VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

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VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

• OVERVIEW

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WELCOME!

• I am excited you are considering becoming a
  volunteer for the Mason City Youth Task Force!
  The information in this slide show will acquaint
  you with what the Youth Task Force does and how
  we do it.
• I look forward to visiting with you in person to
  explore ideas on how you can help keep our
  community a Healthy Community for Healthy Youth!
• Mary Schissel
• Director, Mason City Youth Task Force
• 2620 S. Jefferson, Mason City IA  50401
• PH [phone] E-mail mschissel_at_masoncity.n
  et

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VISION Youth and Adults working together to
build a Healthy
Community for Healthy Youth
Many sectors of the community work together as we
reach for our vision EVERYONE has a role to
play! The Youth Task Force has a good mix of
new and experienced volunteers working together
on coalition efforts.
Where are you?
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PURPOSE To assess the health of the community,
to identify needs, to coordinate existing
resources, and to create new resources to meet
needs by focusing on prevention-related youth
issues.

• Community partners are key to Youth Task Force
  success!
• Existing community resources work together to
  implement new strategies and projects identified
  through our community needs assessment process.

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OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT SAYS.

• Substance abuse reduction prevention
• Ensuring young people have
  on-going relationships with caring adults
• Engaging young people in the community
• Are Priority Focus Areas through 2012

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Watch Support Areas Through 2012

• Reduction and prevention of risk-taking sexual
  activity
• Reduction and prevention of delinquency and
  violence
• Addressing emotional health issues of youth

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Enhancing our Celebration Areas
Things our community is doing well ..

• Working to keep our graduation rate high.
• Helping youth be prepared for the workplace.
• Encouraging volunteering among young people and
  their families.
• Ensuring there are out-of-school time program
  opportunities for youth.

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Using Research-Based Models Keeps Our Work on
Target

• The Communities That Care
  model helps us target
  risks
  like substance abuse and violence
• The Positive Youth Development
  Asset Building model helps us build
  strengths like adult
  role models and bonding to school.
• The Americas Promise model helps us mobilize to
  do our work in areas like a Healthy Start for a
  Healthy Future and Safe Places to Learn and Grow.

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Volunteering where you have a passion and interest
What is right for you?

• YOUTH
• OPPORTUNITIES
• High School Youth Action Team
• Newman Middle School Youth Action Team
• YIELD leadership program for high school juniors
• BLAST Jr. Peer Mentors
• Recreation Volunteer Peer Mentors
• Special projects volunteers

• ADULT
• OPPORTUNITIES
• One On One Mentoring Program
• Ongoing Relationships/ Volunteering Promise Team
• Safe Places Promise Team
• Healthy Start Promise Team
• Marketable Skills Promise Team
• Information Awareness Committee
• Data Divas Work Group
• Special projects volunteers

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How much time does it take?

• Youth Action Teams meet monthly during the school
  year
• Promise Teams meet at least 6 times each year.
• Adult mentors volunteer a minimum of 4 hours per
  month.
• Youth Peer Mentors volunteer a minimum of 2 hours
  per month.
• The Information Awareness Committee meets about
  3 times per year.
• The Data Divas Work Group meets monthly.
• Special projects volunteer time ranges between 2
  and 12 hours.

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What ADULTS say they get out of being a Youth
Task Force volunteer?

• They have developed valuable relationships.
• They have been able to make a real contribution
  to the community and are able to make a greater
  impact than they could have on their own.
• They are viewed positively due to their
  association with the Youth Task Force.
• They believe credit is given to them for
  contributing to the accomplishments of the
  coalition.

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What YOUTH say they get out of being a Youth Task
Force volunteer?

• They have increased their belief that people in
  our community listen to youth and that youth are
  resources to our community.
• They are better able to motivate others.
• They know more about our community.
• They are more likely to volunteer for other
  organizations in the community.

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Are you ready to make a difference?

• CALL US AT 421-2708
• OR
• If you are a youth, e-mail Carol Brown at
  cbrown_at_masoncity.net
• If you are interested in becoming a mentor,
  e-mail Jessica Prazak at
  jprazak_at_masoncity.net
• If you are an adult, e-mail Jessica Punelli at
  jpunelli_at_masoncity.net