A Mid-Year Update from the President

The winter holidays are behind us, and I can’t believe it’s already February! Spring is just around the corner!

NOVAA is now in the second half of fiscal year 2009-10 (we operate on a July 1 to June 30 calendar). This seems like a good time to recap some of NOVAA’s work so far this year, and look forward to what’s yet to come.

Membership has held steady relative to the past few years; we currently have 157 members, and we continue to reach out to volunteer management professionals and organizations that may not be aware of NOVAA.

We had a very successful conference on November 4, with nearly 100 participants. The conference, with the theme, In Our Own Backyard, capitalized on local talents to put together a fantastic array of speakers and workshops. Thank you to the 2009 Conference Chair, Marie Rust, and the Conference Committee for all of their hard work in making this event possible. With the new year, we have welcomed Debra Freedman to the NOVAA Board as the Chair for the 2010 NOVAA Conference. She’s already begun work putting together a committee to plan another great conference for this fall.

NOVAA offered a great series of programs at our monthly meetings during the late summer and fall, and I’d like to thank former Program Chair Kyle Bray for his hard work. Kyle has recently moved away from the Portland area. In January, we welcomed Melissa Owens to the Board as the new Program Chair. Melissa is busily planning an exciting array of programs for the coming months!

The Professional Development Committee has been very busy this year so far. Awards were presented at the conference in November to recognize three of our members for their service to NOVAA and their contributions to the volunteer management profession. Information has been provided to interested members about the 2010 CVA (Certified in Volunteer Administration) certification process. Just last week, NOVAA and TACS presented the Volunteer Management 101 workshop; NOVAA members served as instructors, and 36 people were enrolled as participants. And the monthly networking group for advanced volunteer management professionals has begun its second year of programming.

NOVAA has accomplished so much in just the first half of this year. And this work only happens through the volunteer efforts of our Board and committee members!

I would like to invite all of our current members to join us in continuing the work of NOVAA by serving on a committee and on the Board itself. I know from personal experience that serving on the NOVAA Board is a fantastic way to get to know other volunteer administrators and develop yourself professionally.

The Board has appointed a nominating committee, chaired by Past President Annette Schaff-Palmer, to develop the slate of Board members for 2010-11. The nominating committee, over the course of the next six weeks, will be identifying candidates for the following positions for 2010-11: President, President Elect, Conference Co-Chair, Professional Development Co-Chair, Members at Large.

This is truly an exciting time to become an active participant in shaping the future of NOVAA. We welcome your ideas, your creativity, your input, and your leadership.

So answer the call! Let me or any Board member know about your interest in helping with the work of NOVAA. We’d be happy to tell you all about the duties of the various committee and Board positions.

You know the old saying, “Many hands make light work…” Let’s all work together to accomplish the important work of NOVAA, our professional association!

-- Carol Cruzan

February 2010 www.novaa.org
Mark your Calendar! NOVAA February Membership Meeting: Join us for the February NOVAA meeting and learn about Social Media: Working through the process and measuring value. Ash Shepherd will lead this presentation that will go beyond “social media 101” and help you start building the framework needed for long-term success in social media campaigns. When: Thursday, February 18th Time: Noon -1:30pm Where: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 NW 19th Avenue Portland, OR. read more... Conference Committee Cohorts Convene! (with Conference calls) The Conference Committee is gearing up for a new exciting event this year. NOVAA is in need of a lot of resources to make this happen. Since I know everyone is so busy and has too many meetings scheduled in your day, the committee is going to “meet” over the phone for the first 4 months with conference calls. No driving, parking or wasted time. read more... Half-Price NOVAA Membership NOVAA membership through June 30, 2010 is now only $20.00! Try us out for half price and get access to member benefits including; educational program meetings, training and professional development opportunities, a monthly newsletter, networking opportunities with colleagues, and much more! Don't miss this great opportunity for a significant discount on NOVAA membership! NOVAA Professional Development Scholarships Available Are you interested in attending a workshop or training on a volunteer management topic such as the TACS Volunteer Management 101 or the Mid-Valley Volunteer Managers Association conference in May? Don’t let money keep you from participating! read more...	A Mid-Year Update from the President The winter holidays are behind us, and I can’t believe it’s already February! Spring is just around the corner! NOVAA is now in the second half of fiscal year 2009-10 (we operate on a July 1 to June 30 calendar). This seems like a good time to recap some of NOVAA’s work so far this year, and look forward to what’s yet to come. Membership has held steady relative to the past few years; we currently have 157 members, and we continue to reach out to volunteer management professionals and organizations that may not be aware of NOVAA. We had a very successful conference on November 4, with nearly 100 participants. The conference, with the theme, In Our Own Backyard, capitalized on local talents to put together a fantastic array of speakers and workshops. Thank you to the 2009 Conference Chair, Marie Rust, and the Conference Committee for all of their hard work in making this event possible. With the new year, we have welcomed Debra Freedman to the NOVAA Board as the Chair for the 2010 NOVAA Conference. She’s already begun work putting together a committee to plan another great conference for this fall. NOVAA offered a great series of programs at our monthly meetings during the late summer and fall, and I’d like to thank former Program Chair Kyle Bray for his hard work. Kyle has recently moved away from the Portland area. In January, we welcomed Melissa Owens to the Board as the new Program Chair. Melissa is busily planning an exciting array of programs for the coming months! The Professional Development Committee has been very busy this year so far. Awards were presented at the conference in November to recognize three of our members for their service to NOVAA and their contributions to the volunteer management profession. Information has been provided to interested members about the 2010 CVA (Certified in Volunteer Administration) certification process. Just last week, NOVAA and TACS presented the Volunteer Management 101 workshop; NOVAA members served as instructors, and 36 people were enrolled as participants. And the monthly networking group for advanced volunteer management professionals has begun its second year of programming. NOVAA has accomplished so much in just the first half of this year. And this work only happens through the volunteer efforts of our Board and committee members! I would like to invite all of our current members to join us in continuing the work of NOVAA by serving on a committee and on the Board itself. I know from personal experience that serving on the NOVAA Board is a fantastic way to get to know other volunteer administrators and develop yourself professionally. The Board has appointed a nominating committee, chaired by Past President Annette Schaff-Palmer, to develop the slate of Board members for 2010-11. The nominating committee, over the course of the next six weeks, will be identifying candidates for the following positions for 2010-11: President, President Elect, Conference Co-Chair, Professional Development Co-Chair, Members at Large. This is truly an exciting time to become an active participant in shaping the future of NOVAA. We welcome your ideas, your creativity, your input, and your leadership. So answer the call! Let me or any Board member know about your interest in helping with the work of NOVAA. We’d be happy to tell you all about the duties of the various committee and Board positions. You know the old saying, “Many hands make light work…” Let’s all work together to accomplish the important work of NOVAA, our professional association! -- Carol Cruzan
NOVAA monthly email update - February 2010

Mark your Calendar!

Conference Committee Cohorts Convene! (with Conference calls)

Half-Price NOVAA Membership

NOVAA Professional Development Scholarships Available

A Mid-Year Update from the President