Become a Chapter Volunteer!
There are many meaningful ways for you to invest your time, creativity, and talents to help WPCNHF operate efficiently and meet our goals. Time spent as a volunteer is a valuable gift to the Chapter and is very much appreciated. Some of the many volunteer opportunities are described below.
Please take a minute to review our Volunteer Handbook. You will find detailed information about becoming a volunteer for the Chapter, various volunteer opportunities, and our polices and procedures. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact the Chapter office by phone (724-741-6160) or e-mail at info@wpcnhf.org.
Advocacy
Policymakers in Harrisburg, PA and Washington, DC need to hear from you in order to make educated and informed decisions on legislation impacting people with bleeding disorders. You can help by joining us on advocacy trips to Harrisburg and Washington, visiting your legislators in their local district offices, and writing letters and making phone calls. Visit our Advocacy page for tips on communicating with your legislators.
Child Care at Events
Help give parents and other caregivers the opportunity to learn more about bleeding disorders and the opportunity to spend time networking with other people affected with bleeding disorders, by volunteering your time to care for their kids at educational and networking events. This volunteer opportunity may require a criminal background check, child abuse background check and clearances.
Educational Events
Educational events require help from a variety of volunteers. Help is needed for set-up before events, at the registration table, managing the shift of members from one speaker to another during events, cleaning up afterwards, etc.
Fundraising Events
A variety of fundraisers are held throughout the year with the largest events being the Western Pennsylvania Unite for Bleeding Disorders Walk and Run For Their Lives 5K. Numerous volunteers are needed at these events. In addition, you may choose to host your own event and donate the proceeds to the Chapter. Some suggestions for individual fundraisers include: dinner parties, dances, garage sales, bake sales, poker runs, bike runs, car shows, catalog sales/parties, etc. The possibilities are endless!
General Office Tasks
The Chapter office is located in LaSalle Plaza in Cranberry Township, PA. (The office is located on the second floor, and there is no elevator.) Volunteer opportunities at the office include mailings, data entry, bag stuffing, gift/auction basket assembly, truck loading, and various tasks to help the staff prepare for events.
Planning Committees
Our larger fundraisers and programs would not be possible without the help of dedicated volunteers. Volunteers are needed to help plan, organize, and staff these events. The Chapter currently has planning committees for the Unite for Bleeding Disorders Walk, Education Weekend, and Take A Bough. Please contact us for more information about the Chapter’s planning committee needs.
Professional Services
Like any other business, the chapter finds itself in need of professional services from time to time. If you have skills or services (i.e., IT, Printing, Graphic Design, Photography, Entertainment, Daycare/Babysitting, etc.) that you would be willing to donate to the Chapter, please let us know.
WPCNHF Board of Directors
If you are interested in serving as a volunteer board member, please contact Executive Director, Kara Dornish, or any board member. Board positions open periodically and the members look for individuals who can bring the skills needed to ensure the members representing the board of directors have balanced and diverse areas of expertise.
Volunteer Hour Tracking
The Volunteer Service Hours Tracking Information sheet must be completed and returned to the Chapter every time you perform a volunteer activity. You can download additional copies of the form here: Volunteer Tracking Info Sheet
The WPCNHF Volunteer Binder will be at every program or event not located at the Chapter office and will contain additional tracking sheets. Volunteer time outside of a Chapter sponsored event or meeting, such as sending in-kind donation letters, selling raffle tickets, or researching an event venue, etc. can also be submitted to the Chapter and logged. You are not required to submit a tracking sheet with your volunteer hours; however, the Chapter encourages you to do so as we will be able to accurately present realistic statistics about our volunteer program and encourage others to support the bleeding disorders community of Western PA!