Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are needed to help in a variety of ways and  volunteering is a great way to get involved and make a difference in your community.

The Union County Nursing Home Advisory Committee, Adult Care Home Advisory Committee, Home and Community Care Block Grant Community Advisory Committee,  and the Senior Tarheel Legislature all rely on volunteers.    

Volunteers are needed to help by doing yard work or minor home repairs for seniors.

Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program SHIIP:
An Opportunity to Help People with Medicare in Your Community


 

Are you concerned that senior citizens often do not get accurate information about Medicare and other insurance issues?
Would you like to help the seniors in your community with an issue that is often confusing and intimidating? Are you sensitive to the needs of others, and do you care about the elderly in your community? If you answered yes to these questions, SHIIP needs you! The North Carolina Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program, or SHIIP, is a flagship program for the Department of Insurance. Recognized as a national model for seniors; information programs, and known to citizens across the state as a reliable resource for clear and unbiased information about Medicare and other issues, SHIIP has grown to serve all 100 counties with hundreds of volunteers since its inception in 1986. In order to continue to offer this excellent service to senior citizens and their families in Union County, SHIIP needs dedicated and caring volunteers. Can you help us? Do you have what it takes to join SHIIP's volunteer force?

What does it take to be a SHIIP volunteer?

Volunteer Counselors must meet the certain requirements to be accepted in the SHIIP training.  You must:

  • have the ability to get along well with others
  • have a sensitive and caring attitude
  • have good written and oral communication skills
  • have or be willing to learn computer skills
  • not be an active insurance agent and not have an immediate family member who is an insurance agent
  • have the willingness to learn and the ability to retain information relevant to health and insurance provisions and claims filing procedures

What would my responsibilities be as a Volunteer Counselor?

SHIIP Volunteer Counselors are typically asked to:

  • complete the SHIIP Volunteer Basic Training course and become a certified SHIIP Volunteer Counselor
  • provide 40 hours of volunteer service per calendar year. Volunteer services includes training, counseling, enrollment assistance and outreach activities
  • attend quarterly follow-up meetings throughout the year in locations that do not require much travel
  • counsel clients and beneficiaries in your community.  Counseling may include telephone calls, meeting with clients face-to-face, researching a topic or issue, contacting outside parties such as providers and insurance companies with the client's permission
  • work with the County Volunteer Coordinator in performing SHIIP outreach activities, such as health fairs and speaking engagements
  • complete SHIIP Activity Report forms each time you participate in a counseling session or outreach event


SHIIP Volunteer Counselors are trained to be the go-to person for seniors
and Medicare beneficiaries in the community.  As a volunteer, you would be
responsible for providing balanced, unbiased and accurate information to
those who seek SHIIP's help.  SHIIP Volunteers and staff never recommend or
promote one product over another, nor do they degrade any products or
policies.  They simply offer the client guidance and information with which
he or she can make informed decisions.

Could I be held liable or sued in my role as a SHIIP volunteer?

A SHIIP Volunteer Counselor enjoys the same level of legal protection as
would any other state employee.  In the event a Volunteer Counselor was sued
in his or her role with SHIIP, the Department of Insurance would provide a
defense and would be liable for the first $500,000 in damages.

SHIIP prides itself on offering excellent services to Medicare beneficiaries,
senior citizens and families across North Carolina, and we couldn't do it
without our wonderful group of volunteers.  They are truly some of the best
in the nation.  Don't you want to join us?  Check out the contact information to learn
how you can apply to become a SHIIP Volunteer Counselor.

Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program
NC Department of Insurance\1-800-443-9354
www.ncshiip.com


Donations are always appreciated!