Twin Cities RISE!

Volunteer Newsletter

In addition to its stated mission, ending the generational cycle of poverty, one of the things that excites me most about Twin Cities RISE!

is the strong message about empowerment that it brings to the people it serves. It’s truly inspiring to be around people from all walks of life, who are applying empowerment principles in their daily lives.

I got involved in 2009. As the leader of one of our Employee Resource Groups, I recruited several other RBC Wealth Management employees to check out Twin Cities RISE! with me. Together, we have been helping with mock job interviews on a regular basis ever since.

It’s rewarding to see someone progress from week to week and session to session. I personally learn

something from everyone from Twin Cities RISE! who I interact with, so I’m growing, too.

The employees I volunteer with have hosted mock interview sessions in our office to help get more RBC employees interested in Twin Cities RISE!. Through our volunteer hours donated, we have also helped Twin Cities RISE! qualify for grants from our company’s charitable foundation, so these may be ideas for newsletter readers to explore at their own workplace.

Twin Cities RISE! provides a valuable service, and I’m glad in my own small way to be a part of what it is accomplishing. If we all invest a little bit of time and money we can help make our community a better place to live and work for all.

Spring 2012

Volunteer Spotlight: Mick Dyer

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The Health Benefits from VolunteeringCorporation for National and Community Service Over the past two decades, a growing body of re-search indicates that volunteering provides not just social benefits but individual health benefits as well. KEY FINDINGS• Members of the Mature and Baby Boomer

Generations are most likely to receive greater health benefits from volunteering.

• Volunteers must meet a “volunteering threshold” to receive significant health benefits. That is to say, volunteers must be engaged in a certain amount of volunteering in order to derive health benefits from the volunteer activities.

• Volunteering leads to greater life satisfaction and lower rates of depression.

• Evidence suggests the possibility that the best way to prevent poor health in the future, which could be a barrier to volunteering, is to volunteer.

• Individuals who volunteer live longer.• State volunteer rates are strongly connected

with the physical health of the states’ population.

To read the entire report, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov/pdf/07_0506_hbr_brief.pdf

Contribute to our next newsletter! Write a Volunteer Spotlight by sharing your own TCR! experience. Please contact volunteer@twincitiesrise.org for details.

Mock Interviewer Mick Dyer of RBC Wealth Management shares why he volunteers at Twin Cities RISE!

Rule Refresher for Tutors and Classroom AssistantsAt TCR!, we all follow the same rules - volunteers, staff, and participants. Here’s a refresher on what’s expected in the classroom.

1. No food, drink, hats, or cell phone use in the classroom.

2. When speaking, do your best to use the language of the workplace: standard business English. This is a more formal way of speaking, using complete sentences and a polite tone. In addition, avoid profanity, which offends many people—both on the job and at TCR!. We aim to use language that respects all members of our community.

3. Respond tactfully to others. In some classes, we may have a few heated discussions because we’re exploring ideas important to us all. Along with your honesty, we encourage sensitivity. When angry, take a moment to collect your feelings. Share your opinions in a way you’d want others to share their opinions with you.

4. Be positive. We’re here to build positive attitudes and self-esteem. When we explore something that makes us angry or unhappy, we analyze the problem, but we also look for workable solutions.

5. Be on time. Better yet, come early. This is a matter of respect for yourself and for others. Being on time is a basic rule for getting and keeping a job!

6. Refrain from giving personal advise to participants. Please refer them to their coach in these situations.

Comments, questions, ideas or corrections? Contact Tiowa Collier at tcollier@twincitiesrise.org.Want to unsubscribe to this newsletter? Email volunteer@twincitiesrise.org.

Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead

Community Partner Award Faegre Baker Daniels

Congratulations to Twin Cities RISE!’s second Community Partner Award winner Faegre

Baker Daniels. Faegre’s support of our mission, program, and participants is truly incredible.

During the mock interview events, which have been happening almost every session for over 4 years, there have always been 10-15 of their staff who take time to conduct interviews. This exposure to a real-world business environment allows TCR! participants to gain valuable practice and learn best interview techniques. Equally valuable has been the training and Q & A session from their Human Resource group at these events. The firm also provides transportation, lunch, and a beautiful meeting space.

They have also supported TCR! by referring staff from their training team to volunteer here as facilitators for computer application workshops over the years. Many participants have gained valuable computer application skills that are not taught in core curriculum as a result.

Notably, Christine Page has been an incredible champion for TCR! with her efforts to coordinate, organize and publicize these events on behalf of TCR! Because of her work, new partnerships have been created, and a template for mock interview events have been established and is occuring every session with other corporations.

Session 2 Tutoring• Monday, March 26th - Wednesday, May 9th.• Needed: Evening writing tutor on Wednesdays

from 4:45-5:45 pm in Minneapolis.

Session 2 Mock InterviewsApril 9th - May 1st. Contact Kate at kschristopherson@twincitiesrise.org to get involved!

Volunteer OrientationApril 17th from either 11:30-12:30 pm or 5:00-6:00 pm at the Minneapolis site.

Volunteer Appreciation WeekSunday, April 15th - Saturday, April 21st. May CelebrationThursday, May 24th from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Important Volunteer Dates