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Volunteers Needed!
There are many opportunities to make a difference.
Michael’s Place relies heavily on the generosity of caring individuals and organizations who volunteer time and donate various in-kind contributions. Without this critical support, Michael’s Place would be unable to offer our services to grieving kids, teens and adults on a no-cost basis. If you are looking for an opportunity to have a significant impact on grieving children and families, Michael’s Place is a great place to volunteer!
Giving time and talent to Michael’s Place is a priceless gift that can make a significant difference in our families’ lives. We often receive volunteer support from families that we’ve served, who feel driven to give back the some of the hope they gained. Descriptions of volunteer roles are listed below. If you would like to share your talents in the journey of healing, please complete a volunteer application.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Group Facilitators
Group facilitators actively participate as discussion leaders and support persons in our weekly bereavement support groups. There is no formal counseling or therapy as part of these groups. Facilitators work as a team so that the facilitator-participant ratio for each support group is met. To become a facilitator, an individual must attend facilitator training and attend additional in-services as presented including First Aid and CPR. Group facilitation experience is not necessary, as all volunteers will participate in an initial 9 hour training program and shadow experienced facilitators before being assigned to a group. Personal bereavement experiences are helpful, but not mandatory. Group facilitation can also be used as an intern experience for those in bachelor’s or master’s level social work or counselor training programs.
Family Support Center Volunteers
Volunteers at our Family Support Center (located at the Michael’s Place office) help with our Make-a-Memory workshops, maintain our library, provide support for people who stop in on an as-needed basis, and provide specific opportunities such as art, music, writing and craft activities or workshops that help participants express and deal with their grief.
Robin's Nest Volunteers/Mentors
Volunteers will assist Robin's Nest Coordinator to participate with youth in monthly "Best Day" activities while allowing the youth to experience positive, caring adult interaction. Volunteers needed!
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Nancy Elmore, Michael’s Place Program Coordinator, at 947-6453 or nancy@mymichaelsplace.net for more information or to schedule a screening.
Office Assistance
Michael’s Place is continually in need of assistance with general office tasks such as computer data entry, updating files and records, preparing mailings, organizing program materials, soliciting meal donations, etc.
Meals
As meals are provided each Monday night for families attending Michael’s Place support group, we need community organizations, churches, restaurants or individuals who are willing to provide a meal to feed 25-30 people one or more Monday nights during the course of a year.
Occasional Specific Needs
Michael’s Place also uses volunteers on an occasional basis to help with specific projects, such as building shelves to store program materials; decorating and organizing the Family Support Center, etc.
Camp Live, Laugh and Love
Each August Michael’s Place collaborates with the Children’s Bereavement Network to provide a camp experience for grieving children ages 8-13. Adult volunteers are needed to run the activities, and volunteer teen “buddies” are needed to be matched with campers in a mentor relationship throughout the camp weekend.
Fund Development Committee
The Development Committee is responsible for planning, implementing and overseeing all of the fund-raisers, grant writing, planned giving, major donors and memorials. The committee develops policies related to income development and develops and presents a projected income budget to the Finance Committee as part of the budget process. The Committee also recruits volunteers for the subcommittees as well as for any fund-raising events. The committee meets the first Wednesday of each month at noon for an hour. Committee members are expected to attend fundraising events and volunteer whenever fund-raising activities require it.
Representatives from the following subcommittees sit on the Fund Development Committee: Special Events, Third Party Fund Raisers, Grant Writing, Memorials, Major Donors and Planned Giving.
Special Events Subcommittee
Volunteers are used to help organize and host our annual Balloon Launch in May as well as our annual Candle Lighting Ceremony in December.
Fund-Raiser Subcommittee
This subcommittee is responsible for the planning and implementation of the major fund-raising events that occur annually for Michael’s Place. In recent years this has been a concert held each fall in the Milliken Auditorium at the Dennos Museum Center. The committee handled promotion, ticket sales, printing a program book, food and wine donations, and various other details. The chairperson of the subcommittee sits on the Development Committee. Subcommittee members meet regularly beginning about three months before an event.
Third Party Fund-Raisers Subcommittee
During the course of the year, individuals and organizations will put on fund-raising activities on behalf of Michael’s Place. This subcommittee is responsible for working with the individual(s) or organization to ensure that Michael’s Place is accurately represented, that there are no conflicts with Michael’s Place policies and guidelines, and that the event is as successful as it can be. This may involve promotion of the event to Michael’s Place volunteers and patrons as well as providing volunteer support on the day of the event. The subcommittee also will promote to service clubs, fraternities, sororities and other groups the opportunity to raise money on behalf of Michael’s Place.
Grants Subcommittee
These volunteers, who have had some experience in working with foundations and grants, write grants for the program needs of Michael’s Place. The subcommittee researches grant sources as well as any statistical information required of the grant source. Grants are written in partnership with the staff. The subcommittee meets when grant projects are actively being pursued.
Memorials Subcommittee
Memorials subcommittee works on visiting funeral homes and ensuring that they have Michael’s Place memorial envelopes.
Planned Giving Subcommittee
This subcommittee will work with individuals desiring to give Michael’s Place gifts in the form of stocks and bonds as well as those individuals who desire to remember Michael’s Place in their wills. Long range planned gift vehicles will be developed and promoted that can benefit the Building and Endowment Funds.
Major Donor Subcommittee
This subcommittee is responsible for planning, implementing and overseeing a program of donors, individuals and corporations, who give at least $1,000 annually to Michael’s Place. The subcommittee designs the major donor program, develops solicitation strategies, trains solicitors, identifies potential donors and monitors the success of the solicitation process. The committee meets monthly for about ninety minutes and is expected to attend fund-raising events.
Public Relations and Outreach Committee
This committee is responsible for developing and implementing a plan of action to create a positive community image and support of the mission, goals and objectives of Michael’s Place. The committee publishes PSA’s and press releases, promotes and solicits support for all community events to benefit Michael’s Place. It provides technical assistance related to the production of audio visual and printed material as well as the demonstration of any bureau. The committee meets the last Monday of each month for about an hour. Committee members are expected to attend fund raising events, community events and recognition ceremonies.
Volunteer Committee
The Volunteer Committee is comprised of volunteers representing all aspects of volunteerism in Michael’s Place. The committee is responsible for recruitment and recognition of volunteers. The committee is also responsible for the Volunteer Recognition dinner and semi-annual facilitator training.
Register as a Volunteer
If you see the right opportunity for you and would like to gift Michael’s Place with your time, please complete our Volunteer Application by clicking the link located below the photo on this page and submit it to us at our Traverse City address or at GoodGrief@MyMichaelsPlace.net or by fax at 231.947.7114.
Short on time, but still want to help?
Visit our Wish List page for items that are helpful as donations to keep Michael’s Place in full swing. Or if you are interested in making a financial contribution, please check our Financial Contributions page for a list of much appreciated monetary donation options.
Thank you for your interest in Michael’s Place!
Learn more about some of our current volunteers. Download seekingvolunteers.pdf Download Volunteer Applicaton 2012.pdf 