Shelly Romine is her name and education is her game
As Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer at bankcda, numbers are her day job; but Shelly Romine is well suited for Chair of the Education Impact Council for United Way of Kootenai County. For the past 10 years, she has planned and facilitated Community Impact Council meetings, working with community volunteer members to define goals and strategies to improve education opportunities in the community for our youth. She takes great pride in doing the research and communicating her findings to United Way staff and board. Romine leads her team with confidence and experience, ensuring that the greatest impact is made for the dollars donated and granted to our local nonprofits through the Community Care Fund.
It doesn't take a ton of time to get involved in United Way impact work. Three to four hours per month is the average time spent as a Community Impact Council member. To Romine and the other council volunteers, the approach of partnering with other businesses and individuals in the community helps make a better place for us all to live. This is the premise of Living United!
"I believe United Way is a well-run organization," Romine said. "They do a lot of good in the community for a variety of groups. Being involved in United Way is a means to bring service-minded individuals together for common goals. The Education Impact Council is where I serve because I believe long-term community health depends upon the youth of today being safe, nurtured and educated. This helps break cycles of poverty and violence that continue to be a drain on community resources."
United Way is a strong partner in the community, not only through the funds it raises and disburses through the Community Care Fund, but also through service activities like the Community Day of Caring. Volunteer opportunities like these allow for a hands-on approach that can get people involved in giving back to the community in addition to or in place of financial giving.
"Bankcda is very involved in the community through financial support as a corporate sponsor of United Way programs and fundraising events," Romine said. "I am proud to be a part of an organization that also allows employees time during the work day to be involved in a variety of nonprofit and civic groups such as United Way, Trinity Group Homes, Fresh Start, the Coeur Group and Rotary to name a few."
When asked how this overall experience has impacted her life, Romine said, "During the years I have volunteered with United Way, I have learned more about the goals, successes and challenges of many groups in our community dealing with issues like hunger, homelessness, poverty, and domestic violence. I have a greater understanding for challenges that many community members face daily, and that I am fortunate enough NOT to be challenged with personally. It gives me a greater appreciation for my own life while inspiring me to do what I can. By offering my time and resources, I may help someone else along the way."
Romine mostly enjoys hearing the stories from individuals whose lives are directly touched because a program supported by United Way was there to help them. "We had a presentation from ICARE, a United Way Agency," Romine said. "They provide child abuse prevention through parent education. One of the client families came in to share their story. It was very moving to hear them open up about needing to learn better parenting skills. They didn't have good role models and had the added challenge of children with developmental disabilities. The family improved with not only how the parents related to the children, but the children taking more responsibility for themselves and having better results in school. These people and their stories are what keep me happily volunteering."
Romine has lived in North Idaho most of her life and along with her family. Romine is a graduate from Lewis Clark State College with a bachelor's degree and began her career in accounting but has been in banking for the last 15 years. She has been married to her husband, Scotty, for almost 25 years and has one son, Jeremy, who attends North Idaho College.
Volunteer Opportunity: Healthy Meals Volunteer Needed at Anchor House!
Do you love to cook? Anchor House needs you to help us provide healthy meals to our clients!
As a kitchen volunteer, you'll help prepare hot meals, assist with cooking and baking, and perform other tasks in the Anchor House kitchen, such as chopping, mixing, scooping, and stirring. Anchor House provides a variety of meals to best meet the nutritional needs of our clients. You will need a smile and a helping hand. This need is mainly for the weekends!
All programs volunteers must be 21 years of age, and will submit to and pass a background check. Volunteers must also submit an application and have an interview. Please contact Leslie Morthland, volunteer coordinator at (208) 377-2613 or lmorthland@youthranch.org to obtain an application.
Please visit www.kootenaiunitedway.org, click on the "VOLUNTEER" link to view other volunteer opportunities in YOUR community, or contact Jeanette Laster at United Way of Kootenai County, (208) 667-8112, Ext. 101.
GET CONNECTED!
The United Way of Kootenai County Volunteer Center
GET CONNECTED!
* "One-Stop Volunteer Resource Center" for the whole community
* Ongoing and one-time volunteer opportunities
* TAKE ACTION
(208) 667-8112
Visit the United Way's Volunteer Center website: www.kootenaiunitedway.org
GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER