Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center - Volunteerism

Volunteerism

Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center currently engages about 85 volunteers as board members, an annual benefit committee, office support, and program volunteers. In addition, the Center is in the process of forming a New Partners of Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center volunteer group to engage new support for the Centers projects from individuals in their 20s and 30s.

Cleveland Hearing & Speech Centers Board of Directors is composed of 33 individuals representing various professions and industries throughout Greater Cleveland. In addition to serving on the main board, directors also serve on various committees, which advise the Centers management on subjects related to the life of the Center. These committees include Finance, Technology, Deaf Advocacy, Medical Advisory, Facilities, Marketing, Resource and Board Development, Human Resources, Governmental Affairs, and Strategic Planning. Board members regularly serve as advocates for the Center and are instrumental in communicating the Centers needs to the legislature with letter writing campaigns and phone calls.

Approximately 30 volunteers serve on the annual benefit committee. These individuals volunteer from October until May. Their service includes securing event sponsorships, procuring live and silent auction items, coordinating logistics, theme, and decorations for the event, and encouraging community attendance. Their efforts yield approximately $115,000 for the Centers operations and programs.

There are five regular volunteers who support the administrative staff at Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center. Volunteers have been engaged through R.S.V.P. (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Greater Cleveland) and students from Case Western Reserve University. They assist in the Centers Intake Department, Billing Department, and Development Office.

Approximately fifteen volunteers assist with programs and advocacy. Parents of some of the Centers clients serve as mentors to new families who are just beginning to work with the Centers clinicians and programs to address their childs communication challenges. Other volunteers are available to speak to groups about their personal experience with the Centers programs and services. Others participate in letter writing campaigns to the legislature regarding funding of the Centers programs.

The New Partners of Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center will educate young professionals about deafness, hearing, speech, and literacy issues so they may effectively communicate the mission of the Center to others. The new group will provide meaningful volunteer opportunities to its members such as direct service to clients and fundraising projects as well as to give members a chance to develop leadership skills.