Volunteer Opportunities in Resource Investment

Every year donations raised in the campaign for GIVE UNITED are invested to improve the well being of our community we call the Triangle.  We depend on wise, caring people who seek to understand the complex social issues that impact our area, and can volunteer their time to actively participate in the philanthropic side of our work -- Resource Investment.

“The importance of our volunteers in Resource Investment cannot be overstated.  Knowing where the needs are greatest and where to invest dollar donations raised for GIVE UNITED to address those needs or prevent problems from happening in the first place is not easy. We rely on over 100 issue experts, agency representatives and community volunteers working together to develop County Action Plans that guide funding decisions.  Other volunteers focus on monitoring the organizational capacity of partner agencies, making sure donors who GIVE UNITED can be assured their gift is making the greatest impact.”

-Craig Chancellor, President

Volunteers have the opportunity to serve on one of three committees described below in Orange, Durham or Wake County; or on the Regional Initiative Task Force.  Each committee combines the expertise of professionals in the field of health and human services with the independent perspectives of Triangle residents from all walks of life.

“I want people struggling in Orange County to get the best help possible.  We help make that happen.  How?  We are a great team of leaders from businesses, universities, non-profits and the community.  We find ideas and programs that really work.  This is not paper-pushing:  it makes a big difference.  I was surprised by how many of our neighbors benefit:  from young children learning their colors to senior citizens needing a hot meal.  We have found excellent agencies at work.  So much gets done in our group for a small time commitment.  I've enjoyed both the work and the people I have met.”   

-Community Volunteer, Program Accountability Committee, Orange County

Qualifications 

• Community members outside the health and human service arena with civic and or/volunteer experience where an active or leadership role was taken. 
• The ability to problem solve in a group.
• The ability to promote cooperation and garner consensus when there are differences in opinion (including your own).
• Comfort level with some ambiguity. Changing the community takes time and patience!

Commitment

Committee meetings are conveniently located in Orange, Durham and Wake Counties during workday hours.  In general, volunteers experience satisfaction with committee work when they feel connected to fellow members, understand the purpose of the committee, and how their work contributes to  the whole.  it is important for volunteers to attend all meetings.  The general expectations for time commitment are listed below; specifics are outlined in each committee description. 

• At least 80% meeting attendance (two hours per meeting, plus travel time)
• Commitment to one term of service and completion of assigned group tasks in and outside of committee meetings. 

 Benefits  

• You  will  increase agency accountability to donors.
• You will make a difference that improves lives.
• You will  gain knowledge of United Way of the Greater Triangle’s Resource Investment process. 

Questions? Contact Suzanne Deobald, Community Impact Director

Suzanne Deobald
(919)463-5048

 

County Profile Committee

A county profile uses data and statistics to paint a picture of the status of quality of life for people living in the area. County Profile Volunteers help identify the most pressing health and human service needs (priorities) in a county, the quality of life conditions we wish to see for community members, (results) and the positive outcomes for people served that funded programs must achieve to help us make progress.  The culmination of this work is an Action Plan representing the county-based framework for program applications and funding decisions. 

Responsibilities

September: Analyze the community profile: review needs data, other county funders, and donor preferences. Identify gaps between needs and services.  Review the funding mix - programs and allocations.

October: Adjust the County Action Plan based on community profile analysis. Prioritize the Results -desired improvement in conditions for groups of people. Develop funding strategies for 2010. 

November: Make final recommendation for funding priorities and strategies. 

Desired Attributes for Volunteers

• Expertise in research, policy making, public planning
• Ability to interpret data
• Subject matter experts a plus, but not a requirement

Commitment

• September through October commitment
• Three, 2-hour meetings Little outside committee work

 

Program Accountability Committee

Volunteers on the Program Accountability committee ensure proposals for program funding align with each County Action Plan.  They also see that donor contributions are invested in programs that provide high quality services for those who request help from our partner agencies by conducting site visits.  Program outcomes are studied to see that services effectively make a difference in the lives of people served, and would logically lead to impacting Results in the County Action Plan by improving quality of life in the community.   

Responsibilities

June - Sept: Conduct agency site visits with focus on programs. Identify “Programs at Risk”. May provide technical support to agencies for the development of appropriate indicators of progress.

Sept - Oct: Review program proposals for funding (postponed until 2010)

• Hold Q & A sessions with agencies
• Score program proposals

Nov: Make program funding recommendations.

Year-round: Ensure quality improvement of programs.  

Desired Attributes for Volunteers 

• Program Management
• Program Evaluation
• Previous experience reviewing grant applications and program performance reports a plus. 

Commitment

• June through December
• Two to three one-hour agency site visits, plus debrief and travel time
• Approximately 6-8 meetings; June - November
• Two-hour meetings during workday hours
• Eight to ten hours outside committee meetings to review program proposals. 

 

County Certification Committee

Volunteers on the Certification Committee ensure member agencies can demonstrate capacity to deliver health and human services through an annual review of their financial, legal, governance and human resource practices. Volunteers review agency certification materials and develop recommendations for improvement ensuring certain standards are met so that the United Way of the Greater Triangle stays accountable to our donors. 

Responsibilities 

July - Sept: Completes the review of certification materials for agencies in their county to ensure annual certification standards are met.  

Sept: Advises on the status of each member agency with respect to the process and standards of Certification and the progressive movement to best practice. Reviews new agencies and makes recommendations for potential inclusion. 

Year-round: Advises whenever problems arise regarding agency governance, management, and/or organizational issues. Recommends an appropriate course of action, and ensures successful resolution. Intervenes in situations where potential management problems are surfacing and consultation/technical assistance is warranted. 

Required Qualifications

• Expertise in one or more: finance, governance, legal issues and human resources  

Desired Attributes for Volunteers

• Attention to detail and follow-through
• Willingness to make tough decisions if necessary 

Commitment

• July through December Approximately four 2-hour meetings
• Three to four hours outside committee meetings to review certification materials.  

 

Triangle Regional Initiative Task Force

Volunteers on the Regional Initiative Task Force manage the investment and results of the two regional initiatives; ending homelessness and increasing the financial stability of working families/individuals. They study all aspects of the issue, identify investment strategies, fund innovative and high-quality projects, seek outside funding for the initiative, track project results, and engage in public policy and advocacy activities.  

Responsibilities

Jan - March: Identify the year’s activities. Identify specific investment strategies. Track results from previous year’s work and investments.

May - July: Issue Request for Applications (RFA) and fund projects.

July - Oct: Support Triangle United Way Campaign activities

Nov - Dec: Request funds from the Triangle Resource Investment Cabinet. Complete activities in the annual workplan 

Desired Attributes for Volunteers

• Subject matter experts on homelessness and financial stability. 
• Expertise in program management, program evaluation, public policy, public education.

  or

• A strong interest in the initiatives and desire to make a difference.

 Commitment

• Year-round commitment
• Approximately 12,  2-hour meetings
• 2 hours outside committee meetings to participate in specific activities

 Questions? Contact Suzanne Deobald, Community Impact Director

sdeobald@unitedwaytriangle.org 
(919) 463-5048

   Apply by clicking here and creating an e-C Impact account.