Town Hall Meeting
National Conference on
Volunteering and Service
July 15, 2007
Philadelphia, PA
How COVAA Started
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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).
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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 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:
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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
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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
Justis
The Leighty Foundation
 Liam
Leduc Clarke
The Volunteer Impact Fund
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
COVAA Committees
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Standards
Resources
Advocacy
Professional Development
Values/Principles/Marketing
Communications and Networking
Certification
Collaboration
Technology
Structure
Finance
Steering Committee
as of June 2007
Co-Chairs: Rita Chick, American Red Cross &
Joanna Johnson, Town Lake Animal Center
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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 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.
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Not permitting the various task forces to operate in silos, but
to find the overlapping circles of concern and activities.
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To seek involvement and input from the widest range of
colleagues.
COVAA Progress Since Denver
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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
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
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.
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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 organization’s 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.
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:
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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 subcommittee 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.
Project Strategist
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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 Retreat
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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.
Steering Committee Retreat
 What
needs does our organization
satisfy?
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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
Steering Committee Retreat
 What
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products/services do we offer?
Advocacy
Support
Linkage
Resources
Education
Training
Networking
Steering Committee Retreat
 What
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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
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.
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.
Steering Committee Retreat
 Guiding
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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.
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.
Steering Committee Retreat
 Guiding
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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.
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.
A Note About AVRM

Began through the VRM
Roundtable
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Association of Volunteer
Resources Management
(AVRM) incorporated on
March 5, 2007
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Leadership of both
COVAA and AVRM are
planning a dialogue to
discuss possible future
relationship
COVAA’s Future
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The Steering Committee—made up of
dozens of leaders in volunteer
management from around the country—is
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.
COVAA’s 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.
How YOU Can Help
 Provide
your input today!
We need your thoughts on:
 Proposed mission, vision, values
 COVAA’s unique niche
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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?
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@covaa.org.
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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
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.”