National Alliance on Mental Illness
Illinois'
Voice on Mental Illness - NAMI Illinois
National Alliance on Mental Illness
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Fax:
312.563.0467
Email: namigc@aol.com
Website: www.NAMIGC.ORG The NAMI
of Greater VOLUNTEER INFORMATION SHEET Name:
_____________________________________________________________ Home
Address: ______________________________________________________ City:
_____________________State: _______________ Zip: _________________ Home
Phone: (_____)______-__________Work Phone: (______) _____-________ Occupation:
_________________________________________________________ E-mail
Address: ______________________________________________________ Relationship
to Mental Illness: (optional) ○
Parent ○
Spouse ○
Sibling ○
Child ○
Professional ○
Self ○
Other AVAILABILITY:
List the days of the week and the times that you are most
available:
Mon Tues
Wed Thurs
Fri
Weekends AM
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Areas of Interest
(See back of
page for descriptions)
Please check ALL that apply: IN the
OFFICE:
OUT of the OFFICE: ○
Office Support
○ Writing/Calling
Legislators ○
“Art for Life” Gallery
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Media/Anti-Stigma Writing/Calling
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Computer Data Entry
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Housing Advocacy ○
Computer Word Processing
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Minority Outreach ○
Library Assistance
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Membership Recruitment
EDUCATION PROGRAMS: ○
Newsletter Editing
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Support Group
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Speaker FUNDRAISING:
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Family to Family Teacher
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Fundraising Appeals
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Pathways Consumer Teacher* ○
Special Events
(*see description on the back) ○
Grant Writing
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YOUNG PROFESSIONALS COMMITTEE
Please
tell us a little bit about yourself – why you want to volunteer for NAMI of
Greater Chicago – and what we can do for you? Mail this
sheet to: NAMI of Greater Chicago
NAMI OF GREATER IN the OFFICE Office Support: Office
volunteers typically dedicated one day per week, generally from The “ART for
LIFE” Gallery: features exclusively works created by persons with a
serious mental illness. It is a new
undertaking of NAMI-GC and assistance is needed coordinating with the artists
and planning special events and shows for the Gallery. Computer Word
Processing:
We have a steady flow of documents in need of typing.
Training is available. Computer Data Entry: We regularly
update the information in our information and referral files and need assistance
in input changes and additions to our database.
Training is available. Library Assistance: Our
library is a lending library available to members of the organization.
Additionally it is used by an assortment of students and professionals. Membership
Recruitment: The
success of this organization is based upon the strength and the quality of its
members. We work to increase
membership in NAMI-GC and also plan activities which bring members together to
share information, experiences and obtain support. Newsletter Editing: We
need assistance editing the drafts as well as with graphic design, layout,
editorial contributions and distribution. FUNDRAISING Fundraising Appeals: Letters go
out several times a year to solicit donations.
Creative ideas for these direct mail campaigns are needed as well as
assistance in updating mailing lists, Xeroxing materials for the mailing, etc. Special Events
Planning:
A major source
of financial support for our organization is special events, ranging from our
annual benefit dinner/auction, to walk-a-thons, and scientific seminars.
Volunteers are needed to assist with all aspects of event production
including: corporate sponsorship, publicity, ticket sales and day-of-event
activities. Grant Writing: Persons
with skills in researching potential funders and writing grant proposals are
always welcome. Young Professionals
Committee: Newly
organized in 2005, this group will bring together a diverse group of young
professionals to tap their skills for the benefit of NAMI of Greater Chicago’s
missions. OUT of the OFFICE Writing/Calling
Legislators:
We keep tabs on legislative issues related to mental illness and, as
needed, prepare an organizational response to issues.
We regularly ask our members to contact their legislators to inform them
on issues. Occasionally, we provide
testimony about the needs of individuals and families. Media/Anti-Stigma
Writing/Calling:
We monitor the
print and verbal media for evidence of ignorance, misinformation, and stigma.
Letters and phone calls are made to editors and those in charge to
educate them about serious mental illness. Housing Advocacy: A
safe and adequate place to live is an important part of recovering from a
serious mental illness. Supporting
the development of a range of housing opportunities is a task that needs to be
addressed. Minority Outreach: We
provide information and support to minority communities in culturally
appropriate and sensitive ways, including bilingual publications and support
groups. EDUCATION PROGRAMS Support Group Leaders:
Of the
hundreds of phone calls received by NAMI-GC each month, a majority are from
callers seeking emotional support. There
is a need for support groups dealing with specific needs including: parents,
spouses, siblings, adult children, specific ethnic groups, or persons diagnosed
with a mental illness. Speakers Bureau: NAMI-GC
receives many requests for speakers from community organizations, mental health
service providers, faith communities and other interested groups.
Family members, consumers and mental health professionals are needed to
help spread the word about the positive benefits of membership in NAMI-GC. Public Education: Volunteers
help disperse accurate information about mental illness to the public.
This includes staffing exhibits at health fairs, participating in
seminars and related educational activities, and distribution of flyers,
brochures, and pamphlets throughout the community. Family to Family
Teachers:
We are providing four 12 week sessions of the Family to Family Education
Program annually and would like to expand this.
Additional trained teachers are needed to achieve this expansion.
Pathways in Living
Teachers:
In the fall of 2004, we initiated the 8 week Pathways in Living Education
Course for consumers of mental health services taught by consumers.
Person who have completed the Course are eligible to be trained as
teachers. |
