BUILDING A CULTURE OF VOLUNTEERISM AND SERVICE IN ULSTER COUNTY
UlsterCorps is a countywide resource dedicated to fostering a culture of volunteerism, collaboration and service. Our mission is to increase the use of volunteers, facilitate successful and effective volunteer placements, and build collaborations among nonprofit organizations and with businesses interested in community involvement throughout Ulster County. UlsterCorps partners with schools, civic and religious organizations, other nonprofit agencies and business volunteer programs. We are dedicated to fostering a spirit of service in all age groups, with a deep commitment to engaging high school and college age students.
Why UlsterCorps? In times of both hardship and well-being, volunteerism is central to sustaining healthy and resilient communities. UlsterCorps builds on this country’s historic and unique tradition of volunteering. It is locally-based and founded on the understanding that effective volunteer placements and successful agency collaborations are built on a knowledge of local needs and of the culture of community organizations. They are also based on the ability to develop respectful relationships with representatives of local agencies. During its first year of operation, UlsterCorps has worked successfully to gain the trust and appreciation of volunteers and community organizations throughout the county.
UlsterCorps works to fulfill its mission through four key areas:
Promoting Volunteer Opportunities: UlsterCorps provides a centralized, easy to use and up-to-date clearinghouse of volunteer opportunities for interested individuals throughout Ulster County. It includes descriptions of skills, knowledge and time commitment needed; contact information; wish lists, and special events notifications. Postings for activities accommodate all interests, skill-sets, ages, and time availability. The clearinghouse receives over 11,000 visits per month.
Nonprofit Agency Support: UlsterCorps responds to emergency, short- and long-term volunteer needs of over 100 local organizations by posting descriptions of requested volunteer assistance and by contacting volunteers registered with UlsterCorps’ skills bank who have the specific expertise needed. Through its volunteer resources, UlsterCorps
enhances the service of community agencies.
Program Collaborations: UlsterCorps serves as a bridge, facilitator and organizing agent between a host of community services, religious organizations, service clubs and government agencies. The development of collaborative programs helps to advance activities that a single agency may not have sufficient resources to initiate or handle on its own. UlsterCorps assists in identifying and bringing together viable and valuable prospective collaborators, recruiting needed volunteers, and disseminating information. In 2009, UlsterCorps engaged over 25 agencies and helped to launch over 35 events through six collaborative projects.
Communication & Outreach: UlsterCorps provides an interactive forum where members of the community can find news about volunteer actions around the county, explore a calendar of events, post specific needs and share information about their volunteer experiences. Through its use of information and communications technologies, UlsterCorps can quickly reach out to its 2,000 person mailing list and provide its services in a very cost effective and efficient way.
