Town Hall Meeting

1

• Town Hall Meeting
• National Conference on Volunteering and Service
• July 15, 2007
• Philadelphia, PA

2
How 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 elses 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

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A 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 dont 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?

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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

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COVAA Sponsors

• Jane JustisThe Leighty Foundation
• Liam Leduc ClarkeThe Volunteer Impact Fund

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The 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 both

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COVAA Committees

• Standards
• Resources
• Advocacy
• Professional Development
• Values/Principles/Marketing
• Communications and Networking
• Certification
• Collaboration
• Technology
• Structure
• Finance

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Steering Committeeas 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

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COVAA Goals

• The 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.

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COVAA Progress Since Denver

• Creation of new website
• Steering Committee business meetings via monthly
  conference call
• Recent implementation of weekly strategic
  dialogue conference call
• Internal and external communication systems have
  been created to ensure full participation

www.covaa.org
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COVAA Progress Since Denver

• Each sub-committee has been meeting on a regular
  basis and developed goals/work plans
• Additional needs have been identified and plans
  put in place to address

www.covaa.org
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Latest Developments

• Identified Need The work of the Steering Team is
  monumental and a point person was needed to help
  keep the Steering Team on track.
• Solution Steering Committee recently hired Wanda
  Lee Bailey as a project strategist to provide
  leadership and guidance in the creation of the
  new association
• Identified Need The Steering Committee was
  unable to develop a master project timeline
  before leaving Denver. Also, the first phase of
  the project entails defining the new
  organizations identity This critical work is
  more effective if done in a face to face format.
• Solution The Steering Committee recently
  convened a Planning Retreat in June.

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Project Strategist

• Wanda will provide the continuity and support
  that the volunteer delegates need to be
  successful in their efforts. Wanda will provide
  support to COVAA in a number of ways, including
  
• Facilitate relationship development with
  strategic partners.
• Assist with identification of potential funding
  sources, market analysis, and research.
• Facilitation, coaching, and assistance with
  creation of strategic frameworks and shepherding
  actions.
• Provide support to steering committee co-chairs
  and sub-committee chairs through coaching,
  technical assistance, coordination, and helping
  to maintain focus.
• Assist with planning for management of new
  entity, as well as building the future
  organizational structure, programs, and budget.
• Assist with development and tracking of time line
  for launch of new national association.

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Project Strategist

• Wandas 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

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Steering Committee Retreat

• In early June 2007, the Steering Committee worked
  on organizational identity as a foundation to the
  business plan and developed project
  timelines/work plans to ensure committees have a
  clear picture of the next steps required to build
  COVAA. 

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Steering Committee Retreat

• What needs does our organization satisfy?
• Leadership
• Representation and collaboration on a national
  level
• Advocacy Positioning of the profession
• Continuing education and linkages to education
  opportunities, including certification
• Resources and linkages to existing resources
• Networking

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Steering Committee Retreat

• What products/services do we offer?
• Advocacy
• Support
• Linkage
• Resources
• Education
• Training
• Networking

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Steering Committee Retreat

• What market do we serve?
• Leaders of volunteers (paid or unpaid, formal
  or informal, grassroots, neighborhood)
• Non Profits
• Corporations
• Educational institutions
• Community organizations
• State associations of volunteer
  managers/volunteer centers
• Local and regional associations of volunteer
  managers/volunteer centers
• Government (local, regional, federal)
• Volunteers
• Consultants
• Vendors

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Steering Committee Retreat

• Mission Statement (Proposed)
• To enhance and sustain the positive impacts of
  volunteers in our diverse communities, COVAA
  serves as the catalyst to foster collaboration,
  promote professional development, define best
  practices, and advocate for leaders in volunteer
  engagement.

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Steering Committee Retreat

• Vision Statement (Proposed)
• Galvanize (Revolutionize) leaders of volunteer
  engagement and inspire innovation by being the
  catalyst for change into the 21st century.

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Steering Committee Retreat

• Guiding Principles (Proposed) 
• We Value our Service by
• Providing excellence in service, adhering to the
  ethics we promote, and exemplifying competence,
  quality standards and credibility within the
  profession.
• Being on the pulse of our professions by
  defining and following best practices,
  identifying current and future trends,
  encouraging the use of newest technology and
  providing access/links to cutting edge resources.
• Relevancy, progression and having impact within
  our profession.
• The promotion of learning and growth through
  training, connection of resources and providing
  forums for thought leadership to meet the needs
  of multi-level expertise within our membership.

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Steering Committee Retreat

• Guiding Principles (Proposed)
• We Value Collaboration by
• Investing in the future of volunteerism through
  capacity building and being strong and viable in
  the communities we serve.
• Honoring current relationships within the field
  and building new ones.
• Building alliances that encourage innovation,
  creativity, vision, and passion.
• Being fluid and flexible in our approach with
  other organizations.

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Steering Committee Retreat

• Guiding Principles (Proposed)
• We Value Stewardship by
• Diversity, inclusiveness, sensitivity and
  accessibility.
• Governing our organization with integrity and
  accountability by incorporating sustainable
  practices, both philosophically and financially.
• In building effective leadership on a local,
  statewide and national level and collectively
  influencing decisions that affect our profession.

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Steering Committee Retreat

• Guiding Principles (Proposed)
• We Value our People by
• Attracting, retaining, fostering and honoring the
  best and brightest talent.
• Engaging and recognizing the talents of
  volunteers in the mission and work of our
  organization.
• Open, proactive, transparent communication
  through being visible to all members.

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A Note About AVRM

• Began through the VRM Roundtable
• Association of Volunteer Resources Management
  (AVRM) incorporated on March 5, 2007
• Leadership of both COVAA and AVRM are planning a
  dialogue to discuss possible future relationship

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COVAAs Future

• The Steering Committeemade up of dozens of
  leaders in volunteer management from around the
  countryis working very thoughtfully to ensure
  that the new, national membership association is
  relevant, positive, and sustainable.
• COVAA is following a broad, inclusive path that
  will lead to a strong professional association.
  The process has and continues to incorporate
  representatives of the professionals that will
  ultimately be served. In addition, COVAA is
  looking outside of the usual sphere of volunteer
  management to obtain input from other people or
  organizations with a broader perspective.

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COVAAs Future

• Organizational 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.

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How YOU Can Help

• Provide your input today!
• We need your thoughts on
• Proposed mission, vision, values
• COVAAs unique niche
• What needs can we satisfy?
• What is the gap that we can fill?
• What services/products should we offer?
• What market should we serve?
• What do YOU need from a national membership
  association?

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How YOU Can Help

• All 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_at_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_at_covaa.org to find out how you can make a
  difference with your contributions.

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A Message from the Steering Committee

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