Hennepin County Medical Center Volunteer Program

Blogging is not my forte'!

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:30:37 -0400

Obviously…

I always think in the back of my mind…”today’s the day…I won’t forget to blog”. You can see where that has gotten me:(

Nonetheless…Volunteer Appreciation Week is coming up! April 15-19, 2013. We are having a week full of special treats to THANK YOU for all that you do here at HCMC to enhance the Patient and Family Experience. We want our patients to always feel safe and validated…

Thank you for all that you do and look for more information to follow!

Long time...no BLOG!!

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:29:00 -0400

I am sorry that I have been “offline”. Summer got away from me with my family at home (4 kids and Summer make for craziness) and then my family here at HCMC…it grew by a lot this past summer! It was great…just busy!! I hope you all have had the chance to hear me say that “I have the best job in the world”. I feel very blessed to work with all of the volunteers here at the hospital. You all come for various reasons, but you have heart! That’s what this about…the giving of your time and talent and recognizing what that means-

A volunteer recently filled out a “Blog Form” that was here in the office and here is what she had to say:

“It’s an experience that exposes us volunteers to many cultures! It’s rewarding to know that you’ve contributed to help someone thru what could be a difficult time in their journey of life:”

Well said!

THANKS for all you do here at HCMC!

If anyone has interest in volunteering here in the Volunteer Services, just let me know! I could use some help!

"Kind words are short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless"

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:23:12 -0500

““Kind words are short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless””

- Mother Theresa

Spring is here????

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:21:05 -0500

What a day…So I heard! The weather has been unreal this winter. We still have the chance for that ultra monster snow storm. We get one every year in March, right? Things are super busy here in the Volunteer Services. It is always so much fun and can be funny at times too! We hope you find coming here as much fun and rewarding as we do.

We have many things happening here in the Volunteer Services office. We are getting a face lift! For those of you that are wondering why we look a little bare, it’s because the painters will be here soon. Pardon the “mess” while we spruce the place up! I think it will look great. I am doing the same thing at home…so seems very natural to me! We just launched our online application process! It’s very exciting and it’s amazing…31 applications already and we just started. Tell your friends, family and teens in particular because we are gearing up for the Summer Volunteer Season! As usual, you guys rock…I think about what a great group of people that I am so lucky to be associated with. Thanks for all that you do! If you have the chance to stop by and say “hi” when you are here, please do. If you have suggestions for ways that we can improve…please let me know. The only way you learn is by asking how you could do things differently or better!

New Program...

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:59:00 -0500

I have a challenge for you…The Volunteer Office and Hennepin County Medical Center is starting to highlight a “Volunteer of the Month”!! You guys will all be recognized…so here’s the challenge, don’t be shy, please stop by my office, get your picture taken and look for the unveiling! Hennepin is posting on Facebook as well…with your approval of course. It won’t be done unless you say it’s o.k.

Our first recipient is Dennis Lawshe. He did get posted to Facebook! Way to go Dennis…thanks for all you do!

If you see Dennis…please congratulate him!!

Hey Volunteers!

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:53:58 -0500

We are busy, busy here in the Volunteer Services Office at HCMC…we so appreciate all that you do to help…if we don’t stop to tell you that often…then we aren’t doing our job as well as we could be! I am truly amazed everyday by the people who volunteer here at Hennepin…they have some huge hearts…that’s the best part of my job… the human element. I hope you all know how great it is to see pass through the office, to look at my reports and see the numbers that we have. YOU are what makes it happen here…so THANK-YOU:)

More in the Holiday Spirit!

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:38:25 -0500

December 19, 2011

We had the Girls Basketball Team from The Breck School stop by today and do some caroling up in the pediatric unit. They had fun and we so appreicated the holiday cheer! The girls came with their assistant coach, Emily Neal. They also brought 60 home made holiday cards that our Roving Holiday Cart will be passing out on Christmas Day!

Thanks Girls!! Lookin’ good!

In the Holiday Spirit...

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:33:53 -0500

We had a great holiday lunch “week” here in the Volunteer Services office! Paula planned and executed a fantstic each day…many volunteers stopped as well as some staff…so thank you!!

"Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer."

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:34:52 -0500

“Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.”

- Anonymous

Photo

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:34:37 -0500

Let’s talk about the holidays here in the Volunteer Office

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:30:00 -0500

We are going to be having a our Holiday Appreciation Event the week of December 12-16^th. We will have a different event every day from 11:30-1:00 for the volunteers to come in and share in the some holiday cheer.Please stop by and enjoy some lunch and some holiday cheer as we are so grateful for you and the time and talent that you give to HCMC!

Waikiki Wednesday has been a huge success…thanks to our many...

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:25:00 -0500

Waikiki Wednesday has been a huge success…thanks to our many volunteers who are spreading sunshine all throughout the hospital! So much so that it is going to continue on Wednesdays throughout December. We had a drawing for some prizes. We awarded 4 sunshine baskets and 2 Seasonal Affect Disorder lights. We also awarded fresh pineapples to our Hawaiian shirt contest winners!!

What Are the Benefits of Volunteering in a Hospital? By: Kate Vann

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:31:53 -0500

Photo Credit nurse chris image by John Keith from Fotolia.com

Aside from the tangible benefits of volunteering, which may include building a house for Habitat for Humanity or getting clerical duties done at a hospital, the intangible benefits of volunteering are numerous. A volunteer may benefit from an improved sense of self-worth, pride and accomplishment while improving the lives of others. Hospital jobs provide the added benefit of interacting with those you are helping so you can see the difference you make in the lives of others.

Hospital Volunteer Positions

Hospital volunteers specifically assist patients and their families during their time in the hospital. Volunteers may choose to provide administrative support by providing data entry, clerical duties and customer service. If volunteers wish to provide emotional support to patients and their families, they may choose to visit patients, provide counseling services, play with children or walk around the hospital with a service animal.

Publicity for Your Book Top quality publicity for authors. Get your book the exposure it needs publicitythatworks.com/

Benefits for Volunteer

Volunteering at a hospital benefits the volunteer, the patients, the families and the hospital workers. The volunteer often benefits from meeting new people, learning new skills, gaining experience and improving self-worth. Meeting new people helps improve social skills and increases the individual’s social network. The volunteer may become friends with fellow volunteers or patients. Friendships are important for individuals. They help individuals get through tough times and contribute to a greater sense of confidence. Learning new skills is also a valuable benefit for the volunteer. The skills may help the volunteer with everyday tasks, such as operating a computer, or with career-related tasks that will help the individual obtain a job. Individuals wishing to go to medical school and work in hospitals will also gain relevant experience and boost their resumes.

Benefits for Hospital Patients

Some hospital patients may not have family or friends in the area to visit them. It can be a very lonely experience to combat an illness alone. Therefore, some hospital patients may significantly benefit from someone there to talk to them. Children may benefit from individuals playing games with them or having volunteer clowns and entertainers visit. Patients of all ages may also benefit from visits by service animals and their caretakers. Many hospitals allow certified dogs, cats or miniature horses to visit patients.

How to Volunteer

To volunteer at a hospital, contact your local hospital or volunteer center to inquire about available positions. Once you have a list of the positions, evaluate them to determine which area you are passionate about. You may prefer to work with children, elderly, adolescent or adult patients. You may also choose whether you prefer working directly with patients or in a data entry type of position. If you choose a position you will enjoy, the you and the patients will receive greater benefits. After you have made your choice, contact the hospital volunteer coordinator to set up a meeting or orientation.

Considerations

Some hospitals may have an age limit for volunteers. Also be aware of the fact that many may require tests or vaccinations before volunteering for safety reasons. If you are unable to volunteer because of an age limit, consider volunteering at other organizations.

Waikiki Wednesdays at HCMC

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

It’s a SAD time of year…so to “lighten” the spirit here onsite during the month of November, we would like to introduce something kind of fun and something kind of educational…all at the same time. Waikiki Wednesdays are the sure cure for the SAD in all of us. There is data that supports that Seasonal Affect Disorder presents itself to people, particularly in the month of November. We will have some fun activities roaming about onsite on Wednesdays throughout November. If you have a funinspired shirt…by all means wear it on Wednesdays. We will have a station set up outside of the cafeteria and other locations on the campus, with some information and some resources for SAD. There will be a few drawings for SAD lights and a couple of other fun “lighten the mood” items. We will have upbeat musical performances on Wednesdays in the purple building. We will lighten the mood for our staff and for our patients every Wednesday throughout the month of November…Waikiki on…

News Release: Comfort and Hope Totes

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:52:00 -0500

Homecoming project comforts families of trauma patients at HCMC

On Sunday, October 16, 2011 from 12 noon to 3 PM University of Minnesota nursing students will help assemble 200 Comfort and Hope Tote Bags at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) as part of their “Thank U” event in conjunction with the University’s Homecoming.

Each year, more than 500 seriously injured trauma patients are admitted to HCMC’s surgical and pediatric intensive care units. Many of the patients are referred from outside the metro area, and they are often admitted in the middle of the night or on weekends. When families of these patients arrive at HCMC, the last thing they think to bring are items to help themselves through the first several stressful days at the hospital.

“When families leave home to be with their loved ones, they’re not thinking long-term,” explains Trauma Prevention Specialist Julie Philbrook, who is the founder of the “Comfort and Hope Totes” program. “Their main objective is to get to the hospital as soon as possible. But as time goes on, they find themselves needing some basic care items.”

In response to this need, the HCMC Trauma Brain Injury (TBI) Center’s Care Delivery Team received a grant from the Hennepin Health Foundation for the “Comfort and Hope Totes” program, where families receive a canvas tote bag filled with comfort items they may need during their stay at HCMC.

“Hennepin County Medical Center staff know that having a loved one injured and in the hospital can be a very stressful time. Through the generous support of the Hennepin Health Foundation, we are to provide them with a tote bag filled with some items to help make the hours they spend here a bit more comfortable.”

According to Lisa Miller, Interim Director the HCMC Volunteer program. “We are hoping to expand this program to reach more of our patients and their families. Currently, we work with our Spiritual Care team and Social Workers to distribute them to families of our trauma patients, but we are also hoping the expand the program so more families will be served.”

Each tote bag costs $15. Donations to the Comfort and Hope Tote program can be made to the Hennepin Health Foundation.

Each large canvas tote includes:

A warm blanket (often donated by staff or service group)
Travel pillow
Toothbrush and paste
Deodorant
Comb
$3 in vending machine snack coupons
Personal journal and pen
1 parking voucher

Volunteer Highlight: Bernie the Rescue Dog

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:12:07 -0500

Bernie the Rescue Dog is the mascot for Hennepin County Medical Center’s pediatric services. His job is to help children and families feel welcome in our hospital and clinics, and he also attends special events in the community to represent our expertise in the care of children. Read more about Bernie’s story.

Generous financial support from the Hennepin Health Foundation helped bring Bernie to life.

See Bernie’s Calendar of Appearances

Star Tribune: Twin Cities' helping hands lead nation

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:27:00 -0400

Twin Cities’ helping hands lead nation

Article by: MARY LYNN SMITH , Star Tribune
Updated: August 10, 2011 - 1:34 AM

For five years now, the metro area has topped federal rankings in volunteering, with 37.1 percent of residents involved in 2010.

Volunteer Joe Vergeront, 17 Eden Prairie, concentrated while participa…

Jim Gehrz, Star Tribune

Twin Cities volunteers lead the nation for a fifth straight year, finding new and different ways to lend a hand.

While other cities across the nation saw a dip in volunteering last year, more people here donated their time to help others in 2010, according to a new study from the federal government’s Corporation for National and Community Service.

“I was very pleased but not surprised,” said Sue Moyer, Caring Connection manager for Greater Twin Cities United Way. “We have a very deep commitment to volunteerism.”

According to the national report, 37.1 percent of Twin Cities residents volunteered in 2010, up from 36.6 percent in 2009, topping other communities such as Seattle and Salt Lake City And among volunteers who are 65 and older, the Twin Cities was No. 1. In all the other age categories, the Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota ranked above the national average for volunteering.

So why are we so helpful?

Volunteerism rises with education and home ownership, and a high percentage of Twin Cities residents can check both those boxes, said Robert Velasco, II, acting chief executive officer for the Community Service corporation. Shorter commutes in the Twin Cities also give residents a little more time to volunteer.

But mostly, volunteering is just what Minnesotans do.

At least that’s what Mark Peterson found out 25 years ago when he set a goal of leading a nonprofit social service agency, preferably in beautiful Southern California.

But returning to Detroit after a 20th annual alumni reunion at St. Olaf College, Peterson and his wife couldn’t stop talking about two things that their Minnesota classmates seemed to hold dear.

“They had an assumption that in a society we have responsibility to care for one another,” Peterson said. “And what really knocked our socks off was a more radical notion that they believe that when we apply ourselves, we can make things right.”

So Peterson scratched Southern California and has been the head of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota for the past 25 years. Peterson has retold that story often, but few locals seemed surprised by the revelation. He said “People nod and they say, ‘Yah. And what’s your point? Of course, that’s the way it is here.’”

The corporate culture also contributes, said Julie Dyste, Caring Connection program coordinator for the Greater Twin Cities United Way. A number of local companies not only encourage employees to volunteer but often allow them to do so during working hours, she said.

A growing trend among companies is to bring volunteer projects to the corporate campus, she said. For example, employees will spend their lunch hour putting together educational and activity kits for children. Or they might put together laundry detergent packets for low-income people because government subsidies cover food, but not laundry soap, Dyste said.

She also has noticed that more people are volunteering professional services, including accountants who help low-income people fill out tax forms and engineers who build equipment for people with disabilities.

But the largest number of Twin Cities volunteers are involved in feeding the hungry.

“We’re a very caring community,” Dyste said. “People here are very generous with their time.”

Staff Writer Paul Walsh contributed to this report.

Mary Lynn Smith • 612-673-4788

Volunteer Program Update

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 22:08:00 -0400

Hey Volunteers! We are continuing to make a real effort to make our volunteers feel as though they truly are one of Hennepin Team. There has been some talk that volunteers might feel a disconnect sometimes…please accept my apologies. YOU ARE VERY IMPORTANT to this hospital, you ARE on the team and we are SO thankful that you give of your time and talent. My goal is keep you in the loop with all things Hennepin! I am pleased to share with you a very fun event that comes to Hennepin County Medical Center through the Hennepin Health Foundation…Hennepin Homecoming! We hope you will consider it. Grab another volunteer, a spouse or a friend and make a night of it! I promise that you won’t be disappointed! If you have any questions, please let me know.

Addressing Volunteerism Issues in the Blogosphere

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 12:11:00 -0400

Addressing Volunteerism Issues in the Blogosphere:

September 2011

By Susan J. Ellis

Sometimes I worry that I am known more for criticizing than celebrating, so I’m happy to devote this Hot Topic to praising the courageous people who post their informed opinions about volunteer-related topics online. While serious discussion of principles and issues is so often missing at major conferences in our field, in the last couple of years we’ve seen the emergence of some truly wonderful and provocative blogs. Here are some of my favorite volunteerism blogs at this time and the reasons why you should pay attention to them.

The following blogs are listed randomly with no particular hierarchy, but they are allwritten by authors who are willing – in fact, determined – to address philosophy, ethics, and the “big questions” facing the volunteer field. They open discussion even if the opinions expressed might not be popular. I made a point of including blogs from different countries and within some special areas of focus. I couldn’t include everything out there, so please do not assume that something not described here is not quality reading. (We do try hard to keep a current list of all the volunteer leadership-related blogs and Twitter accounts on the Energize Web site.) If I’ve omitted something really wonderful because I haven’t discovered it yet, I really want to learn about it. That’s where you come in. Please share your favorites and why you like them, using the response form at the end of this Hot Topic.

Engaging Volunteers

http://blogs.volunteermatch.org/engagingvolunteers/
Written by members of the VolunteerMatch team and third-party experts in the volunteering and technology community, this is emerging as the most relevant, timely, and informative blog on the American scene. They post often and generally scoop most news stories in the field.

Rob Jackson Consulting Blog

http://robjacksonconsulting.blogspot.com/
UK colleague and friend Rob Jackson comments wisely on volunteer management topics. This is the newest entry into the volunteerism blogsphere, but already worthwhile. Rob may be new to consulting and blogging, but he has an impressive resume, just having left a management role at Volunteering England.

The Jayne Cravens Blog

http://coyoteblog.posterous.com/
In contrast, colleague and friend Jayne Cravens writes one of our field’s first blogs—no surprise as she is the go-to person on using Internet technology and developing online volunteering. She offers information and insight on volunteerism as well as nonprofits, development, and women’s issues. She’s an American but very international in perspective, having run the Online Volunteering Project for United Nations Volunteers and worked personally in developing countries.

Realizing Your Worth

http://realizedworth.blogspot.com/
Canadian Chris Jarvis shares cogent thoughts on corporate social responsibility and employee volunteering. Valuable both to business people and to leaders of volunteers wanting to make inroads in partnering with for-profit companies. The series on “The Business Case for Employee Volunteering” is excellent.

Exploring Volunteering: Participation, Volunteering, and the Social Web

http://jocote.org/
Patrick Daniels in the UK explores, in his words, “the issues raised with how the web is changing volunteering. I’m looking to learn from the thinking of the past, to open up possibilities for the future.”

Uncollectiveconsciousness’ blog on i-volunteer

http://www.i-volunteer.org.uk/uncollectiveconsciousness/posts/
i-volunteer is a UK-based “social action network,” giving volunteers and leaders of volunteers a forum on which to share their thoughts, including the chance to write a blog. I don’t know who “Uncollectiveconsciousness” is in the real world, but I enjoy his posts (there’s a picture of a man with his profile). Here is how he describes himself: “A Devil’s Advocate of the volunteering world; and proud that my glass is half empty, as it means people have to make an effort to fill it, i.e. government! Straight talking no nonsense approach to volunteer management; I enter the ‘debate’ as me, rather than the organisation I happen to work for.”

Speaking out on Volunteer Management!

http://djcronin.blogspot.com/
Australian colleague DJ Cronin challenges the volunteer management community to get engaged in debate to strengthen the profession.

Church Volunteer Blog

http://www.churchvolunteercentral.com/blog/
Daily tips on working with volunteers in churches – but very applicable to any faith and also any secular setting. It’s fascinating to see how the contributors to this blog apply current news items and generic volunteer management guidance to working within congregations.

Interview with Volunteer Coordinator Lisa Miller

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:49:52 -0400

Lisa Miller is the Hennepin County Medical Center’s Volunteer Coordinator and a lifelong resident of the Twin Cities having grown up in Saint Louis Park. Below is an interview with her.

A: Give us a brief background of your career history before becoming the HCMC Volunteer Coordinator?

Q: I worked in the muni bond business for several years. I then got married, had my family and stayed home raising them and giving back by doing a tremendous amount of volunteering. I love the idea of giving back for so many reasons, the idea that you are contributing an invaluable resource of time and talent and the immeasurable gratification that comes along with it.

Q: What would you say you are the most passionate about right now in life?

A: Raising responsible, good, gracious and compassionate children. Making the HCMC Volunteer Program the best in the Twin Cities!!

Q: What hobbies do you have aside from being the Volunteer Coordinator?

A: I enjoy any time with my family. I like to speed walk (much to my children’s chagrin)! I enjoy volunteering and scrapbooking (electronically now to save time-so grateful for Shutterfly)!! I also enjoy home decorating.

Q: Lisa I know that you really love teamwork. Why is that?

A: I love teamwork because it creates a sense of empowerment. Working together, building on a foundation and making it better and stronger “together”. I think that people generally are motivated by that.