Volunteer Management Network
Notes from East Central Region Conversation
January 20, 2010
Attendees
- Kristen Ball for Gina Jacaway
- Judy Donath
- Linda Bee
- Rachelle Hollinshead
- Kelly Thompson
- Sheri Seibold
- Annie Hernandez
Vision Thoughts
- (Top Thought) everybody who dealt with volunteers would know everyone else..instant communication; know each other's needs
- connect volunteers with other volunteer "fits"
- (Top Thought) all on level playing fields…budgets, staff support, etc.
- (Top Thought) work together on grant proposals, etc.
- shared volunteer policies in region
- create shared mission for volunteerism in the region
- (Top Thought) identify "local needs" for subregions
- develop a plan to reach out to others in field for more involvement
- educating why collaborations are important
- (Top Thought) TECHNOLOGY could help with this!
- JUNE CONFERENCE: some way to have scholarship funds for those on the "fringe"
- meetings/collaborations are an EXPECTED/REQUIRED for those who do volunteer management
- lots of money AND time!
- organizations/bosses VALUE the connecting; and volunteers (ex. Educate EDs on the value of volunteerism)
- integrate with development/fundraising trainings/people
- consider building ONTO other nonprofit stuff in the region
- value ALL size organizations who utilize volunteers
- skills bank
- making it cool/hip to volunteer
Assets to Leverage
- goodWORKSconnect.org
- Use eachother's buildings/resources for our meetings (ex. Lincoln Library)
- Build on the volunteer activities that are ALREADY happening…use technology (ex. Already groups in Champaign, Decatur) [History: Lincoln Land used to help host in Springfield area]
Statewide Areas to Focus
- Youth focus: increase utilization of youth (under 18-25)
- Marketing plan for Community Service programs
Region Areas to Focus
- Funding: grant proposal to submit for grant to support volunteer programming and infrastructure and capacity-building
- Youth Engagement: more emphasis on growing youth (under 18-25; middle school high school/college) volunteers & have the seniors work WITH youth!
- Training: training for staff of nonprofits; how utilize technology; volunteer retention/recruitment
- Network: work on the network…who's out there and wants to be involved; how are we connecting; try to secure incentive to engagefolks (ex. funds to provide "scholarships" for volunteer-only volunteer managers); use technology (serve.illinois.gov,goodWORKSconnect.org)
PROJECTS/ACTIVITIES for 2010
- Training: Key Topic: Volunteer Retention/Recruitment
2010 schedule
- March – teleconference
- April – VMN meeting post Budget convening in Springfield
- June 10 – post East Central conference
Project Inventory
Work on
- Regional conference
- Web-based volunteer opportunityportals
- Intergenerational initiativesin IL
- Illinois ResourceNet
- Work with communityfoundations (micro-grants)
- 2011 National Conference on Volunteerism
- More training on developing partnerships
- More train eloping funding streams
– Submitted by Annie Hernandez, Program Officer, The Lumpkin Family Foundation