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Volunteer
Opportunities:
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Court
Appointed Special Advocates
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are trained community
volunteers, appointed by a judge, who speak-up for abused and neglected
children in court. Volunteers come from every walk of life, with a
variety of educational and ethnic backgrounds. There are more than
62,000 CASA volunteers nationally. Aside from their CASA volunteer
responsibility, 50 percent are employed in regular full-time jobs.
 I'm
ready to become a volunteer - click here for a Volunteer Application.
A
CASA volunteer provides a judge with carefully researched background of
the child to help the court make a more informed decision about that
child's future. The CASA volunteer assists in determining if it is in a
child's best interest to stay with his or her parents or guardians, be
placed in foster care, be placed with other relatives, or be freed for
permanent adoption.
To
prepare a recommendation, the CASA volunteer talks with the child,
parents, family members, social workers, school officials, health
providers and others who are knowledgeable about the child's history.
The CASA volunteer also reviews all records pertaining to the child --
school, medical, service providers and caseworker reports, and any
other documents relevant to the case.
The
CASA volunteer does not provide legal representation or direct
services. That is the role of the attorney. However, the CASA volunteer
does provide crucial background information that assists attorneys in
presenting their cases.
 The number of cases each
volunteer assumes
varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but an average caseload is
one or two, and each case is different. A CASA volunteer usually spends
about 20 hours doing research and conducting interviews prior to the
first court appearance. More complicated cases take longer. Once
initiated into the system, volunteers work about 10-15 hours a month.
Tell
me more.
Click here for a Volunteer Application.
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CASA
Friend |
Ordinary people who care about kids. CASA volunteers come from all
backgrounds. Many work full time. Some are students and some are
retired. CASA Friends are volunteers who are willing to assist the CASA
Program through a variety of different ways. CASA Friends can sit on a
committee, volunteer in the office, support the CASA Program or just be
an advocate for the Program. The CASA program also offers volunteer
opportunities for younger potential volunteers. These volunteers are
called “Junior CASA Volunteers” . Junior CASA volunteers can work on
fundraising events, community events and participate in training
sessions.
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Committee
Membership
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"no
information listed at this time" |
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Board Membership |
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CASA
of the Southern Tier, Inc. would like to thank previous board members
for generously giving their time and support to CASA.
Board
of Directors:
•
The Board consists of up to twenty Directors from a variety of
backgrounds.
The current board members are:
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Name
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Position
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Ruth
Stratton
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President
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Tracey
Kelly
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Vice
President
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Darlene
Gassner
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Treasurer
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Ciji Somma
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Secretary
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Debbie
Gilboy
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Lisa
Caswell
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Maria
Paribello
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Emily
Hofelich-Jack
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Emily
Grimmke
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Jake
Bigelow
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Judith
Phillips
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Board
Acceptance:
•
Potential Board members are required to fill out a Board Packet. The
packet is then referred to the Nominating Committee and presented to
the Board. The Board meets 10 times per year (summers off), and
normally meets from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the CASA office in Corning.
Board Terms:
• Terms run in three-year intervals and each
member may run for two full intervals.
Meetings:
• After
three consecutive misses/ five misses through out the year will
result in removal from the Board.
Commitment
and Responsibilities of a Board Member:
*
To establish my attendance as a high priority at all meetings of the
board and committees on which I serve.
* To be prepared to discuss
the issues and business addressed at scheduled meetings, having read
the agenda and all background material relevant to the topics at
hand.
* To work with and respect the opinions of my peers who
serve this board and to leave my personal prejudices out of all board
discussions.
* To always act for the good of the community and
organization.
* To represent this organization in a positive and
supportive manner at all times in all places.
* To observe the
parliamentary procedures and display courteous conduct in all board
and committee meetings.
* To refrain from intruding on
administrative issues that are the responsibility of management,
except to monitor the results and prohibit methods that conflict with
board policy.
* To avoid conflicts of interest between my position
as a Board Member and my personal life. If such a conflict does
arise, I will declare that conflict before the Board and refrain from
voting on matters in which I have a conflict.
* To support in a
positive manner all actions taken by the Board of Directors.
* To
agree to serve on at least one committee, attend all meetings and
participate in the accomplishment of its objectives. If I chair the
Board or a committee, I will
o
call meetings as necessary until objectives are met,
o
ensure that the agenda and support materials are received by all
members,
o conduct the
meetings in an orderly, fair, open and efficient manner,
o
make committee progress reports to the Board at scheduled meetings.
To
participate in:
*
Annual strategic planning
* Board self-evaluation efforts
*
Board development workshops that enhance skills as a Board Member
*
Fund-raising efforts
* The Annual Leadership Give or Get Program,
by making a personal financial contribution or finding a contribution
within the community toward the set goal.
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CASA of the
Southern
Tier, Inc.
PO
BOX
778, Corning, NY
14830
Phone: 607-936-2272
Fax:
607-936- 3876
casasoutherntier@aol.com
www.casasoutherntier.org
CASA
101 Training
Did
you know that April is Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month and
May is Foster Care Awareness month? Are you looking for ways you
can help a child? Become a CASA Volunteer.
CASA
volunteers are trained members of the community who advocate for the
rights of abused and neglected children in family court. A
volunteer follows a child’s cases as it moves through the family court
system. The volunteer researches the case, learning everything
they can about the child’s special situation. The CASA volunteer
then makes recommendations to the judge on what’s best for the child’s
future.
CASA of the Southern Tier, Inc. has set the dates for the CASA 101 Initial training.
Be Sure to “Save the Dates”.
Details:
Date: May 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21
Time: 9:00 – 2:30am
Where: CASA Office – 300 Nasser Civic Center Plaza. 2nd floor
conference room 225 of the Southeast Steuben County Corning Library
Contact: CASA of the Southern Tier, Inc. at 607-936-CASA (2272)
or email casasoutherntier@aol.com
Independent Study: If you cannot attend these sessions but would like
to become an advocate for children, please call to learn more about the
CASA 101 Independent Study.
Please call the CASA office at 936-CASA to receive an application
packet and to reserve a seat. Thank you for caring for the abused
and neglected children in our community.
Click on the right for a copy of this information - CASA 101 Training "Flyer"
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