition of insanity: Doing what you ve always done over and over and expecting different results. Created in 2007 address gaps in services Solution-focused, strength-based - not needs directed Greatest asset to build on = people Advisory Board What If? Time Banking proven model

9 Time Banking started in Europe in 1980 s Edgar Cahn, author of No More Throw-Away People Today active Time Banks in the United States Unlimited possibilities no exact model

10 MISSION STATEMENT To connect people, strengthen families and build communities through the exchange of services.

11 OUR PHILOSOPHY FOUR CORE VALUES Everybody Matters Giving is Receiving Volunteers Make Communities Work People Need People

12 EVERYBODY MATTERS We all have skills & talents People are the real wealth of a community Every person, regardless of age, income level, or education is valuable and has something to offer to others

13 GIVING IS RECEIVING RECIPROCITY is the impulse to give back When everyone has an opportunity to serve AND can accept service from others You need me becomes We need each other It is often more difficult to ask for help than to offer it

14 VOLUNTEERS MAKE COMMUNITIES WORK Sharing in the responsibility of raising healthy children strengthening families supporting vital businesses and service organizations caring for our seniors and aging Creates a community we all want to be a part of

15 PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE We are all unique, but equal. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give another is to allow them to serve so they can feel needed and appreciated.

16 FUNDING Unfunded Child Abuse Prevention Council to provide concrete support/resources to parents Archstone Foundation - Focus on senior s ability to age in community Plumas County Public Health Plumas County Mental Health

17 Membership Structure $20 Individual Membership Background checks Under 18 Free $10 Annual Renewal Maintain current active membership $100/annual Sponsorships Support for activities/events, scholarships It s about people not economy

18 PROGRAM SPONSORS 57 service organizations Provide Members opportunities to engage in community 4 Chambers of Commerce Thrift Stores, Churches County Museums, Libraries, Animal Shelters Radio Station, Feather Publishing Newspaper School District, Charter School, Community College Hospital Volunteer Groups, Hospice, Red Cross Recreation & Park Districts, Fairgrounds, Lions Club, 4-H, Audubon Society, Soroptimist International

19 Membership Growth Membership Growth Current Members & Sponsors

20 A Community is All Ages Youngest Member - 5 Youth learn community service when it is modeled Oldest Member - 92 Age does not mean nothing left to give Change paradigms from Retired to Required Court-Mandated to Choice

21 WE ARE ALL UNIQUE, BUT EQUAL One hour of service equals one time credit always!

22 Keeping it Simple Daily Announcements Assigned Callers Members choose what/when SWAT Teams (Serving, Working, Achieving Together) WORKSHOPS Community Service Projects 4 annual Member gatherings 3 Swap Meet N Eat Member Appreciation Members provide administrative and outreach support

23 TYPES OF SERVICES Every new Member increases the services available Arts/Crafts Auto Care Business Services Child Care Computer Assistance Cooking Events Gardening Handy Services House Sitting Household Management Housekeeping Personal Care Pet Care Recreation Sewing Transportation Tutoring Yard Care Over 400 different services only the tip of the iceberg

24 SERVICE HOURS Se rvice Hours /09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 82% of Requests Receive a Referral!

25 SOMETIMES THE GREATEST GIFT WE CAN GIVE ANOTHER IS TO FEEL NEEDED AND APPRECIATED!