The database consists of: an online calendar of volunteer opportunities in the synagogue and in neighboring communities; an online directory of community organizations listing their ongoing volunteer needs and donation items they accept; and an online photo album of synagogue volunteers in action.
Community Contact Information:
Congregation M'kor Shalom
Cherry Hill, NJ
http://www.mkorshalom.org
Goals:
- To encourage congregants to get more involved by making volunteer opportunities easier to discover
- To assist congregants, synagogue groups and community members in getting invloved in community programs
- To create a network of volunteers designed to inspire all congregants
Preparation:
To create the database, M'kor Cares organizers contacted synagogue committee heads, clergy, staff, Education Directors, B'nai Mitzvah Coordinators, and other members of the synagogue who might know of social action opportunities. Organizers also researched local organizations that could be included in the online directory. A form was created for community organizations to apply to be included in the database and add their upcoming volunteer opportunities to the calendar.
To market the program, organizers reached out to county volunteer coordinators to explain how they can use the program and how to promote it to their constituents. Organizers also distributed fliers within the synagogue, published articles in the synagogue bulletin, and included reminders in the monthly newsletter and emails.
Project Implementation:
M'kor Cares debuted in Fall 2010. It is designed to grow throughout implementation, with the addition of more events, community organizations and photos each month -- and it has been growing as expected. A form is available for community organizations to apply to the database and add their upcoming volunteer events to the calendar.
Results:
Congregation M'kor Shalom has applied for a grant to expand marketing of the program through a congregational brunch and additional web pages. The synagogue would also like to add a phone hotline for those who don't have access to the Internet or do not usually go online.
