Board

August 19, 2009, The Christian Science Monitor — Prashanth Gubbala always expected to help save the world – just not right away.

HARTFORD, Conn., August 19, 2009 —The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG), in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of its industry-leading AARP(R)-branded auto and home insurance program, today announced the results of a new volunteerism and charitable gift survey among the 50+ population. The new research reveals key insights into the leading causes supported by consumers and how support may vary by age and AARP membership.

NEW YORK, August 27, 2009 — MyGoodDeed, a prominent nonprofit group created by family members and friends of 9/11 victims and New York Cares, New York City's largest volunteer organization, today announced two service projects to be held on September 11, 2009 as the city and nation commemorate the first ever September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. Together, these groups will mobilize approximately 150 volunteers in Harlem, revitalizing Jenny's Garden in Riverside Park and participating in literacy projects with students at P.S. 76, the A. Philip Randolph School.

August 26, 2009, The Chronicle of Philanthropy — Seventy-two percent of Americans say they have cut back the time they spend volunteering and performing other civic activities in the past year — largely as the result of the recession, according to the study by the National Conference on Citizenship.

Arlington Heights, IL, August 8, 2009 — The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago is offering a Marketing/PR Fundraising workshop entitled, “Community Networking 101, Helpful Hints for Positioning your Volunteer Program for Community Support.” The class will be held from 9:00 a.m. until noon on Wednesday Sept. 23, 2009, at Forest View Education Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights, IL.

August 6, 2009, USA TODAY — A new survey suggests that President Obama's victory last November had a positive effect not just on the academic expectations of black Americans — it may have raised parents' interests in volunteerism.

August 4, 2009, The Christian Science Monitor — For most people, volunteering means spending a few hours at a soup kitchen or tutoring a student over the weekend.

Washington, D.C., July 27, 2009 — A new report released today by the Corporation for National and Community Service finds that even during a time of prolonged economic recession, volunteering has remained steady, fueled by a compassion boom led by young adults and a wave of do-it-yourself volunteers working with their neighbors to fix problems.

Very few organizations can say their boards are as aggressive in fundraising as they'd like them to be. If you feel that your board might be leaving much-needed money on the table, there are things you can do to enhance its fundraising effectiveness.

July 21, 2009, About.com —  It is very tempting in a recession to change formerly staff-held jobs into volunteer ones. But is it right? Does it work? What are the pitfalls or the benefits?