Dear Volunteers,
We are starting a new program! That is why I am writing again so soon…to tell you all about it. It’s called the Village Partner Program and you may want to be involved. I hope so!
THE VILLAGE PARTNER PROGRAM
 This program matches one volunteer with a member who needs a little bit of extra support for a three-month time period. Perhaps after surgery or hospital stay, a prolonged illness, or when they experience a change in their well-being and they just need a little extra support.
Instead of calling the office for every individual service, members will be connected to a volunteer who will be their Village Partner. The member and volunteer meet to discuss the parameters of the request and then agree on a plan. The types of services offered will remain within the Governing Council’s COVID guidelines.
- Watering the lawn?
- Picking up the mail?
- Meal delivery? (This may be a group effort.)
- Patio visit? Conversation?
- Resource research and connection?
Benefits?
- One regular volunteer a member can depend on
- Volunteers and members have the opportunity to really get to know each other
- A deeper, more trusting relationship can develop
- The member does not have to call the office for each individual service
 Depending on what the member needs, assistance could be provided by one or more volunteers. The Village Partner may recommend calling the office to request a service if it falls outside the parameters of the initial agreement. (Extending the service is possible if needed.)
How to volunteer to be a Village Partner? Can you answer YES to the following statements?
- I am open to trying something new.
- I would enjoy providing temporary assistance to a member who needs a little extra support.
- I am willing to add my name to an on-call roster of Village Partners to be contacted as the need arises. (Yes, I understand I can choose to say “no” to a particular opportunity.)
- I will communicate with the Partner Coordinator about my experience both for support and so we can learn best ways for the program to evolve.
If you can say "yes" to these, you are a perfect candidate! Contact Barbara right away! 😉 …OR, if would like to learn more, let me know. 971-703-8108 or vivavillagecoordinator@gmail.com
As with all new things we will learn as we go, so I welcome your questions, insights, and creative suggestions. They will help develop the program.
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And since I have your attention…
I hope you will join me on a Virtual Adventure to a Backyard Beekeeper’s Garden, Thursday, August 27, 1–2 pm.
My friend JoAnn and I are putting this together as an experiment. If people like the idea we may be able to plan other virtual outings. For this one, honey will be available to purchase. The price of a small jar of honey is $4.75. (Larger jars are available on request.) I will deliver honey to your home after the outing (or the next day).
Registration required, RSVP for the Zoom link, 503-746-5082 or vivavillageevents@gmail.com
Click here to find out more about Glen Andresen
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
WRITER
 Do you like to talk to people? Do you like to write? Would you like to write a feature in the Viva Village Voice every other month? Would you like to write the Volunteer Profile column? Look HERE for sample previous profiles and contact me if you would like to learn more. Even if you would like to try one with no commitment, I would love to hear from you.
ZOOM MEETING FACILITATOR
 As you may have noticed, we have many more ZOOM offerings these days. We are looking for meeting facilitators, more like proctors really, who can monitor the proceedings so that the presenters can focus on their part without having to deal with the signing in, muting, unmuting, and general ZOOM stuff. In this role, you might even join in a fun and lively conversation or creative activity. Does this sound like a good volunteer gig for you? Let me know. Thanks!
BADGE DELIVERER
 Yes! We are still enrolling new members and volunteers. Their badges are piling up and I wonder if you would like to drive around to deliver them? And, would you be willing to do this on a regular, though intermittent basis? (Perk: get to meet new Villagers!)
There is lots more of course, but that's all for now.
Thinking of you,
Barbara
 PS: Did anyone watch the Monty Don video I mentioned in last month’s volunteer newsletter? If so, are you as infatuated as I am? With the gardens, of course! In case you missed the link, here it is again.
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Viva Village is a member of Villages NW nonprofit Hub & Spoke Network.
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