Make An Impact: Volunteer

Join this enthusiastic team of talented, engaging, and interesting individuals and help CRC achieve its 2012 revenue goal.  You will make it possible for our job candidate members to gain a competitive edge when marketing themselves to potential employers.  You will be part of changing lives, our communities and improving the economy. 

Relationship building does the work.  So we are looking for team members who can assist with: 

• Collaborating with and supporting Board members in their outreach efforts
• Communicating with donors via voice and electronically
• Arranging appointments with current donors to say thank you
• Tracking team’s outreach efforts and handling follow-ups
• Joining members on calls
• Brainstorming new revenue avenues and researching their potential
• Helping orchestrate annual campaign
• Assembling and keeping up-to-date donor and media packets 

CRC’s greatest financial challenge and thus vulnerability is raising sufficient revenue for both current services/operations and modification/expansion of services to meet the needs of a constantly changing marketplace, candidate base, and technological advances.  CRC is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supported by donations, and volunteers who make it possible to offer members affordable fees.

Commitment:   Early morning monthly meetings, approximately 8 hours a month.

CRC’s website is a key portal for engaging and providing information to potential and current job seekers, volunteers, and donors.  Here is an opportunity to apply your WordPress and programming expertise and expand your web development experiences to keep our site relevant.  The highest priority is to ensure that content is current, accurate, and written in appropriate style and tone. 

Commitment:  3 hours/twice per month, or as needs arise

Looking for an all individual who knows how to manage a small network!  Use your knowledge to help us troubleshoot issues, monitor and maintain our network, perform system upgrades, suggest improvements.  Functionality and Security are key issues for our job seekers computer lab and workstations with laptop hook-ups.  Additionally, our operational network must remain independent from the lab. 

Commitment:  3 hours per month or as needs arise

Electronic communications are buzzing with multiple options for connecting with individuals, applying for positions, conducting research, and building a professional brand.   What’s a job candidate to do? 

In addition to the traditional resume, cover letter, and business card – today requires that candidates have a compelling web and social media presence.  They need your assistance if you are proficient in using the web and electronic communications, understand the employment market and enjoy helping others learn how to effectively use electronic communications to further their search.

Candidates will be seeking assistance on:

• Building a Linkedin profile and capitalizing on using this professional network
• Developing a personal web site
• Highlighting Dos and Don’ts for candidates using Facebook
• Learning Twitter how to’s
• How to participate in a Skype conversation
• Using the federal job site (USAJOBS.gov) to unearth opportunities and submit applications
• Using Illinois workNet site (illinoisworknet.com)
• Accessing job opportunities via web sites and other electronic resources
• Completing on-line applications
• Researching employers and individuals via Reference USA^tm and other resources
• Building a list of potential employers
• Creating a job search specific email
• Converting and or attaching documents for electronic transfer
• Identifying specific sites that are practical and effective for their search

Commitment:  One- hour appointments, typically 3 to 6 hours per week

As an advisor, you will be guiding and mentoring professional job candidates in their quest to secure new employment.  Your role will be to assist them in identifying and articulating their unique talents; developing a focused approach that incorporates effective search strategies; critiquing marketing tools; preparing for interviews and compensation negotiations; plus mentoring them throughout the process. 

If you find yourself naturally mentoring and coaching employees, friends and associates you will find this volunteer role rewarding, fulfilling, and engaging!

Executive/Manager who wants to give back and has one-half day a week (days or Tuesday evenings) is ideal for this critical role of assisting career professionals in their job search efforts.  Must have extensive experience in mentoring, training, and hiring individuals at all levels of an organization.  Experience can be in any discipline.  Being a good listener and having a desire to help others is critical.  Familiarity with the hiring process, networking strategies, Linkedin and other social media is a necessity.       

Commitment:   2-3 one hour appointments per week

As the first contact for all visitors, you will interact with a diverse group of talented professionals, providing that “human touch” that earns us high marks from our clients.   By offering a kind word or a smile, you can boost the morale of job seekers as they come through our door.  In addition to helping others, you have the opportunity to form lasting friendships with other volunteers.

Duties include:

• Greeting visitors and members
• Providing tours and sharing information about CRC services
• Answering and fielding telephone calls
• Signing on new members
• Scheduling appointments
• Supporting staff on other office tasks

Overall, a diverse and very rewarding volunteer opportunity!

Commitment:  One half-day per week or floater to fill in as needed