Volunteer Services Director Participates in Global Volunteer Initiative
Created on: Fri, 06/10/2011 - 8:02pm
On Thursday, June 9th director of volunteer services Leslie Montgomery presented information to delegates from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as part of Mobilizing Community: Community-based Volunteerism in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and the US. This program is funded by the Department of State and coordinated by Magee Womancare International. The delegates are in Pittsburgh during the month of June, visiting with various non-profit agencies and learning about how they recruit, train, manage, and retain volunteers to serve their community. After their time in the United States, small grants will be awarded to the delegates so they can start their own initiatives. Leslie presented information on how Lutheran Service Society utilizes volunteers for the Meals On Wheels program, and shared our values, practices, and policies with regards to volunteer services. Some other agencies involved in this initiative are Pittsburgh Cares, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, University of Pittsburgh Student Volunteer Outreach, and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh.
The objectives of this program are to:
- Enhance community-based volunteer strategies and knowledge through observation, training, mentoring experiences, and hands on presentation at site visits
- Build capacity through leadership and project development training; and
- Increase mutual understanding between the US, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan through exploration of diversity and sharing cultural experiences.
Congratulations, Leslie, on being a part of this global initiative to increase volunteerism in communities around the world!
