Mt. Vernon Register-News

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October 29, 2012

Annual volunteerism conference to be held Nov. 1

By ROSIE GITHINJI CNHI

MT. VERNON —  Volunteers and leaders from around the community will be gathering for the annual Southern Illinois Volunteerism Conference, “Lighting the Way for Service and Success” on Nov. 1.

SIVC has existed for over 12 years to provide capacity-building training opportunities, to enhance the skills of volunteer leaders and managers in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, as well as to provide professional development workshops for the volunteers themselves.

Jennifer Witzel, director for One Hope United, and one of the organizers of the event, said there will be several volunteers from Crossroads Community Hospital and St. Mary’s Good Samaritan as well as everyone who volunteers for the One Hope United Foster Grandparent program attending the conference.

“Its for everyone,” she said. “It’s for volunteers and volunteer managers and anyone who works with volunteers.”

There will be two keynote speakers at the conference, Witzel said. The morning speaker is Faith Roberts, the director of Magnet Parish Nursing and OB Services at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. The lunchtime keynote speaker is Rob Dyer, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Vernon and President of Lifeboat Alliance.

In the afternoon, the conference will have break out sessions, where volunteers can choose from a variety of different sessions, such as technology for Facebook or sessions just for those who volunteer, Witzel said.

There will also be an exhibit hall with various agencies displaying their companies there. Witzel said there is still space for any agencies which want to participate. To do so, contact Angela Schrum at Crossroads Community Hospital at 241-8567. Any agency wishing to participate needs to contact Schrum by Tuesday, Oct. 30, Witzel said.

The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn and registration begins at 8 a.m. Registration cost for the conference is $30 and there are student rates as well. For more information or to register, call 731-4278 or visit www.sivc.net.

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