Trident United Way
Project Assessment Team 2010
History
For the 2006 Day of Caring, Trident United Way (TUW) staff and then Day of Caring Chair Lonnie Carter created a team of volunteers to support the volunteer agencies and schools in identifying, creating and planning projects for Day of Caring (D of C). Called the Project Assessment Team (PAT), 12 volunteers lent their time and talent to participating agencies and schools. Feedback indicated that this was a valuable and much needed resource.
PAT has continued through 2009. During the October 2008 debrief, a group of PAT volunteers stepped up to create the Planning Team to review and revise the format and structure of the PAT and to look at better defining roles and expanding responsibilities. The goal is to increase the capacity of D of C staff and to continue to provide project planning support for the volunteer agencies and schools. The year round impact is that agencies and schools will continue to improve their management of a most valuable resource – volunteers.
Part of the restructuring involves breaking down PAT responsibilities into teams:
Planning
Outreach
Specialists
Material
Planning Team – pulled from seasoned PAT members, the Planning Team reviews the structure and processes each year to determine the best plan for growth and restructure (if needed); reviews and revises materials; develops project planning checklists for volunteer agencies/schools; and is developing a plan for PAT recruitment and sustainability.
Outreach Specialists
Develop one-on-one relationships with 8-12 volunteer agencies and schools – previous participants and new organizations
o Introduce role of PAT
o Provide support throughout D of C project planning, posting and implementation
o Participate in debrief after D of C
o Follow-up with assigned volunteer agencies and schools to look at sustainability of projects and planning for the future
Coordinate project assessments, calling on PAT Specialists when needed
Good fit for planners or engineers
Time commitment – average 3-4 hours/month, with concentration May-September; orientation in March.
Project Specialists
For specific types of projects, e.g., construction, landscaping, etc., specialists will be called upon either to
o Provide consultation to Outreach Team member or
o Visit a agency/school to assess a proposed project, then report findings to and set up follow-up with the assigned Outreach Team member
Good fit for people with specific skills and expertise related to construction, landscaping, general repair, etc.
Time commitment – Specialists are called on as needed. Time commitment can be determined by the individual.
Materials Team – to assess feasibility of collecting, storing and providing supplies for D of C projects. [Under development]
A Good Opportunity
PAT volunteers are not only impacting their community in a positive way. Being part of this team allows individuals to learn or strengthen their project planning, leadership and communication skills; to increase their awareness of community needs and the organizations addressing those needs; and to illustrate the commitment of their companies to making a difference.
For more information, contact Steve Mauldin at communityoutreach@pmi-charleston.org; or you can contact Sally Burnett directly at 843.566.7185 or 211volunteer@tuw.org.