Weld County
Retired & Senior Volunteer Program
Volunteer Handbook
Office Location and Mailing Address:
Retired & Senior Volunteer Program
University of Northern Colorado
501 20th Street
Greeley, CO 80639
Telephone:
970-351-2588
970-351-2581 (fax)
Website and E-Mail:
www.unco.edu/nhs/rsvp
Here is a map of our location at 096 Brown Hall, UNC Central Campus President’s Row:
Welcome!
We are delighted to have you as a new volunteer with the Weld County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. We hope that the information in this handbook will provide you with a better understanding of RSVP. We encourage you to keep this as a reference book.
Volunteering offers more than an opportunity to help those in need. Volunteering is good for the heart, increases self-esteem, and lessens stress and depression. It is said; people who volunteer live longer, healthier and happier lives!
This handbook provides information to help in better understanding RSVP; this is your reference book. If you need additional information, please call the RSVP office and we will be glad to help with any other questions.
We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Volunteering is a work of heart
National History
1961 – The White House Conference on Aging called attention to older adults’ continuing need for useful activity, especially after retirement.
1965 – As a result of the conference, Congress passed the Older Americans Act. The Community Service Society of New York launched a pilot project involving a small group of older adult volunteers who volunteered their skills in service to their communities. The project was called SERVE (Serve and Enrich Retirement by Volunteer Experience).
1969 – The success of SERVE demonstrated the value of older adult volunteers and led to an amendment to the older Americans Act, creating the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).
1973 – As a result of RSVP’s initial success, Congress increased funding to expand the program nationwide.
Today – RSVP is one of the largest volunteer efforts in the nation, matching local problems with older Americans willing to help. Close to a half-million RSVP volunteers nationwide donate more than 64 million hours of service each year. These volunteers support more than 850 locally directed RSVP projects.
In joining Weld County RSVP, you are part of a national network of dedicated senior volunteers!
Local History
RSVP’s are required to have a local sponsor legally responsible for the program; we are fortunate to be sponsored by the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. The program began in 1973 through the efforts of UNC’s Director of Recreation Education, Dr. Max Shirley. Dr. Shirley “hoped the program would develop into a community plan and felt RSVP was a good way for the University to become involved in community affairs.”
The RSVP Mission
As a nationwide volunteer program, RSVP invites adults age 55 and over to use their life experience and skills to answer the call of their neighbors in need.
The RSVP office provides services to volunteers, volunteer stations, and the Weld County community. For the Volunteers, RSVP provides opportunities to learn new skills, make new friends, serve the community, enrich their lives, and remain active in the community. For local not-for-profit agencies, civic agencies, and eligible proprietary health care agencies, RSVP matches their volunteer needs to RSVP Volunteers, based on volunteer interests and abilities. Finally, for the community, RSVP Community Service Programs provide direct services, including home grocery deliveries, reading partners, Medicare counseling, etc.
Eligibility:
Anyone age 55 years or older can become involved in RSVP. There are no enrollment or membership dues.
The only requirements for participation are:
J A willingness to be of service on a regular basis in the community without monetary compensation.
J A willingness to accept instruction and supervision as required.
J A willingness to share the benefits of a lifetime of living!
J Reside in or nearby Weld County, and serve within Weld County.
Eligibility to be an RSVP volunteer is not restricted on the basis of education, income, experience, citizenship, race, creed, belief, color, national origin, sex, handicap or political affiliation.
How We Do It:
1. New volunteers visit with RSVP staff about their interests in volunteer work and different kinds of volunteer opportunities that are available.
2. The volunteer chooses where he/she would like to volunteer. If needed, RSVP staff contact the Volunteer Station and help to connect the volunteer with the Station’s Staff. (Please call RSVP if you are not contacted by the station within a reasonable time.)
3. The volunteer then meets with the Station Staff to learn specifically about that location and their volunteer needs. Background checks may be required for volunteers who work directly with children or in individual homes.
4. Referral service is always available to volunteers wanting to learn more about volunteer opportunities. Volunteers determine if they would like a different placement or additional placements.
New Member Orientation
New Member Orientation Meetings are typically scheduled twice per year to provide information about RSVP services, acquaint volunteers with policies, and share information about current volunteer needs. Any existing RSVP volunteer is also welcome to attend orientation.
RSVP FITS YOUR SCHEDULE
We provide both long-term and short-term volunteer opportunities. With this, RSVP strives to maintain flexibility in the scheduling of assignments. Volunteers who have not turned in a Volunteer Hour Log for three months will be contacted to see if they are still volunteering. Long-term volunteer work continues on a regular schedule over a period of time. Serving meals at senior nutrition, reading with the students in the Mentoring for Educational Success Program, or giving presentations for the Disaster Preparedness Program are examples of long-term volunteering.
Short-term volunteer work is for a specific event or project. This type of work is often referred to as a “Community Event.” Senior Olympics, Relay for Life Walk-a-Thon, Bike volunteers, but only for a few hours or a few days, and that only happen once a year.
To participate in short-term community events, contact the RSVP Staff to let them know of your interest. When events come up, RSVP recruits volunteers for these events by phone, sign-up sheets, or e-mail.
Volunteer Stations:
A volunteer station is any public or private non-profit organization or health care organization where RSVP volunteers serve. To be an active volunteer station, the organization must sign a Memorandum of Understanding with RSVP, which establishes working relationships, cooperation and communication between the volunteer station and RSVP.
The memorandum designates the person responsible for supervising volunteers and submitting/confirming monthly RSVP volunteer timesheets. The volunteer station staff provides volunteers with instruction and materials to do the assigned volunteer work.
All volunteer work that qualifies for RSVP benefits, insurance or recognition must be with a volunteer station that has a signed Memorandum of Understanding with RSVP. An RSVP volunteer cannot take the place of a paid employee.
If at any time an RSVP volunteer feels he or she would like to change volunteer assignments, a member of the RSVP staff should be notified. The staff will work with the volunteer to identify a new area for involvement and bring closure to the current volunteer assignment.
Many Opportunities Are Available:
Some of these opportunities include, but are not limited to:
*Delivering meals to homebound people
*Clerical work, reception desk, mailings
*Helping in school classrooms
*Library or museum work
*Music and entertainment
*Telephone Reassurance
*Helping serve nutrition meals
*Reading Partner, Mentoring
*Hospital and Nursing Home volunteers
*Community events
*Grocery shopping for the homebound
*Handyman service, working on trails
*Lead volunteers, marketing, publicity, writing
*Medicare counseling, Tax assistance
The Benefits of RSVP:
To receive the following benefits, a volunteer must be actively serving at an RSVP volunteer station.
1. Opportunity
RSVP volunteers serve in capacities which call on their interests, experiences, skills, and training. Volunteers can also choose to be challenged by developing new skills, knowledge, and awareness of community needs and resources.
2. Impact
RSVP volunteers make a difference in their community. Many of the volunteer programs would not exist without the support of volunteers giving their time and talents to that organization.
3. Annual Recognition
Every year RSVP celebrates the impact of Active RSVP Volunteers in our community with a Recognition Event, inviting all active RSVP members. There is food, fun, and friendship!
4. Volunteer Insurance
RSVP volunteers are covered by supplemental accident, personal liability.
5. Make a Difference
RSVP volunteers are a valuable resource in our community. Be a part of a growing group and make a difference.
6. Community
RSVP volunteers serve as leaders, mentors, reading partners, companions and allies to hundreds in the community who are in need. There are positions and assignments to suit almost any ability and interest.
7. Membership
There is no cost. As an RSVP volunteer, you become a member of a national volunteer organization.
8. Newsletter
RSVP members receive a bi-monthly newsletter providing information about volunteer opportunities, recognition, issues, and more.
9. Programs
Throughout the year, RSVP holds orientations and trainings for the various Community Service Programs, giving RSVP volunteers the opportunity to gain insight on topics affecting volunteerism and a chance to meet and socialize with fellow volunteers.
10. Reimbursement
Volunteers serve without compensation. Upon need or request, RSVP can reimburse volunteers for transportation or meals, if funds are available
Mileage Reimbursements: (not currently available)
Reimbursements must be arranged and approved in advance with the RSVP Staff.
Insurance:
Each RSVP volunteer is eligible for supplemental insurance at no cost.
The insurance is in excess of your own insurance. This supplemental insurance is only in effect while volunteering or traveling to and from a volunteer station. RSVP provides three kinds of supplemental insurance coverage:
1. Accident Insurance: volunteers are covered for a personal injury arising from their volunteer activities.
Also, Accidental Death and Dismemberment: for death, loss of limb or loss of sight arising from volunteer activities.
2. Personal Liability: protection for a personal injury or property damage liability claim arising from volunteer duties.
Insurance provided by the RSVP volunteer will cover, in part, expenses not covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or any other third party payer if the volunteer is injured while serving. Volunteers must use their Medicare, Medicaid and other personal insurance as primary insurance. CIMA is not a primary insurance.
This is not a substitute for any insurance a volunteer may now carry, and only applies while the RSVP volunteer is performing and assignment as a volunteer in the program and while on their way to and from the volunteer site.
Any accident that occurs while at the volunteer station or while traveling to and from the volunteer station must be immediately reported to the Volunteer Station Supervisor and the RSVP Project Director. The RSVP staff will assist in filing the insurance claim.
For more detailed information on RSVP’s insurance policy exclusions and payment, contact RSVP.
Volunteer Responsibilities:
RSVP volunteers are asked to observe the following guidelines while performing their volunteer assignments.
*Perform the duties to the best of your abilities.
*Observe the days and hours agreed upon.
*Cooperate with staff and other volunteers.
*If a problem arises regarding an assignment, speak with the station supervisor and/or a member of the RSVP staff.
*Inform your volunteer supervisor and the RSVP staff, in advance, if you will be away for an extended period of time or if you choose to discontinue serving at a particular volunteer station.
*Maintain the confidentiality of any information you encounter while on assignment.
Reporting Your Volunteer Hours:
It is essential that RSVP records the hours volunteers contribute on a monthly basis. First, it confirms who is actively volunteering and qualified to receive volunteer benefits. Second, RSVP is able to demonstrate the effectiveness of the program(s), and the impact of Senior Volunteers in Weld County. Third, it serves as a communication tool. With so many volunteers, RSVP staff depends on the monthly hour logs to keep informed about what volunteers are doing in their volunteer works.
Volunteering can be defined as time contributed to the benefit of another. The following can NOT be submitted as volunteer activity or time: politics/campaigns, preaching or worship, or family care.
To Submit Volunteer Hours:
Individual Logs: The volunteer keeps track of volunteer hours, fills the log, and mails or drops off the logs at the RSVP office or Senior Center each month. Both the volunteer and the Station Coordinator must sign the log. You can do the following when submitting hours to RSVP:
- E-mail to
- Fax to 970-351-2581.
- Call the RSVP office at 970-351-2588
Calling Logs. The volunteer can opt to receive a call at the beginning of the month from a Calling Log volunteer who records for them their volunteer hours for the previous month. The Calling Log volunteer then sends a report of all his/hers calls to the RSVP office. Contact RSVP office to have your name added to a calling log.
Station Hour Log. Some volunteer stations are set up to record and submit RSVP member volunteer hours to RSVP directly. Check with your station to see if this is available.
- Many volunteers serve at more than one volunteer station. Please support all these stations by reporting your hours faithfully to each one, and then reporting your total hours to RSVP. These records prove to the community, and the nation, that seniors, 55 and older, are a great contributing resource.
Keep RSVP Updated!
Because RSVP involves more than 800 people, it is important for the volunteers to do the following:
*See that their monthly hours are submitted, either by turning in an hour log, calling the office, or by being on a calling log.
*Call the RSVP office if they change addresses or telephone numbers.
*Let the RSVP staff know if they are not well or will not be able to volunteer for an extended period of time.
*Let the RSVP staff know if they are interested in new or additional assignments.
Volunteer Identification:
Weld RSVP volunteers are encouraged to wear their RSVP name badges/lanyards while on assignment. These are visible signs that ensure you are recognized as volunteers and not as paid staff members at volunteer stations. In addition, when volunteers can be identified it helps create more visibility for RSVP in the community.