Certification as a Service Enterprise through Points of Light

Reiman Gardens received a significant Service Enterprise certification through Points of Light. The Service Enterprise Initiative is a national change management program, led by Points of Light, that helps organizations better meet their missions through the power of volunteers. Through a comprehensive assessment, training, coaching and certification model, Reiman Gardens will be equipped to engage and manage volunteers more effectively to meet community needs.

Taylor Woodcock Reiman Gardens’ Volunteer Coordinator said, “Service Enterprise has been a wonderful opportunity for our staff and volunteers to think strategically and to develop a long-term plan for volunteer engagement. Staff feel more confident, and they learned how volunteers support their department mission and goals. We now have a firm foundation to build upon and look forward to improving our volunteer opportunities and increasing capacity.”

Research shows that nonprofits that operate as Service Enterprises are equally as effective as their peers but at almost half the median budget, and are significantly more adaptable, sustainable and capable of going to scale. There are more than 500 certified Service Enterprises across 23 states. 92% of Service Enterprises said their organization was better equipped to engage volunteers to meet their mission.

Achieving Service Enterprise certification is a very prestigious accomplishment for Reiman Gardens. In fact, organizations that certify join the top 11 percent of nonprofits nationwide in volunteer management and organizational performance. Service Enterprise certification signifies that organizations have the capability and management expertise to strategically engage volunteers to improve the performance of their organization. Reiman Gardens will maintain this certification for three years at which point recertification will occur.

“As director of our organization, I am thrilled that Service Enterprise brought a higher level of professionalism to our volunteer program. It was delivered by the Volunteer Center of Story County with excellent training materials and valuable information that brought together staff and volunteers to participate and interact as a group; the process aligns everyone in a unified goal and direction. We are honored to be part of an elite group of organizations certified through this nationally recognized program,” said Reiman Gardens’ Director Ed Lyon.

Find out more about Service Enterprise.