MCDVS Newsletter Header
E-Communiqu�
November 2009
In This Issue
Intriguing Information
Winter Regional Meetings Announced
Marketing Your Program Electronically
2010-2011 Board Nominations
Say No Nicely
New MCDVS Members

 Intriguing Information from the AHVRP 

 National Conference 
 President -- Karol Pokley, CAVS

   
Karol Pokley
I had a great opportunity to attend an informative and in-depth session at the AHVRP national conference in Phoenix this past August. 
 
The "Beyond the Basics" conference session taught me how to evaluate volunteer programs focusing on sustainability and impact.  I realized the importance of aligning department goals with the mission of the hospital.  Program sustainability can improve the overall hospital's perception of your volunteer programs.  It's all about delivering image, evaluating your program regularly and implementing continuous performance improvement as appropriate.
 
I learned a few quick tips that you may find beneficial to your
volunteer programs: drop one and add one program each year, develop strong collaborations, recruit program ambassadors, market and report your progress often.
  
More on reporting structures and analyzing volunteer programs next month.
 Winter Regional Meetings Announced 
 Professional Development -- Debi Schroeder, CAVS
 
I hope all of you will try to attend one or more of the following regional meetings.  They have proven to be educational and the networking is invaluable.  Thank you to all the regional facilitators for sponsoring this winter's regional meeting.
 
Southeast Michigan
Thursday, December 3
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Beaumont Hospital
R.S.V.P. to Beth Frydlewicz
248-423-2415
[email protected]
 
Central Michigan
Tuesday, December 8
1 - 4 p.m.
Central Michigan Community Hospital
1221 South Drive, Mt. Pleasant
Hosts:  Bonnie Vetter and Nancy Fenn
R.S.V.P. to Bonnie Vetter
989-772-6815
[email protected]
 
Southwest Michigan
Wednesday, February 3
3 - 5 p.m.
Holland Home and Faith Hospice
2100 Raybrook SE, Grand Rapids
R.S.V.P. to Jackie Karr-Zlotnicki
616-340-4629
[email protected]
 
Southwest Michigan
Friday, February 26
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (lunch provided)
VA Medical Center
5500 135 Armstrong Rd., Battle Creek
R.S.V.P. to Nancy Babcock
269-223-5497
[email protected]

Southeast Michigan
Friday, February 26
1 - 4 p.m.
Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital
2333 Biddle Avenue, Wyandotte
R.S.V.P. to Carol Bridges
734-246-8948
[email protected]
 
Northern Michigan regional meetings will be announced at a later date.
 Marketing Your Program Electronically
 Resources/Marketing -- Nancy Babcock, CAVS 
 
As our volunteer programs change to match the volunteer workforce skills, more and more of us are looking at marketing our programs electronically.  Here is a list of a few websites to post your volunteer opportunities, along with some helpful hints:

www.volunteermatch.org
www.smartvolunteer.org
www.YSA.org
www.serviceleader.org/new/managers/2004/03/000213.php
www.nationalserviceresources.org/volunteer-recruitment-websites
 
You may also want to see if your local volunteer center has a website to post opportunities too. 
 
When posting an opportunity, keep in mind the age group you are targeting and word your recruitment material to that target audience.  Modify your write-up to include language which supports national initiatives like Iparticipate and Give a Day, Get a Day at Disney.  This lets the community know your organization supports national and local initiatives.
 
If you are posting assignments that will remain on the site for a long period of time, change the assignment write-up at least once a month so those who surf for volunteer opportunities see something new from your organization each time they look. 
 
The time invested in creating good electronic recruitment tools can bring huge benefits to your organization and volunteer program. 
 2010-2011 Board Nominations 
 Advisor -- Carol Bridges, CAVS
 
In January, look for a letter asking you to nominate yourself or fellow MCDVS members for 2010/2011 board positions.  It is a joy and a privilege to serve on the board.  I have enjoyed it tremendously.  
 
Nominate, and then most importantly, vote...it is the future of our organization.
 Say No Nicely 
 President Elect --  Cindi McPherson, CAVS
 
With the changing times of having an overwhelming amount of volunteers and not knowing what to do with them, I came across this article that I had cut out a while back.  I always hate to turn away potential volunteers but sometimes there is just nothing left for them to do.
 
Say No Nicely to Avoid Turning Volunteers Off
Some volunteer roles are so popular that organizations run out of openings.  Nice problem to have, right? 
 
When you have more than enough volunteers on board for a specific event or task, how do you gracefully tell people "thanks, but no thanks" without turning them off to future volunteer opportunities with your cause?  Here are two tips for doing so:
  • First off, always be honest.  If the reason you have to say no is because you have too many volunteers for one specific role or task, say so.  Frame it in positive terms, such as, "We are so fortunate that so many people want to help.  We've had an overwhelming response.  We just can't accept any more volunteers right now."
  • Next, direct them to another appropriate role and offer to keep their contact information on file in case circumstances should change.
Website Quick Links
Home
 
*Please note: user ID (mcdvs) and password (kjp09) are required to log into these sections of the website.
Upcoming Events
Southeast
Regional Meeting
Thursday, December 3
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Beaumont Hospital
R.S.V.P. to Beth Frydlewicz 
 
Central Regional Meeting 
Tuesday, December 8
1 - 4 p.m.
Central Michigan Community Hospital
R.S.V.P. to Bonnie Vetter
989-772-6815
New MCDVS Members
Membership - Kathy Daly, CAVS 
 Please join me in welcoming the following new MCDVS members:
 
Lisa Beach
Volunteer Program Assistant
U of M Health System
1500 Medical Center Drive L2616 Women's Hosp.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
734-647-7795
[email protected]
 
Marie Bristow
Customer Satisfaction Coordinator
POH Regional Medical Ctr.
50 N. Perry St.
 Pontiac, MI 48342
248-338-5199
[email protected]
 
Ioan Duca
Corporate Director, Service Excellence & Volunteer Services
Oakwood Healthcare System
18101 Oakwood Blvd., Guest Relations, 1st Floor
Dearborn, MI 48124
313-982-5304
[email protected]
 
Susie Engle
Volunteer Coordinator
Brighton Hospital - St. John
500 Campus Drive
Brighton, MI 48116
810-225-2527

[email protected]
 
Sandi Holmes
Director, Volunteer Resources
Holland Hospital
602 Michigan Ave.
Holland, MI 49423
616-394-3372
[email protected]
 
Kathy Moore
Area Manager
RSVP of Catholic Social Services of Wayne County
26155 Richardson
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
313-278-8455
[email protected]

Ruth Patrick
Supervisor, Volunteer Services
Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center
1000 Harrington Blvd.
Mt. Clemens, MI 48043
586-493-8174

[email protected]
 
 Nancy Sagle
Volunteer Recruitment  Assistant
Sault Area Hospital
969 Queen St. East
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2C4
705-759-3434
[email protected]
 
Mashaun Schabloski
Volunteer Coordinator
Community Health Center of Branch County
274 E. Chicago St
Coldwater, MI 49036
517-279-5282
[email protected]
 
Rachel Selgo
Manager, Volunteer Services
St. Mary's Healthcare
200 Jefferson, S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-685-1898
[email protected]

If you have names of people to recruit, let me know by calling 231-728-4711 or e-mailing me at [email protected].
Your 2009 - 2010 MCDVS Board
 Karol Pokley,
President
 
President-Elect 
 
Ron Yonkoski,
Secretary
 
Treasurer
Advisor

 Kay Fricano,
Bylaws

Julie Elliott,
Education Chair
 
Jacquie Karr-Zlotnicki,
Education Co-Chair 

Kathy Daly,
Membership

Penny Brown,
Newsletter

Debi Schroeder,
Professional Development

Nancy Babcock,
PR/Resources

Rachel Rosas,  
Website