RSVP Philosophy and Purpose

There are many unmet needs in our communities that can best be filled by the older adult volunteer who may have skills, interests, and experiences that many of the younger generations have not yet acquired. These Seniors have something valuable and unique to share - themselves.

RSVP serves two purposes: enriching the lives of Seniors who volunteer and helping to better the communities in which they live.

OVERVIEW

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is a nation-wide volunteer development and management program that encourages and enables thousands of people over the age of 55 throughout the United States to participate in useful volunteer service to their communities. As one of the National Senior Service Corps programs, administered by the Corporation for National Service, RSVP joins the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs, the AmeriCorp, Vista, and Learn and Serve America Programs to involve Americans of all ages in serving others.

West Central MN RSVP serves Seniors and nonprofit agencies using Senior volunteers in Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, and Traverse counties. We currently have an enrollment of over 900 active volunteers serving in over 80 nonprofits in those counties. We are funded through grants from The Corporation for National Service, the Minnesota Board on Aging and the five counties served.

STAFF

The office of West Central MN RSVP is located in at the West Central MN Communities Action office, 411 Industrial Park Ave, Elbow Lake, MN. The staff consists of Randi Bryan-Pajari, Director. She may be contacted by calling 1-800-492-4805, extension 116 or e-mail at randip@wcmca.org.

BENEFITS

RSVP assists volunteers with placement, provides "on the job" accident and liability insurance, may provide reimbursement for mileage, cab, or bus fare, and honors and thanks the volunteers at an appreciation event in each county each year. It costs the volunteer nothing to become an RSVP member. RSVP works through local nonprofit agencies and organizations that are enrolled as volunteer stations through a Memorandum of Understanding with us. Benefits for these agencies include assistance with recruitment of volunteers, insurance coverage, mileage reimbursement, and recognition of the volunteers, which smaller agencies and programs frequently are unable to provide. In addition, RSVP is supportive of these agencies through technical assistance and networking opportunities.

Eligibility

Any person 55 years of age or older, living in the service area may be enrolled. There is no cost to enroll. There are no income, educational, or experience requirements. All that is needed is a desire to serve the community on a regular basis. Sometimes budgetary constraints of RSVP result in the project reaching maximum enrollment. In that event, a "waiting list" is initiated and additional enrollments occur when space becomes available.

Enrollment - You may enroll in RSVP by meeting with an RSVP staff member to fill out an enrollment form and receive an orientation.  If you know where you wish to volunteer, the volunteer manager at that site can contact RSVP for you.  The volunteer manager may also have an enrollment folder right at the site which you can fill out.  You can also download the enrollment form by clicking below, print it, fill it out, and mail to West Central RSVP, 411 Industrial Park Boulevard, Elbow Lake, MN 56531.  We will be in contact with you when we receive the form.  If you are looking for a place where your talents as a volunteer are needed, call the RSVP office at 1-800-492-4805, ext #116 to arrange an appointment to meet with us and determine where you might be most needed.

 RSVP Enrollment Form

West Central MN RSVP Statistics
OUR LAST COMPLETE PROGRAM YEAR 7-1-05 THROUGH 6-30-06

• NO. OF ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS: 923
• NO. OF VOLUNTEER HOURS: 101,150
• NO. OF VOLUNTEER SITES REPORTING: 86
• NO. OF NEW VOLUNTEERS ENROLLED: 134
• DOLLAR VALUE OF SERVICE TO COMMUNITIES: $785,295.36

Current Volunteer Opportunities Available

RSVP works with over 80 nonprofit agencies and organizations that use the services of Senior volunteers. Below is a short list of current needs. Many other opportunities are also available.

• Volunteer drivers are needed in all five counties to transport frail and vulnerable clients to medical and other appointments both locally and out of the area. Mileage reimbursement is paid to the drivers. RSVP can reimburse for "on the job" meals.
• Help a child improve his or her reading skills and cultivate a love of reading. Read to children and listen to a child read at your local elementary school.
• Be a classroom assistant in your local Head Start classroom in Ashby, Morris, Alexandria, Elbow Lake, Starbuck, Glenwood, Brandon, Kensington or Browns Valley. Play games with and read to small children, encouraging self-esteem, independence, large and small muscle development.
• Volunteers are needed to take scheduled training, then to prepare tax returns for low income and elderly residents of all five counties. Volunteers need not be accountants, as these tax returns are generally simple to prepare. Greeters and assistants are needed at the Elbow Lake site.

Links

• The Corporation for National Service
• The Minnesota Board on Aging

To volunteer, or to find out more about these or other volunteer opportunities in your community, call West Central RSVP at 1-800-492-4805, ext # 116 and talk to Randi Bryan-Pajari, RSVP Program Director, 55+ Senior Volunteer Program.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Advisory Council

The Advisory Council of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) plays an important role in the planning and operation of the RSVP Program.  The Advisory Council advises and supports the RSVP Project in forming local policy, planning, and developing operational procedures and practices consistent with program policies.  Council members assist by promoting community support for the project and in planning and promoting the mobilization of financial and in-kind resources.  The Advisory Council includes representatives of community, business, public, and private agencies; volunteer station representatives; and persons specialized in the fields of aging or volunteerism.

RSVP is offered in the Agency's five core counties of Traverse, Douglas, Grant, Pope, and Stevens.  Each county has at least three representatives on the Council, with counties of larger population having more as needed.  Advisory Council members by county are listed below.