Pictured from left to right: Jim Lenzer, Gary Barnes, Denny Skaanning, Sharon Mohr.

The River recently established a new Volunteer Advisory Committee (VAC) to strengthen our volunteer program! The committee will focus on helping The River achieve our aspiration of becoming a leading organization of choice for individuals, families and businesses to volunteer their time and talents.

Members of the VAC include the following clients, volunteers, staff, and community members:

“The people who have offered to serve on the VAC represent a variety of different backgrounds, experience, abilities and connections with The River,” said Gary Barnes, Service Manager at The River who will be the staff representative on the VAC. “We believe the committee will be a tremendous asset in supporting and guiding our volunteer program.”

At the committee’s first meeting this month, the VAC designated members into four action teams that represent key areas of volunteer engagement: recruitment; retention and communication; recognition and appreciation; food drives and special projects. These VAC action teams will make recommendations and/or provide key information and materials that will help The River better serve the needs of our volunteers, who are the lifeblood of our operation.

In 2018, our volunteers gave 49,145 hours of service. We are humbled that members of our community selflessly give their time on a monthly, weekly, and even daily basis to advance our vision of a fully nourished community. The VAC allows The River to push for a model of shared governance and continued appreciative inquiry to make our volunteer program the best it can be.

Interested in volunteering with The River? Sign up today!