Author: Aviva Pinchas

Criminal background checks for volunteers

Armando Rayo, Director of Hands On Central Texas, was interviewed by KUT for a story about doing criminal background checks on volunteers, and how that affects both the nonprofit and the volunteers themselves. This is a growing issue, as more and more donors/supporters demand that nonprofits use volunteers who don’t have serious criminal backgrounds. What do you think? Is doing criminal background checks on nonprofit volunteers a good thing—or would it deter quality volunteers from lending a hand in the first place? Let us know your thoughts by commenting here. Listen to the interview here. (Fast forward to 1:48 to hear the story.)

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Our Third Annual Speaker Series event–Lee & Bob Woodruff

We’ve heard a lot of positive feedback so far about our Third Annual Speaker Series event with Lee & Bob Woodruff. Everyone who attended said the presentation was captivating; the discussion of veterans’ needs and the impact on family and community was positive and fruitful. We thought it was great that the Woodruffs referenced United Way in their speech, and mentioned the United Way’s three focus areas (Education, Financial Stability, Health), and how these issues resonated with their own experiences in dealing with tragedy. This drove home to the crowd how important United Way is on so many different levels, not just locally or nationally, but worldwide. Lee Woodruff’s point about everyone having their own personal tragedy to relate to theirs was very touching and struck a chord with the crowd and made everyone able to relate. The event was a very personal experience, and even though it was a huge crowd, it seemed intimate the way it was set up, as if it could have happened in our living rooms as a discussion, rather than being just another public speaking event. The VIP reception was elegant but conducive to discussion with the Woodruffs and with other’s attending. A special “thank you” to presenting sponsor Wachovia and all of our other sponsors for making the event happen! If you attended last night’s event, we’d love to hear your observations as well–don’t hesitate to offer a comment on Bob and Lee Woodruff’s story. From today’s Daily Texan: “You don’t have to […]

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Planned Serendipity

Check out Rich Harwood”s Redeeming Hope Blog. He was just recently in Austin for the Community Engagement Summit and this is what he had to say: “The emergence of change is truly inspiring to watch. It online slots takes the right conditions and the right people to ignite and sustain something real and in Central Texas signs of change are emerging.” Read the full blog entry…

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Texas State Senator Kirk Watson speaking at YLS Lunch with Leaders on Thursday, September 20 at 3M

The Senator took time out of his busy schedule to address the importance of leadership, collaboration, and volunteer work to a group of 45 YLS and WGN members during lunch. His knack for storytelling and passion for improving Central Texas makes for an inspirational and good time. Please check out his website www.kirkwatson.com to follow the work of Texas Monthly’s “Legislative Rookie of the Year” in 2007.

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ABC Anchor Bob Woodruff and wife, Lee, to speak in Austin

We are looking forward to the upcoming joint speaking presentation of Lee & Bob Woodruff on Monday, October 1 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel at 7 p.m. Most people know the incredible story of Bob Woodruff: While reporting on U.S. and Iraqi security forces in January 2006, Bob Woodruff was seriously injured by a roadside bomb. He is currently undergoing outpatient rehabilitation in New York and has returned to work at ABC News. In February 2007, Lee and Bob Woodruff released In An Instant: A Family’s Journey of Love and Healing. This personal memoir discusses Bob Woodruff’s recovery, the challenges they faced together, and the medical and family support that helped him heal. The Austin American Statesman covered Bob and Lee here For more information about the upcoming event, click here.

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New Collaboration

One of the ways we’ve changed how we work is to participate in more collaborations. A great example of this is with the new Austin based I Live Here I Give Here campaign. United Way Capital Area was one of the first partners to support this new initiative, and David Balch, CPO of UWCA, continues to play an active role on the steering committee. Read all about the campaign launch here and view the launch pictures online

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Last week's community engagement summit

Mando with some of the Public Innovator applicants. Rich Harwood speaks about bringing people together to address our community’s most critical issues. Application deadline for The Public Innovators Lab has been extendedIn case you missed it, the deadline for submitting applications has been extended to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 19. Applicants also have the option to submit a copy of their resume (no longer than 2 pages). You can complete the form online, and hit the “Submit” button at the end of the form upon completion.

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