Happy Spring, everyone,
The Pilot Program is over and MY Neighbors has opened our “virtual doors” to the public! As of this writing we have filled 79 Service Requests for 33 Members, approximately half for transportation. Since we are currently limited in our capacity for new Member Intake, the Board is opting for a “soft opening.” We will continue to allow the Membership to grow organically as we expand our number of Intake Volunteers. As our capacity for Member Intake grows we will become more assertive about marketing MY Neighbors to the public.
Following are a few essentials regarding Membership:
- Anyone who has been a Member during the Pilot Program is eligible to join immediately. All you need to do is pay the annual Membership fee, preferably this month.
- The annual fee is $100 for an individual and $150 for a household membership. (The fee for household Membership is less per person since households tend to request fewer services.) Most of the funds pay for our insurance, web site and transportation reimbursement. As an all-Volunteer organization we have no paid staff and almost no office expenses other than printing.
- The membership fee is not intended to be an obstacle to joining. We have scholarship funds available. If you need financial assistance please contact our Treasurer Carol Sasek at cksasek@gmail.com
- You may pay in two ways:
- Mail a check made out to “MY Neighbors” to our address, PO Box 686, Burnsville, NC 28714.
ii. If you wish to pay by credit card you will first need to log in to our web site with your user name and password. Give me a call at 828 675 9790 and I can assist you with the payment process.
- Our current focus is on providing services within Yancey County, with a long-range goal of expanding into Mitchell.
Of course, everyone is welcome to join whether you have been part of the Pilot Program or not. However, new Members need to fill out a Membership application with a Member Intake Volunteer. If you are interested in doing so contact Karin Rolett of the Membership Committee at karin.rolett@gmail.com
If you want to support MY Neighbors but don’t think you are in need of services, you can always make a donation or become a Volunteer. However, I’m happy to report that our low-budget operation is in strong shape financially. (When do you ever hear a nonprofit organization say that??!!)
Volunteer Update: There will be a new Volunteer Orientation from 5:30-7:30 pm on Wednesday May 31 at my home at 640 Ivy Thicket Circle. Nine people have already expressed interest in attending. If you would like to join us please send an email to myneighborsmail@gmail.com and we will be in touch. Most Volunteers provide services once or twice a month at a time that is convenient for them.
With eleven Call Managers, we are almost fully staffed but Sarah House is taking a leave of absence when summer vacation begins for her children. We could use one or two more. The obligation is four hours per week using our Google Voice phone and your computer to log incoming Service Requests. Call Managers are receiving an average of 1-2 calls per shift so it’s not overwhelming. This is a way you can make an important contribution to MY Neighbors without ever leaving home. (And if you have a cell phone and laptop, you can leave home!)
We are still looking for help coordinating social events. We have ideas, just need an organizer or two. If interested please let us know.
Thank you for your continued support of MY Neighbors.
Chip Poston
Board Chair