Community Involvement

The Community Involvement Action Team connects EPIC members to philanthropic/volunteer programs by promoting opportunities for participation, involvement and leadership. Contact Jeff Schaaf or Julianne Lange,  Committee Co-Chairs for more information.

Meeting Times:
Third Wednesday of each month at 5:30p.m. Locations change.

Chair's Message
Meetings & Minutes

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           Introducing EPIC’s Volunteer Incentive Program

EPIC’s Community Involvement committee is unveiling a volunteer incentive program for all EPIC members. Individuals will be asked to log their volunteer hours using a link provided on the EPIC website.  Volunteer hours will be tracked and eligible individuals will be entered into quarterly and annual raffles.  In order to qualify for a quarterly raffle drawing, an individual must have logged 10 volunteer hours for that quarter. In order to qualify for the larger annual raffle, an individual must have logged 80 cumulative volunteer hours for the year. The quarterly raffle prize will be a gift card for $50 from local retail establishments/restaurants to-be-determined.  The annual raffle prize will be valued at a minimum of $150 and will include a package of gift cards and other items.

In addition to the quarterly and annual raffles, tracked volunteer hours will also help EPIC Toledo as well as individuals qualify for an annual President’s Volunteer Service Award, awarded on behalf of the President of the United States .  The awards are given based upon annual volunteer hours as well as over the course of a lifetime. The criteria for the awards are shown in the chart below. 

Award recipients will receive:

·       A President’s Volunteer Service Award lapel pin

·       A personalized certificate of achievement

·       A congratulatory letter from the President of the United States

·       A letter from the President’s Council on Service and Civil Participation

For additional information, please see the Presidential Service Awards Home Page:

http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/index.cfm

Sign Up Now!    Instructions for signing up

Please get involved! We will be reporting on hours serviced by EPIC members in the near future, so in addition to the incentives provided, it is important for the success of EPIC as a whole for everyone to participate as much as they can. Thanks in advance for your continued support!!!  EPIC does not succeed without all the efforts of its members!

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Volunteer Opportunities! Want to find volunteer opportunities around town?  Click here. 

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What You Missed

The Community Involvement Committee headed up its first ever Blood Drive with the American Red Cross on February 27th at the Shops at Fallen Timbers. Ten volunteers from EPIC worked throughout the day setting up, signing in donors, working the canteen table, and tearing down. Numerous EPIC members came out to donate along with other people from the community, and cameramen from Channels 11 and 13 came out to record the event (one of them even donated!). We had a busy day, with a final count of 29 units collected. To adequately supply area hospitals, the Red Cross must receive around 300 donations each day from its local drives and donor center; and we were excited to play a part in reaching that daily goal. Thanks to everyone who came out to donate and volunteer! To see pictures from the event click here.

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On March 4^th, the Community Involvement and Leadership/Professional Development Teams partnered with the Center for Non-Profit Resources to present:

EPIC UnPlugged: Get On Board - Your Guide to Non-Profit Board Leadership! The goal of this year’s event was to provide EPIC members with answers to:

·          Why should you be on a board? 

·          What are the commitments? 

·          What will you gain from sitting on a board? 

·          How do you get involved?

The evening began with members networking and mingling with each other and representatives from local non-profit agencies before the presentation began.  Agencies in attendance included Assistance Dogs of America, The Toledo Museum of Art, Camp Courageous , and Junior Achievement.

Megan Meyer from the Center for Non-Profit Resources gave a short presentation that highlighted the responsibilities and risks of being on a board. 

Following the presentation, members were given the opportunity to ask questions and solicit feedback from a panel of their peers who are currently serving on local boards.  Our panel included:

John Jones, President and CEO of the Greater Toledo Urban League, shared what he looks for in a board member and

Betsy Brady, Vice President of Plastic Technologies and currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Toledo Museum of Art, shared her vast and varied experiences she has acquired with the museum and many other great organizations.

Jim Walrod, Current EPIC Chairman, spoke about his involvement with multiple boards and how he juggles a full-time job, EPIC, multiple boards and a new family.

Bob Monard - Controller at The Hylant Group spoke about his commitment and involvement as a board member with Assistance Dogs of America.

Feedback from those in attendance (over 50 members) has been overwhelmingly positive. 

Specials thanks to the Toledo Museum of Art for hosting us, Megan Meyer, and our panelists for helping make this event a success. Look for us to host this event again in 2011! To see pictures from the event click here.

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See how EPIC Toledo members participated in a Habitat for Humanity build