Opportunities From: United Way of King County

With COVID cases on the rise again, many people in long-term care facilities, such as hospitals and senior homes are in dire need of human connection and compassion. Plus One Foundation wants YOUR help to connect with these folks and let them know they're cared for.

Due to the pandemic, many individuals with chronic illnesses have been unable to leave their house, leading to greater levels of loneliness and isolation. This is why Plus One Foundation started our penpal program: to provide heartfelt, handwritten letters and drawings of encouragement to these individuals to brighten their days and ensure they know they're in our thoughts! So far, we have sent over 1,900 letters, and we'd love to send more with your help!

How it works:
The process is simple: you sign up here, and we will send you an email to organize and match you to as many pen pals as you'd like to send letters to. Volunteer hours available for this opportunity upon request.

We are expecting volunteers to send at least two letters every month, but you can feel free to contact your pen pal(s) more often if you'd like! Please note that pen pals are under no obligation to write back, although some may definitely love to-- in case you would specifically like your penpal to respond, let us know and we are happy to coordinate that.

Sign up today and spread love to those who need it most.

Questions? Comments? Concerns?
Please click "respond" and we will follow up with you.

Volunteering with Plus One Foundation helps individuals establish connections in the community and serve as leaders; our nonprofit encourages our board members to discover and build on their talents while sharing their knowledge with other volunteers; the nonprofit also encourages collaboration and creativity within the board to ensure we grow and expand our innovative aspirations. Partnering with Plus One also helps individuals by providing meaningful opportunities for them to accomplish physical and emotional development in their lives. As Plus One lays the foundation for the next 10 years, we are seeking outstanding board members to help pioneer our impact in Seattle. 

General Expectations 

Know and evaluate the organization’s mission, purposes, goals, policies, programs, services, strengths, and needs.  Serve in leadership positions and undertake special assignments willingly and enthusiastically.  Bring goodwill and a sense of humor to the board’s deliberations.  Enhance the organization’s public standing.  Support the organization’s financial health through your personal commitment and by supporting fundraising activities.

Terms 

Serve a minimum of two years. Following a two year term, board members may renew for a second two-year term.

Meetings and Events 

Attend, prepare for, and participate in monthly board meetings.  Attend, prepare for, and participate in Committee meetings. Committees include, but are not limited to: Board Development, Finance, Marketing + Communications, Fundraising.  Serve as a Plus One ambassador at major programs and events.  Notify the Executive Director in advance of meetings and events when unable to attend. Consistent absences, particularly without prior notification, may lead to removal from the board.  Ask questions at board and committee meetings with your conscience and convictions, while supporting majority decision on issues decided by the board or committee.  Maintain confidentiality of the board’s executive sessions, and speak for the board or the organization only when authorized to do so. 

Fiscal Responsibilities 

Board members should consider Plus One their top philanthropic priority.  Implement fundraising strategies and provide a yearly fiscal contribution. Fundraising strategies include, but are not limited to, the following: procuring event items or donations, recruiting corporate sponsors, participating in our wave program, and hosting a personal event.  Read and understand the organization’s financial statements and exercise prudence when making budgetary decisions. 

Organizational Management 

Select the Executive Director and annually assess the Executive Director’s performance.  Work with and assist the Executive Director to promote and encourage effective organizational planning. 

Avoiding Conflicts 

Maintain independence and objectivity when discussing and voting on board decisions.  Never accept (or offer) financial favors from (or to) anyone who does business with the organization.  Ask questions and raise concerns as they arise either in group board discussion or privately with Executive Committee member(s) or the Executive Director. 

Board Characteristics 

Ability to: listen, analyze, think clearly, and work well with people individually and in a group.  Adhere to the principles of conflict resolution to reach positive solutions: listen actively, assure fairness to all parties in conflict, accept responsibility, and use direct communication to focus on the future of Plus One.  Willing to: prepare for and attend board and committee meetings, ask questions, take responsibility, and follow through on a given assignment, contribute personal and financial resources in a generous way according to circumstances, open doors in the community, evaluate oneself, be inspired, be authentic, share visionary ideas and new approaches, demonstrate personal and professional skills.  Possess: honesty, sensitivity to and tolerance of differing views, a friendly, responsive, and patient approach, community-building skills, personal integrity, a developed sense of values, concern for your nonprofit’s development, a sense of humor. 

If interested please hit the respond button and we will be in touch with more information.