Volunteer Corner

Tax-Aide is a federally funded program that provides free tax assistance to individuals who want help in preparing their federal tax returns. AARP administers the program on a yearly bid basis.

We answer questions regarding returns. And, when time allows, assist individuals with questions about their State tax returns. Because Tax-Aide is a federally funded program, we do not discriminate on the basis of age, immigration status, ethnicity, color, nor any status or class covered by federal law. There is no asset test: no minimum/maximum income requirement, but those instances, were it appropriate,we would request such individuals to go to a paid preparer since it was clear they could afford the cost. And, Tax-Aide reserves the right to refuse to assist with a return when it is evident the return is complicated (i.e. would take up a lot of time). And, we explicity do not assist, in any way, the preparation of partnership returns. Partnership returns involve contractual issues, which are by definiton, legal issues. We do not practice law.

Finally,the Tax Aide program has a provision for home visits to persons unable to get out due to medical or age reasons.

2) Staffing the Tax-Aide program: Volunteers

Currently, I am seeking volunteers who can commit to working a minimum of 5 hours per week beginning in January and ending April 15th. I am particulary interested in persons with bilingual skills since Tax-Aide is not very well known in the non-Anglo community.

Volunteers will receive classroom training in that portion of the tax-code related to tax-returns. Volunteers will be required to take an exam, however, the exam is a take-home, open book test. Because Tax-Aide is a federally-funded program, we do not discriminate on the basis of immigration status, ethnicity, age, color, or any other class or status covered by federal law. Volunteers are admonished to not accept gifts of any kind for their service and are expressly prohibited from accepting cash of any sort, in any amount. Those volunteers who are CPAs or lawyers are exempt from the training and testing requirements, but I do encourage them to attend at least one class to become familiar with the program.

Volunteers are placed the following priority of need:

1) Need by Local Coordinator

2) Geography

And for those volunteers needing, I can sign off on your having completed or participated in a community effort or write a letter of recommendation based on your performance. Tax-Aide: What a great asset to add to any resume or job application!

Seattle WA 98111
206.860.5189

"Many of us have heard the expression ‘Giving is its own reward’. Giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin. If you want more love, or fun, or respect, or success, or anything else, the way to get it is simple: give it away. Don’t worry about a thing. The universe knows what it’s doing. Everything you give away will return, with interest."
    - Richard Carlson’s <Don’t worry, make money>

Please donate your food, money to the less fortunate people, invest some time at local nonprofit organizations to make our community a better place to live.

The next time you come to an IMA meeting or dinner, keep in mind the chapter’s community service is always there to take your donation (money or food) and send them to Northwest Harvest.

Are you currently a volunteer in a non-profit organization?

Your local chapter members would love to hear from you about your activity . Please let us know the nature of the program you are in and what role you have played. You are welcome to solicit volunteers from our chapter by sending your message to
    Barbara Robinson, Director of Community Service, fax 206-633-1335

We will post your request in our newsletter; our members may be able to help in your project..

The chapter would like to recognize one of our members for outstanding community service! We can present the award at our May 1999 meeting. If you would like to recommend a chapter member for his/her volunteer activities, please let us know.

Current volunteer opportunities:

Pacific Northwest Swimming

Good afternoon;

My name is David Coddington. I am a former CMA, and currently the General Chairman of Pacific Northwest Swimming, a not-for-profit affiliate of USA Swimming. We coordinate the efforts of local amateur swimming, from local competitions through training for the USA Olympic Team.

We have a need for some help. We are in the year-end closing process, and would like someone with a keen eye, and non-profit financial background to spend a few hours with our Treasurer and Finance Vice-Chair to review our book-keeping techniques, and offer suggestions as to how we could improve our process.

If you have anyone available that would be interested in volunteering a few hours over the next month or so, we’d be quite grateful for your support.

If you would like to know more about our association, please check out http://pns.org on the web.

Thanks for your consideration, and if it looks like something where we could find a match, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
David Coddington
General Chair
Pacific Northwest Swimming
davidc@citylinq.com

Adopt A Park or Trail

Add a park to your family through our Adopt-a-Park program. Help us enhance and maintain your favorite park on an ongoing basis, and create a better environment for yourself and the next generation. Adopting a park only requires that you volunteer at least four times over a 12-month period. Find out more about this fun and rewarding program, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 206-296-2990 or tor.bell@metrokc.gov

Board of Directors, Financial Committee, Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center

The Financial committee reviews and recommends the annual budget to the Board, oversees the monthly revenues and expenditures (in general and in relation to the budget), reviews and presents monthly financial information to the Board, is the liaison between the Board and the Center’s auditors, and represents the Center Board to funding agencies. The Committee also is empowered to act on behalf of the Board with respect to capital acquisitions not to exceed $2,000, and will report such actions at the next Executive Committee or Board meeting.

Committee members meet every quarter at noon on a week day (lunch provided)

Board of Directors meet every month on the 3rd Wednesday at 4pm.

The candidate should have solid experience in accounting and financial management,
be interested in helping people with hearing and/or speech imperilment. Minorities are encouraged to apply.

Please call Ed Freedman, executive Director at 206-323-5770 for more information.

If you are interested in finding more information about Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center, visit their website at www.hsdc.org

United Way:

Have you been looking for an opportunity to become involved in a worthy cause in a way that uses your unique professional skills? United Way’s Management and Technical Assistance Program can give you the opportunity to have a rewarding personal and professional experience while helping an organization that needs your accounting talents. As a volunteer consultant you might help an agency implement a better bookkeeping system, assess their internal controls, or switch to a better accounting software system. No long-term commitment is required. Each project is unique and has a finite length. Choose the projects which best fit your skills, interest and availability.

Using your knowledge and skills to aid a worthy cause provides many personal and professional rewards. You will sharpen your skills, develop new areas of knowledge, build your professional network and create lasting personal relationships. Most of all, you will gain the good feeling that comes from helping others in a way that only you can.

If you would like to learn how to become an MTA consultant, please contact Carolyn at United Way of King County: 206.461.3656 or e-mail: ccunningham@uwkc.org.

Board of Directors, Southeast Youth and Family Center

Volunteer Board is currently seeking individuals with financial, legal, fund raising and public relations skills and experience for our Board of Directors. SEYFS is a private non-profit youth and family services agency located in the Rainier Valley area of Seattle. The average commitment for Board Member is three hours a month. Please call Jeir White, Executive Director at 206-721-5542 for more information.