A DOVIA Diversity Committee
... is one of the greatest ideas we've heard in a long time. This committee, developed by Denver DOVIA late last summer, is "designed to increase diversity among the DOVIA membership." It’s probably too early to expect miracles (they usually take at least six months) but for further information on the committee you can call Gloria Sanchez (303/331-9271) or Terry Nelson (303/640-8957).

Networking with Your Neighbors
Step One in networking, of course, is to find who you'd like to network with, whether it be other individual members of your association or, at the next level, other associations in your region. Yet, in the past six months, two of the greatest DOVIAs in North America told us they didn't even know the addresses of other associations in their own state!!!! This is a terrible missed opportunity, and here are some suggestions for dealing with it:

1. Get neighboring association addresses in your province, state, or region from the DOVIA Connection directory and/or by joining the National DOVIA Network (see the article on 'Association Resources' which follows).

2. Regularly exchange newsletters, workshop and meeting notices, etc.

3. Insofar as distance permits, plan joint meetings and workshops with neighboring DOVIAS.

4. With permission of the neighboring association, encourage your members who travel in the vicinity to drop in for a visit.

5. Start NOW to ensure you will be well-represented at DOVIA Day/LA (1994). We hope you'll have an individual or committee to input suggestions for planning the day; also at least one person (preferably two-or more) to participate in the day, share information you might use.

DOVIA DAY at LA – Your Agenda So Far
AVA has provided us a tremendous opportunity to set our own agenda for the first ever DOVIA Day at the International Conference on Volunteer Administration in Los Angeles next October. Here’s what we have so far.

Logistics

* Show and tell of DOVIAs
* Videos of successful DOVIAs (3 to 7 minutes long)
* Booths with literature
* Exchange table
* DOVIA table in exhibit area during main conference

How to Organize a DOVIA

* Bylaws
* 501(c)(3) tax exempt status

Membership

* Getting and keeping DOVIA members; how to recruit and retain
* Keeping enthusiasm up in members
* How to keep old-time members active
* How to identify what members want most from DOVIA
* Then how to provide it
* Scholarships for members
* How to run a good meeting
* How to set up mentoring programs for new members
* Setting up a good DOVIA library
* Producing a good newsletter
* Creating a good local workshop series; collaborating with others on workshops
* Good special events, such as a 'Bosses Breakfast'.

Leadership

* Getting members to take leadership positions
* Expanding diversity on the board
* Recognition breakfast/lunch for President, board members
* Preventing officer burnout  

Finances

* Fundraising ideas for DOVIA
* Effective special events for fundraising
* Budget development

Connecting

* Relationship of DOVIA to Volunteer Center, CVC'S, AVA, other parts of volunteer sector
* Identifying and connecting with other DOVIAS, especially ones in your state, province, region

Contact us at Voluntas if you have suggestions or if you would like to help out with DOVIA Day.

Return to the Main Table of Contents

Ivan Scheier
Stillpoint
607 Marr
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, 87901
Tel (505) 894-1340
Email: ivan@zianet.com

For comments and editing suggestions please contact Mary Lou McNatt mlmcnatt@indra.com