May
2007 Update
The Steering Committee has been meeting on a
monthly basis via teleconference. Effective communication has
been a high priority – both internal committee communications
and externally to the delegates and stakeholders. Through the
generosity of Samaritan Technologies, the COVAA website and Sharepoint
are two, key communication vehicles. A written report template
has been developed to ensure consistent, thorough communications
between the committees. The Steering Committee is composed of
the chair/co-chairs of each of the following sub-committees. The
following is a brief summary of their progress to date:
Structure Committee:
The committee’s goal is to research and recommend a structure
for a strong national membership association. This committee is
currently developing membership categories, i.e., individual membership
(including active, introductory, associate, and lifetime) and
group membership.
Standards Committee:
The committee’s goal is to establish, disseminate, and adhere
to volunteer program management industry standards of excellence.
Both ethical standards and program standards have been formulated.
Resources Committee:
The goal of this committee is to help COVAA be the knowledge resource
for leaders of volunteers. Their immediate goal is to develop
a clearinghouse model for a website or repository of resources
by July 2007. They are developing a common language and doing
extensive research. They have begun cataloguing existing web-based
resources using a closed network on furl.net.
Advocacy Committee:
The goal of this committee is to increase the recognition and
respect for the profession of volunteer management. The committee
has spent time carefully defining their goals to include:
1. Influence policy
2. Empower and advocate for the profession of volunteer management
3. Empower and recognize the strength of volunteers
4. Promote volunteerism in communities in America
Currently, the committee is researching historical examples of
successful organizational advocacy, such as:
• Successful advocacy in the history of the former organization,
AVA
• Successful advocacy in any of the local volunteer administrator
organizations
• Steps other professional organizations have implemented
to advocate for their professions
Professional Development Committee:
The committee’s goal is to provide professional development
opportunities at a variety of levels utilizing a variety of means.
Their activities to date include:
• Researching and compiling a list of colleges and universities
offering academic courses and educational programs in Volunteer
Management
• Identifying and listing available professional trainers
according to regions
• Identifying available Train the Trainer curricula and
developing a program for COVAA
• Researching and compiling a list of a variety of available
technological tools for delivering/hosting professional development
activities (This assignment is completed)
• Providing suggested options for online professional development
training workshops in lieu of a national conference for 2007
• Developing a rough draft plan for a national professional
development conference in 2008
• Submitting a proposal to POLF/VCNN to update the Volunteer
Management Training Series and research other available volunteer
management training curricula.
Values/Principles/Marketing Committee:
The goal of this committee is to create a statement of philosophy,
a set of guiding principles, and marketing strategies that reflects
the organization’s spirit and brand that attracts a growing
and diverse membership. It is becoming apparent that this committee’s
work is critical in the beginning stages of this project and that
input, as well as assistance, is required from all committees.
As a result, instead of directly performing the work, this committee
will be helping to lead the process by engaging all stakeholders
in helping COVAA to develop their organizational identity.
Communications and Networking Committee:
The goal of this committee is to provide leaders of volunteers
opportunities for interactive dialogue and information sharing
through the website, e-mail, and written correspondence. Accomplishments
to date include:
• Updates to www.covaa.org website and on-going check of
e-mail account
• Created final report from Denver Meeting
• Created monthly report template for committee chairs
• Drafted and sent public letter from Steering Committee
to delegation
• Development of a PowerPoint presentation about COVAA and
its progress. The PowerPoint is available on the Steering Committee
page of Sharepoint for steering committee members to use. It is
also planned to add the presentation to the COVAA website.
Certification Committee:
The goal of this committee is to develop a memorandum of understanding
with the new Council on Certification in Volunteer Administration.
There is no progress to report at this time.
Collaboration Committee:
The goal of this committee is to develop strategic partnerships
and relationships linking with existing national organizations.
To date, outreach has been made to initiate a dialogue with the
Association of Volunteer Resources Management.
Technology Committee:
The goal of this committee is to explore and apply user-friendly,
innovative and emerging technologies to support organizational
goals. Accomplishments to date include:
• Created Sharepoint system and homepage for each committee
to use to collaborate, store documents, participate in discussions
and record survey results
• Built committee email address blocks (technology@covaa.org)
• Supported Communications Committee with web site help,
integrated recruiting databases, blast emails.
• Provided training of COVAA delegates on how to best use
Sharepoint to build their committee.
• Initiated dialogue with multiple providers of volunteer
databases to discuss technical standards.
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