GRAVA is a professional membership organization that promotes and supports excellence in the management and leadership of volunteers in the Greater Richmond area through professional development, networking, and advocacy. |
| Call To Action! |
Two things you can do RIGHT NOW to maximize your GRAVA membership:
- Complete this brief survey to help guide our programming in 2014. We want to offer practical, relevant and impactful programs and your feedback is both needed and appreciated!
- Mark your calendars right now with GRAVA's 2014 program schedule including the 2014 Annual Conference on Thursday, July 10!
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2013-2014 Program Schedule - Your Input Requested!
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Based on membership input, the GRAVA board has recently voted to move our Lunch Bunch series to the morning, now Breakfast Bunches. This move was an effort to provide our membership with more convenient programming in their busy schedules.
Beginning in 2014, GRAVA plans to utilize the CCVA core competences to guide its program planning -- ensuring it is practical, relevant, and will have immediate impact on our members. Help us craft our spring line up!
Please take a few minutes to provide us with your input by completing this brief survey.
Save these dates in your work calendar so you can get the most out of your GRAVA membership this year!
| December 2013 | No Meeting | Happy Holidays! | | January 9, 2014 | 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. | Breakfast Workshop | | February 6, 2014 | 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. | Breakfast Bunch | | March 6, 2014 | 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
| Breakfast Workshop | | April 3, 2014 | 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
| Breakfast Bunch | | May 1, 2014 | 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
| Breakfast Workshop | | June 5, 2014 | 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
| Breakfast Bunch | | July 10, 2014 | 8:00 - 4:00p.m. | Annual Conference | | August 2014 | No Meeting | Happy Summer! |
Interested in serving as an expert facilitator or know someone who would? Be sure to review our Request for Expert Facilitator or contact Sarah Steadman. |
| President's Message | |
Three years ago, as part of my CVA certification process, I was required to write my personal philosophy statement about volunteer management. Of the three written components, it was definitely the most difficult exercise and I struggled for weeks searching for exactly the right words to describe why this work matters to me. It required me to spend time searching deep within myself and examining my most intimate beliefs, values, and opinions. It was a very intense and very introspective process, but the result was a statement that really captured my deepest convictions, not just about volunteer management but also about who I am as a citizen, a person, and a member of the human race. I reread it frequently and every time I do, I think, "yes, this really is true." It begins with the sentence, "There's no denying that volunteer management can be physically exhausting and emotionally draining. And yet...."
And yet.....
As I looked around the room at the November workshop, I could see in my colleagues' expressions this same exhilarating mixture of frenzy and delight that gets me out of bed every day and constantly reminds me that what I do matters. And when the presenters asked each of us for a single word or phrase to describe our day-to-day work, the adjectives ricocheted from "Frantic," "Frazzled," "Chaotic," and "Unpredictable" to "Joyful," "Rewarding," "Energizing," and "Purposeful."
The reality is that, without the moments of pure beauty and connection that our work affords us, we simply would not survive the stress and strain. It would not be worth it. We would burn out, become cynical, and look for other employment opportunities. So we owe it to ourselves, to our volunteers, to our organizations, to our communities, and to our professions to take care of ourselves. Self-care? Who has time for that? It seems that, with all of the tasks urgently vying for our attention throughout the day, self-care is always the thing that falls to the bottom of our to-do list...and stays there.
But experiences like CVA, Emerging Nonprofit Leaders, and GRAVA have taught me something: self-care IS a personal leadership skill and we ignore it at our own peril. The Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA) identifies leadership as a core competency and defines it as "the ability to advance individual, organizational and community goals, advocating for effective volunteer involvement inside of the organization and in the broader community it serves, through the investment of personal integrity, skills and attitudes." How can we advance our goals if we don't spend time thinking about and articulating them? How can we invest our personal integrity, skills, and attitudes into our work if we don't spend time examining what they are and how they align?
So I was absolutely delighted to see the turn-out in November, to sense the excitement, and to hear the positive feedback. We ALL need to take the opportunities that are available to us - starting with the monthly GRAVA meetings - to think, to reflect, to connect, to inspire, and to refresh. It makes us better people, better volunteer managers, and better leaders. 2014 is just around the corner, and your GRAVA board is firmly committed to providing a year of programming and benefits that will support your personal and professional leadership journey. I hope you will mark your calendar and make the commitment....to your colleagues and to yourself! See you in January!
At your service,
Alison Jones-Nassar, CVA
President, GRAVA
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| November Workshop Highlights |
Over 40 GRAVA members attended the November Breakfast Bunch and IVM Celebration that focused on the topic of stress-relief and meditation. The discussion, facilitated by Kay and Philip Davidson of Mindfulness Meditation of Richmond, explored the ways in which GRAVA members can apply mindful compassion in a variety of situations that will help you be more compassionate, more skillful, and better able to deal with stress. The following words of inspiration were shared:
To allow oneself to be carried away
by a multitude of conflicting concerns,
to surrender to too many demands,
to commit oneself to too many good projects,
to want to help everyone and everything,
is itself to succumb to the violence of our time.
~Thomas Merton
It only takes a reminder to breath, a moment to be still, and just like that, something in me settles, softens, makes space for imperfection. The harsh voice of
drops to a whisper and I remember again that life isn't a relay race; that we will all cross the finish line; that waking up to life is what we were bore for. As many times as I forget, catch myself charging forward without even knowing where I'm going, that many times I can make the choice to stop, to breathe, and be, and walk slowly into the next moment. ~ Danna Faulds
Many thanks to the Science Museum of Virginia for hosting this workshop!
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| News From HandsOn Greater Richmond |
 Call for Holiday Volunteers!
During the holiday season, HandsOn gets SO MANY calls from volunteers wishing to help (as I'm sure you're familiar). They want to help them serve, while also educating them about the busy time, and helping funnel them to you.
HandsOn will post your holiday needs as referrals to their site for you - No training necessary.
Simply visit Holiday Volunteer Page to download and fill out the Project Request Form and return it by Friday, November 22nd.
 Save the Date for MLK Day of Service
HandsOn will be hosting its other large day of service on Monday, January 20, 2014, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. They'll be reaching out soon for requests for projects from their nonprofit partners. Supply funding will be available. If you have questions, please contact Jamie Seagraves at jseagraves@handsonrva.org.
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| Current Job Opening! |
CARITAS is hiring a Shelter Operations Manager. Responsibilities include all day-to-day operations of the single adult and family focus shelter operations (including scheduling, logistical coordination, training, and supervision) with a focus on deepening the engagement of mission-critical congregations and key volunteers. Interested? Please email shelter@caritasva.org.
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| Tip of the Month: What Has Changed in the Volunteer Field? |
This month marks the 35th birthday of Energize, Inc. Just like any mother, Susan J. Ellis, is proud and excited -- and in disbelief. This new milestone has given her the opportunity to reflect on what has changed since 1977. In the past 35 years, what has changed in how we do business, and also in the volunteer world? On the surface, a lot. Read the full article. |
| Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities | |
How do different generations use social media and how does that impact your organization? Join HandsOn Greater Richmond's partner program ConnectVA as they discover social media's influence on the generations and how that affects your work.
Volunteer Match: Free webinars
December 3: Measuring Success
December 5: Developing a Strategic Plan for Volunteer Engagement
December 10: Build Staff Buy-in for Volunteer Engagement
Nonprofit Learning Point: Fall workshops
December 4: The Leadership Challenge
December 10: Engaging the Faith Community
Everyone Ready: Online training
November 18: Effective Supervision - A Seminar for Busy Staff Who Partner with Volunteers
December: Middle Managers - Their Vital Role in Volunteer Success
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See you in January!
Rebecca Eisenman Butler
PR Chair
GRAVA (Greater Richmond Association for Volunteer Administration) |
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| Did You Know?? | |
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Did you know that GRAVA offers scholarship funds to members to cover costs associated with a variety of learning opportunities including Nonprofit Learning Point classes, CVA, and professional development conferences?
With the new GRAVA year off to a bright start, the Scholarship Fund is replenished and available to support your professional development goals.
To find out more about how you can apply for a GRAVA scholarship or to receive an application, send an e-mail to Professional Development Chair Kim Frola! |
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Renew Your Membership!
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Don't forget that GRAVA's 2013-2014 programming year runs from September 1, 2013 - August 31, 2014! To maximize your member benefits, request an updated application now from me at Melissa.Gilmore@lung.org, then submit it along with your $30 payment.
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| Web Site Under Construction | |
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Coming Soon:
December 2013!
GRAVA is excited to announce that work is underway on the development of a new website.
Please excuse our mess during this transitional period, and be sure to visit our Facebook page for news and updates.
Send your comments and suggestions to PR Chair Rebecca Eisenman Butler!
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| CVA Registration is Open | |
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Are you ready to take your professional development to the next level? The CVA (Certified in Volunteer Administration) credential is the only international professional certification in the field of volunteer resources management. For more information please contact CCVA or request a list of GRAVA members who are CVAs. You can also listen to a one-hour webinar for an overview of the CVA certification program.
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Updated Member Directory
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One of the
many benefits of GRAVA membership is a member directory that allows active members to connect with one another for networking, problem-solving, or affiliative purposes. To receive your updated member directory, please send an e-mail to membership chair Melissa Gilmore!
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New P.O. Box
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PLEASE NOTE: GRAVA has a new mailing address!
Membership applications, dues, scholarship applications, and all mailed correspondence should be sent to our NEW address at
P.O. Box 684, Midlothian VA 23113. Mail sent to our old P.O. box will be automatically forwarded, but slight delays should be expected. If you would like to confirm that your recently mailed membership application and check have been received, please send an e-mail to our membership chair, Melissa Gilmore!
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GRAVA is on Facebook & Twitter!
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Collectively, GRAVA members have a lot of valuable knowledge and experience to share. And now we have our very own Facebook page & Twitter feed to capture all this collective wisdom! But it's up to YOU to contribute to the interactivity of these accounts. These social media tools are for posting photos and events, sharing tips, and exchanging information & comments. To be a part of GRAVA's social media committee, send an e-mail to the PR chair.
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2013/2014 GRAVA Board
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Secretary: Treasurer: Public Relations: Professional Development: Membership: Conference: President: Our doors are always open for your comments, suggestions, and feedback! |
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Reminders
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Forward this e-newsletter to a friend RIGHT NOW
and help GRAVA increase its member network!
Meeting spaces are needed! Reply to this message if your workplace can accommodate a breakfast workshop (35-40 people) or a lunch bunch (12 - 15 people).
Do you know of a dynamic speaker who could present a future GRAVA session? Contact the Programs Chair
with your recommendation.
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