Consumer Voice Conference Arlington, VA October 26, 2013

Transcription

1 Consumer Voice Conference Arlington, VA October 26, 2013

2 Session Outcomes: Intro to the Aging Network Volunteer Collaborative Assessing Program Readiness Recruitment Engaging Volunteers Gain an understanding of the PowerUP! campaign

3 Who are we? The Aging Network's Volunteer Collaborative is a national resource center that helps establish the aging and disability networks as leaders in engaging the growing cohort of talented older adult volunteers in order to meet the growing needs for services.

4 Principal Partners: n4a & NASUAD National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) n4a is the leading voice on aging issues for Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across the country and a champion for Title VI Native American aging programs in our nation s capital. NASUAD represents the nation s 56 state and territorial agencies on aging and disabilities and supports visionary state leadership and the articulation of national policies that affect states

5 Is Your Organization Ready for a Paradigm Shift? Traditional Volunteers Roles PARADIGM SHIFT SELF- DIRECTED TEAMS 5

6 What is a Self-directed Team? A multi-skilled group of 55+ adult volunteers who share responsibilities for addressing a challenge or opportunity in their community. Through time, the team is empowered to take full responsibility for its own functioning and for results. National Council on Aging (2008) A self-directed volunteer team in Delaware

7 Readiness Survey: 1. Willing to learn, think, work, and operate differently? 2. Ready to be open and accept objective input from outsiders? 3. How do you feel about working with older skilled volunteers? 4. How do staff and board members feel about working with skilled volunteers? 5. How do you feel about giving volunteers with the required skills and experience the autonomy to make recommendations and/or decisions with minimal direct supervision? 6. Are your staff and board members willing to re-arrange some of their priorities and make time for implementing new ways to accomplish the organization s mission and goals? 7. Are you willing to interact with volunteers much as you do with professional-level colleagues? 8. Are most staff and board members willing to interact with volunteers much as they do with professional colleagues? 9. Are there two or three characteristics or ways your organization operates that would facilitate or expedite the design and implementation of a skilled volunteer program (or expand your current program)? 10. Are there two or three characteristics or ways your organization operates that would represent barriers to utilizing skilled volunteers in leadership or professional capacities?

8 Team Recruitment What s Involved? Identify a critical, unmet service, organizational, or community need that is compelling and has a clear, defined end point. List all the elements of what needs to be done and the type of talent, skill, or experience needed to meet the need. Develop an array of roles and engagement options for volunteers Identify non-traditional sources for potential volunteers Inventory existing, seasoned volunteers and ask (e.g. Board, Advisory Committees) Reach out to new groups: Chambers, Alumnae Organizations, Professional Retire Groups, Women s League Identify 2-3 lead volunteers (facilitation team) interested in addressing the unmet need who will work with a designated staff leadership team liaison. The lead volunteers and staff liaison develop an organizational/team charter.

9 Principles of Volunteer Engagement Alignment Organizational needs with Volunteer needs Impact What will be accomplished, for whom and how will you know? Adaptable Commitment to change based on learning and experience Flexible Provides choice and options to volunteers

10 Successful outcomes for both individuals and organizations will lead to impact Potential Volunteers Change in awareness and attitude Change in knowledge and skills Change in behavior Change in behavior Change Change in knowledge in knowledge Educate and skills and skills Increased number of people age 50+ connecting with and contributing to the local community Increased number of meaningful paid and unpaid opportunities for connection and contribution offered within local organizations and communities More individuals attracted to organizations to find purpose and connection Long-term transformation More purposeful, connected and contributing lives for people 50+ Healthier, stronger local communities and community organizations Change in awareness and attitude Community organizations More community organizations attracted to the notion of engaging people age 50+

11 What are we doing? The Aging Network s Volunteer Collaborative is POWERING UP volunteer development across the Aging Network!

12 What is the PowerUP! Initiative? 1. State of Art Website and Resource Library 2. Nationally branded PR templates and messaging materials 3. Research-based Programming Model 4. Comprehensive Training and Technical Assistance

13 Search our resource library! Join our community for discussions! Read our Director s blog: Engaging Wisdom Join us for an online chat or have one of your own!

14 RSS feed with pertinent aging news! Calendar of events! Read our blog about volunteer engagement around the network: Making A Difference Share your story! Sign up for our bi-monthly updates!

15 POWERUP! YOUR AGENCY 1. Take the pledge 2. Use the templates 3. Share the infographic 4. Read the blogs To gain access to resources on website, registration is required. All and any can register.

16 PowerUP! PR Agency Audience Template Volunteer Audience Template (this is the bulk of templates)

17 Programming Concept & Model MODEL: Grounded in research Issue-based Outcome focused Team organization Self-direction Shared leadership Evaluation

18 How do self-directed volunteer teams work?

19 The Evidence What should others be doing? Evidence Based Best Practices What should we be doing? How do we share what we know? Dissemination, Publishing, Teaching The Evidence-Based Practice Loop ( ) Education & Program Development How well are we doing it? Relevant Research Evaluation of Outcomes What can we improve?

20 Number of teams escalate new organizations receive WWT grants Senior Centers 18 new organizations receive grants Multi Generational Civic Engagement Initiative Over 110 Teams Initial WWT grant to 8 organizations

21 Volunteer Numbers rocketed! Zero to 1,200+ in six years! Over 500 WWT volunteers before 2 nd cohort of 6 grantees MGCE - the 3 rd wave of volunteers > 1200 volunteers Initial cohort of 8 grantees -zero WWT volunteers

22 Success factors In the Aging Network 1. Significant impact on community 2. Created new roles for volunteers 3. Engaged high number of volunteers 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Engaged high number of volunteers Made a significant impact on community Created new roles for volunteers Served a new population Received awards Received additional funding

23 Internal roles for volunteers What internal roles within the organization in which you would consider engaging volunteers? Select all that apply. 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Resource development (Grant writers, donor development) Expert Roles (Marketing, Accounting, Technology) Program Management (Program Developers and Coordinators) Other (please specify)

24 Unleash the Power of Volunteers If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.

25 Maria Gonzales Jackson, Program Manager The Aging Network Volunteer Collaborative