Town Hall MeetingTown Hall MeetingNational Conference on National Conference on Volunteering and ServiceVolunteering and Service

July 15, 2007July 15, 2007Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia, PA

How COVAA StartedHow COVAA Started Lengthy discussions were held during the Points of Light conference in Seattle

in June 2006 about what might serve the needs of the volunteer management profession after the dissolution of the Association for Volunteer Administration (AVA).

An ad hoc group with a sincere interest in the success of a new professional association was formed, all of whom participated in Seattle and wanted to continue the ideas and collaborative efforts that were started there.

They determined there was a need to intentionally create a much larger venue for the discussion – not just as part of someone else’s conference and not just via the Web.

After careful consideration and input from the President and Executive Director of American Society of Directors of Volunteer Services (ASDVS, in healthcare), it was determined that the tentatively planned Philadelphia meeting in September (discussed in Seattle) was premature.

In an effort immediately to go beyond the ten members of the ad hoc group, they decided to create a congress…

A Congress in DecemberA Congress in December Any existing volunteer program manager association

was invited to send one official representative – with voting authority – to the two-day meeting in Denver.

The Congress began with a group of 90 individuals that represented six thousand practitioners.

Topics for discussion in Denver included: What are existing associations already doing well and

don’t need a national organization to do for them? What might a national organization provide that is value-added?

What might a “congress” of associations permit existing groups to do together? Is the “congress” model the best choice for moving forward?

How might a “congress” encourage the formation of new associations in geographic areas without such a group now?

What might be the interrelationship between a national “congress” and local associations?

COVAA Planning Team Paula Beugen Mike Brady Joan Brown Angela Caudill Rita Chick Victoria Eggleston Susan Ellis Audrey Harris Pam Lemp Pam Mayhew Todd McMullin Christine Nardecchia Nora Simmons Daly Betty Stallings Cat Trapp

COVAA Sponsors

Jane JustisThe Leighty Foundation

Liam Leduc ClarkeThe Volunteer Impact Fund

The Congress in DenverThe Congress in Denver

Two votes were taken by delegates.

Vote #1: Question: Will a new national entity be created?

Vote #2: Question: Will it be a national

membership association?

Answer? “YES” to bothAnswer? “YES” to both

COVAA CommitteesCOVAA Committees

1. Standards2. Resources 3. Advocacy 4. Professional Development5. Values/Principles/Marketing6. Communications and Networking7. Certification8. Collaboration 9. Technology 10. Structure11. Finance

Steering CommitteeSteering Committeeas of June 2007as of June 2007

Co-Chairs: Rita Chick, American Red Cross & Joanna Johnson, Town Lake Animal Center

Betty Aldworth, Project Angel Heart Deirdre Araujo, Exploratorium Erin Barnhart, Action Without Borders/Idealist.org Vickie Bateman, Volunteer Action Center of

Bartholomew County Rebecca Burton, Arkansas DHHS Division of

Volunteerism Sherry Davis, Arkansas DHHS Division of

Volunteerism Tiffani Hill, Best Friends Network Mary Kay Hood, Hendricks Regional Health Karen Jackson, Mosaic Valerie Jones, Community Volunteer Service and

Senior Centers Vicki Leigh, , Colorado State Parks Kristen Leuth, Center for Active Generations Karen McDonald, Anne Arundel County Dept. of

Detention Facilities Betsy McFarland, Humane Society of the United

States Todd McMullin, Samaritan Industries Nora Simmons Daly, Metro Volunteers

COVAA GoalsCOVAA GoalsThe Congress ended with the following promises to field:

The new COVAA Steering Committee committed to continuing the work started in Denver and, in turn, having the confidence and support of all Congress participants.

Continued ongoing communication with the field (using the www..covaa..org site), including full financial transparency.

Taking the naming of this entity seriously and waiting until research can be done on the best term for future outreach.

Not permitting the various task forces to operate in silos, but to find the overlapping circles of concern and activities.

To seek involvement and input from the widest range of colleagues.

COVAA Progress Since DenverCOVAA Progress Since Denver

Creation of new websiteCreation of new website

Steering Committee Steering Committee business meetings via business meetings via monthly conference callmonthly conference call

Recent implementation Recent implementation of weekly strategic of weekly strategic dialogue conference calldialogue conference call

Internal and external Internal and external communication systems communication systems have been created to have been created to ensure full participationensure full participation

www.covaa.orgwww.covaa.org

COVAA Progress Since DenverCOVAA Progress Since Denver

Each sub-committee has Each sub-committee has been meeting on a been meeting on a regular basis and regular basis and developed goals/work developed goals/work plansplans

Additional needs have Additional needs have been identified and been identified and plans put in place to plans put in place to addressaddress

www.covaa.orgwww.covaa.org

Latest DevelopmentsLatest Developments Identified Need: The work of the Steering Team is monumental and Identified Need: The work of the Steering Team is monumental and

a point person was needed to help keep the Steering Team on a point person was needed to help keep the Steering Team on track. track.

Solution: Steering Committee recently hired Solution: Steering Committee recently hired Wanda Lee BaileyWanda Lee Bailey as a as a project strategist to provide leadership and guidance in the creation project strategist to provide leadership and guidance in the creation of the new associationof the new association

Identified Need: The Steering Committee was unable to develop a Identified Need: The Steering Committee was unable to develop a master project timeline before leaving Denver. Also, the first phase master project timeline before leaving Denver. Also, the first phase of the project entails defining the new organization’s identity This of the project entails defining the new organization’s identity This critical work is more effective if done in a face to face format. critical work is more effective if done in a face to face format.

Solution: The Steering Committee recently convened a Solution: The Steering Committee recently convened a Planning Planning RetreatRetreat in June. in June.

Project StrategistProject Strategist Wanda will provide the continuity and support that the Wanda will provide the continuity and support that the

volunteer delegates need to be successful in their efforts. volunteer delegates need to be successful in their efforts. Wanda will provide support to COVAA in a number of Wanda will provide support to COVAA in a number of ways, including: ways, including:

Facilitate relationship development with strategic partners.Facilitate relationship development with strategic partners.

Assist with identification of potential funding sources, market Assist with identification of potential funding sources, market analysis, and research.analysis, and research.

Facilitation, coaching, and assistance with creation of Facilitation, coaching, and assistance with creation of strategic frameworks and shepherding actions. strategic frameworks and shepherding actions.

Provide support to steering committee co-chairs and sub-Provide support to steering committee co-chairs and sub-committee chairs through coaching, technical assistance, committee chairs through coaching, technical assistance, coordination, and helping to maintain focus.coordination, and helping to maintain focus.

Assist with planning for management of new entity, as well Assist with planning for management of new entity, as well as building the future organizational structure, programs, and as building the future organizational structure, programs, and budget. budget.

Assist with development and tracking of time line for launch Assist with development and tracking of time line for launch of new national association. of new national association.

Project StrategistProject Strategist Wanda’s Credentials

•Partner in a consulting practice that serves the nonprofit sector 

•Served as Executive Director of Volunteer San Diego

•Served on the boards of several local, state, and national professional organizations

•Graduate of Fieldstone Executive Learning Group, and trained in group facilitation and dynamics

•Among her areas of expertise, Wanda specializes in nonprofit management, organizational development, board relations, volunteer management, fund development, and collaboration building and has provided training on a local, statewide, and national basis

Steering Committee RetreatSteering Committee Retreat In early June 2007, the In early June 2007, the

Steering Committee Steering Committee worked on worked on organizational identity organizational identity as a foundation to the as a foundation to the business plan and business plan and developed project developed project timelines/work plans to timelines/work plans to ensure committees ensure committees have a clear picture of have a clear picture of the next steps required the next steps required to build COVAA. to build COVAA. 

Steering Committee RetreatSteering Committee Retreat

What needs does our organization satisfy?What needs does our organization satisfy? • LeadershipLeadership• Representation and collaboration on a national levelRepresentation and collaboration on a national level• Advocacy – Positioning of the professionAdvocacy – Positioning of the profession• Continuing education and linkages to education Continuing education and linkages to education

opportunities, including certificationopportunities, including certification• Resources and linkages to existing resourcesResources and linkages to existing resources• NetworkingNetworking

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What products/services do we offer?What products/services do we offer? AdvocacyAdvocacy Support Support LinkageLinkage ResourcesResources Education Education TrainingTraining NetworkingNetworking

Steering Committee RetreatSteering Committee Retreat What market do we serve?What market do we serve?

Leaders of volunteers – (paid or unpaid, formal or informal, Leaders of volunteers – (paid or unpaid, formal or informal, grassroots, neighborhood)grassroots, neighborhood)

Non ProfitsNon Profits CorporationsCorporations Educational institutionsEducational institutions Community organizationsCommunity organizations State associations of volunteer managers/volunteer centersState associations of volunteer managers/volunteer centers Local and regional associations of volunteer managers/volunteer Local and regional associations of volunteer managers/volunteer

centerscenters Government (local, regional, federal)Government (local, regional, federal) VolunteersVolunteers ConsultantsConsultants VendorsVendors

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Mission Statement (Proposed):Mission Statement (Proposed): To enhance and sustain the positive impacts To enhance and sustain the positive impacts

of volunteers in our diverse communities, of volunteers in our diverse communities, COVAA serves as the catalyst to foster COVAA serves as the catalyst to foster collaboration, promote professional collaboration, promote professional development, define best practices, and development, define best practices, and advocate for leaders in volunteer advocate for leaders in volunteer engagement.engagement.

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Vision Statement (Proposed): Vision Statement (Proposed): Galvanize Galvanize (Revolutionize)(Revolutionize) leaders of volunteer leaders of volunteer

engagement and inspire innovation by being engagement and inspire innovation by being the catalyst for change into the 21the catalyst for change into the 21stst century. century.

Steering Committee RetreatSteering Committee Retreat Guiding Principles (PGuiding Principles (Proposed):roposed):  

We Value our Service by:We Value our Service by: • Providing excellence in service, adhering to the ethics we Providing excellence in service, adhering to the ethics we

promote, and exemplifying competence, quality standards and promote, and exemplifying competence, quality standards and credibility within the profession.credibility within the profession.

• Being “on the pulse” of our professions by defining and following Being “on the pulse” of our professions by defining and following best practices, identifying current and future trends, encouraging best practices, identifying current and future trends, encouraging the use of newest technology and providing access/links to the use of newest technology and providing access/links to cutting edge resources.cutting edge resources.

• Relevancy, progression and having impact within our profession.Relevancy, progression and having impact within our profession.

• The promotion of learning and growth through training, The promotion of learning and growth through training, connection of resources and providing forums for thought connection of resources and providing forums for thought leadership to meet the needs of multi-level expertise within our leadership to meet the needs of multi-level expertise within our membership. membership.

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Guiding Principles (PGuiding Principles (Proposed):roposed): We Value Collaboration by:We Value Collaboration by:

• Investing in the future of volunteerism through capacity Investing in the future of volunteerism through capacity building and being strong and viable in the communities we building and being strong and viable in the communities we serve.serve.

• Honoring current relationships within the field and building Honoring current relationships within the field and building new ones.new ones.

• Building alliances that encourage innovation, creativity, Building alliances that encourage innovation, creativity, vision, and passion.vision, and passion.

• Being fluid and flexible in our approach with other Being fluid and flexible in our approach with other organizations.organizations.

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Guiding Principles (PGuiding Principles (Proposed):roposed): We Value Stewardship by:We Value Stewardship by:

• Diversity, inclusiveness, sensitivity and accessibility.Diversity, inclusiveness, sensitivity and accessibility.• Governing our organization with integrity and accountability Governing our organization with integrity and accountability

by incorporating sustainable practices, both philosophically by incorporating sustainable practices, both philosophically and financially.and financially.

• In building effective leadership on a local, statewide and In building effective leadership on a local, statewide and national level and collectively influencing decisions that affect national level and collectively influencing decisions that affect our profession.our profession.

Steering Committee RetreatSteering Committee Retreat

Guiding Principles (PGuiding Principles (Proposed):roposed): We Value our People by:We Value our People by:

• Attracting, retaining, fostering and honoring the best and Attracting, retaining, fostering and honoring the best and brightest talent. brightest talent.

• Engaging and recognizing the talents of volunteers in the Engaging and recognizing the talents of volunteers in the mission and work of our organization.mission and work of our organization.

• Open, proactive, transparent communication through being Open, proactive, transparent communication through being visible to all members.visible to all members.

A Note About AVRMA Note About AVRM Began through the VRM Began through the VRM

RoundtableRoundtable

Association of Volunteer Association of Volunteer Resources Management Resources Management (AVRM) incorporated on (AVRM) incorporated on March 5, 2007 March 5, 2007

Leadership of both Leadership of both COVAA and AVRM are COVAA and AVRM are planning a dialogue to planning a dialogue to discuss possible future discuss possible future relationshiprelationship

COVAA’s FutureCOVAA’s Future The Steering Committee—made up of The Steering Committee—made up of

dozens of leaders in volunteer dozens of leaders in volunteer management from around the country—is management from around the country—is working very thoughtfully to ensure that working very thoughtfully to ensure that the new, national membership association the new, national membership association is relevant, positive, and sustainable.is relevant, positive, and sustainable.

COVAA is following a broad, inclusive COVAA is following a broad, inclusive path that will lead to a strong professional path that will lead to a strong professional association. The process has and association. The process has and continues to incorporate representatives continues to incorporate representatives of the professionals that will ultimately be of the professionals that will ultimately be served. In addition, COVAA is looking served. In addition, COVAA is looking outside of the usual sphere of volunteer outside of the usual sphere of volunteer management to obtain input from other management to obtain input from other people or organizations with a broader people or organizations with a broader perspective. perspective.

COVAA’s FutureCOVAA’s FutureOrganizational identity work will be completed soon after input is received Committees are beginning to write the business plan

The goal is to complete organizational development and hand off the new association to its first board of directors by January 2008.

The new membership association is going to be an advocacy organization on behalf of the profession, a standard bearer, and a developer of leaders for our communities.

How YOU Can HelpHow YOU Can Help

Provide your input today!Provide your input today!We need your thoughts on:We need your thoughts on: Proposed mission, vision, valuesProposed mission, vision, values COVAA’s unique nicheCOVAA’s unique niche

• What needs can we satisfy?What needs can we satisfy?• What is the gap that we can fill?What is the gap that we can fill?• What services/products should we offer?What services/products should we offer?• What market should we serve?What market should we serve?• What do YOU need from a national membership What do YOU need from a national membership

association?association?

How YOU Can HelpHow YOU Can HelpAll are welcome and encouraged to join the

COVAA effort!

Stay informed – If you are interested in receiving updates, please visit www.covaa.org and register an individual or association profile.

Lend your skills and talents – Volunteers are still needed! If you want to help with any of the committee activities, please contact info@covaa.org.

Spread the word – Tell as many colleagues as you know about this effort and direct them to www.covaa.org.

Support COVAA – Support this effort through your contributions to keep the momentum alive. Contact info@covaa.org to find out how you can make a difference with your contributions.

A Message from the Steering A Message from the Steering CommitteeCommittee

““We are very excited about the potential of We are very excited about the potential of this new national association. We want to this new national association. We want to revolutionize the field of volunteer revolutionize the field of volunteer management! We invite you to collaborate management! We invite you to collaborate with us and be our partner in this vital work with us and be our partner in this vital work which will ultimately support the power of which will ultimately support the power of active citizen involvement in communities active citizen involvement in communities across the country.” across the country.”