Posted 4/18/00
Submitted by Leigh Wintz, CAE, Executive Director, Soroptimist
International of the Americas, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Just thought you should know that Service Club Leaders (Soroptimist,
Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, National Exchange Club, GFWC and many others)
are planning an event to precede our annual conference in November,
in Atlanta. Our hosts this year, Civitan and Pilot International,
plan to use this event to spotlight the millions of volunteers represented
in Service Clubs around the world. We would welcome the opportunity
to participate in any events or public relations activities. Each
of the organizations that are part of Service Club Leaders Conference
are promoting the UN Year in a variety of ways. We would welcome the
opportunity to assist UNV, Points of Light or any other organization
that coordinate our collaborative efforts to make this year a success.
Service Clubs are willing to work together to promote the value of
volunteering. I wonder why no one has asked us to participate. Service
clubs have been in the business of volunteering for more than 100
years!
Posted 4/3/00
Submitted by Lillian Kerr Haversat, Ex. Dir. Maine Volunteer Connection,
Maine, USA
We have established a statewide volunter referral center network.
This group is now entertaining the possibility of holding volunteer
recognition New Year's Eve parties throughout the state. In our cities
at bigger locales, in our rural areas at schools, churches, etc. This
will then tie into some of the special events planned by regional
and local groups throughout the year. The nicest thing about this
event, it can serve a number of purposes: awareness of the need for
volunteer, recognition, recruitment, and even fund raising. Our "how
to" list should be ready by early June. Oh! yes, the parties can be
as ambitious as the organizing group wants it to be: small parties
in the homes of volunteers, big bashes at a hotel or school, medium
sized events at the Grange Halls, etc.
Posted on 4/2/00
Submitted by Roger Tweedy, Chairperson Wellington Volunteer Centre
and Volunteering Consultant, Wellington New Zealand
You have raised many issues which impact on even little ol' New Zealand
on the other side of the world. Getting the International Year activated
in NZ was complicated by a change of government in November last,
but we now have full government involvement with the budget allocation
for the year accepted in June. The Volunteer Centres hope to take
a key role in the year, taking as you have suggested the best ever
opportunity to promote volunteering we have ever had.
Posted on 3/31/00
Submitted by Gerald (Jerry) Pannozzo, CVA, Rivington House Health
Care Facility, New York, New York, USA
Susan, my initial response was to contact folk with regard to what
was happening--my investigative nature. I'm working on my personal
issue--not being so reactive. However, what I discovered was I was
checking your site almost daily to see responses as my circles (local
and international) were in fact limiting. As we end the month I want
to state that I feel priviledged to have had the opportunity to read
the responses. It also reminds me that it was only a year ago that
my internet access was limited. We need to keep in mind not everyone
has access. Finally, I'm impressed with what people (who ran with
the ball) have done. I celebrate their successes and see them as an
inspiration for me and hopefully others. Thanks for providing this
opportunity for all of us to communicate and posting a wide variety
of opinions!
Posted on 3/28/00
Response from UNV- United
Nations Volunteer Program
(Due to the length of the response, we had to post it on a separate
page.)
Posted by 3/23/00
Submitted by Nancy Amos, International Year of Volunteers, Volunteer
Canada, Ottawa, Canada
Very interesting article and lots of great food for thought around
this opportunity/challenge. Volunteer Canada is the lead voluntary
organization for IYV in Canada. We are working with the government
departments "co-leading" the year (Canadian Heritage and
Human Resources Development Canada). We began last April by hosting
a national Leaders' Forum; the report is available on our web site
(http://www.volunteer.ca), along
with other materials, including planning kits for the year.
There are five strategic objectives for the year in Canada:
- Celebrate volunteerism.
- Promote volunteering for all.
- Expand the definition of volunteerism in Canada.
- Improve voluntary organization infrastructure.
- Develop the voluntary sector knowledge base.
From those objectives, there are four priority areas for action.
Tentatively, the activities at the national level look as follows:
- Promotion / Events / Information
Events: IYV international launch (Dec. 5, 2000) National Volunteer
Week 2001 (April 22-28) Youth Volunteerism Summit, Canadian Forum
on Volunteerism, August 2001, Vancouver (in conjunction with CIVICUS
assembly)
Promotional Resources: four promotional campaigns over the year,
each with a different theme around volunteerism.
Information: Web site, Information Hotline
- Broadening IYV Engagement: Grantmakers Leadership,
communications.
- Organizational infrastructure and capacity: Toolkits for voluntary
organizations and development of on-line education for volunteer
managers.
- Research and knowledge development: Research program
Posted on 3/22/00
Response from the Points of Light Foundation,
plus Susan's Response to POL
(Due to the length of the response, we had to post it on a separate
page.)
Posted by 3/22/00
Submitted by DeAnn Lowder, Safe Place/Volunteer Coordinator; Youth
Services of Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
DeeAnn Paisley, Volunteer Recognition Chair of the Tulsa Association
of Volunteer Administrators, brought information regarding IYV 2001
to our group before the first of the year. Since that time, a steering
committee has been formed in order to plan several events starting
with the December 5, 2000 kickoff date and throughout 2001 honoring
volunteers and volunteerism. Already with DeeAnn's leadership, the
committee has been able to reserve the football stadium in our community
where volunteers will get together to form the IYV 2001 logo, have
high school bands present, flyover by Nat'l Guard, etc. If my memory
serves me well, I believe DeeAnn heard about IYV 2001 at last year's
AVA conference. With enthusiam and leadership, DeeAnn Paisley has
initiated getting something planned for IYV 2001 in our community.
If other communities were to get organized, this would be great opportunity
to showcase, illustrate the importance of volunteers and volunteerism
to all of our communities and the world.
Posted 3/20/00
Submitted by Jackie Norris, Executive Director, Metro Volunteers!,
Denver, Colorado, USA
Once again, thank you for raising issues we all need to address. I
hope you'll include this in your opening session at our Colorado Conference
on Volunteerism...a great place to get all the folks here energized
about doing something. You've got me going! I plan to bring this up
at our "large volunteer center affinity group" meeting in Orlando
in June, as well as share some of the great ideas listed here with
our state association of Volunteer Centers and DOVIA's. I look forward
to the continuing dialogue...and to taking some action.
Posted 3/16/00
Submitted by Rob Jackson, Royal National Institute for the Blind,
London, England
I agree completely with your fears Susan, especially in respect to
the lack of the international focus. Here in the UK, each separate
country is pursuing its own plan for 2001. If we can't be national
across the UK, we have no hope of being international! In England,
a meeting was held in December to brainstorm ideas for making he most
of IYV2001. The first committee meeting arising from that brainstorm
is March 17. I think we might be ready in December 2001! And I say
we because, as a VPM, I have to take some of the responsibility for
not doing things sooner too.
Where does that leave us? We need to make the most of what is happening
but everything really smacks of too little too late. So here is my
own solution suggestion. Why don't we make the most of the Energize
site being international and form partnerships with volunteer involving
agencies in other countries working in similar fields? Through those
partnerships we can plan, conduct and publicise joint activities throughout
the year. So, to get started, I work for an organisation that provides
services to visually impaired people across the UK. I'd love to hear
from anyone else in a similar organisation elsewhere in the world
who wants to get active in IYV2001. rjackson@rnib.org.uk
Posted 3/16/00
Submitted by Irene Goodgame, DVS Tanner Medical Center, GA.
What about "A Year of Sharing, A Year of Caring". This would be diverse
enough so that all types of volunteers could be included. It could
be the goal of each volunteer group to recruit at least an additional
10% of current membership to add to their rosters. Introduce volunteering
to others.
Posted by 3/10/00
Submitted by Sarah H. Elliston , Senior Volunteer Resource Associate,
Cincinnati, OHIO
I guess you hit the nail on the head when you pointed out that Kenn
Allen has a conflict of interest - I don't think he needs to - in
his role he could galvanize both organizations - I don't know the
answer, Susan - Maybe if your talk at the statewide conference in
Ohio in a few weeks reflects this concern, maybe the vol centers in
Ohio will get cracking - And sometimes I think it is not worth trying
to teach people what volunteer is - I begin to wonder if we shouldn't
call it "community initiatives" thus encompassing community activists
and organizers who are so rabidly NOT working with volunteers- (even
though their community people are not getting paid) maybe it's time
to draw the circle with them by using their terms, instead of constantly
telling them they are part of it using our words - does that make
any sense at all?
Posted 3/8/00
Submitted by Lori Hutson, Houston Arboretum & Nature
Center, TX, USA
Our Houston AVA is looking into what we can do for IYV. Your info
on the website is great. I really appreciate the ideas (see Susan's
ideas) , it got me starting to think: here's one very easy/inexpensive
idea: Add the IYV logo to organization & volunteer newsletters, AVAs/DOVIAs
newsletters, website, PRESS RELEASES (might make the person reading
wonder, and call to ask for more info.!). Or what about a "thank you"
of the day - possibly a gift to volunteers? Some inexpensive container
with 365 "Thank you"s or inspirational notes. Or 365 Hershey's hugs
& kisses (got milk?) - one for each day for the year. And your photo
idea - wouldn't it be great to have the photo in the shape of each
state, so they could be put together as a "map" of the USA? That's
enough from me. MANY thanks for your creativity - it can be easy to
see this as a huge undertaking that requires time & money, you've
really given me a little inspiration.
Posted 3/8/00
Submitted by Kathy Cunningham, Manager, Volunteer Services,
Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins Hospital will address this issue with an exciting program.
We have a very large International Services Department with at least
100 foreign-born volunteers who act as translators and tour guides.
The Office of Volunteer Services is planning on working with International
Services to make 2001 "The Year of the International Volunteer."
We will have international pot lucks, fashion shows, a bulletin board
with International displays, singing, dancing, instrumentals, craft
exhibits at different times. This will bring in foreign born people
from diverse countries. We can also draw from the different foreign
groups in the community who have annual festivals at local parks to
showcase their heritage. We can encourage our foreign born volunteers
to wear Hopkins International Volunteer T-shirts, have a Hopkins table
at the festivals and talk about volunteering. We also can have them
educate us about volunteerism in their home countries.
On our volunteer application, we ask if the new volunteer can speak
a foreign language and could be a translator. This would be a "second
job" for the volunteer, one that ties them in with volunteers from
their home countries. Since many of our volunteers are Hopkins U students
who are foreign born, it gives them a chance to meet countrymen and
speak their native language. It is a custom made group for volunteer
projects.
Posted 3/7/00
Submitted by Rosemary Fox, Chair, AHA Committee on
volunteers, Atlanta, GA
Our healthcare collaboration is planning activities which will coordinate
with activities of the IYV.We are made up of members of the AHA Committee
on Volunteers, ASDVS, Veteran's Association Voluntary Chiefs, State
Auxiliary Leaders are dedicated to revitalizing health care volunteerism.
Teams composed of stakeholder leaders have addressed the issues of
fundraising, publicity, communication, research & reporting, resources
& event planning and vision & values. A three year plan was to coincide
with the national conference of ASDVS/Auxilians/Volunteers is underway.
- 2000 Orlando- "Blast Off" of Volunteer Summit Campaign (Susan
Ellis will be a speaker)
- 2001 St. Louis- Volunteer Summit implementing IYV agenda.
- 2002 Seattle- Evaluation and Celebration of campaign
Local and regional events and promotions will continue throughout
the years. Plans are in progress for a national public awareness campaign
to publicize the importance of health care volunteerism, accentuating
our "best practices" both internally to hospital administration and
staff and externally to new audiences in the community. We welcome
all those who would like to join us in our campaign! rosemfox@msn.com
Posted 3/6/00
Submitted by Michele Louwerse, FCSC Director, National Council
of YMCAs of Japan, Tokyo, Japan
The "IYV Possibilities" is a great idea starter. After reading that
and Susan Ellis's article, I met with my director to discuss ways
in which our organization can help publicize the year, including putting
the the IYV logo on our letterheads, 2001 calendar, and Xmas cards
(with a message inside annoucing the opening of the year). We've also
thought about setting aside some funds to recognize a Special Volunteer
(possibly a continuing award), and using the theme in our promotional
materials and speeches, including our CEO's address in the 2000 annual
report (released in 2001). Thanks for the wonderful ideas, and for
a great motivating piece!
Posted 3/6/00
Submitted by Michelle Jokic, Manager Geelong Volunteer Resource
Centre, Victoria
Hi, I'm from a small Volunteer Resource Centre in Geelong, Victoria
Australia. I am working on our marketing plan now for the International
Year of the Volunteer 2001. We plan to have something happening each
month including walkathons, church services and a picture show for
volunteers.
Other projects ideas include:
- a corporate design 'bumper' sticker for the IYV 2001.
- mountainous banners on volunteerism at a football game which
will be televised throughout Australia.
- street flags
- updating our Website at http://www.geelongvolunteer.org.au
- a National Volunteer Conference in 2001
- a booklet for volunteer recognition ideas for the $1.00 budget
agencies up to the $40,000 funded agencies for volunteer programs.
- theme parks, museums, art centres and bus companies having free
days during 2001 for volunteers.
- Lions club and the Rotarians sponsoring us to create a volunteer
coupon booklet.
- a photograph collage in the front windows of our shopping stores
(a well known shopping centre)
- messages for 2001 on our local milk dairy cartons.
Here's an idea for everyone: Why don't you contact all businesses
and invite them to display "IYOV 2001" on their screen savers during
a particular week? Same for colleges and UNI's, all not-for-profits,
etc.
Posted 3/6/00
Submitted by Carol Friedland, CVA, Deputy Director, Mayor's
Voluntary Action Center, New York, NY, USA
Thank you, Susan, for saying what we need to hear. As volunteer administrators
we should take advantage of the PR opportunities offered to us and
I do agree that the national organizations have failed to follow up
on IYV. I also want to thank you for highlighting the work of NYC/IYV.
The credit goes to Rustie Brooke, NY AVA and Norma Gindes, United
Hospital Fund, whose creative leadership has brought together an impressively
diverse group of nonprofit and government agencies, coalitions and
corporations. The door is not closed: any New York City group involved
with volunteerism, that is willing to work, is welcome.
Posted 3/3/00
Submitted by Thaddeus M. Figlock, Director of Volunteers, Marian
Manor Nursing Home, MA
I like the "I am a volunteer, too!" idea using labels at conferences.
But I think we need a whole year of "I am a volunteer" activities
in every community. Organizations - businesses, civic groups, schools,...
almost everyone except hermits involve volunteer action (and with
the internet and virtual volunteering that can change.) Organizations
could make commitments to "put volunteers first" and announce / thank
/ mention a volunteer at the begining of all important meetings and
functions for the year. Imagine... Every chairman of the board at
every hospital mentioning at the start of every board meeting -Do
you know so and so, she is a wonderful volunteer.... Every school
committee meeting starting out with a salute to a volunteer... The
mention may take a minute, but what a message if the first minute
of every meeting would focus on volunteers. It should snowball - the
minutes to every meeting would then mention a volunteer - the news
coverage would mention a volunteer.
