Ready2ServeOmaha

In the age of social media, the new Web site Ready2ServeOmaha.org is making it just as easy to find a volunteer leadership opportunity as it is to locate your high school classmates.

Individuals register and fill out a volunteer profile, and nonprofit organizations post openings for leadership positions, such as positions on committees, councils, advisory boards and board of directors. Once registered, these agencies can search for potential candidates for openings, and individuals can browse through volunteer opportunities.

Michael Robinson, director of development for Family Housing Advisory Services, was looking for development committee members when he found candidates through Ready 2 Serve.

“We were able to target the experience we were looking for in a volunteer,” he said, noting that the site allows agencies to learn about individuals through their profiles. Two names met Robinson’s criteria for experience in event planning, development and marketing. One was Kenley Wilson, who was new in Omaha and seeking ways to become engaged in the community.

“We are just starting to get involved with special events, and we were looking to bring someone new to the table and to focus on more outside-the-box thinking,” Robinson said. Wilson fits the bill, bringing a wealth of experience from working on Broadway plays and special events in New York. Terry Atkinson, who works in Marketing and Sales for Union Pacific Railroad, also brings strong credentials to the table. Both have joined Family Housing Advisory Services’ development committee.

Ready 2 Serve Omaha went live in the fall of 2008, and since then it’s seen a steady increase in the number of registered users.

“Ready 2 Serve levels the playing field, providing opportunities to individuals of all backgrounds and experience levels to serve, while ensuring that our community’s nonprofits have access to new talent to help them grow,” said Kristin Case-Penrod, director of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Council (YPC). Ready 2 Serve Omaha is a program of the YPC in partnership with the Women’s Fund of Greater Omaha.

As of mid-March, 101 agencies and 344 individuals had registered. Using the site is easy, Case-Penrod said. “You just create your profile, and once it’s approved, you can begin searching.”

Robinson, who is a member of the YPC board and has worked in the nonprofit area for eight years, said Ready 2 Serve is a great tool for nonprofits. “This is the best resource for nonprofit professionals, and there is no fee involved,” he said. It will only get better as more organizations and individuals tap into it.

Often, young professionals, women and minorities lack a pathway to become involved with nonprofit organizations. Creation of the Ready 2 Serve Web site helps meet a need Women’s Fund research identified – the lack of leadership opportunities for women. Serving on boards and councils is a great way to develop leadership skills, and the registry ensures more individuals have access to this opportunity.

Ready 2 Serve also is a resource for information and Web links that are beneficial to individuals.

Omaha has hundreds of nonprofit organizations that need help. If you’re looking for a way to get involved with leadership positions, register at www.ready2serveomaha.org. Organizations also are encouraged to register their organizations and post volunteer leadership opportunities.