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Every act of love and generosity, however small it may seem, is significant. Every time you reach out to a neighbor in need you touch a life, you improve your community, and you strengthen our nation.
“ President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, thanking Military and Volunteers in Radio Address to the Nation, 1943. |
- Army Volunteer Corps (AVC) Program
- The AVC program embraces existing volunteer programs, unites all volunteers who support Soldiers and families, including the Active Force, National Guard and Army Reserve, and formalizes the Army's commitment to volunteerism. Volunteers contribute a broad range of services that enhance and expand the capabilities of Army programs and services. Working as teams, paid and volunteer staff provide real-life solutions for successful military living.
- Volunteering allows you to explore new career fields or update your existing skills and accumulate work experience. It's also a wonderful opportunity to meet others who are active participants in the community. The AVC Program promotes quality volunteer work experiences and environments which recognize the valuable contributions volunteers make to the Fort Leonard Wood community.
- Army Volunteer Corps Mission and Vision Statements
- Mission: Promote and strengthen volunteerism by uniting community volunteer efforts,
- supporting professional management, enhancing volunteer career mobility, and establishing
- volunteer partnerships to support individual personal growth and life-long volunteer
- commitment.
- Vision: A trained and resourced professional volunteer force supported by Army leadership
- and prepared to contribute to Army readiness and well-being.
- Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator (AVCC)
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As a liaison and resource for installation and private volunteer organizations, the Fort Leonard Wood Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator (AVCC) recruits, interviews and refers individuals for placement in volunteer jobs that meet both the individual's and the organization's needs. The AVCC also provides resources and technically sophisticated training to agencies to assess, develop and strengthen their volunteer programs.
- Army Volunteer Corps Advisory Council (AVCAC)
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Chaired by the Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator (AVCC), the AVCAC is comprised of organizational points of contact (OPOCs) “ representatives from installation agencies and private organizations who utilize volunteers. The Council meets monthly to network, plan events, and receive training on a variety of topics related to volunteerism and volunteer management. Meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month from 0900-1000 at the Stonegate Community Center, unless otherwise publicized.
- I'm interested in volunteering, how do I start?
- Anyone wishing to provide voluntary service to organizations on Fort Leonard Wood should complete the Volunteer Service Record Form DA 4162 with the Army Volunteer Corps Program. This information is used by the Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator (AVCC) to track volunteer placement, hours, training, and awards.
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The AVCC will be happy to discuss volunteer benefit and opportunities with you, suggest possible placements, and assist you in making contacts with organizations on and off the installation. Please contact the AVCC at 596-4339 to set up an appointment at your convenience.
- Prior to starting a volunteer assignment with an installation organization/agency, volunteers must also complete and sign the Volunteer Agreement Form DD 2793. This enables you to receive certain protections and benefits equivalent to that of a federal employee. Depending on the volunteer assignment and nature of responsibilities, you may be asked to supply copies of professional certification/training and submit additional information for a background check. Youth volunteers must submit a signed Parental Permission Form DD 5671 prior to starting their volunteer assignment.
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- Paid Childcare for Registered Volunteers
- Several agencies and private organizations reimburse childcare expenses for their volunteers.
- What installation organizations and programs use volunteers?
- Volunteers can be found working for a wide variety of organizations on Fort Leonard Wood. This list includes, but is not limited to:
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- General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital
- John B. Mahaffey Museum Complex
- Staff Judge Advocate
- Tax Center (seasonal)
- Family Readiness Groups
- Child and Youth Services programs
- Clarke Community Library
- Chapel and religious programs
- MWR special events
- Davidson Fitness Center
- Piney Hills Golf Course
- Veterinary Clinic
- Guidon
- Public Affairs Office
- American Eagle Housing
- American Red Cross
- Armed Services YMCA
- Army Community Service
- CARE Team
- Alcohol & Drug Control Office
- Museum gift shops
- Thrift Shop
- FLW Spouses’ Club
- BOSS program
- Schools
- Scouts
- USO
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- What volunteer positions are available?
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- Every effort is made to match potential volunteers with a job or project that is rewarding and meets the needs of the organization. Prior to starting an assignment, volunteers should receive a job description from the organization which details the responsibilities and requirements of the position, and who supervises them. Volunteer positions include, but are not limited to:
- Receptionist
- Tax Preparer
- Secretary
- Administrative Assistant
- Sports Coach
- Library Assistant
- Research Assistant
- Trainer/Instructor
- Scout Leader
- Data Entry
- Ticket Seller
- Concert security
- Religious Teacher/Aide
- Mentor
- Board member
- School crossing guard
- Sales
- Reporter
- Outreach
- Special event staff
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- What volunteer opportunities are there for youth?
- Volunteering is an excellent way to gain work skills or explore possible career/study fields. These experiences can be a valuable addition to a resume or college application.
- Volunteers under the age of 18 can be found working for a wide variety of organizations on Fort Leonard Wood. This list includes, but is not limited to:
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- General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital
- John B. Mahaffey Museum Complex
- Family Readiness Groups
- Child and Youth Services programs
- Clarke Community Library
- Chapel and religious programs
- MWR special events
- Piney Hills Golf Course
- Veterinary Clinic
- American Eagle Housing
- American Red Cross
- Armed Services YMCA
- Army Community Service
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- Prior to starting a volunteer assignment with an installation organization/agency, a volunteer must complete and sign the Volunteer Agreement Form DD 2793. This enables you to receive certain protections and benefits equivalent to that of a federal employee. Volunteers under the age of 18 must also submit a signed Parental Permission Form DD 5671 prior to starting their volunteer assignment.
- I'd like to volunteer for an organization off-post “ who do I contact?
- Many local non-profit agencies have active volunteer programs or need volunteers for special projects. Please contact the Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator (AVCC) at (573) 596-0212 Ext 64339 for more information and a current list of off-post volunteer opportunities.
- How are volunteers recognized for their contributions?
- Volunteer recognition is a key component of the Army Volunteer Corps Program. Volunteering at Fort Leonard Wood is a winning experience for everyone, and the installation celebrates the outstanding contributions of its volunteers at the annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony.
- The Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and individual branches of the Army also offer special awards honoring the service of volunteers. See your commander or first sergeant for submission criteria and processing information. Battalion and company-level organizations are encouraged to award unit-specific citations to honor volunteers, particularly the unique contributions of Family Readiness Group (FRG) volunteers.
- What kind of training is available for volunteers?
- Volunteers should receive appropriate training and orientation for their specific volunteer positions from staff within the organization. In addition, volunteers are always welcome to attend the training seminars held in conjunction with the Army Volunteer Corps Advisory Council (AVCAC) on the first Wednesday of each month at the Army Community Service, Bldg 486 from 0900-1000. Topics may include:
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- Marketing Your Volunteer Experience
- Welcoming Diversity in Volunteer Programs
- How to Handle Challenging Volunteers
- Volunteer Orientation
- Risk Management
- Writing Job Descriptions
- Volunteer Recruitment and Retention
- Youth Volunteers
- Basic Volunteer Management
- Measuring the Impact of Volunteers
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- Workshops can also be provided for specific groups of volunteers or organizations. Suggestions for topics are always welcome or materials can be tailored to fit your needs.
- The Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator has a variety of free resource materials such as books, discussion guides, articles, and self-paced instructional materials on topics related to volunteerism. Any of these may be checked out by volunteers or organizations for their own use.
- Community Service Projects
- Class representatives should contact the Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator at (573) 596-0212 Ext 64339 for a current list of organizations that may have service project opportunities.
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- Seasons of Service
- Seasons of Service, sponsored and promoted by the Points of Light Foundation, is a portfolio of national opportunities for people to volunteer for service projects and activities throughout the year. More than 20 million people volunteer each year to be part of the Seasons of Service - a year-round action plan to illustrate how a single day of service can grow into an ongoing habit of helping communities.
- Each day of service is sponsored by a national organization and focuses on a theme that targets a specific group. Through Seasons of Service the Army Volunteer Corps can promote volunteerism and provide opportunities for project-oriented problem solving, planning, teaching, researching, networking, and increasing community awareness.
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