
Volunteers; Worth Their Weight in Gold
Volunteers are golden - they are quite simply, priceless. They are the ones who coordinate the gatherings of families and Soldiers, extend care to others in the unit, and make every one feel welcome and a part of the unit. When volunteers are involved in making the unit more cohesive, they add a special touch to the command.
Right now we have numerous volunteers -spouses, Soldiers and teens - who give generously of their time at every level in the unit and command, in family programs and in the community, working in a myriad of charitable organizations to include, schools, churches, the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity.
I want to thank all our volunteers for the outstanding work you do, for showing that you care and for giving of yourself to others. It makes a difference, and you make the unit a better place with your time and efforts.
I also want to encourage others who’ve not been able to fit volunteer work into their busy schedules to make a special effort to do so, to volunteer in whatever capacity you can and give whatever time you can.
Volunteering in the unit is a way to meet other people that are in the recruiting world with you and your spouse. It can be very rewarding to share with your fellow spouses and to learn from each other. It is also a great way to integrate into the community in which you are living, making you more connected and informed.
Volunteering can also help adults and teens gain valuable marketable skills and experience that can be used on a job application that can aid in finding employment. High school juniors and seniors can add such experience to their college applications.
When an SFA or commander needs help, volunteers can be the ready resource to help. Volunteers come from all different walks of life and can add a wealth of knowledge and skills which impact the quality of life for all Soldiers and family members.
The battalion SFAs act as the USAREC Army volunteer corps coordinators (AVCC) and are the centralized location for all information regarding the non-paid family program volunteer professionals. Through the Army volunteer information management system (VMIS), volunteer hours are tracked to ensure work experience is being credited for future paid positions.
USAREC SFAs offers several opportunities to volunteer in one of the SFA program areas to include, the Army Family Action Plan and Army Family Team Building. Family volunteers can also volunteer for their command’s Family Readiness Group’s (FRG) vacant positions.
Installation Management Command (IMCOM) provides USAREC with self sufficiency non appropriated funds to reimburse a portion of the SFA family program volunteer’s incidental cost, such as child care and mileage for their POV. The commanders can also reimburse a portion of their Family Readiness Group volunteer’s incidental costs using their budgeted mission funds. This ensures the volunteers do not spend their own money in the course of providing volunteer services, which is critical due to the USAREC geo-dispersed population.
Volunteers are recognized for their valuable service throughout the year with ceremonies, certificates, luncheons, receptions, and special achievement awards. The AVCC office is the proponent for all volunteer awards within the unit.
Volunteers with at least 250 hours of service are recognized with the USAREC Silver Volunteer Award and volunteers with at least 500 hours or more of service are given the USAREC Gold Volunteer Award. Volunteers are nominated for these awards by their commands through the battalion SFA.
Please contact your battalion SFA for more information on volunteering as a family program volunteer or commander’s FRG volunteer.
Soldiers providing volunteer service have the opportunity to gain promotion points through the Soldier Incentive Program.
Volunteers are golden - they are quite simply, priceless. They are the ones who coordinate the gatherings of families and Soldiers, extend care to others in the unit, and make every one feel welcome and a part of the unit. When volunteers are involved in making the unit more cohesive, they add a special touch to the command.
Right now we have numerous volunteers -spouses, Soldiers and teens - who give generously of their time at every level in the unit and command, in family programs and in the community, working in a myriad of charitable organizations to include, schools, churches, the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity.
I want to thank all our volunteers for the outstanding work you do, for showing that you care and for giving of yourself to others. It makes a difference, and you make the unit a better place with your time and efforts.
I also want to encourage others who’ve not been able to fit volunteer work into their busy schedules to make a special effort to do so, to volunteer in whatever capacity you can and give whatever time you can.
Volunteering in the unit is a way to meet other people that are in the recruiting world with you and your spouse. It can be very rewarding to share with your fellow spouses and to learn from each other. It is also a great way to integrate into the community in which you are living, making you more connected and informed.
Volunteering can also help adults and teens gain valuable marketable skills and experience that can be used on a job application that can aid in finding employment. High school juniors and seniors can add such experience to their college applications.
When an SFA or commander needs help, volunteers can be the ready resource to help. Volunteers come from all different walks of life and can add a wealth of knowledge and skills which impact the quality of life for all Soldiers and family members.
The battalion SFAs act as the USAREC Army volunteer corps coordinators (AVCC) and are the centralized location for all information regarding the non-paid family program volunteer professionals. Through the Army volunteer information management system (VMIS), volunteer hours are tracked to ensure work experience is being credited for future paid positions.
USAREC SFAs offers several opportunities to volunteer in one of the SFA program areas to include, the Army Family Action Plan and Army Family Team Building. Family volunteers can also volunteer for their command’s Family Readiness Group’s (FRG) vacant positions.
Installation Management Command (IMCOM) provides USAREC with self sufficiency non appropriated funds to reimburse a portion of the SFA family program volunteer’s incidental cost, such as child care and mileage for their POV. The commanders can also reimburse a portion of their Family Readiness Group volunteer’s incidental costs using their budgeted mission funds. This ensures the volunteers do not spend their own money in the course of providing volunteer services, which is critical due to the USAREC geo-dispersed population.
Volunteers are recognized for their valuable service throughout the year with ceremonies, certificates, luncheons, receptions, and special achievement awards. The AVCC office is the proponent for all volunteer awards within the unit.
Volunteers with at least 250 hours of service are recognized with the USAREC Silver Volunteer Award and volunteers with at least 500 hours or more of service are given the USAREC Gold Volunteer Award. Volunteers are nominated for these awards by their commands through the battalion SFA.
Please contact your battalion SFA for more information on volunteering as a family program volunteer or commander’s FRG volunteer.
Soldiers providing volunteer service have the opportunity to gain promotion points through the Soldier Incentive Program.