Heifer University for Volunteers

Over the weekend of June 6-8, 2008, over 20 Heifer staff and lead volunteers from the Midwest region gathered at Techny Towers Conference and Retreat Center in Techny, Illinois, for a Heifer University. Heifer educational programs offer the opportunity for people to live the challenges of world hunger and poverty - and come away with a renewed determination to be part of the solution. The objectives of this Heifer University were to provide continuing education on Heifer and hunger, build skills, strengthen our volunteer community, share ideas, and to inspire, motivate, and encourage our Midwest Area Volunteer Coordinators and Lead Volunteers.

During roundtable discussions over the weekend, participants developed goals and action plans for themselves and their volunteer communities to help them achieve three top objectives:

· to Educate and Advocate for Heifer
· to Recruit, Develop & Retain Volunteers
· to Raise Revenue & Awareness for Heifer in the Midwest

Participants shared their advice and best practices with one another and practiced helping one another set specific goals and action plans. For example, when one volunteer set a goal of sponsoring an special educational program in an elementary school, other volunteers helped her prepare a timeline for contacting school administrators and teachers, connecting with Heifer regional staff and education staff to acquire materials, developing correspondence and announcements to share with kids and parents, and coordinating a volunteer community to help with the effort.

The weekend also included discussions to find solutions to the challenges our volunteers face, presentations on Heifer’s Gender Equity Initiative and the life cycle of a Heifer project, tips on fundraising, and a heated Heifer Jeopardy session.

Special thanks to our guest presenters: Heifer staff members Youmna El-Sabaa, Rex Enoch, Rosemary Larson, and Esther Muchiri, and Chicago volunteer Ken Schroeder and thanks to all of our hard-working volunteers in the Midwest region!