Dixie Serves presents UNA Southern Utah April Training Workshop, “Get Connected”
New multifaceted online community volunteer software platform provided in partnership with United Way Dixie and Dixie State University
By Dawn McLain
On April 5 from 8 a.m. to noon, the Utah Nonprofits Association will present a free training workshop for nonprofit organizations entitled “Dixie Serves: Get Connected!” The session is part of UNA’s ongoing professional development program that provides comprehensive training to nonprofit organizations, their boards, volunteers, and key stakeholders in order to enhance and support success, impact and sustainability for the vital work, and programs and services they provide our communities. The event will take place at the DXATC Professional Building, located at 610 S. Tech Ridge Dr. Room. A-223 in St. George. Check in and breakfast are at 7:45 a.m.
The workshop, led by Indigo Klabanoff, community outreach coordinator at United Way Dixie, and Karyn Wright, DSU community engagement specialist, will focus on the use, sign-up, and benefits of Dixie Serves. The new innovative web-based portal the two collaborative partners are bringing to southern Utah will be available to all local nonprofits and community members at no cost. The goal of the program is to bring nonprofit organizations and community volunteers together in one efficient, easy-to-use platform.
Dixie serves will provide a much-needed solution to our community: connectivity between nonprofits in need of volunteers and volunteers looking for opportunities to give back.
“As volunteer managers, common things we hear when talking to potential volunteers are ‘I didn’t know about this event,’ ‘I didn’t know about that charity,’ or ‘I’ve always wanted to volunteer, but don’t know where!’” said Klabanoff. “Many southern Utahans don’t know who to reach out to to find opportunities.” As many short-handed organizations can attest to, nonprofits truly need these volunteers and can’t afford to let anyone slip through the cracks.
In order to achieve greater impact and sustainability, nonprofits will need to invest in more efficient and effective ways to leverage our local volunteer base. Utah has led the nation in volunteerism for 11 years. With 43.2 percent of our population volunteering an average of 75.6 hours each last year, our state boasted nearly 171 million volunteer hours. That translates into almost $4 billion in economic contribution. Though that is phenomenal, we know there is room for growth. Maximizing the potential to capture every southern Utah volunteer possible and match them to a project they are passionate about could yield substantial results locally. I am very excited to see the role that Dixie Serves will play in this area as the program gains momentum.
Wright explained that assuming people can simply search online for charities or volunteering and find the perfect opportunity just isn’t as accurate as one may think.
“When searching ‘volunteering in Saint George’ on Google, lots of things pop up,” Wright said. “Unfortunately, a lot of the information is outdated or about opportunities that have already happened. Sadly, some of the nonprofits listed have even disbanded. That can really turn people off. With Dixie Serves, we will feature current, upcoming, and ongoing opportunities that volunteers can RSVP to in the click of a button.”
Nonprofit organizations and professionals as well as volunteers are encouraged to participate in this training session. Organizations that bring laptops will be able to sign up and begin working within the program that same day.
Register online at utahnonprofits.org. Please be sure to bring your laptop. Our presenters will assist with sign up on site.
