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Submitted by the Institute for Learning in Retirement at Nova
Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL
The concept of ILR CEO or Civic Engagement Opportunity Day was to provide
the ILR membership with an awareness of volunteer opportunities within
Broward County that meet their personal needs and desires. Further,
the CEO Day was an opportunity for non-profit organizations to reach
out to prospective volunteers. While this concept has been operative
for two + years on a limited basis, this is the first time that this
ILR event brought together several organizations. These organizations
have demonstrated their good works in the community, and at least one
ILR member has provided strong anecdotal experience for the value of
the program activity to both the organization and to the ILR member.
For this spring semester, CEO Day was scheduled for the morning class,
from 10:00 to 11:30am April 18th, 2006 in the ILR classroom Room 119
UPP North Building. While this event has been designed for the ILR membership,
the general public was welcome to learn more about these volunteer opportunities
and the details of the entire lifelong learning activities offered for
ILR members.
The first speaker was Ena Rottblatt, Mentor Coordinator of the organization
Take Stock in Children. This organization is a state-wide non-profit
program that targets deserving low-income students in a partnership
of parents, students and mentors. The program has an over 90% success
rate in keeping Florida students in the program.
The second speaker was Arlene Lewis, RN, Certified Long-Term Care Ombudsman,
representing the Broward County Council Department of Elder Affairs.
The mission of the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is to protect
the health, safety, welfare, human and civil rights of long-term care
facility residents. This is achieved by investigating and resolving
complaints; promoting the enforcement of laws and regulations; and,
advising and recommending policy to state and federal governments on
long-term care issues.
The third speaker was Ed Gray, Director, RSVP and BEACON Programs for
Senior Volunteer Services here in Broward County; RSVP is the Retired
Senior Volunteers Program and BEACON is the Broward Executives Consulting
Program. The Mission of Senior Volunteer Services is “to engage
older adults in volunteer services to meet critical community needs
and enrich the lives of the volunteers. (This is accomplished) by tutoring
and mentoring children; by providing support and companionship to frail
elderly and adults with disabilities; and, by placing volunteers with
non-profit organizations where their skills and experience enhance the
capacity of services to our community….”
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October 11, 2008
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