We wanted to let you know about an important update regarding our organization. After discussing and strategic planning, the board decided to change our organization’s name to reflect our mission and vision better.
Our new name is the North Carolina Association of Volunteer Advancement (NCAVA), and we are excited about this change's positive impact on the volunteer managers and coordinators we serve. While our name is evolving, our commitment to NCAVA remains firm.
The new year is bringing along a few changes with NCAVA and one of those is a brand new benefit for members of our affiliate organizations. If you are a member of an NCAVA affiliate (PRAVA, TRIAVA, Volunteer Burke), you will now be able to redeem a discount code to receive $10 off of an Individual NCAVA Membership.
You should receive this code from your affiliate organization’s leadership. Once you receive this code here is how to redeem it:
Fall is here, which means it is Halloween season! With that in mind, I thought it might be fun to interview a volunteer coordinator who has survived their first year of full-time volunteer coordination. Whether you are in your first year or are a seasoned veteran, we all have had to face a steep, sometimes nerve-racking, learning curve when it comes to starting a new profession. This interview is meant to gain the perspective of someone who just made it through their first year. I encourage anyone who reads through my frighteningly-horrible Halloween puns to share in the discussion by commenting below. We would love to hear advice from new and veteran volunteer coordinators, and may even share in our next newsletter or on social media.
Dear Members,
“Restructure and Refresh NCAVA” was the focus of the board summit for 2023. As with other organizations, we have experienced some uncertainties regarding the future of NCAVA. During these post-pandemic times, membership and certification numbers have fallen, prices have risen while budgets have not, and our local affiliate organizations are experiencing the same hardships. So how do we change this, and support one another? As Barack Obama stated, “If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.” We are on that path to elevate NCAVA and advanced volunteer administrators.
1. Fill Out the Session Notes Form and Keep Your Certificate of Attendance
Before each session a few forms will be handed out. These include a note taking form and a session evaluation. At the end of the session if you turn in the evaluation form you will receive a certificate of attendance. Even if you are not sure you would like to pursue CAVNC certification at the moment, if you keep your notes page and certificate of attendance, they can be used towards CEUs up to three years after the session.
2. Don't Overlook the Opportunity to Problem Solve and Share Information
Now is the time to invest in your professional development and network with leaders of volunteers from across the state. During the three-day conference we will be navigating many relevant workshops pertaining to volunteer management including; the commitment of the profession, planning and conceptual design, perspective and responsiveness, accountability, and resource development and management.
The North Carolina Association of Volunteer Administration Board of Directors has started the process of recruiting for the Education Chair position. The Education Chair will assist the VP of Professional Development with ensuring members have access to educational and certification opportunities. We encourage interested NCAVA members to apply or share with others they feel may be a good fit. The position is completely volunteer, but it is a great way entry level position to gain leadership and non-profit board experience.
The North Carolina Association of Volunteer Administration Board of Directors has started the process of recruiting for the Webmaster position. The Webmaster will assist the VP of Communications with content creation and the updating of the website/ online store. We encourage interested NCAVA members to apply or share with others they feel may be a good fit. The position is completely volunteer, but it is a great way entry level position to gain leadership and non-profit board experience as well as learn about website/ online store management through Square Space.
The North Carolina Association of Volunteer Administration Board of Directors has started the process of recruiting for the Publications Chair position. The will assist the VP of Communications with content creation and the monthly membership newsletter. We encourage interested NCAVA members to apply or share with others they feel may be a good fit. The position is completely volunteer, but it is a great way entry level position to gain leadership and non-profit board experience.
The North Carolina Association of Volunteer Administration Board of Directors has started the process of recruiting new Regional Directors who will oversee recruitment in the Western and Eastern parts of North Carolina. We encourage interested NCAVA members to apply or share with others they feel may be a good fit. The position is completely volunteer, but it is a great way entry level position to gain leadership and non-profit board experience.
The North Carolina Association of Volunteer Administration Board of Directors has started the process of recruiting new Regional Directors who will oversee recruitment in the Western and Eastern parts of North Carolina. We encourage interested NCAVA members to apply or share with others they feel may be a good fit. The position is completely volunteer, but it is a great way entry level position to gain leadership and non-profit board experience.
Kristina Israel has been a member of NCAVA for three years now after originally joining thanks to encouragement from a friend!
Kristina is the outgoing Volunteer Services Specialist for The Council on Aging of Buncombe County and will start her new role as the Community Engagement Manager for the City of Asheville in May.
Rachel Eldridge has been a member of NCAVA for over a decade! She originally joined NCAVA after receiving lots of encouragement from members of our affiliate MAVA and decided to attend a state conference early on.
Rachel is the Director of Volunteer Services for the Charlotte region of Habitat for Humanity.
Erin Pavelchak has been a member of NCAVA for over ten years now! She originally joined NCAVA as a way to grow herself professionally and now serves as the NCAVA board secretary.
Erin is the Senior Volunteer Services Specialist with Be The Match, where she helps to bring alignment to the organization's overall volunteer program.
Dear NCAVA Members,
Normally in January we would be sending out membership renewal reminders, but this year is a little different. If you go to the website you will notice the Payment section of the website is currently offline. The Board has been very busy updating our membership options, as well as, updating our financial institution. So while everything transfers, we have had to shut off payments.
As for the updated membership options, do not worry! There has been no price increase, just more options available to meet the diverse needs of our members.
Carlton Koonce has been a member of NCAVA for over five years - since his introduction to the organization, Koonce says that NCAVA has been “a great way to network with like minded volunteer managers but also to build relationships for my line of work.” He is now the Workforce Manager at Durham Children’s Initiative, where he “level(s) the playing field for disadvantaged youth via soft skills workforce training, internships and financial literacy.” Koonce has also served previously on NCAVA’s board as Publications Chair.
Mary Owens has been a member of NCAVA for five years - ever since a friend invited her to join when she was new to the volunteer administration profession. She is now the Resource Development Manager at The City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, where she oversees the Volunteer Services Program. This program is comprised of two divisions - Volunteer Services, which oversees volunteers across the entire Parks and Recreation Department, and the Invasive Species Program, which specifically utilizes volunteers to help remove invasive plant species and handles restoration plantings as well
