Following is a grant application I submitted as part of a team to renew funding for a Community Involvement Coordinator who works at matching volunteers to programs happening for youth in our county. The budget page is on an application form that needed to be typed. I can send it to anyone who requests that part. Also, included in the grant were clippings from publicity during the year, a summary written by the Coordinator, and a letter of support from the Superintendent of schools. April 29, 1999 Karen Jacobson Southwest Minnesota Foundation 881 Prentice St. PO Box 130 Granite Falls, MN 56241 Dear Karen: Enclosed you will find a grant application from the Pipestone County Family Enrichment Council for renewal of the position of Community Involvement Coordinator. We are finding new benefits to this position every day, and are very anxious to be able to fund the position through the Southwest Foundation one more year. The school district is very much in support of Teresa's work, but at this time of trying to pass a bond issue for a new school, it is difficult to ask the School Board for additional funding yet. We remain very hopeful that by next year Community Education will invest more dollars in the position. We definitely feel this position has allowed more volunteers to be able to provide additional youth activities, and that those activities have been available at low or no cost to participants. More and more adults in the communities in the district are aware of Teresa and her job. Those are the main goals of designing this position. If you or the committee has other questions, please feel free to call. Sincerely, Kari Fruechte, Extension Educator STRENGTHENING THE FAMILY COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATION Strengthening the Family Community Pipestone County Project Title Community Involvement Coordinator Project Start Date June 1, 1999 End Date June 1, 2000 Amount Requested $10,300 Total Project Cost $23,200 Fiscal Host for this proposal Pipestone/Jasper School District #2689 Address 400 Second Ave. SW City Pipestone County Pipestone Zip 56164 Contact Person/Title Don Plahn Phone 50-348-3021 Tax Status 501 (C) (3) Non-profit Unit of Government Public Agency (gov't. created) Other__Public school Federal Tax Exempt I.D. # ________________________ Certification: I certify that the information contained in this application is true and Correct to the best of my knowledge, and that I have the authority to apply for Funds on behalf of the community and organization named above. Applicant Organizaion Authorized Official Title (print or type) Signature ___ Date STRENGTHENING THE FAMILY COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATION Pipestone County, April, 1999 Proposal Summary During the past year, the citizens in the Pipestone/Jasper school district have benefited from a unique program funded by the Southwest Minnesota Foundation. The grant allowed for a part-time position, originally called a Coordinator of Volunteers, to be created. As the enclosed supporting pieces and this written information show, the person in this position has accomplished several of the goals proposed and given area youth workers an opportunity to dialogue further about the future of youth programming in our community. Our Community Involvement Coordinator, as the title now stands, has proven to be a very self-motivated, well-organized individual, whose personality and zest for youth have greatly enhanced the position. Being a newly created position, it was not always well-defined, and surely took careful consideration by all supervisory agencies as to its direction and expectations. Communication has been a key factor in assuring that the needs of the community were voiced and awareness of programs was publicized. Personal contact became of utmost importance as the work of recruiting volunteers moved forward. That work is still very much in progress, which is why we are asking for a renewal of the Foundation's support into the next year. As a new employee, one of our Coordinator's first tasks was to visit groups and organizations of adults and youth to introduce herself and the concept of coordinating volunteer efforts in our community. She met with over twenty groups and handed out a brochure and volunteer application form to members. That start at connecting is now beginning to pay off as groups ask her back and remember her when they hear about opportunities to volunteer in our community. Our media in the area has also been very supportive in getting the word out with radio interviews, newspaper articles and a special column advertising activities and events scheduled for youth bi-monthly. The greatest challenge of any new position must be gaining identity. That appears to slowly be happening in this case, but change doesn't come easy in small towns, and it seems to take awhile before people connect with a program and really begin to use it. Several good examples have happened recently, especially after the Guide to Pipestone Area Community Events and Recreation came out this Fall. We have learned in the past year that people like to know what the program and expectations are before they apply to be a volunteer. After the booklet came out, people did call to question certain programs and find out how they could be involved. Several connections have been made and names added to our growing data base. Our Coordinator has worked closely with three main agencies this year. They include Pipestone/Jasper Community Education, the University of Minnesota Extension Service, and the City of Pipestone Recreation Program. Each contact person from the agencies has agreed to continue their support into the coming year, and have continued to meet to review and advise this position. Several suggestions are on the table for 1999, including sharing the data base in progress, having the position physically move around more between offices, working to connect adults with youth groups such as the After School program, and continually empowering volunteers to lead programs they have keyed in to. The Pipestone/Jasper Community Education program is willing to fund a small piece of this position in 1999. Because of that funding, and fewer hours assigned to summer, we are reducing the request to $10,300 for next year. We still anticipate moving this position into Community Education as success continues. STRENGTHENING THE FAMILY COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATION Pipestone County April, 1999

Program Goals: Annual Plan Goal Addressed: 1. Strengthen the working relationship between the county, city and schools to offer high quality community programs to citizens. Priority Focus: 1. Public awareness of the benefits to all when various groups and organizations work together to share planning and resources. 2. Promotion of healthy alternative activities for youth during non-school hours. 3. Connecting with groups to build inter-generational programs and youth service programs in our communities. Developmental Assets to Build: #4 & #5 - Youth will form positive relationships with other caring adults. #14 - Youth will become involved in organizations or clubs outside of school. Internal Assets - Youth will form positive values and build social competencies by participating in group activities led by caring adults.

Program Objectives: 1. The Community Involvement Coordinator will continue to develop a volunteer data base complete with information on the skills and interests of volunteers in the community during the next year. This data base will evolve as programs are offered and volunteers come forth. 2. Citizens will become more involved in designing community programs with other agencies and organizations based on the needs expressed and the volunteer base available. Many of the programs will require short-term commitment and specific skills which follow the national trends in the way volunteers prefer to work. 3. New human resources will be discovered in our community that can enhance many of the programs already offered and build new programs as needed. Service groups expressed that they have desires to start or strengthen programs, but because of time restraints, they have not found someone to coordinate these efforts.

Methods: 7 Employ a Community Involvement Coordinator to work year-round 20- 25 hours per week during the school year, and about 10 hours per week during summer. The person in the current position has agreed to continue if funding is made possible. She shares office space in the Pipestone County Extension Office. 7 The Community Involvement Coordinator is a catalyst in connecting needs and human resources to fill those needs. Communication between the agencies and organizations that provide community programs and the Community Involvement Coordinator is crucial, and has been steadily increasing as they are aware of this position. We believe the person in this position not only enhances community programs with key volunteers, but also creates a very positive atmosphere for volunteers so they feel the rewards they reap are worth the time they give. 7 The Community Involvement Coordinator works closely with Community Education, the Ewert Recreation Center, Extension, and community service clubs to match volunteers to specific programs. The Student Council and other youth groups are also targeted. 7 The Community Involvement Coordinator is responsible for continually surveying the community to assess volunteer interests and skills. A data base is being built to connect volunteers to opportunities to serve. Contact with service organizations has been, and will continue to be key to this process. 7 The Community Involvement Coordinator works with supervisors of programs to provide recognition for volunteers and evaluate programs completed. Evaluation: Evaluation on the Community Involvement Coordinator is being done on a quarterly basis by at least three professionals involved in the main supervision. The Community Education Director, a Supervisor at the Ewert Recreation Center and an Extension Educator make up the core team. Others are asked for input as they work with the program. A conference-type evaluation will be used. Results of the position will be evaluated by an increase in programs offered that include capable volunteers, the satisfaction of volunteers, the repeat service of volunteers, and the input of local citizens in designing programs to meet their needs. Personal phone calls and conversations are used with volunteers to get an idea of their satisfaction. This is done by the staff providing the program. In order to have continued funding for this position, we need to show that it is a valuable addition to the community. Both formal and informal evaluations will be important. Conclusion: This position continues to gain momentum as the community realizes its potential. Teresa, our Community Involvement Coordinator, has put together a summary of her year's work that is included with this application. Through-out the year, people have really begun to call and request her help as they develop programs and need volunteers. She can help them make connections. We feel this is very much the original intent of this position. Also, enclosed is a letter of support from Dr. Jerry Horgan, superintendent of Pipestone/Jasper Schools. We hope to continue our relationship with Community Education and working toward building this position into their budget. JOB DESCRIPTION VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR POSITION Title: Volunteer Coodinator Supervisor: Don Plahn, Community Education, PJHS Responsibilities: 7 Develop data base of volunteers for youth programs in the community. 7 Continually assess non-formal education needs of youth in the community. 7 Assist in developing programs emphasizing mentoring, inter-generational relationships and youth service. 7 Assist in recruitment, screening, placement, training, promotion and recognition of volunteers. 7 Maintain records and evaluation of volunteer programs. Qualifications: 7 Effective communication and organizational skills. 7 Knowledge of community resources. 7 Demonstrated ability to work well with all kinds of people, to motivate and inspire others. 7 Management experience (either paid or volunteer). 7 High school diploma required; two years additional experience in public relations field preferred.

Hours: 20 hours per week; 1 year position with potential expansion Benefits: Flexible hours, variety and challenge in work

-- Anonymous, May 06, 1999

Answers

thanks Kari, for all the information. The grant project is totally related to everything we've been studying. I also appreciate your generosity of sharing the actual written "pieces"-- that will be an immense help to folks working on similar projects ESPECIALLY the first time one tries to write something like that. Your sharing this show true collaborative spirit and a lovely confidence in your work...Excellent.

-- Anonymous, May 07, 1999