Winter WOW Festival

Hello Festival friends!

As most of you know, the National Cherry Festival is managing the downtown events for next weekend’s Winter Wow!fest. We still have volunteer opportunities available and would love for you to come on out and volunteer for this fun Festival. I’ve listed below a few of the positions we still need help with. There are several other positions you will see when you sign in to the Volunteer Registration Portal that are not listed below. To sign up to volunteer at Winter Wow!fest, please go to: www.cherryfestival.org , click on the Volunteer tab on the right hand side of the page. This will take you directly to the Volunteer Registration Portal. If you have never volunteered for the Cherry Festival, just fill out the brief volunteer registration form and then sign up for the volunteer position you wish to work. If you already have a username and password, just sign in and sign up for the event(s) you wish to volunteer for.

We really appreciate all of your help and support with Winter Wow!fest. We’ll see you next weekend!

(1 slot left) Downtown TC – Parking Lot B – Celebration Central

Beer & Wine Servers [A]

Saturday, February 19, 8:30am - 12:00pm 3 Filled


(3 slots left) Downtown TC – Parking Lot B – Celebration Central

Food and Pepsi Servers [A]

Saturday, February 19, 2:45pm - 6:00pm 0 Filled

(9 slots left) Downtown TC – Parking Lot B – Celebration Central

(Soup’r Bowl) Restaurant Assistant [A, I]

Saturday, February 19, 11:00am - 3:00pm 3 Filled

(2 slots left) Downtown TC – Parking Lot B – Celebration Central

(Soup’r Bowl) Ballot Counter [A]

Saturday, February 19, 11:30am - 3:30pm 2 Filled

(1 slot left) Downtown TC – Parking Lot B – Celebration Central

ID Checkers

Saturday, February 19, 4:45pm - 10:00pm 3 Filled

(2 slots left) Snowball/Softball Tournament at the Civic Center

Beer Serving and Food Handling [A]

Saturday, February 19, 2:45pm - 6:00pm 0 Filled

(2 slots left) Snowball/Softball Tournament at the Civic Center

Beer Serving and Food Handling [A]

Saturday, February 19, 5:45pm - 9:00pm 0 Filled

2-1-1 Up and Running

'211' service begins Friday

By LINDSAY VanHULLE

TRAVERSE CITY — A new social services hotline is scheduled to roll out Friday.

The line, known as 211, is not automated and will connect callers to people who can offer information on domestic violence resources, food pantries, homeless shelters and other needs.

Rolling out 211 on Feb. 11 is not a coincidence, said Steve Wade, executive director of the United Way of Northwest Michigan.

The "211" number itself won't be available for several months, Wade said, but callers can dial toll-free number (877) 211-5253 or visit www.call-211.org to access the database.

Six counties will be included — Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, Antrim, Kalkaska and Missaukee. Some service already is provided in Wexford, Charlevoix and Emmet counties. Residents of Manistee County already can dial 211.

Staffers not only will be able to tell callers an organization's location and phone number, but also what documents they need to bring and whether they meet particular income requirements, Wade said.

The service is funded through a mix of private and public funds, including the United Way, Grand Traverse County and $300,000 from Consumers Energy, Wade said.

Citizens Needed for Grant Review

United Way of Northwest is seeking residents of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties to serve on its Citizen Action Team (CAT). The CAT is the group of citizens who review the various applications for funding, interview the agencies and weigh overall community need as a part of determining how funds will be invested. CAT volunteers receive training before reviewing the requests from local human service nonprofit agencies.

A complete schedule of training sessions and interview dates is available on our website unitedwaynwmi.org. If you have questions or need additional information contact Michelle Gallagher 231-947-3200 x 201, michelleg@unitedwaynwmi.org.

The United Way of Northwest Michigan seeks to efficiently raise and effectively distribute both financial and volunteer resources. The CAT is one of the most effective ways for citizens to help us achieve this mission and serve our community.

Accepting Grant Applications

Beginning February 7 and running through March 11, 2011 United Way of Northwest Michigan will accept grant applications for their Critical Human Service Grants.

Successful applicants must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt health or human service organization and have been in existence for at least two years. Additionally, applicants must provide services directly to persons in one or more of the following counties: Antrim, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau. The grant application is entirely online and qualifying agencies may obtain a username and password by contacting Michelle Gallagher 231-947-3200 x201 or michelleg@unitedwaynwmi.org.

United Way of Northwest Michigan seeks to efficiently raise and effectively distribute both financial and volunteer resources to support community determined initiatives that improve the lives of community members in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties. Information about United Way can be obtained through their website www.unitedwaynwmi.org or by contacting them directly by either calling 231.947.3200 or emailing info@unitedwaynwmi.org.

Recruiting for Board members

Interested in utilizing your talent and joining a northwest Michigan nonprofit agency Board of Directors? The United Way Volunteer Center in partnership with NorthSky Nonprofit Network have joined forces to help nonprofit agencies with the essential task of recruiting board members to govern local nonprofit agencies in northwest Michigan. The success of any nonprofit agency is directly tied to the board and the talent and dedication of its members.

Through NorthSky’s Board Governance education series, community members learn what it takes to be an effective board member and how to find a nonprofit board in need of your skills and enthusiasm. Nonprofit boards can also participate in training to understand how to build a better board. Participants will also learn the important aspects of recruiting new board members including how to access the United Way’s pool of trained community members.

NorthSky Nonprofit Network is a nonprofit management support program of Rotary Charities of Traverse City that assists northern Michigan nonprofit organizations in strengthening their capabilities through capacity building and sustainability support. NorthSky provides a wide range of services and resources to help nonprofit organizations deliver programs effectively and efficiently.

To register for the “Board Primer” session contact NorthSky Nonprofit Network at www.northskynonprofitnetwork.org or call (231) 929-3924.

The United Way of Northwest Michigan seeks to efficiently raise and effectively distribute both financial and volunteer resources to support community determined initiatives that improve the lives of community members in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties. Information about the United Way and board recruitment can be obtained through their website www.unitedwaynwmi.org or by contacting Susan McQuaid, Director by either calling 231.947.3200 or emailing susan@unitedwaynwmi.org.