As we celebrate this motivating moment in 2022, the Independent Sector, along with the Do Good Institute, recently announced its annual value of a volunteer hour. Now at $29.95, the number has increased 4.9% since last year.
“The essential contributions made by our nation’s volunteers to lift up, strengthen, and restore communities to make them healthy and equitable for people are always deeply appreciated, but never more so than during the pandemic,” said Dan Cardinali, President and CEO of Independent Sector. “Despite COVID-19’s devastating impact, which began in 2020 and continues through today, our country’s volunteers continued to show up, virtually and in person, with their compassion, skills, and abilities. They often put their own lives at risk. They are the threads that connect us as a nation, constantly reinforcing the foundation of civil society and helping build pathways so we all can thrive.”
At the Covestro Center for Community Engagement, we continue to see this value resonate through the work of our Executive Service Corps volunteers. From project consultants to board retreat facilitators to skills-based volunteering advisors to clinic experts to class instructors, our cadre of close to 90 experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated volunteer professionals help nonprofits design targeted solutions to their challenges and opportunities.
For example, the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh (FAAP) and their executive leadership team recently participated in a BoardsWork! board retreat, facilitated by ESC volunteer Dee Delaney, at the Philippine Center of Pittsburgh.
They discussed board engagement, fundraising effectiveness, crafting an elevator speech, and an individualized SWOT analysis. FAAP president Lani Mears noted that the workshop “was very productive and highly beneficial to those who attended. It gave the FAAP leadership team a chance to collaborate and brainstorm ways to move the organization forward. It also provided a sense of alignment and set expectations for each board member.” A follow-up strategic planning session is scheduled, when the items from the SWOT analysis will be turned into action items with appropriate timelines.
Be sure to follow us on social media, where we will highlight the impactful work of our volunteers throughout the week.
