#SWDay Update and Packing Party! May 15, 2012

It was a party up in here today… a packing party that is!  We had shirts and KIND snacks galore delivered last week so today the Seattle Works team went to work!  We printed and counted and sorted like crazy – but now we are SO READY for OMG SWD this Saturday.

All 33 project sites have plenty of SWD event shirts, delicious KIND bars, name tags, markers, sign-in sheets, directions to the AfterParty, waivers and all the good things a volunteer project needs to make sure the experience is an amazing one.

Bring it on.

If you haven’t signed up yet, it’s not too late.  Don’t worry, we threw in a ton of extra stuff for each site just in case you signed up!

You’re not going to want to miss out on this day – sign up now: http://www.seattleworks.org/signup

Seattle Works team members Tyler, Percival and Ellen lend helpful hands (and hoofs) to the packing extravaganza.

#SWDay Update… Featuring Percival! May 10, 2012

We are up to 54 teams joining us for a day of service and celebration on Sat 5/19!  We still have a ways to go until we reach 1,300 volunteers – but we have faith in our last minute city and know that “if you build it, they will come.” And build it we have!

For those of you that haven’t met Percival yet, say hello! Percival is our SWD mascot and generally the most incredible unicorn you’ll ever meet.

Join Percival for Seattle Works Day! There’s still time to sign up for a team, or sign up for the Seattle Works team and you’ll be serving at an elementary school in Fremont.  http://www.seattleworks.org/swd

Seattle Works Day – Map of Projects! May 10, 2012

Want to know where the 1,300 volunteers will be serving during Seattle Works Day on Saturday 5/19?  Here’s a quick look.

WOW.

And after we dig-in at those 30+ volunteer projects, everyone will head back to Seattle Center’s Exhibition Hall to celebrate the days accomplishments and refuel with some delicious tacos and beer.  How can you pass that up?  YOU CAN’T! Which is why you should sign up for Seattle Works Day and join us: http://www.seattleworks.org/swd

The Seattle Works Team, which is open to everybody, will be helping out at BF Day Elementary School in the Fremont neighborhood.  Tasks vary from grounds clean-up to painting, to creating gigantic chalk boards the size of a building! Sign up for the Seattle Works team today and meet a bunch of new people next weekend: http://www.seattleworks.org/signup

Seattle Works Day: Good for the soul (also… beer) May 7, 2012

One of the Seattle Works Day Team Captains sent out this fantastic recruitment email today, and we just had to share!

“Dear The ‘A’ Team,

Just a friendly reminder that Seattle Works Day is just around the corner and we’re hoping the ‘A’ Team will turn out in full force as part of the Friends of the Monstrous Rootball team. If you’ve never been before, it’s a great project at the West Duwamish Greenbelt in my old stomping grounds of West Seattle.

Despite what Thomas says, you do NOT need a passport to visit!

When the project is done around 3:30pm, there’s always a rocking AfterParty at the Seattle Center with free beer and food.

You can register here: http://www.seattleworks.org/signup and you can find out more about the project and let us know you’re coming over on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/209332195839536

It’ll be tons of fun and I hope to see you there! Don’t let the Monstrous Rootball down… he’s very sensitive.“

Jesse

Friends of the Monstrous Rootball Team Captain

Join the Rootball, his/her friends and 50+ other awesome teams at Seattle Works Day as we all dig in to make a huge impact in Seattle neighborhoods.  http://www.seattleworks.org/swd 

The Coolest Way to Celebrate 30! April 16, 2012

“Last summer, a friend was soliciting ideas for his wife’s 30th birthday, and I told him, “Just pick something she loves to do, invite her favorite people to do it with her, and she’ll be happy.” In her case, that would be eating hummus and exercising, so I’m glad he did not follow my advice.

But that got me thinking about my 30th birthday, in May 2012. I took the guesswork out of it for my husband, Tom, by telling him that I wanted to celebrate by volunteering.

   

I first learned about Seattle Works after moving here in 2007, and Hot Projects were my gateway drug to Team Works, the Bridge, and Seattle Works Day. It’s the combination of meeting fun and committed people, doing tangible and measurable good, and connecting with community organizations that make SW so appealing to me.

So when it came to planning my big 3-0, I knew that SWD would be perfect. Good timing, plus the free food and drink means that I don’t even have to clean the house and cook dinner order pizza for everyone. I’m looking forward to introducing some new friends to the organization and to the joy that is spending a few hours on a Saturday giving back to the community.

Look for Team Turkey Sub on May 19 – I will be the one with the huge smile on my face, doing something I love with my favorite people.”   

-Holly Wyrwich

Sign up for Seattle Works Day and join us: www.seattleworks.org/swd

You can form your own team, or join the Seattle Works team!

Seattle Works Day Countdown – and Say Hello to Katie! April 11, 2012

It’s Seattle Works Day update time.  We have 39 teams signed up so far. Now that is “woot”-worthy in my mind!

The skyline is swimming oooooooo ahhhhhhhhhh.  And look – our new Program Manager is here for her first week.  World, meet Katie!  You’ll be seeing a quick blog post from her later this week that will better introduce you to who she is and what she’ll be working on.

You can still sign up to lead a Seattle Works Day team! http://www.seattleworks.org/teamcaptains

Five Reasons to Grab A Ticket to #Gigs4Good Thurs 4/12! April 11, 2012

Team Up for Nonprofits presents Gigs4Good this Thursday 4/12 7 – 11pm, benefiting Seattle Works. $20 in advance.

There are so many reasons to buy your ticket today!

5. The music is good!  If not, GREAT!

Don’t believe me? Go ahead, throw your headphones on, hit play and let it carry you through today: http://bit.ly/ziHQYQ

   

How you doing?

4. The show is being produced by a fellow nonprofit – Team Up for Nonprofits!

A minimum of $15 of your $20 advance ticket goes to Seattle Works.  That’s incredible.  With Team Up, you buy the ticket, they bring the music and nonprofits get the money.  That is awesome sauce.  Your ticket makes sure this can keep happening: http://bit.ly/G4GSW

3. The weather has been ab-fab. Time to take advantage of a rooftop patio.

Have you seen Hard Rock’s patio? Well I dare you to find a better one in Seattle my friends.  Perfect for a little pre-game beverage if you know what I mean. Don’t worry, if Seattle’s true colors come through and it’s raining they have some fancy cabanas.

2. Seattle Works is known for bringing together nice, fun people – and this is no exception. Come meet some of them!

Almost 5,000 people are on this facebook event!  That’s because people are connected and looking to mix, mingle, network and meet new folks.  Come to move, shake, do your thang.

1. You <3 Seattle Works and want to support us!

$20 is likely cheaper than your average night out – right?! Affordable philanthropy – don’t mind if we do.  We’re gearing up for Seattle Works Day on Sat May 19th, which is our largest annual day of service and gets 1,300 people out in our community to give back. Seattle Works gets you connected to your community… and Seattle Works Day is just one way that we do it.

Grab your tickets to Gigs4Good and we’ll rock out with you on Thursday! http://bit.ly/G4GSW

Seattle Works Day – Six Weeks To Go! April 4, 2012

Well technically we’re halfway through the week, but just go with it.

Here are Page, Andy and their two thumbs up for Seattle Works Day recruitment!  We’re over 100 people so far (woo yeah hooray!) and are making a huge push to recruit Team Captains.

 

Team Captain Happy Hour is Thurs 4/12 6pm at Pike Brewery (1415 1st Ave).  Sign up to be a Team Captain before then so you can get in on all the fun! We’ll be providing drinks and food, and giving the Team Captains a chance to get to know each other, chat with the Seattle Works Day committee and learn all about how awesome Sat May 19th is going to be.

Sign up to be a Team Captain: http://www.seattleworks.org/teamcaptains

Seattle Works Day Countdown Begins! #SWDay March 27, 2012

And what better way than a funny photo to kick things off?

Say hello to Tyler, our Operations Coordinator and Andy, our Data Coordinator – also known as coloring phenoms!  Every week we’ll be posting updates and coloring in our white board wall to show a progress update on how many people and teams are signed up to join our largest day of service on Saturday May 19th!

Seattle Works Day fun has only just begun.

Form a team and sign up today! http://www.seattleworks.org/swd

“I wouldn’t be where I am today in my career without Seattle Works.” December 15, 2011

I moved to the Seattle area a little more than six years ago to teach 3^rd grade in Auburn. I joined Seattle Works quickly after I moved to meet new people and make connections in Seattle. Over the last several years, I’ve volunteered with countless non-profits through the Team Works and Hot Projects programs. I fell in love with New Orleans while helping with the rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina. Seattle Works Day is one of my favorite days of the year. It is incredible to see so many people come together to make our city a better place for everyone. Each and every one of these projects and events has touched me and affected my life. But when I reflect on my time with Seattle Works, I am most grateful for my time with The Bridge.

 

 

I started The Bridge during my fourth year of teaching. At the time I was soul searching and trying to decide where I saw myself in five years. While I loved my students, I wasn’t sure I had it in me to teach for decades. At the start of The Bridge, we each took a behavioral assessment online through True Life Coaching. Shandel Slaten, the CEO of True Life Coaching, taught one of The Bridge sessions and went over our individual results to the assessments with us. I’ve always been a fan of personality assessments, but these were different. These assessments identified what motivates me professionally and how I interact with coworkers. After reading my personalized assessment, I began to understand the reasons I wasn’t finding fulfillment in teaching. Shandel made time to speak with me personally after that class and confirmed that education might not be the best fit with my professional motivators and drivers.

 

I made the decision to change careers in The Bridge class, but Seattle Works’ impact on my career success didn’t stop there. I needed samples of my work, and I couldn’t think of a better way than to promote the organization that I love. I started by writing a press release for Seattle Works Day and then built a whole marketing plan along with social integration for the same event the next year. I have been thrilled to help develop and shape the Seattle Works social media plan over the years. I am forever grateful for the connections and experience Seattle Works has given me. I wouldn’t be where I am today in my career without Seattle Works. I’ve had so many incredible experiences with Seattle Works, and that is just one example of how this organization has changed my life. I know I am not alone; Seattle Works has touched many lives.

 

Please consider giving so Seattle Works can continue its outstanding work. https://seattleworks.ejoinme.org/RockStar

-Karianne Stinson