“One person can make a difference;
one person working with their community can change the world.”

Kate Merrill, Southeast Community Volunteer Coordinator

The "Spring Into Action" event for all Chicago area Heifer volunteers and supporters is scheduled for March 24, 2012, 10-12 am, at the York Center Church of the Brethren, 1S071 Luther Ave., Lombard, IL (see yccob.org for map). Please RSVP to volunteer@heifer.org or 888-5HUNGER.

The central point of the Spring Into Action Day is COMMUNITY. Centering the theme around a community springing into action gives us the foundation to spread this as a movement of people building community to make change. It provides the reason for why it’s important or meaningful that there are groups around the nation meeting on the same day. We would like it to be an annual event with a special celebration around the world in 2014 on Heifer’s 70th anniversary.

It is a call out to donors, congregations, schools, civic clubs and libraries to join us for a special Heifer event. There are currently 8 events scheduled around the country with more being planned.

The Purpose:

• Encourage each participant to be a part of building a volunteer community and promoting outreach in their area
• Spread the word about Heifer and our resources
• Energize the current community volunteers
• Recruit new Community Volunteers
• Share Heifer’s story with one other person/organization after the event

The Plan:

• All events with similar messaging take place on the same day (March 24), to create a “movement” of Heifer volunteers and supporters
• Event is 90-120 minutes

The Format:

• Welcome inspirational video from Pierre
• Recap of the year (may also be a short video)
• Introduction to Heifer’s community volunteer program
• Volunteers share about the local volunteer community, outreach and ideas/plans for the future.
• Solicitation of ideas from those gathered regarding engagement with congregations, schools, libraries, civic clubs, alternative giving

Take Action Activity

• Set a date for the next community volunteer meeting, encourage attendance
• Share action ideas
• At the end of the session, each participant is given the opportunity to commit to at least one action.

Closing
   A short video that focuses on the power of Heifer volunteers to make a difference.