We’re in Year 3 of Collective Impact Lincoln, our intensive partnership with Nebraska Appleseed and the South of Downtown Community Development Organization to lift up the Star City’s core neighborhoods. In that time, we’ve been fortunate to have met and worked alongside many Lincolnites who care deeply about the future of their neighborhood and their community. A highlight was in May, when we successfully supported a new humane housing ordinance that benefits residents in high-rental neighborhoods.
Often, we are asked by Lincolnites if there might be anything that they can do to help these specific democracy-building efforts in the capital’s core. Our answer is an unequivocal YES! – we have any number of volunteer opportunities available for those who love their community and want to lend a hand to Collective Impact Lincoln.
In fact, here are three volunteer opportunities. If any – or all! – of these interest you, let José Lemus know.
Collective Impact Lincoln Canvasser
Location: The Hartley and University Place Neighborhoods of Lincoln
Purpose: The Collective Impact Lincoln Canvasser serves as the neighborhood liaison between residents and Lincoln’s nonprofit and governmental agencies. Each conversation that canvassers have with residents supports Collective Impact Lincoln’s mission of engaging neighborhood residents around the issues that matter. Canvassers are the Collective Impact Lincoln representatives for neighborhood residents during each weekly walk.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Accompany Collective Impact Lincoln staff on weekly canvassing session.
- Engage neighborhood residents on issues that matter to them.
- Administer Collective Impact Lincoln resident survey during canvassing.
- Record daily survey results into the Voter Activation Network (VAN) website.
Qualifications
- Must be able to be mobile for a period of two hours.
- Basic knowledge of tables and data entry.
- Willingness to meet people and listen to new perspectives.
- Pleasant demeanor, patience, problem-solving ability, dependability.
Time Commitment: One day per week (M, W, or S) for two hours (subject to availability).
Support: Training for this position will be provided. The canvassing coordinator will also be available for questions and assistance. Canvassers will always be accompanied by a Collective Impact Lincoln staff member or a trained volunteer.
Dress Code: Casual and comfortable.
Collective Impact Lincoln Table Host
Location: The Hartley, University Place, and Downtown neighborhoods
Purpose of the Position: Table hosts are the Collective Impact Lincoln representatives at community events. Volunteers implement a kid-friendly activity with the intent of sparking conversations with families around local issues that matter. Successful tabling activities demystify topics like voting rights, affordable housing, and immigration to initiate a conversation with Lincolnites about how those topics impact their daily lives.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Run kid-friendly activities that stimulate civic conversations between event attendees.
- Administer Collective Impact Lincoln survey with event attendees.
- Promote potential volunteer opportunities for engaging attendees.
Qualifications
- Must be able to be mobile for a period of two hours.
- Willingness to meet people and listen to new perspectives.
- Pleasant manner, patience, problem-solving ability, dependability.
Time Commitment: 1-2 hour events on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.
Support: Training for this position will be provided. The volunteer coordinator will also be available for questions and assistance. Volunteers will always be accompanied by a Collective Impact Lincoln staff member or a trained volunteer.
Dress Code: Casual
Collective Impact Lincoln Neighborhood Gathering Host
Location: Hartley and University Place neighborhoods
Purpose of the Position: Neighborhood Gathering Hosts work with Collective Impact Lincoln staff to organize civically-minded events like potlucks and block parties that bring their neighbors together. Neighborhood gatherings make it easier for neighbors to get to know each other, talk about the neighborhood or the city, and decide as a group if there is something that they can do together to help build community in Lincoln.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Work with Collective Impact Lincoln staff and neighbors to plan neighborhood activities that stimulate civic conversations between event attendees.
- Guide group conversation around neighborhood issues and neighbor strengths.
- Promote potential volunteer opportunities for engaging attendees.
Qualifications
- Must be able to be mobile for a period of two hours.
- Willingness to meet people and listen to new perspectives.
- Pleasant manner, patience, problem-solving ability, dependability.
Time Commitment: 1-2 hour events every 6 months.
Support: Training for this position will be provided. The volunteer coordinator will also be available for questions and assistance. Volunteers will always be accompanied by a CIL staff member or a trained volunteer.
Dress Code: Casual
The civic well-being of neighborhoods, communities, states, and our nation holds the key to the future of our democracy. Being involved in our neighborhoods and communities is a big indicator of a city’s overall civic health – in other words, how a community is organized to define and address public problems. Communities with strong indicators of civic health have higher employment rates, stronger schools, better physical health, and more responsive governments. That’s why Collective Impact Lincoln does what it does – and we’d love to have you join the effort!
