County volunteer programs to seek Board approval for affiliate status

NACo announces a public hearing on the National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Government's request to be recognized as a NACo affiliate organization. The hearing will be held at NACo's Board of Directors' meeting on Friday, May 23, in conjunction with the Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference. The conference will take place in Kauai County, Hawaii. All NACo members are invited to testify at the hearing.

The National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Government's proposed bylaws state that the purpose of the association is to strengthen volunteer programs in local government through leadership, advocacy and information exchange.

The objectives are to:

• be an information clearinghouse and technical assistance resource to its members, and to the NACo, in order to help local governments design and implement successful volunteer programs and strategies, and to involve citizens in local government operations
• promote the development of innovative and well-managed volunteer programs in local government through articles, publications, awards programs, workshops and other educational forums
• educate government agencies, national organizations and interested members of the general public about the importance of volunteer programs in local government
• serve as a source of expertise to local officials to promote ways in which volunteerism can strengthen local government initiatives
• foster partnerships at the national, state and local levels by encouraging discussion on policies, procedures, programs and activities which can enhance volunteer efforts in local government agencies, and
• undertake any other activities necessary to further the purposes and objectives of the association.