to the sea.
Although the pebble now remains somewhere on theshore, the
ripples flow to distant lands." Volunteer Connection was founded by Marlene Wilson, called the First Lady of Volunteerism. It was 1968 when she founded the Volunteer and Information Center of Boulder County, now the Volunteer Connection.
Marlene's vision was to create a place where nonprofit agencies, clients and volunteers could all connect. Her original Center became a model for other volunteer opportunity connection organizations nationwide. Volunteers everywhere have been touched by the life and work of Marlene.
Marlene's achievements include:
- Founding the first Volunteer Management Certification Program at the
University of Colorado, where she was Faculty Director for
25 years
- Writing many books on volunteerism, including The Effective Management
of Volunteer Programs, which today still ranks as the most
popular work in the field
- Winning the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Self-Help Book
of the Year in 1990 for her book You Can Make A Difference,
edited by her daughter Lisa
- Serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Volunteer Administration Journal for
over 25 years
- Conducting countless workshops throughout the USA, Canada and Europe
- Winning one of the highest honors in volunteerism, the National Volunteer
Leader Award from the American Hospital Association, joining
the distinguished company of Elizabeth Dole, Marlo Thomas
and the late Erma Bombeck
- Winning a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Volunteer
Administrators in 2008
- Winner of the Daily Camera's 2003 Quality of
Life Pacesetter Award
Her Life's Work Lives On
Volunteer Connection has established The Marlene Wilson Legacy Fund to provide ongoing support for innovation and education in volunteerism. The Fund will underwrite educational opportunities about volunteer management, so that managers have the best available skills and knowledge to help volunteers make a tangible, significant and lasting difference in the organizations they serve.
Our goal is to raise $300,000 to establish a permanent endowment with The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County. A committee of volunteers, including Marlene Wilson, will make annual disbursements to projects that advance the state of volunteer management.
Founding Gift: Greater than $1,000
Leadership Gift: $1,000, $500, $250, $100
All contributions are tax deductible.
See our Donate page,
or e-mail us, or call
us at 303-444-4904 with information as to how you would like to help.
