YogaKids Bridge of Diamonds Foundation
VOLUNTEER NOW!

Our Mission

The YogaKids Bridge of Diamonds Foundation presents the practice of yoga to young people in under-funded schools and communities in need around the world.
The Foundation provides children, their teachers, parents and mentors with yoga classes, tools, and leadership materials that empower children to increase their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Our Goals

Founded in October of 2006, the YogaKids Bridge of Diamonds Foundation:

• Utilizes yoga as a springboard to educate and empower children, reduce stress, foster healthy life skills and raise environmental consciousness.
• Creates community for children and their teachers, parents and mentors wherever disadvantaged or underserved children are schooled and live.
• Works to raise awareness as to the powerful impact yoga can have on children and the world.
• Manages significant funding from individual, government, and foundation grants and donations.

Just a Few Examples of What We’ve Done

• The YogaKids Bridge of Diamonds Foundation was able to quickly raise $10,000.00 for immediate use in Myanmar when the cyclone, flooding and massive crises occurred in 2007- 2008.  Through Yumi Hasegawa, a YogaKids Trainer and Certified Facilitator in Myanmar, the money could directly reach children and their families to meet emergency needs for food and shelter as well as to improve their physical, mental and emotional well-being through yoga classes Yumi taught.
• Children in the nation’s 12th largest school district, Dallas Independent Schools, will be receiving free yoga classes and their teachers will be trained in the award -winning YogaKids Tools for Schools curriculum.  The YogaKids Bridge of Diamonds Foundation worked with Vicki Redpath a YogaKids Trainer and Certified Facilitator to secure a grant from the Dallas Art Partners to fully fund the 2008-2009 school year yoga program.  

Here are a few testimonials from participants:

• “I have witnessed the improvements that have developed within each of these ADD children, not only in their yoga practice, but also their ability to concentrate, focus, and control their emotions.” Leigh, school counselor
• “The kids really enjoyed it and we stopped a couple of times today to stretch and breathe. Thanks so much. You’re welcome to come back anytime.”  Beth ~ Second Grade Teacher
• “I had a preconceived idea that yoga was all sitting quietly in a dreamlike trance! I had no idea you moved so many muscles. I was just so uninformed. So – please keep teaching – and a class for us moms, too, if you can!”  Kelly ~ mother of four

To Volunteer:  Complete and return the Prospective Board Member or Volunteer Information Sheet.

YogaKids Bridge of Diamonds Foundation

Areas Where Volunteers Are Needed

What do we need?

1.  Contributions
2. Volunteers:  Whatever amount of time you can give or the special skills you might contribute, we have a role for you.  We are seeking people for the following:

• Board members
• Volunteers for operational committees
• Individuals to do one-time tasks

 

Volunteer Committees and Types of Tasks

Standing and Special Committees will be responsible to the Board of Directors.  A Board member will chair each standing committee.  Volunteers may serve on both the standing and special committees whether they are members of the Board or not.

 

Executive Committee

• Each member is an officer of the board, e.g. Chair, Secretary, Treasurer.
• Organizes and leads the work of the board.
• May exercise powers of the Board of Directors as outlined in Bylaws.
• Schedules and holds the annual meeting and other meetings of the board.
• Reviews requests for funding and makes recommendations.
  
  

Finance Committee

• Monitors financial condition and results.
• Reviews and approves annual budget.
• Supervises the investment of funds.
• Reports to the board on all financial and investment matters.
  
  

Governance Committee

• Identifies potential board member candidates and explores their interest and availability for board service.
• Designs and oversees the process for orienting new board members.
• Clarifies primary areas of focus for the board.
• Identifies and recommends areas of focus for each committee.
• Identifies and recruits operational volunteers as needed.
  
  

Fundraising Committee

• Assesses funding needs for the Foundation.
• Oversees development of fundraising strategy.
• Identifies sources for funding to support classes for kids in need, teachers salaries, teaching materials and necessary yoga equipment.
• Completes grant applications as necessary.
• Plans and holds fundraising events.
• Manages contact files and communication with individual donors.
  
  

Special Committees

Two special committees will be formed to handle specific operational functions.


Partnership Development

• Assesses the need for programming congruent  with the mission, purpose, and goals of the Foundation.
• Recommends priorities for new programs and services.
• Develops and maintains relationships with individuals and/or groups interested in  supporting the programmatic work of the Foundation.
• Creates new program initiatives as needs are identified and pulls appropriate partners together for program design and delivery.
  
  

Marketing and Public Relations

• Assesses communication needs for the Foundation.
• Oversees development of the Foundation identity, communication strategy and brand.
• Creates brochures and fliers to promote the work of the Foundation.
• Writes and places press releases.
• Responds to requests for information about the Foundation.

Personal Characteristics to Consider When Volunteering

• Do I have the ability to: listen, analyze, think clearly and creatively, work well with people individually and in a group?
• Am I willing to: prepare for and attend board and committee meetings, ask questions, take responsibility and follow through on a given assignment, contribute personal and financial resources in a generous way according to circumstances, open doors in the community, evaluate oneself?
• Am I willing to utilize or develop skills to: cultivate and solicit funds, cultivate and recruit board members and other volunteers, read and understand financial statements, learn more about the substantive program area of the Foundation?
• Do I possess: honesty, sensitivity to and tolerance of differing views, a friendly, responsive, and patient approach, community-building skills, personal integrity, a sense of values that reflects the yoga principles, concern for the Foundation’s development, a sense of humor?

 

"The kids really enjoyed it and we stopped a couple of times today to stretch and breathe. Thanks so much. You are welcome to come back anytime." ~ Beth - Second Grade Teacher