Blueprint for Leadership Program Application Deadline Extended

What: Blueprint for Leadership is United Way of the Midlands’ comprehensive community leadership and board development program. Participants in this program can expect a challenging curriculum that prepares them to assume volunteer leadership roles within the nonprofit sector and helps them achieve their highest potential by working to place them on local boards. Since its inception in 1989, Blueprint for Leadership graduates have served in leading community roles and on nonprofit boards throughout the Midlands.

The Blueprint for Leadership program utilizes a combination of classes and practical experiences to help participants develop leadership skills, increase knowledge of the community and acquire the skills necessary to be successful community leaders. The first class will be held on February 10, and the remaining seven classes will continue on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month through May with graduation in June.

Class topics include:

• Board Membership in Perspective - United Way 101
• Board Member Responsibility - Roles
• Board Member Responsibility - Fundraising
• Board Members and Governance
• Social Service Delivery: Developing Outcome-Based Programs
• Diversity: Expanding the Paradigm of Board, Staff, and Programs
• Emerging Trends in the Nonprofit Sector

Cost: Corporate sponsorship is $500, public sector (government) and nonprofit sponsorship is $250 per participant. Tuition must be submitted by the time of the first class session.

How to Apply: Applications may be found at www.uway.org and are due to United Way of the Midlands.

Please share this information and consider sponsoring an emerging leader in your company. We appreciate your cooperation and support of the 2011 Blueprint for Leadership program.

12.03.10 | Swim Meet Volunteers Needed

What: Carolina Aquatics Swim Meet Timers Needed
Carolina Aquatics, a non-profit competitive swim team, needs volunteers to assist as timers for an upcomiong swim meet. Refreshments will be served to volunteers.

Where: Blatt PE Center at USC

When: December 3-5, 2010
Available volunteer times include:
Dec 3 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 6 – 10 p.m.
Dec 4 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 6 – 10 p.m.
Dec 5 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 6 – 10 p.m.

For additional information or to sign up to volunteer, contact Brenda Green at greenba03@gmail.com or at 803-730-9822.

12.07.10 | Volunteer Judges Needed

Volunteer judges are needed for the Region II Qualifying competition scheduled for Tuesday, December 7. The event will be at Brookland Cayce High School and starts around 1:30 at (ending as early as 3:00 or as late as 5:00--depends on how many students in the event). At least one judge is needed for the follow events:

Accounting Applications Series-ACT
Apparel and Accessories Marketing Series-AAM
Automotive Services Marketing Series-ASM
Business Services Marketing Series-BSM
Food Marketing Series-FMS
Hotel and Lodging Management Series-HLM
Marketing Management Series-MMS
Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series-QSRM
Restaurant and Food Service Management Series-RFSM
Retail Merchandising Series-RMS
Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series-SEM

If you are interested in serving as a judge, contact Debbie Manos at 803-822-5684 or dmanos@lex2.org

The Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade, 5K Run and Volunteer Opportunity

The 57th Annual Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade will be held Saturday, December 4 on Gervais Street in downtown Columbia. The theme "12 Days of Christmas" will feature dozens of floats, marching bands, drill teams and live performances.

The parade will begin at 9:45 a.m. at Gervais and Bull Streets and proceed west on Gervais, pass in front of the State House, and continue into the Vista to Park Street.

Joining the parade this year as Grand Marshal is... The University of South Carolina 2010 National Championship Baseball Team!

Volunteers are needed between 8:30 and 11 a.m. to help with the 5k. Tasks will include registering runners, passing out waters, directing runners at corners, etc. They also get breakfast and a t-shirt for their efforts.

Event Information/Web site: http://www.carolinacarillon.com/
Volunteer Contact: Nick Haigler, 803.231.7847, or haigler@sowellgray.com

11.20-21.10 | Palmetto Health Foundation Festival of Trees (Volunteers Needed!)

What: 21st Annual Palmetto Health Foundation Festival of Trees
Decorated trees, wreaths and other holiday items will be up for bid during a weekend-long silent auction to benefit Palmetto Health Children's Hospital. It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit, give back to Children's Hospital and get your holiday shopping done...all in one visit to Festival of Trees at Village at Sandhill. Volunteers are needed throughout the festival and preceding events. For more information about the event, including an activities schedule, visit the festival Web site.

When & Where: November 20-21, Village at Sandhill

Volunteer Contact: Jenna Powers-Dingus, Public Relations/Volunteer Coordinator, 803.296.2330, jenna.dingus@palmettohealth.org

12.04.10 | The Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade, 5K Run and Volunteer Opportunity

The 57th Annual Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade will be held on Saturday, December 4th, 2010, on Gervais Street in downtown Columbia. The theme "12 Days of Christmas" will feature dozens of floats, marching bands, drill teams, and live performances.

The parade will begin at 9:45 a.m. at Gervais and Bull Streets and proceed west on Gervais, pass in front of the State House, and continue into the Vista to Park Street. Joining the parade this year as Grand Marshal is... The University of South Carolina 2010 National Championship Baseball Team!

Volunteers are needed between 8:30 and 11:00 to help with the 5k. Tasks will include registering runners, passing out waters, directing runners at corners, etc. They also get breakfast and a t-shirt for their efforts.

Event Information/Web site: http://www.carolinacarillon.com/
Volunteer Contact: Nick Haigler, 803.231.7847, or haigler@sowellgray.com

11.20-21.10: Palmetto Health Foundation Festival of Trees (Volunteers Needed!)

Palmetto Health Foundation is pleased to announce the 21st Festival of Trees will be held November 20-21 at Village at Sandhill in Columbia. Decorated trees, wreaths and other holiday items will be up for bid during a weekend-long silent auction to benefit Palmetto Health Children's Hospital. It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit, give back to Children's Hospital and get your holiday shopping done...all in one visit to Festival of Trees at Village at Sandhill.

Volunteers are needed throughout the festival and preceding events.

Volunteer Contact: Jenna Powers-Dingus, Public Relations/Volunteer Coordinator, 803.296.2330, jenna.dingus@palmettohealth.org

Festival Web site

11.13.2010: America Recycles Day Events + Volunteers Needed

Want to get more involved in environmental activities? Are you looking for community service hours? Look no further - the City of Columbia Climate Protection Action Campaign is looking for volunteers to staff our booth at Richland County's America Recycles Day event on Saturday, November 13 at Clemson University's Sandhill Research and Education Center at 900 Clemson Road.

Volunteers are needed to staff the booth, which will involve running our popular "Wheel of Sustainability" game and distributing handouts. We've scheduled two hour shifts as follows: 10 a.m. to 12 noon, 12 noon to 2 p.m., 2 to 4 p.m.

If you or someone you know would like to volunteer, please contact Mary Pat Baldauf by Thursday at 12 noon. All volunteers will receive a CPAC Chico Bag and our undying appreciation! Thanks for your consideration!

Contact: Mary Pat Baldauf, Sustainability Facilitator, City of Columbia, mpbaldauf@columbiasc.net or 803.545.2722

Learn more about CPAC: www.coccpac.com | Learn more about America Recycles Day