Latest News
Belk 125 Days of Service
April 29, 2013 Owasso and Tulsa stores' employees will partner with schools to benefit students. As part of its 125th anniversary celebration this year, Belk is showing its continued gratitude and commitment to the Southern communities it serves by enlisting store volunteers to do makeovers in elementary schools March 10-July 12. Belk has partnered with Volunteer Tulsa and other Points of Light Institute/HandsOn Network action centers to help mobilize and coordinate Belk's efforts.Locally, students at Tulsa Public Schools' Hamilton Elementary will benefit from volunteers with Belk of Smith Farm, Owasso, on May 7; and students at TPS' Park Elementary will benefit from Belk Tulsa Hills' employees' service, May 14.
Belk volunteers will construct picnic tables, create educational wall hangings, and will assemble bookshelves. Additionally, Belk volunteers are holding book drives in their stores for associates and customers to donate to the two schools to enrich student literacy. Both stores have offered cosmetic/beauty makeovers to administrative staff!
"We're thrilled to have volunteer activities scheduled in every Belk market so that all of our associates will have the opportunity to participate," said Jessica Graham, Belk vice president of communications and community relations. "Our associates are so passionate about the communities they live and work in, so we knew that a key component of our anniversary celebration would include giving back."
Mobilizing volunteers is a key initiative of Volunteer Tulsa and its Employee and Retiree Volunteer Program helps rally and focus employees' efforts on behalf of businesses' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Tulsa's Channel 8 Spotlights Volunteerism!
April 22-26, 2013 Good Day Tulsa shares testimonials with local volunteers and the organizations they serve. Tune in all week! KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather
Tulsa World features 2012 Change Agent of the Year!
April 11, 2013 Read about Marcie Tarvid and her incredible service with Therapetics! Marcie(and Dessa, too!) will help celebrate the many other volunteers who do so much for our community, during A License to Change, Saturday, April 27. Thank you, Tulsa World Staff Writer Mike Averill, for sharing the priceless impact of volunteers' (like Marcie!) gift of time, talent, and expertise! Join us and/or honor a beloved volunteer through Volunteer Tulsa's Tribute Fund with a charitable gift of $5!
Outstanding Volunteers Nominated!
March 6, 2013 Volunteers from throughout the greater Tulsa area have been nominated for dedicated service to local community-focused organizations. Congratulations, nominees! Thank you, nominators! Click to see the fact sheet for A License to Change, April 27, the community-wide volunteer recognition reception/program when these incredible people will be honored. Community leaders, as an independent panel of judges, review the nominations and select a Change Agent in each category PLUS a Change Agent of the Year!
Charis and her fellow nominees are pictured with Recognition chairs and previously-honored Volunteer Administrator of the Year John O'Neill, CVA, 2011, and Jennifer Thompson, CVA, 2010. What a great way to celebrate International Volunteer Managers Day, November 5, 2012!
Dr. Kathy Seibold shares service perspectives.
Attendees donated games for TACSI family literacy nights!
• Bill Allen • Dawn Barrick • Debra Dester • Mike Douthitt • Scott Gaffen, CVA • Caroline Holmes • Charis Key • Lisa Laughrey • Angela Long • Carol Sartin • Maxine Street • Sandie Sullivan • Beth West
Each nominee will be recognized and the 2012 Volunteer Administrator of the Year announced during "Turning Point 2012," the 5th Annual Conference on Volunteerism and Service, Friday, November 2, 2012. Hosted by University of Phoenix, the Conference has workshops and expert panels for volunteers and volunteer administrators and will celebrate International Volunteer Managers Day.
Register online or download brochure. Questions? Contact Volunteer Tulsa, 918.447.1888, volunteer@volunteertulsa.org.
Marcie Tarvid was named Change Agent of the Year for her dedication to her role with Therapetics Service Dogs of Oklahoma. Marcie is pictured with President Chris Webster, her "teammate" Dessa, Frank Baxter and Jan Forthman, past Change Agents of the Year.
Spirit of Volunteerism recipient Tom Campbell, Change Agent of the Year Marcie Tarvid with Dessa, Senior Adult Change Agent Marc Cook, PSO ACE Team members for Employee Volunteer Program Change Agent, Young Adult Change Agent Audrey Yu, Clara Perkins with Oklahoma Home and Community Education as Family/Community Group Change Agent, Youth Change Agent Meri Grace Francis, and Adult Change Agent Sarah Thomas.
Tulsa's First Lady Victoria Bartlett participated on the independent panel of judges with Janet Pearson, Tulsa World Associate Editor, and Keith Taylor, Host of Tulsa's Channel 8's Good Morning Oklahoma and Good Day Tulsa. First Lady Bartlett and Mayor Dewey Bartlett shared their appreciation for citizens who take action through volunteer service.
Transforming Agent
The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation
Engaging Agent
AEP-PSO
Bama Companies
ONEOK, Inc.
Call to Action
BKD, LLP
Rivercross Hospice
Special Thanks
24 Karat Cake
Chipotle
Cinemark
Food Pyramid
SmashBurger
Sonic
Tulsa Community College
Walmart
Volunteer Tulsa will present a number of President's Volunteer Service Awards throughout the week. Partner Organizations submitted their volunteers who served at least 100 hours during 2011. Volunteers receive a personalized, signed letter from President Barack Obama, a personalized certificate, and a lapel pin identifying them at the Bronze, Silver, or Gold levels.
On Saturday, April 21, Volunteer Tulsa will pay tribute to top volunteers during the fourth annual recognition and awards ceremony, A License to Change. The reception and program begin at 6 p.m. at Tulsa Community College's Center of Creativity, 910 South Boston Avenue. Ms. Laura Moss, Tulsa's Channel 8 Good Morning Oklahoma anchorwoman, is mistress of ceremonies.
Read more: media release and fact sheet.
One participant recently noted in a course evaluation, "Thank you for sharing fantastic knowledge and insight to help create an effective program."
Developed by Points of Light Foundation and refined/expanded by HandsOn Network and Volunteer Tulsa, VMTS features six courses that provide the framework, definitions, tools, and resources community-focused organizations can utilize in designing comprehensive volunteer programs.
Building Community underwriting provided by by Cherokee Nation, City of Muskogee Foundation, Sharna and Irvin Frank Foundation, The Mervin Bovaird Foundation, Herman Kaiser Foundation, and Lloyd K. and Peggy L. Stephens Foundation. Limited scholarships are available.
Plan your team's professional development. Download Registration Brochure. Questions? Contact Volunteer Tulsa, 918.447.1888.
January 2-6, 2012 Watch KTUL NewsChannel 8 to kick off the new year through service. Volunteer Tulsa starts the week on Good Day Tulsa which features incredible volunteers and the organizations' volunteer needs for G.I. Wishes/A Pet for a Vet Foundation, Child Abuse Network, Tulsa Area Community Schools Initiative (TACSI), and DaySpring Villa. Find Volunteer Opportunities--Give 365!
Tulsa World Showcases First Change Agent!
February 12, 2013 Tulsa World features Frank Baxter, Volunteer Tulsa's first Change Agent of the Year, named in 2009. Read the article, see color photos and online article. Frank is amazing and makes the Volunteering and Civic Life in America Report come to life.
Tulsa's Channel 8 Features Local Volunteers and Opportunities!
January 7-11, 2013 Watch Good Day Tulsa this week to learn more about fun and meaningful ways to keep New Year's resolutions.
KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather
Nominate Your Favorite Volunteer--February 1, 2013 Deadline!
January 1, 2013 Volunteers are the lifeblood of not-for-profit, service, and civic organizations. Honor individuals, family/community groups, and employee volunteer programs for their outstanding service this past year! Each nominee will be recognized Saturday, April 27, 2013, during A License to Change at Tulsa Community College's Center for Creativity. Check out the guidelines and nomination form. Call 918.447.1888 with any questions, further details, or to receive the guidelines and nomination form in another format.
Miss Oklahoma Alicia Clifton off to Miss America!
January 2013 Following a nearly-24/7 tour of Oklahoma sharing Time! Action! Passion! (TAP into Lifelong Volunteerism), Miss Oklahoma Alicia Clifton will join other contestants for the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas, January 12. Alicia served as a member of Volunteer Tulsa's Marketing and Outreach Committee this fall as part of her commitment to promote lifelong volunteerism. VOTE for our own Miss Oklahoma!Charis Key named Volunteer Administrator of the Year!
November 2, 2012 A highlight of Turning Point 2012 is recognizing volunteer administrators nominated by their teams, volunteers, and peers, for their leadership and impact. Following recognition of each nominee, each of whom also presented a special certificate, 2011 Volunteer Administrator of the Year John O'Neill, CVA, announced Charis Key as this year's honoree. Charis works every day to take The Little Light House's volunteer program to the next level. The Little Light House Executive Director Jean Winfrey said, "Charis has an amazing work ethic, pouring herself into making each and every volunteer feel needed and, most of all, appreciated."Miss Oklahoma promotes Lifelong Volunteerism!
October 2012 Volunteer Tulsa welcomes Miss Oklahoma Alicia Clifton to the Marketing and Outreach Committee as a champion of volunteerism and service. This Fall, Miss Oklahoma is reaching out to Oklahomans to challenge them to TAP (Time, Action and passion!) in their own neighborhoods and communities.Local Volunteer Administrators Nominated!
October 8, 2012 Volunteer Tulsa has received 13 nominations from local individuals and organizations of their outstanding volunteer leaders. Recognition Chairman John O'Neill, CVA, and 2011 Volunteer Administrator of the Year, announced that a record number of outstanding individuals who recruit and engage volunteers every day has been nominated in this year's recognition program.• Bill Allen • Dawn Barrick • Debra Dester • Mike Douthitt • Scott Gaffen, CVA • Caroline Holmes • Charis Key • Lisa Laughrey • Angela Long • Carol Sartin • Maxine Street • Sandie Sullivan • Beth West
Each nominee will be recognized and the 2012 Volunteer Administrator of the Year announced during "Turning Point 2012," the 5th Annual Conference on Volunteerism and Service, Friday, November 2, 2012. Hosted by University of Phoenix, the Conference has workshops and expert panels for volunteers and volunteer administrators and will celebrate International Volunteer Managers Day.
Register online or download brochure. Questions? Contact Volunteer Tulsa, 918.447.1888, volunteer@volunteertulsa.org.
Change Agents Named
April 21, 2012 Local volunteers were honored for their service during A License to Change, the community-wide volunteer recognition event hosted at Tulsa Community College's Center for Creativity. Dr. Ric Baser, TCC's Vice President of Academic Affairs, welcomed honorees and guests. Laura Moss of Tulsa's Channel 8 served as Mistress of Ceremonies. Recognition Chair Jennifer Thompson, CVA, and Volunteer Tulsa's Board President Chris Webster awarded certificates of recognition to honorees. Change Agents of the Year Frank Baxter (2009) and Jan Forthman (last year) presented awards to Change Agents in each category.Marcie Tarvid was named Change Agent of the Year for her dedication to her role with Therapetics Service Dogs of Oklahoma. Marcie is pictured with President Chris Webster, her "teammate" Dessa, Frank Baxter and Jan Forthman, past Change Agents of the Year.
Spirit of Volunteerism recipient Tom Campbell, Change Agent of the Year Marcie Tarvid with Dessa, Senior Adult Change Agent Marc Cook, PSO ACE Team members for Employee Volunteer Program Change Agent, Young Adult Change Agent Audrey Yu, Clara Perkins with Oklahoma Home and Community Education as Family/Community Group Change Agent, Youth Change Agent Meri Grace Francis, and Adult Change Agent Sarah Thomas.
Tulsa's First Lady Victoria Bartlett participated on the independent panel of judges with Janet Pearson, Tulsa World Associate Editor, and Keith Taylor, Host of Tulsa's Channel 8's Good Morning Oklahoma and Good Day Tulsa. First Lady Bartlett and Mayor Dewey Bartlett shared their appreciation for citizens who take action through volunteer service.
Transforming Agent
The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation
Engaging Agent
AEP-PSO
Bama Companies
ONEOK, Inc.
Call to Action
BKD, LLP
Rivercross Hospice
Special Thanks
24 Karat Cake
Chipotle
Cinemark
Food Pyramid
SmashBurger
Sonic
Tulsa Community College
Walmart
National Volunteer Week, April 15-21, 2012
March 13, 2012 Volunteer Tulsa announces activities to celebrate National Volunteer Week. Tulsa's Big Event kicks off the week with college students tackling local projects on Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14. Students will serve: Clarehouse, Gatesway Foundation, Tulsa Garden Center, Therapetics, and OU-Tulsa-sponsored projects.Volunteer Tulsa will present a number of President's Volunteer Service Awards throughout the week. Partner Organizations submitted their volunteers who served at least 100 hours during 2011. Volunteers receive a personalized, signed letter from President Barack Obama, a personalized certificate, and a lapel pin identifying them at the Bronze, Silver, or Gold levels.
On Saturday, April 21, Volunteer Tulsa will pay tribute to top volunteers during the fourth annual recognition and awards ceremony, A License to Change. The reception and program begin at 6 p.m. at Tulsa Community College's Center of Creativity, 910 South Boston Avenue. Ms. Laura Moss, Tulsa's Channel 8 Good Morning Oklahoma anchorwoman, is mistress of ceremonies.
Read more: media release and fact sheet.
Excellence in Volunteer Management Training
February 17, 2012 Volunteer Tulsa announces the 2012 schedule for the two-day Excellence in Volunteer Management Training Series (VMTS). Beginning with the February 23-24 session hosted at Nonprofit Resource Center/Neighbors Building Neighborhoods in Muskogee, VMTS will be offered across the state.One participant recently noted in a course evaluation, "Thank you for sharing fantastic knowledge and insight to help create an effective program."
Developed by Points of Light Foundation and refined/expanded by HandsOn Network and Volunteer Tulsa, VMTS features six courses that provide the framework, definitions, tools, and resources community-focused organizations can utilize in designing comprehensive volunteer programs.
Building Community underwriting provided by by Cherokee Nation, City of Muskogee Foundation, Sharna and Irvin Frank Foundation, The Mervin Bovaird Foundation, Herman Kaiser Foundation, and Lloyd K. and Peggy L. Stephens Foundation. Limited scholarships are available.
Plan your team's professional development. Download Registration Brochure. Questions? Contact Volunteer Tulsa, 918.447.1888.
NewsChannel 8 features Volunteerism
January 23, 2012 KTUL NewsChannel 8 invited Volunteer Tulsa to share with "Good Day Tulsa" viewers how to nominate a favorite, beloved volunteer as a Change Agent. Each nominee will be recognized during "A License to Change" on Saturday, April 21, 2012.January 2-6, 2012 Watch KTUL NewsChannel 8 to kick off the new year through service. Volunteer Tulsa starts the week on Good Day Tulsa which features incredible volunteers and the organizations' volunteer needs for G.I. Wishes/A Pet for a Vet Foundation, Child Abuse Network, Tulsa Area Community Schools Initiative (TACSI), and DaySpring Villa. Find Volunteer Opportunities--Give 365!