Volunteer Story Contest | Catholic Volunteer Network

2020 Volunteer Story Contest Update

Dear Volunteers & Alumni,

Seeking Your Stories for RESPONSE 2021

COVID-19 has directly impacted volunteers and volunteer communities. We realize these events have likely affected you, and that you may feel uncertain about your role as a volunteer or former volunteer during this time.

Please know that we affirm your decision to serve. Your commitment will continue to impact others and yourself. Your service inspires - especially in this time of global solidarity. This Lent, many are discerning their response to a world in need. You can help those considering full-time volunteering by sharing your own service story.

If you are able, we invite you to enter our 2020 Volunteer Story Contest. This is your opportunity to inform and inspire potential volunteers - as we publish winners and notable entries on the CVN website and in our RESPONSE directory. This year, we especially welcome stories that help you to process how COVID-19 has affected you and your community.

Thank you for reading. Keep scrolling for more info about our contest, and how to submit.

Volunteer Story Contest Guidelines

Rostro de Cristo community | Ecuador, 2019

Entry Length: Approximately 700-900 words

Photos: 2-4 high quality photos (photos 5mb or larger in size may even end up on the cover of Response!)

Deadline: April 30, 2020

Prize: Winning story and picture will be published in our annual RESPONSE directory and monthly newsletter, as well as on our website, social media, and blog. Winners will receive a $50 gift card for the merchant of their choice, along with some Catholic Volunteer Network gear!

Themes: Below are themes after which you can model your reflection. Please select one!

Please select one of the themes below.

Volunteering During COVID-19 - How has COVID-19 affected your service experience? What are your reflections on serving during a time of global uncertainty? How have you managed to live out your volunteer calling during this time? How has your spiritual life been affected?
Reflections on Experience- How has service shaped your career path? What knowledge and/or skills have you gained through your experience? What can you pass on?
Reflections on Community - How has living in community affected your volunteer experience? What advice would you give to those entering intentional community for the first time? What surprised you most about community life?
Reflections on Ministry - What role has faith played in your volunteer experience - or your initial decision to serve? What parts of your ministry have stretched you the most? Where have you seen or heard God along the journey?
Reflections on Belonging - How has service helped you to embrace your different identities? What aspects of volunteering have challenged or strengthened your sense of belonging?
Write a letter to a future volunteer – What advice helped you through your service experience? What do you wish you had known before you started?

Start Your Submission HERE

Link not working? Please contact Mike McCormick at mmccormick@catholicvolunteernetwork.org.

Story-Writing Tips & Inspiration

Mercy Volunteer Corps 2018

Cristo Rey 2018

Tips for Telling Your Story

Include yourself in the story - Let the audience get to know you. Even if your story focuses on someone you met during your service experience, be sure to include details about how that encounter impacted you. And, don't leave out a photo of yourself!
Tell one story - You probably have hundreds of stories you want to share, and may be tempted to include all the details but you will be most effective when you narrow it down to just one experience. If you can't decide between two stories - you can always tell them in two different entries.
Use names - When you are telling the story of a person you encountered, it will make a deeper impact on your audience if you use his or her first name. This simple strategy helps the audience understand the personal connection you made. Depending on your story, you may have concerns about protecting the person's identity. In these cases it is perfectly okay to change the name.
Just start writing - If you are not a regular writer, you may have trouble getting started. Try not to worry too much about your style or tone, just keep it simple and casual, as if you were talking to a friend. Once you have the basics of the story in place, go back and work on sentence structure and wording.
Include your community - Your community members probably know you pretty well. Consider sharing a draft of your story with one of them to see if there is anything you could add or modify. It's always helpful to receive feedback from another reader, and they may remember some details that you omitted!

Check Out Past Story Contest Winners

2019 Winner - "Choose Service Anyway" by Laura Camarata, Farm of the Child
2018 Winner - "Service in the City of Angels" by Hannah Petcovic, Vincentian Service Corps West
2017 Winner - "More than Just a Volunteer" by Andrea Haller, Mercy Volunteer Corps
2016 Winner - "The Mystery of Mission" by Teresa Villaruz, Maryknoll Lay Missioners
2015 Winner - "A Year of Miracles in Detroit" by Rich Samartino, Mercy Volunteer Corps

We can't wait to hear how service has impacted your life. Thanks in advance for being a part of our community and sharing your inspiring stories.

If you have any questions about the Story Contest, please contact Mike McCormick at mmccormick@catholicvolunteernetwork.org.

2020 Volunteer Story Contest Update

Dear Volunteers & Alumni,

Volunteer Story Contest Guidelines

Story-Writing Tips & Inspiration

Account Management

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