April is a big month for volunteerism. National Volunteer Week was celebrated earlier in the month and the President's Summit for America's Future is taking place this week in Philadelphia, Pa.
On the county level, volunteer program managers from around the country have announced their wish to become NACo's newest affiliate organization.
Volunteer program managers working in county government have submitted a request to NACo's Board of Directors to form a new affiliate to promote local government volunteer programs. The goal of the group is to strengthen volunteer programs through leadership, advocacy and information exchange.
"At the president's summit, President Clinton, along with former Presidents Bush, Reagan, Carter and Ford, has made a historic call for Americans to solve our nation's problems through community service," said Jeri Bush, director, Leon County, Fla. Volunteer Services, and president-elect, Florida Administrators of Volunteers in Government. "I think this makes it the perfect time for county governments to reaffirm their commitment to volunteerism and citizen participation. This affiliate will allow volunteer coordinators to share information and to have a national voice. Volunteerism in county government is no longer a passing fad, but a critical part of how counties do business."
The group's request will go before the NACo Board of Directors at May's Western Interstate Region Conference and, if approved, will go before the full membership at the Annual Conference. The group is tentatively called the National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Government. Charter members will receive "The Volunteer Toolbox," a video and a bimonthly newsletter for a $35 membership fee.
Organizers of the President's Summit for America's Future hope to bring a new level of commitment to volunteer service, especially targeting the nation's young people. President Clinton, along with former Presidents Bush and Carter, will make this historic call to action. President Reagan will be represented by Nancy Reagan and Gen. Colin Powell will serve as general chairman.
The summit's goal is to mobilize millions of citizens and thousands of organizations to ensure that all youth have access to five fundamental resources that can help them lead healthy, fulfilling and productive lives:
At least 20 county officials will attend as members of their community delegations. Many volunteer coordinators in county government will take advantage of this high-profile event to spotlight the important work of volunteers, to forge new partnerships, and to develop volunteer opportunities that meet the goals of the summit.
"In Loudoun County, we will use the summit to focus the community on our youth," said Marilyn Dunnill, director, Loudoun Volunteer Center in Virginia. "We are going to take a look at all the agencies that are serving youth and see how we can work together more effectively. I am also helping plan a Virginia statewide summit - Connect Virginia - that will take place in June. This is a great opportunity for counties to mobilize their communities for children and youth."
(For information about the affiliate or how your community can plan activities in support of the president's summit, contact Peter Lane at NACo by phone: 202/942-4288; or e-mail: plane@naco.org.)
(County Services News was written by Peter Lane, research associate.)
NACo's popular "Volunteer Toolbox" - a how-to guide for developing and managing a volunteer program in county government - has been revised and is now available with updated information and a large sample of ordinances, procedures, volunteer position descriptions and other forms from actual county government programs. The cost is $20 for member counties.
A new educational video about the benefits of volunteerism is also available. Titled, "Discovering Your County's Hidden Resources: Discovering Volunteers," this eight-minute video spotlights the work of volunteers in three county governments. The cost is $10 for member counties or $25 for both the Toolbox and video. It is ideal to show at board meetings, other public forums, or as part of paid staff training.
(To order "The Volunteer Toolbox" or the video, contact
NACo's publications desk at 202/942-4256.)