How can you celebrate National Volunteer Week? It's simple: Get involved. Share your story. Recognize and thank volunteers.

National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek ways to engage in their community. It’s about showing the nation that we meet our challenges not as isolated individuals but as members of a true community with all of us working together. During National Volunteer Week individuals and communities can be at the center of social change discovering their power to make a difference.

National Volunteer Week was created in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order to establish the week as an annual celebration of volunteering. And every year since that time, each U.S. President, along with many governors, mayors and other elected officials, has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week.

National Volunteer Week is our moment in time to not only recognize and celebrate our volunteers, but to enable a nation to share ideas, practices, and stories, wherever they happen, and shaping a movement to re-imagine the notion of citizenship for the 21st century.

Get Involved - 10 tips on Volunteering Wisely

1. Research the causes or issues important to you. Look for a group that works with issues about which you feel strongly. You might already be giving money to one of these organizations, and that might be a good place to begin your volunteer experience.

2. Consider the skills you have to offer. If you enjoy outdoor work, have a knack for teaching, or just enjoy interacting with people, you may want to look for volunteer work that would incorporate these aspects of your personality.

3. Would you like to learn something new? Consider seeking a volunteer opportunity where you'll learn something new. For example, volunteering to work on the newsletter for the local animal shelter will improve your writing and editing abilities - skills that may help you in your career.

4. Combine your goals. Look for volunteer opportunities that will also help you achieve your other goals for your life. For example, if you want to lose a few extra pounds, pick an active volunteer opportunity, such as cleaning a park or working with kids.

5. Don't over-commit your schedule. Make sure the volunteer hours you want to give fit into your hectic life, so that you don't frustrate your family, exhaust yourself, shortchange the organization you're trying to help or neglect your job.

6. Nonprofits may have questions, too. While most nonprofits are eager to find volunteer help, they have to be careful when accepting the services you offer. It is in the organization's interest and more beneficial to the people it serves to make certain you have the skills needed, that you are truly committed to doing the work, and that your interests match those of the nonprofit.

7. Consider volunteering as a family. When a family volunteers to work together at a nonprofit organization, the experience can bring them closer together, teach young children the value of giving their time and effort, introduce everyone in the family to skills and experiences never before encountered, and give the entire family a shared experience as a wonderful family memory.

8. Virtual volunteering? Yes, there is such a thing! If you have computer access and the necessary skills, some organizations now offer the opportunity to do volunteer work over the computer.

9. I never thought of that! Many community groups are looking for volunteers, and some may not have occurred to you. Most of us know that hospitals, libraries, and churches use volunteers for a great deal of their work, but here are some volunteer opportunities that may not have crossed your mind:

• Day care centers, Neighborhood Watch, Public Schools and Colleges
• Halfway houses, Community Theaters, Drug Rehabilitation Centers, Fraternal Organizations and Civic Clubs
• Retirement Centers and Homes for the Elderly, Meals on Wheels, Church or Community-Sponsored Soup Kitchens or Food Pantries
• Prisons, Neighborhood Parks, Youth Organizations, Sports Teams, and after-school programs Shelters for Battered Women and Children

10. Give voice to your heart through your giving and volunteering! Bring your heart and your sense of humor to your volunteer service, along with your enthusiastic spirit, which in itself is a priceless gift. What you'll get back will be immeasurable!

Visit United Way's Volunteer Solutions online to find a volunteer opportunity that is right for you. You can search for opportunities based on your interests, skills, and geographic location or simply by entering a keyword. You can also register on Volunteer Solutions to receive automatic emails that list volunteer opportunities that match your specific profile.

The best way to inspire people to volunteer is to share compelling stories of volunteers engaged in their communities, supporting their neighbors, and making a difference. United Way has provided several ways for you to share inspirational volunteer stories. We will share your stories on a regional scale during National Volunteer Week and in the following months. To get your stories heard, here are three options:

Option 1: Email your volunteer stories to Ursula Adams at ursula.adams@LiveUnitedSEM.org and we'll include them on the United Way blog at www.uwsem.org/bloguwsem. Make sure to include video and photos if you have them.

Option 2: Join United Way for Southeastern Michigan's National Volunteer Week 2008 Flickr group at www.flickr.com/groups/uwsem_nvw2008. As a member of our Flickr group you can upload your volunteer photos, discuss volunteer stories and meet other local volunteers. To learn more about Flickr and Flickr groups, visit www.flickr.com/about.

Option 3: Create a video about your volunteer opportunity and upload it to YouTube. Send the link to your YouTube video to Ursula Adams at ursula.adams@LiveUnitedSEM.org. We'll include your video on our YouTube volunteer play list at www.youtube.com/unitedwaysemich. 

Recognize and Thank Volunteers

It is important to take time to recognize those individuals and groups who give tirelessly of themselves to make our neighborhoods better places to live. To do this, United Way has launched a community-wide volunteer recognition program to awareness about the impact volunteers make in southeast Michigan. Nominations for six volunteer awards were submitted throughout the end of March and beginning of April in the form of video nominations.

Click here to learn more about the Volunteer Recognition Program.

Awards categories:

• Exemplary Group Service Award – Recognizes families, couples or groups who strive to improve their community by volunteering in one or more of United Way’s focus areas. A $500 donation will be made to a nonprofit of the winning group’s choice. Vote now for the Exemplary Group Service Award winner!
• Heart of Gold Award – This has become one of the most distinguished volunteer awards in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Winners are a select group of individuals who demonstrate exceptional effort, enthusiasm, and immeasurable commitment to volunteerism in one or more of United Way’s focus areas. Awardees receive a 14 karat gold heart in tribute to their dedication. Two individuals will be recognized with the Heart of Gold award this year. Vote now for the Heart of Gold Award winner!
• Outstanding Youth Award – Recognizes a youth aged 12-18 who demonstrates exceptional volunteerism in one or more of United Way’s focus areas. In honor of the award, a $250 donation will be made to a nonprofit of the winner’s choice. Vote now for the Outstanding Youth Award winner!
• Outstanding Business Award – Open to small, medium or large businesses. Those recognized by this award excel in and are committed to community involvement through volunteering in one or more of United Way’s focus areas. Please note: nonprofits may nominate themselves for this award if their employees conduct service at another organization. A $1,000 donation will be made to a nonprofit of the honoree’s choice. Vote now for the Outstanding Business Award winner!

Nominees

• Sue Allison
• Zachary Bankhead
• Chrysler's Women's Forum
• Detroit Chassis
• The Duffield Crew
• The Duffle Bags
• Kim Geralds
• Terry Grahl
• Terry Harden
• Adam Harris
• Theresa Hawley Pace
• Leticia Horry
• Junior League of Birmingham Chorus
• Linda Juracek-Lipa
• Lauren King
• Annena McCleskey
• Masco Corporation
• Kevin Meade
• Panera Bread
• Margaret Prizer
• Brenda Puckett
• University of Michigan-Dearborn Campus Video Network
• University of Michigan-Dearborn SWOT
• UPS
• WSU School of Medicine
• Robert "Bob" York