To all of our volunteers, donors and friends - thank you so much for your support of Heifer’s mission in 2008. We are so grateful for the efforts that each of you have put forth on behalf of Heifer. No matter what your contribution has been, I want you to know that it is important and very much appreciated.
Volunteers are the heart of our work in the Midwest and it shows! Because of our combined efforts, the Midwest Region will likely surpass our revenue goal for contributions this calendar year! In addition, almost half of all dollars raised through congregations nationwide will come from the Midwest! Each contact you make, each person you talk to, and each event you attend contributes to the total dollars raised. More importantly, your gifts of time, energy, and enthusiasm in the fight to end hunger and poverty are multiplied as more people join us in this important work.
Thank you again for sharing your time and talents with Heifer!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Midwest Volunteers Spread the Word about Heifer
Every day I am reminded of the wonderful things that our volunteers are doing across the region to support Heifer International. Our Midwest volunteers are making presentations, sharing Heifer literature, speaking to family, friends, and social groups, recruiting new volunteers, and always looking for new opportunities to tell people about Heifer. And every day, our Midwest volunteers are making presentations to congregations, civic clubs, schools, and other organizations – connecting face-to-face with people about the impact that they can have through a gift to Heifer International.
As you spread the word about Heifer and hunger, you also have an opportunity to share four key messages with our supporters: Vision, Motivation, Accomplishment, and Recognition.
· Vision goes beyond the Heifer vision and mission statements to include relevant initiatives within Heifer – reasons to get involved and get excited about what Heifer can do with their help.
· Motivation is a key resource and an enthusiastic volunteer can play a vital role in a successful project. Keep on sharing your personal and passionate stories about how Heifer has changed you and your world.
· Accomplishments are many and Heifer International’s success is proven. Having moved more than 9.2 million families from poverty to self-reliance, the Hope for the Future Campaign was created with a goal of raising $800 million to help an additional 23 million men, women, and children. In addition to raising the quality of life and living standards for our project participants, the Heifer model has the ability to transform lives. As a recent study tour participant said, “What sets Heifer apart from other organizations is the transformation that happens to people when the barriers of poverty are broken down, self-worth is obtained, and the realization comes that the future can be better.”
· Recognition to our Heifer International donors is important. They want to know that they matter in our organization, that their support made a difference. I am so grateful for the hundreds of volunteers in our region who deliver this important message of thanks to our donors, congregations, schools, and civic clubs.
Whether you volunteered for the first time for Heifer this summer, or the fiftieth time, you are a valued volunteer for Heifer! Thank you for your commitment to education, advocacy, and fundraising for Heifer International in the Midwest. The world is a better place because of your hard work and so many futures are brighter today thanks to you!
As you spread the word about Heifer and hunger, you also have an opportunity to share four key messages with our supporters: Vision, Motivation, Accomplishment, and Recognition.
· Vision goes beyond the Heifer vision and mission statements to include relevant initiatives within Heifer – reasons to get involved and get excited about what Heifer can do with their help.
· Motivation is a key resource and an enthusiastic volunteer can play a vital role in a successful project. Keep on sharing your personal and passionate stories about how Heifer has changed you and your world.
· Accomplishments are many and Heifer International’s success is proven. Having moved more than 9.2 million families from poverty to self-reliance, the Hope for the Future Campaign was created with a goal of raising $800 million to help an additional 23 million men, women, and children. In addition to raising the quality of life and living standards for our project participants, the Heifer model has the ability to transform lives. As a recent study tour participant said, “What sets Heifer apart from other organizations is the transformation that happens to people when the barriers of poverty are broken down, self-worth is obtained, and the realization comes that the future can be better.”
· Recognition to our Heifer International donors is important. They want to know that they matter in our organization, that their support made a difference. I am so grateful for the hundreds of volunteers in our region who deliver this important message of thanks to our donors, congregations, schools, and civic clubs.
Whether you volunteered for the first time for Heifer this summer, or the fiftieth time, you are a valued volunteer for Heifer! Thank you for your commitment to education, advocacy, and fundraising for Heifer International in the Midwest. The world is a better place because of your hard work and so many futures are brighter today thanks to you!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
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!
Monday, February 25, 2008
New Midwest Regional Director Greetings
I have completed my first month as the new Midwest Regional Director for Heifer International and it is so exciting to join you in the effort of building a world without hunger. I can’t think of any place I would rather be right now! I have already learned much from our volunteers, donors, and our staff about what makes this organization so successful in changing the lives of people here and around the world.
This opportunity to join you in this important work - and lead our Midwest team - is both exciting and deeply meaningful for me. It is also a privledge to follow in Dave Boothby's footsteps after his many years of dedicated service to the organization. As you know, Heifer is a leader in partnering with communities to alleviate hunger and poverty by providing appropriate livestock and training. Your generous gifts make these partnerships possible and I know that together we can do great things.
Together we can promote knowledge, skills, and power.
Together we can plant the seeds of hope.
Together we can transform lives.
As we continue to work for change in the world, I encourage you to call or e-mail me. Let me know your ideas, your needs, and your hopes for Heifer. Though the Midwest office has historically been in Goshen, Indiana, I will be based in Chicago where you can reach me at 877.474.8224 or vicki.clarke@heifer.org. Midwest support staff is located in Goshen and can be reached at 574.642.3096 or mw@heifer.org, and Community Relations Coordinators Aly Sowers and Christopher Quinlan are serving our region from their offices in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to ending poverty and caring for the earth. I look forward to the work ahead and thank you for your support of Heifer International!
This opportunity to join you in this important work - and lead our Midwest team - is both exciting and deeply meaningful for me. It is also a privledge to follow in Dave Boothby's footsteps after his many years of dedicated service to the organization. As you know, Heifer is a leader in partnering with communities to alleviate hunger and poverty by providing appropriate livestock and training. Your generous gifts make these partnerships possible and I know that together we can do great things.
Together we can promote knowledge, skills, and power.
Together we can plant the seeds of hope.
Together we can transform lives.
As we continue to work for change in the world, I encourage you to call or e-mail me. Let me know your ideas, your needs, and your hopes for Heifer. Though the Midwest office has historically been in Goshen, Indiana, I will be based in Chicago where you can reach me at 877.474.8224 or vicki.clarke@heifer.org. Midwest support staff is located in Goshen and can be reached at 574.642.3096 or mw@heifer.org, and Community Relations Coordinators Aly Sowers and Christopher Quinlan are serving our region from their offices in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to ending poverty and caring for the earth. I look forward to the work ahead and thank you for your support of Heifer International!
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