The goal of YPN is to develop, connect and empower young professionals. One of the ways to do that is to help YPs find volunteer opportunities on local boards and committees with both nonprofit and civic organizations. Browse through the openings below and contact the organization directly for more information and to get involved. For more project-based volunteer opportunities in the community, check out www.makeadifferencemichiana.com.

Civic Engagement Opportunities
Interested in filling a position on a civic board, committee or commission? Please CLICK HERE to complete the bio form and someone from the YPN Civic Engagement Team will contact you. The information provided may be shared with officials from The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County and local government (South Bend, Mishawaka and St. Joseph County).

Nonprofit Opportunities (Updated 7.15.09)

Coaches vs. Cancer
Corvilla, Inc.
Make a Difference Michiana
Michiana Center for Independent Living
Paws 'N Purrs With IMPACT
P-H-M Educational Foundation
Rebuilding Together, St. Joseph County
Reins of Life
Stone Soup Community

Coaches vs. Cancer (www.cvcndbasketball.com)
About the Organization: An initiative of the American Cancer Society, Coaches vs. Cancer events provide fundraising for the fight against cancer. Separate committees manage events throughout the year, including the BasketBall, the Night of the Stars, a radio-thon, a golf auction and the Golf Classic.

Position(s) of Need:

• Event committee members (multiple seasonal positions)
  Work as a team to organize a major fundraising or recognition events. Time commitment of approximately two hours per month, with additional time as needed closer to the event.

Contact: Juliana Newbill, 574.257.9789, juliana.newbill@cancer.org.

Corvilla, Inc. (www.corvilla.org)
About the Organization: Corvilla exists to provide services to meet the needs of and improve the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities. Corvila residents receive housing and adaptive skills training in a Christian environment that advocates for the physical, social, economic and spiritual needs of all.

• Board of Directors members (future replacements)
  Voting members of the Board work to maintain and promote the vision of the organization by establishing policy and evaluating operation. Members are expected to attend four evening meetings per year, be actively involved in fundraising and assist with special events. Board members serve two, three-year terms; members are also expected to serve on a standing committee (e.g., executive, finance, development, etc.)
• Development Committee member
  Responsible for increasing funds for the organization through the creation of innovative special events. Corvilla standing committees also have special appointees with related experience who are not members of the Board of Directors; committee service is often a pathway to membership on the Board of Directors. Committee holds meetings (lasting approximately 90 minutes) as needed
• Recreational outing volunteers
  Accompany residents on community outings. Activities take a few hours and are usually held on a monthly basis.

Contact: Diana Dolde, 574.289.9779, ddolde@corvilla.org.

Make a Difference Michiana (www.makeadifferencemichiana.org)
About the Organization: Make a Difference Michiana works to improve the lives of area residents through giving and volunteering opportunities. A centralized online directory containing information on over 300 organizations connects the resources of the community with local non-profits.

• Development committee member
  Creative, entrepreneurial individual to assist in finding new revenue streams to support the organization. Experience in development and/or a large professional network are helpful. Time commitment of two to three hours per month, including a monthly meeting.
• Make a Difference Day committee member
  Coordinate an October 10th event bringing together non-profit organizations and volunteers from churches, businesses and schools. Time commitment of two to three hours per month from July to early October.

Contact: Andrew Lynn, 574.232.3660, ext. 214, andrew@makeadifferencemichiana.org.

Michiana Center for Independent Living
About the Organization: The Center works to empower individuals with physical and/or mental challenges in obtaining the services needed in order to claim, with dignity and self-respect, their place in the mainstream of society. Services provided include: personal advocacy, peer counseling, referral information and independent living skills training.

Position(s) of Need:

• Fundraising volunteer
• Administrative volunteer

Contact: Judy Coros, 574.277.8028, kcoros@aol.com

Paws ‘N Purrs with IMPACT (www.pawsnpurrs.org)
About the Organization: With a mission of promoting the health and well-being of animals in the community, the organization provides education about pet overpopulation, support for low-cost spay/neuter initiatives, transportation of animals to safety and foster and adoption support.

Position(s) of Need:

• Board members (multiple positions currently open)
• General volunteers
  Create educational initiatives on low-cost spay-neuter, provide assistance at adoption events and fundraisers. Time commitment of approximately two to four hours per month.

Contact: Amara Burgh, 574.237.9108, amara@pawsnpurrs.org.

P-H-M Educational Foundation (www.phmef.org)
About the Organization: The Penn-Harris-Madison Educational Foundation is committed to supporting and enhancing the educational experience of students through grants to programs that exhibit innovation and creativity and improve the quality of life in our community. The organization develops alternative sources of income to support learning and strengthen community partnerships in the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation.

Position(s) of Need:

• Accounting volunteer
  Assist staff in mastering reporting software and techniques for presentation to Board of Directors. Familiarity with QuickBooks software required. Time commitment of one to two hours per week in addition to participation in Finance Committee meetings as needed.
• Development volunteer
  Assist staff in mastering fundraising software; fundraising leadership vital to the Foundation. Familiarity with GiftWorks donor tracking software.
• Marketing Committee member
  Responsible for creating a branding campaign for the Foundation. Committee meets monthly with one to two hours per month of outside work also expected.

Contact: Char Speicher, 574.254.2893, charspeicher@phmef.org.

Rebuilding Together, St. Joseph County (www.rtsjc.org)
About the Organization: Rebuilding Together is a nonprofit, community-based partnership of volunteers from local government, businesses and other nonprofits, that rehabilitate the homes of low-income homeowners and improve neighborhoods. On two April Saturdays each year, approximately 1,200 skilled and unskilled volunteers join together to make free repairs to about 25 selected homes.

Position(s) of Need:

• Board members (three positions currently open)
  Particularly valuable are those with experience in law, inventory management, residential construction/rehabilitation, real estate, and building supply procurement. Also needed are those with marketing/media, fundraising and Web site development skills. In addition to a one-hour monthly meeting, board members usually devote an additional one to four hours per month to volunteer tasks at their convenience.

Contact: Michael Divita, 574.235.5843, mdivita@southbendin.gov.

Reins of Life (www.reinsoflife.org)
About the Organization: With a mission of improving the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities through equine-assisted therapy, Reins of Life provides therapeutic horseback riding to individuals with special needs.

Position(s) of Need:

• Public relations volunteer
  Assist with promotions and public relations (including preparation of press releases) for the LaPorte County location. Time commitment of approximately four hours per month, which includes attendance at board meetings held the third Tuesday of each month. Ideal candidate would be someone familiar with the Michigan City/LaPorte area.

Contact: Sharon Burnside, 574.232.0853, executive-director@reinsoflife.org.

Stone Soup Community
About the Organization: With a motto of “Chiseling away poverty: building stable lives,” Stone Soup’s mission is to accompany people on their journey toward financial stability and self-sufficiency. Working in conjunction with local food pantries, the organization provides free crisis services, emergency financial assistance, mentoring, case management, life skills training, and budget counseling.

Position(s) of Need:

• Board members
  General oversight responsibilities; board members also called upon to develop partnerships and cultivate relationships with potential corporate donors and sponsors. Expected to serve on a committee (e.g., development, by-laws, personnel, etc.).
• Bookkeeping/accounting volunteer
  Responsible for paying bills, doing payroll, creating financial reports and other bookkeeping and accounting duties. Time commitment of three to four hours per week; work generally performed at downtown South Bend location. Familiarity with Peachtree accounting system helpful.

Contact: Linda Jung-Zimmerman, 574.246.0364, stone-soup@sbcglobal.net.