Agenda - 03-07-1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

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056 RSVP BACKGROUND INFnRMATION When the program began, in the fall of 1973, the staff con- tacted local groups and organizations that might be willing and interested in using volunteers over 60 years of age. During the nine years that followed, over 100 non-profit organizations indicated a willingness or desire to use senior volunteers. At present, volunteers are serving in over35 "volunteer stations". They help schools, libraries, commu- nity centers, the Botanical Garden, a radio station, the Countylcorrectional facility, health and social organizations, local governments, and other non-profit community programs throughout Orange County. Outreach has been done in the commu-- nitieslof Orange County to develop new programs and enrich the existing ones. In November, 1973, RSVP recruited its first two volunteers, Mrs. Gotha Lassiter and Mr. Hugh McLeese. By 1983, 800 volunteers had been involved in the program. At present, about 350 volunteers are actively working, some serving daily and others' serving once or twice a month. Currently, 47% of the volunteers reside in Chapel Hill, 9% in Carrboro, and 44% in the reOt of Orange County. About 30% of the volunteers are men, and about 50% are black. Their total hours for an average month ast year were over 4,740 hours. If the volunteer hours expended over the past year were multiplied by the minimum wage, 0.90,700 worth of service was given through RSVP. RSVP volunteers, for example are "grandparents" , tutors, and teachers of special interest classes for children; newsletter assemblers; tax aides; creators of learning materials and toys for day care centers and hospitals; office and library assis- tants; garden designers at the Botanical Garden, prison and schools; friendly visitors; nursing home assistants; tour guides; helpers in nutrition programs; health and court consultants, and evrn Santa and his Helpers: Volunteering through RSVP offers some advantages to the older volunteer. Each volunteer is covered by accident insurance while serving at his volunteer job; transportation is arranged, provided, or reimbursed when requested. Meals are provided on requesi if a volunteer works over a meal period. Although costs for this part of the program have been minimal, we are finding that mere volunteers request some assistance. Another very important part of the program is the recognition of Senior Volunteers for their service. At the annual "Recog- nition Party" this spring certificates of service of a year or more d pins to newer volunteers will be presented. Parties have b en held for residents of nursing homes who volunteer within the homes. Framed certificates are proudly displayed in their grooms and many wear their RSVP pins and ribbons daily. Their efforts would never have been recognized as contributions to society without RSVP.