"I find volunteering a window to developing and maintaining friendships, renewal of self- worth and fulfillment of a service to others. There is something different for everyone, so give it a try."  —RSVP volunteer Judy L., Costa Mesa

RSVP is an invitation to serve for adults 55 and above. Formerly known as the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, RSVP-Orange County, CA has over three decades of experience in  matching volunteers with opportunities to meet community needs.

 About RSVP

RSVP is a free, members-only national service association for people 55 years and better. RSVP responds to local community needs through meaningful use of our volunteer's skills and talents, and offers benefits to RSVP members to support and enhance their volunteer career.

Download RSVP Flier

MEETING LOCAL NEEDS:

While a variety of volunteer opportunities are available, our primary goal is to respond to clearly defined local needs. Based on community assessment and the skills and interests of our volunteers, through 2010 we have chosen two focus areas:

• Public Safety

• Nutrition Programs

Fifty percent of our volunteers are making an impact in these two areas by volunteering at police departments, home-delivered meal programs, meal sites at senior centers, food distribution programs, etc.

SPONSOR:

RSVP of Orange County is funded and supported by the Corporation for National and Community Service and Volunteer Center Orange County.

VOLUNTEERS:

There are currently 1,250 active RSVP volunteers in Orange County.  They offer almost 200,000 hours of service each year. No one talent, experience or education is required - just a willingness to participate. Volunteers commit to serving in one or more ongoing assignments. The number of hours served is flexible, the average being four hours served each week. Volunteers find opportunities to make new friends, share their hobbies and interests and use their skills, talents and wisdom for the betterment of their communities.

2007 ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Orange County RSVP members
made a difference in 2007!

1,257 members
209,230 volunteer hours served
$4.25 million in value of hours served*
256 members volunteered to serve those at risk of hunger
498 members served in community policing/community patrol
57 partner agencies served
18 law enforcement agencies served
93% of law enforcement agencies with RSVP volunteers agreed in a recent survey that they are “better able to meet critical public safety needs due to the services provided by RSVP volunteers”
74 average age of members
33 members age 90+
3 members age 100+
701 qualified for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award by serving 100+ hours
19 qualified for the President’s Call to Service Award by serving 4,000+ cumulative lifetime service hours


*The 2005 value of every hour of volunteer service in California is calculated to be $20.36. ($18.77 is the national average.) This figure comes from Independent Sector Research study released March, 2007.
 

Back to Top

Benefits & Requirements

WHAT BENEFITS ARE PROVIDED?

Your free enrollment in RSVP entitles you to benefits that support and enhance your volunteer career:

Personalized matching — we work to find the right opportunity for your passions, skills, interests, and schedule.
Volunteer insurance — supplemental accident medical, personal and automobile liability coverage to provide additional security while volunteering.
Transportation reimbursement — to help defray the cost of service.
Recognition — members are eligible for Presidential Volunteer Service Awards & more.
Educational events — gather with like-minded, civically-engaged citizens while developing your skills as a volunteer.
RSVP communications — through our newsletter and blog we keep in touch and make you aware of new opportunities, events and information.
 

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF VOLUNTEERING THROUGH RSVP?

Anyone 55 years of age or over and willing to offer volunteer service hours at any of the 50+ designated RSVP volunteer sites is eligible. Completion of an RSVP Registration Form is required. Benefits are effective only for active volunteers. Adherence to RSVP policies and procedures are required, as spelled out in the RSVP handbook supplied to all new volunteers.

WHERE MAY I VOLUNTEER AND WHAT KIND OF VOLUNTEER WORK IS AVAILABLE?

Member volunteers serve at any of our designated 50+ volunteer sites. RSVP volunteers work in a variety of community assignments: tutoring children, serving meals, sorting and packing food for distribution, promoting adult literacy, providing health education, serving as museum docent, providing vital administrative support, and more. Tell us what YOU enjoy doing as a volunteer, and we'll find you the best assignment. You can view the complete list of current RSVP volunteer opportunities at View Volunteer Opportunities.

Back to Top 

Volunteer at one of more than 50 designated RSVP partner agencies such as: Ocean Institute, Community SeniorServ, 18+ local Police Departments, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Superior Court of Orange County, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Early Literacy Program, Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Orange County and many more! How will you serve?

View Volunteer Opportunities

Back to Top

RSVP Newsletters & Press

Newsletters

RSVP Newsletter-Winter 2007

RSVP Newsletter-Summer 2007

RSVP Newsletter-Spring 2007

RSVP Newsletter-Fall 2006

RSVP Newsletter-Summer 2006

RSVP Newsletter-Spring 2006

News Articles

OC Register, Editorial 5/20/06

OC Register, Article 5/17/06

Back to Top

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

I'm restricted to my home because of health, transportation, etc. Would there be meaningful community service for me?

Sure, we have some folks involved in a "telephone reassurance" program, calling and checking in with homebound seniors. Several volunteers do special clerical and computer projects at home, or make phone calls for the RSVP program. We are also always searching for additional projects. Contact us to discuss your choices.

I've never worked outside the home, or volunteered before. Would I be able to be an RSVP volunteer?

Yes, there's something for everyone. Many homemakers are modest about their skills and abilities, but we know everyone has something to offer. We have opportunities that don’t require an office or workplace background. And our staff is available to help new volunteers feel comfortable and answer any questions they may have about starting up as a volunteer.

I've just moved here, lost my spouse, retired, etc. and I'm not sure I want to make a commitment right now.

If you try a regular activity and it doesn't work out, just let the organization and the RSVP staff know that you'd like to change your schedule, or perhaps take a break from volunteering. You can always continue again at a later date.

I'm not retired yet. Can I still be an RSVP volunteer?

YES! Anyone 55 and over is welcome to be an RSVP volunteer.

How does a nonprofit organization become one of the RSVP partner sites?

The RSVP Program staff are happy to speak with a representative from any nonprofit organization, government agency, or health care facility to discuss the requirements and application process. As the number of stations we can work with are limited by our grant, we will only accept into the program those organizations that can help us meet our current needs. We are especially interested in working with organizations that address our two primary service areas, Public Safety and Nutrition Programs, those located in South County and any agency that has meaningful and quality volunteer opportunities.

More info on our Agency Fact Sheet.

Where does your funding come from?

Currently, seventy percent of our funding comes from a federal agency called the Corporation for National and Community Service. The remaining thirty percent of our funding is from Volunteer Center Orange County, and is money raised from a variety of sources including grants, corporate sponsors, and even individual donors who wish to support the efforts of RSVP volunteers who are making an important contribution to the Orange County community.

Back to Top

SIGN UP

Yes I want to be an RSVP member!

1. Download Registration Form. Fill out and send by mail or via fax (714) 834-0585.

2. Within one week of receiving your completed Registration Form, you will be mailed a "Welcome Packet" of information to help you get started.

3. Contact us for one-on-one assistance with choosing the volunteer assignment that best suits your needs and interests.

Back to Top

DONATE TO RSVP

We invite you to support the work of our amazing RSVP members:

$1.35 pays for the greeting card we send to each RSVP member on their birthday to let them know our community is a better place because they were born

$3 pays for one RSVP member to receive their Presidential Volunteer Service Award (701 members qualified in 2007 by serving at least 100 hours!)

$15 pays for us to recognize RSVP members who meet our “Serve 100 Hours in 2008 Challenge” with the gift of the book Be the Change! Change the World. Change Yourself.

$25 pays for the transportation reimbursement for one RSVP member for one month (we reimburse for mileage/public transportation for all members who have the financial need)

$50 pays for the restaurant gift certificate we give to the RSVP member whose volunteer story we feature on the RSVP blog in our “Volunteer Spotlight”

$65 pays for one RSVP member to be honored at Volunteer Center Orange County’s annual Spirit of Volunteerism annual awards luncheon

$100 pays for the volunteer management books we provide to the RSVP members participating in our pilot program “Be a Leader of Volunteers” which trains them as volunteer managers and places them in Orange County nonprofits that need assistance with building the capacity of their volunteer program

$300 pays for the transportation reimbursement for one RSVP member for one full year

$750 pays for us to offer a volunteer skills development workshop at no charge to RSVP members

$4,000 pays for the printing and mailing of one edition of the RSVP Newsletter (published 3 times/year)

Donate Online

If you make your payment online, please send an email to bpowers@volunteercenter.org indicating that your donation is designated for RSVP. Checks should be made payable to Volunteer Center Orange County, with “RSVP” in the memo portion of your check. Our address is below in the “Contact Us” section. If you have any questions about making a donation for RSVP or Volunteer Center Orange County, please contact Barbara Powers, chief development officer at (714) 953-5757 x218 or bpowers@volunteercenter.org.

 

Back to Top

Contact RSVP

Back to Top

   Partner Agency Sign in:
Click Here!