VOLUNTEER UPDATE

REMINDER: Volunteer Lunch & Learn Our first Lunch & Learn last spring was such a success that we decided to do it again! This time around we will cover topics including the increase in client numbers and what that means for BC, as well as how to handle difficult questions/issues during an appointment. Please come prepared with not only your appetites, but with any questions you would like to discuss. This series of Lunch & Learns will be held Monday through Thursday, the week of November 1. If you are not able to make it on your scheduled volunteer day, please feel free to attend on a different day. *If you volunteer in the evenings, you are invited and encouraged to attend any of the daytime lunches. Alternatively, there will be an evening “lunch” & learn scheduled soon. Monday, November 1, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 2, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 3, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, November 4, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. We look forward to another great week of Lunch & Learns!

Volunteer Computer Training: In Case You Missed It… For those of you who were not able to attend computer training, the technologically gifted Gineyda Diaz has kindly consented to host another one! Please email Jessica Land at jland@bottomlessclosetnyc.org to let her know which of the following trainings you will attend: Wednesday, November 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, November 18, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

HTML Anyone? Do you have web experience? Are you interested in website design? The Communications Committee wants to hear from you! We are currently looking for volunteers to help with website maintenance, design and updating. If this is something that interests you, please contact Jessica Land at jland@bottomlessclosetnyc.org.

GuideStar Supports Bottomless Closet Oftentimes prospective donors/volunteers use online websites such as GuideStar and Charity Navigator (for organizations over $1 Million) to research the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations like Bottomless Closet… these sites offer unbiased reports to verify that missions are true, organizations are acting ethically and are fiscally responsible. Bottomless Closet has no better stewards to recommend us than YOU our volunteers! Please take a few minutes to help Bottomless Closet attract new volunteers and donors to our organization… follow this link www.guidestar.org and search for Bottomless Closet (New York). You can learn more about our organization and write a review of your personal experience at Bottomless Closet. Thank you for all of your support and spreading the word about our mission.

Volunteer Resume Workshops: Should we do it again? We have received some great feedback following some of the Resume Review Workshops held this week! There are many of you out there who were not able to attend and we want to make sure that every volunteer who is interested has the opportunity to participate. So let us know if you missed it! We will be happy schedule an additional session if there is enough interest.

BC Holiday Schedule Changes and Closings Bottomless Closet will be closed or have a modified schedule on the following dates. If you have upcoming travel plans that will keep you from your regular volunteer time, please contact Jessica Land at jland@bottomlessclosetnyc.org. Wednesday, November 24 – Close at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, November 25 – Closed Tuesday, December 21 – No Evening Appointments Thursday, December 23 – Close at 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 27 – Closed Tuesday, December 28 – No Evening Appointments Thursday, December 29 – Closed

1st Visit, 2nd Visit, Pre-Interview, Post-Employment….What does it all mean?! If you are a newer volunteer, our sometimes archaic lingo is probably very confusing when you are trying to decipher a client intake form and figure out what to do with the woman standing in front of you. Let’s be honest… it might be confusing even if you are seasoned pro! So here is a breakdown of Bottomless Closet terminology: Pre-Interview – refers to an appointment for a client who is going on a job interview and is coming to Bottomless Closet for interview attire and preparation Post-Employment – refers to an appointment for a client who has gotten a job and is coming to BC for work appropriate attire 1st visit – Pre-interview appointments used to be called 1st visit appointments when there were only two types of appointments made at BC. This currently does not mean that a client is actually coming to BC for the first time… 2nd visit – is purely a term meant to confuse everyone. It used to refer to a Post-Employment appointment but is now a term we are trying to strike from our vocabulary. Why? Because a client who is at Bottomless Closet for a Post-Employment appointment may have come to BC once before, twice before, never, etc. All of our appointment forms should by now refer to client appointments as either Pre-Interview or Post-Employment and we hope this clarifies any confusion. However, feel free to point out to us if we start talking about 1st and 2nd visits, it can sometimes take a while to break a habit.

You’re Invited to BC’s Client Graduation!! Save the Date for Thursday, December 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for Bottomless Closet’s Holiday Party and Client Graduation. As those of you who attended last year can attest, it is a wonderful opportunity to connect with our clients and celebrate their successes! Those who have completed the core workshops in Professional Development or the Financial Management Curriculum will be graduating from the program. Please stop by and Congratulate our Grads, we’d love to have you. Hope to see many of you there!

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities Evening Workshop Support During our evening workshops, we are in need of volunteers to sit at the front desk to check in clients, handle some light administrative tasks and close up shop at the end of the night. There will be a staff member on hand to answer your questions and provide any guidance you might need. Wednesday, November 17, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Interviews that Work Thursday, November 18, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – BNY Resume Workshop Thursday, December 2, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Successful Job Search Evening Client Appointments Evening opportunities are available every Tuesday. Sign up to dress clients who have recently been hired, or work on projects in the inventory room/boutique. . Tuesday, November 16, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 23, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 30, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. If you would like to sign up for any of these opportunities, please contact Jessica Land at jland@bottomlessclosetnyc.org.

Go to www.bottomlessclosetnyc.org for updates on BC happenings! We will highlight events, special clients and anything exciting that is happening. Just click on the Weekly Updates icon that is on the home page.

Please click here to see previous Volunteer Updates