Non-profit leaders attend a previous networking session for the Volunteer Services Alliance.
Community Action Partnership News
(Morrisville, NY – March 2014) Community Action Partnership has secured funding through The Gifford Foundation to help support the newly formed Volunteer Services Alliance in Madison County.
VSA is a membership association for those who administer programs that utilize volunteers in Madison County. The purpose of VSA is to promote volunteerism and volunteer development and provide a mechanism for interagency networking. VSA offers quarterly meetings and interagency networking; training that focuses on volunteer management, volunteer needs and recruitment strategies; and opportunities, tools and ideas to expand volunteer programs.
“We are so pleased to receive this grant that will help us provide a firm foundation for the VSA”, said Julie Dale, executive director of CAP. Launched in 2012, the VSA started as a result of a survey of Madison County non-profits regarding their volunteer programs. Interested non-profits formed an alliance for mutual support and networking. Organizations pay annual membership dues of $50 to help sustain the program.
Last year, the VSA sponsored four meetings that included networking and training on issues related to volunteer management. They also sponsored a concert to honor volunteers held at the Kallet Civic Center in April 2013 attended by over 100 community members. “The program has taken off with 21 non-profit members in 2013 and a great track record, but needed a sponsoring organization to take it to the next level,” said Dale.
In addition to support for the quarterly networking meetings, the grant provides funding to help offset the cost of volunteer management software for member organizations and consultations for non-profits to develop individualized volunteer recruitment and management plans based on their needs.
For more information, contact Mary Bartlett at Community Action Partnership, mbartlett@capmadco.org.