Volunteer
Dedicated Self-Help leader, Leslie Sorbello, is highlighted in the current
Arthritis Today magazine.
April * * * National Volunteer Month
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines “volunteer” as:
Scott Michaels, Jr. became involved with the Arthritis Foundation because he, like many others that volunteer with the chapter, has arthritis. He has been on the Arthritis Foundation Board since 2002 and currently serves as Board Chair. As Chair, Michaels is involved in many of the operational and strategic matters impacting the Northeastern Ohio Chapter, along with overseeing the activities of the Board and its committees. Michaels feels that serving on the Board is a great opportunity to contribute to the Arthritis Foundation and the good of the comunity. The mission of the Foundation not only directly improves the lives of people with arthritis, but extends its reach to caregivers, friends and family, he said. Michaels is also involved in many chapter events, including the Cleveland Arthritis Walk, Cleveland Magazine’s Silver Spoon Awards Party, and the annual Community Leaders of the Year Award dinner.
Heartfelt thanks to all our many volunteers who help our chapter daily to improve the lives of thousands of people throughout Northeastern Ohio. We value you.
Arthritis Foundation Vision and Position on Volunteering
The Arthritis Foundation is the only national voluntary health organization helping the nearly 46 million doctor-diagnosed Americans with arthritis take greater control of their disease through a variety of actions. We must ensure that the millions of Americans who already have arthritis, and the millions more soon to be confronted with the pain and limitations of the disease, are able to maintain an active lifestyle and participate fully in work, family, recreation, and society.
A vital part of our mission begins with you. The Arthritis Foundation is about people � people who need our programs, services, support, and education and people who commit their time and resources to the accomplishment of our mission. Volunteers at the Arthritis Foundation have always been the driving force behind the Foundation, contributing valuable resources (time, knowledge, skills, and leadership) to serve in a variety of ways.
Our Vision
The Arthritis Foundation values the commitment of our volunteers. We envision an organization in which volunteers can use their expertise and experience in business, leadership, marketing, health care, public relations, technology, fund raising, and government affairs to make a difference. We will change lives in many ways because of YOU, our volunteers, who provide assistance in our chapter offices, participate in programs and special events, and raise funds to support research. We embrace, value, and recognize every contribution made toward accomplishing our mission � to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control, and cure of arthritis and related diseases.
Become an invaluable volunteer in your area.
We Need You
Carrying out the Arthritis Foundation mission requires the efforts of hundreds of volunteers chapterwide. Whatever your time and talents, we could use your assistance. As a volunteer with the Northeastern Ohio Chapter, you will meet new friends, gain valuable experiences and know that you are helping people who face the daily challenges of arthritis.
Our chapter has a variety of volunteer opportunities. Here are a few ways that people like you are helping:
- Community Education and Support - teaching exercise programs, providing telephone support and information to someone with arthritis, staffing booths at health fairs, and representing the Arthritis Foundation as a member of our Speakers' Bureau
- Advocacy - becoming a member of a local Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, making calls and visits to legislators and other elected officials, coordinating advocacy campaigns to protect the rights and health of people affected by Arthritis
- Awareness - encouraging news coverage, discouraging myths about arthritis, helping to promote and market the Arthritis Foundation's programs, services and fund raising activities
- Fund Raising - working with committees to plan and implement events such as the Silver Spoon Awards Party and the Arthritis Walk, becoming part of Major Gift Initiatives, contacting corporate sponsors and other organizations that can help
- Health Professional Services - explaining to the community important breakthroughs in arthritis research, providing arthritis education to health professionals and the general community
- Administrative Support - assisting staff and volunteers by performing clerical work, data entry, and a variety of tasks in the chapter office
New Volunteer Opportunities
Health Fair Volunteers - Akron & Surrounding Areas - Lorain & Surrounding Areas - Cleveland West Side
There are a variety of ways in which you can serve the Arthritis Foundation as a volunteer. One way includes being a Health Fair Assistant. Attend health fairs in the local community, and represent the Arthritis Foundation, Northeastern Ohio Chapter. A short, one-hour training will be provided. For more information, please contact us, at 216.831.7000, ext. 114, or e-mail info.neoh@arthritis.org.
Please call or e-mail for future volunteer opportunities.
Arthritis Foundation Office Volunteer benefits include comfortable working conditions in bright, air-conditioned office, ample free parking, volunteer recognition. Orientation and training provided.
Please indicate your interest in volunteering by contacting 216.831.7000, ext. 114, or e-mailing info.neoh@arthritis.org.
To submit a Volunteer Profile and Survey, follow these easy steps below:
1. Fill out the forms
2. Rename & Save them as a Word Document
3. E-mail the newly named forms to info.neoh@arthritis.org.
Posted 3/17/08
Quotes from National Volunteer Month!
Volunteering is special to me because . . .
"I really feel that I can help others who are in need!!" Muriel N.
"Whatever I do, I feel I'm contributing something!" Dorothy W.
"My time at the AF makes me feel 'so energized' and grateful for the opportunity to put my skills to work, while helping make a worthwhile contribution. I always look forward to the next time!" Louise A.
