Iowa Volunteer Opportunities

Most local RESOLVE programs and services are run by dedicated volunteers who graciously donate their time and talent. If you have found our services as helpful as many others have, and if you would like to give something back to RESOLVE, please consider becoming a volunteer.  We have many exciting volunteer opportunities with varying levels of time commitment, no previous experience is required for many of the positions, and most can be done from home according your own schedule. Come join our committed and fun group of volunteers! For more information or to volunteer for one of these positions, please contact info@resolve.org.

We are looking for help in the following areas:

Peer-led Support Group Host (2-4 hours per month):
Peer Support Group Hosts moderate a regularly scheduled meeting to discuss and share infertility or adoption related issues following RESOLVE policies and procedures. Training is provided. Volunteer hosts are responsible for some administrative task to promote and report their group meetings. Involves attendance at a quarterly continuing education teleseminar. The first step of the process is to listen to the recorded audio training "How to Start a Support Group." For a link to this recording, please send a request to info@resolve.org.

HelpLine Volunteer (2-4 hours per month):
Help others who are just starting out on their path to resolution, by sharing your own experience and expertise. Check messages on one assigned day per week. These messages will come from people throughout the Mountain region, and there may be 0-5 calls on a given day. You do not need a dedicated phone line or other technology to volunteer. In total, the time requirement is about 10-30 minutes per week depending on the call volume. Training is provided. For more information, please contact Heather Gasser at hgasser@resolve.org.

Local Area Coordinators (4 hours per month):
RESOLVE coordinators serve as a point of contact for others looking for information in their local area. This generally entails responding to emails and phone calls 2-3 times a month, and might include helping to start a PLSG if a new volunteer comes forward to host. For more information, please contact info@resolve.org.

Conference Volunteer (time varies depending on interest): Help plan the 2011 Family Building Conference in Minneapolis, MN scheduled for Spring 2011. We welcome all volunteers to help the conference whether you can commit to a few hours a month for the next few months to help with the planning, or can help with one project, or can be present to help the day of the conference, we need YOU!  Most of our planning meetings are held via conference call in the evenings. We plan to meet in person a few times, too.  We also need many, many volunteers for the day of the Conference and set up the night before. Below are some specific volunteer needs for the Conference.

• Conference Co-Chair – this person would work closely with the current Chair and would chair the Conference next year. This would be someone who has helped with the Conference in the past.
• Marketing Lead – help us get more people to this amazing event. Take lists of past marketing efforts, brainstorm more and organize and lead all marketing efforts.
• Media – help us get coverage with local media and figure out media strategies
• PR – Write and distribute press releases. Create and execute other PR strategies
• Note-taker for meetings – Detail-oriented person who could attend most (if not all) meetings and commit to emailing the notes to the team within 24 hoursof the meeting. You would keep track of all action items mentioned in the meeting and summarize discussions and decisions. Sample notes available from last year. Most meetings occur on weekday evenings via conference call and last one hour. Time commitment = 1.5 to 2 hours per week (includes time attending the meeting).
• Volunteer Team Member – Recruit people to volunteer on the day of the conference—we need lots of help that day! We have lists of past and potential volunteers and other people to help you. You would call and/or email people to encourage them to volunteer, keep track of their status and email them confirmation materials. Time commitment is flexible. You can sign up for as many or as few contacts as you like (in increments of 5).
• Speaker Team Member – We have 19 breakout sessions with 2-5 speakers in each one. You would contact potential speakers via phone and email, keep track of your contacts’ status, and send confirmation materials. Time commitment is flexible. You can sign up for as many or as few contacts as you like (in increments of 5).
• Graphic Designer – Use Quark to design our brochure and other marketing materials. Past files (Publisher, PDF) available.
• Clinic Liaison – Bring materials to clinics. Make contact beforehand and follow up to see if they have any questions. This is a great opportunity for someone who is currently undergoing treatment.
• Sponsorship Team Member – Contact businesses and have them sponsor us. We have past info available on adoption/infertility-related businesses but want to tap into other businesses this year. Huge opportunity for impact here.
• Blog/Discussion Group/Facebook/My Space/Twittter Marketing – Find places on the Web where people are talking about infertility and spread the word about the Conference. You can do any or all of the above.
• Registration Organizer – Need a detail-oriented Excel guru to manage registration master list and giveaway tickets.
• Work with the Adoption Network at your company – If your company has an adoption network (some examples are General Mills, Target, Super Valu), work with them to promote the Conference to its members.
• Assemble packets and materials for the Conference - This takes place the Friday before the event from 3-7 p.m. or any part of that time
• Set Up Helper - Help set up for the Conference on the Friday before from 3-7 p.m. or any part of that time
• Volunteer at the Conference - We need many people to make this day a success. Many positions available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for any amount of time you want to help. Due to the sensitive nature of infertility, we request that visibly pregnant women do not volunteer for this position.
• Giveaway Followup – This position takes place after the Conference. This person would follow up with Giveaway winners periodically through the year to check on their progress. If a winner decides not to use a prize, you would contact the runner up.
• Do you have a specific skill you’d like to bring? Let us know

Email Julie Berman at resolvejulie@gmail.com to volunteer or learn more.

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