Written by: Stephen Nill 9/6/2006 11:00 AM
At the outset, let me again mention that I'm writing for myself here. I do not speak for the Leadership Team, though I am a non-voting member. Rather, these are just my own thoughts in this blog. A colleague, referring to the VRM Roundtable project and another project, Congress of Volunteer Administrator Association ("COVAA"), just posted to the VRM-ROUNDTABLE public discussion list: I also am curious about these two groups. Is there any particular reason two separate entities are being formed to serve the same audience? Shouldn't we be collaborating on such a huge endeavor? Can anyone elaborate on where the breakdown of communication is happening that prevents the Task Force of the VRM-Roundtable and the group behind the COVAA from working together on the creation of one single organization? To the naked eye... It seems two groups are duplicating efforts, not sharing much information and will ultimately be created to serve the same group of professionals. The VRM Roundtable project has been in full gear since March, 2006 and is operated in an open, transparent, and inclusive manner. Its central goal is the creation of a new professional association of US volunteer resources managers. Working with DOVIAs, chapters, state associations and similar organizations is a core undertaking of VRM Roundtable. In fact, there is a Task Force called the DOVIAs/Chapters Team. It's among the most active in the VRM Roundtable project, and was the motivating force behind the recent creation of the new Registry. My understanding of COVAA, which is a much more recent project, is that it is a single event. From the COVAA web site: "The Congress of Volunteer Administrator Associations (COVAA) is an event. It is a first-ever convening of official representatives of existing associations of volunteer program managers throughout the United States." Okay, let's look at this more closely. The VRM Roundtable project is creating a new professional association to direclty serve US volunteer resources managers. The COVAA project is creating an event not for volunteer resources managers per se, but for DOVIAs and similar organizations. These are very different missions, but with one important area of overlap: Both projects recognize that DOVIAs, chapters, state associations and similar associations are integral to their projects. So, how would these projects somehow work together? Celeste Sauls-Marks, the Team Leader of the Leadership Team, has invited a leader (any leader) of COVAA to join her in a public dialog by recorded teleconference. The recording would then be streamed on the VRM Roundtable web site and made available to the COVAA web site. The invitation was not accepted, with no explanation provided.* That's too bad, because a recorded, professional-level discussion between the two project leaders would have been very healthy for the profession. Maybe the idea will be revived. Hope so. Additionally, COVAA could telephone Celeste and invite her to attend the gathering and represent VRM Roundtable there. I don't know if it fits in Celeste's schedule but the gesture at least would be well received. I agree that a duplication of efforts should be avoided. However, it's a huge sector and it seems to me that there is bound to be a certain amount of duplication as the natural result of different visions for how best to serve volunteer resources managers. I think that's okay. _______________________ *In going back into my emails, I find that an explanation was provided. However, the person asked me to keep it confidential, and I always honor such requests.
At the outset, let me again mention that I'm writing for myself here. I do not speak for the Leadership Team, though I am a non-voting member. Rather, these are just my own thoughts in this blog.
A colleague, referring to the VRM Roundtable project and another project, Congress of Volunteer Administrator Association ("COVAA"), just posted to the VRM-ROUNDTABLE public discussion list:
I also am curious about these two groups. Is there any particular reason two separate entities are being formed to serve the same audience? Shouldn't we be collaborating on such a huge endeavor? Can anyone elaborate on where the breakdown of communication is happening that prevents the Task Force of the VRM-Roundtable and the group behind the COVAA from working together on the creation of one single organization? To the naked eye... It seems two groups are duplicating efforts, not sharing much information and will ultimately be created to serve the same group of professionals.
I also am curious about these two groups. Is there any particular reason two separate entities are being formed to serve the same audience? Shouldn't we be collaborating on such a huge endeavor?
Can anyone elaborate on where the breakdown of communication is happening that prevents the Task Force of the VRM-Roundtable and the group behind the COVAA from working together on the creation of one single organization?
To the naked eye... It seems two groups are duplicating efforts, not sharing much information and will ultimately be created to serve the same group of professionals.
The VRM Roundtable project has been in full gear since March, 2006 and is operated in an open, transparent, and inclusive manner. Its central goal is the creation of a new professional association of US volunteer resources managers. Working with DOVIAs, chapters, state associations and similar organizations is a core undertaking of VRM Roundtable. In fact, there is a Task Force called the DOVIAs/Chapters Team. It's among the most active in the VRM Roundtable project, and was the motivating force behind the recent creation of the new Registry.
My understanding of COVAA, which is a much more recent project, is that it is a single event. From the COVAA web site: "The Congress of Volunteer Administrator Associations (COVAA) is an event. It is a first-ever convening of official representatives of existing associations of volunteer program managers throughout the United States."
Okay, let's look at this more closely. The VRM Roundtable project is creating a new professional association to direclty serve US volunteer resources managers. The COVAA project is creating an event not for volunteer resources managers per se, but for DOVIAs and similar organizations. These are very different missions, but with one important area of overlap: Both projects recognize that DOVIAs, chapters, state associations and similar associations are integral to their projects.
So, how would these projects somehow work together? Celeste Sauls-Marks, the Team Leader of the Leadership Team, has invited a leader (any leader) of COVAA to join her in a public dialog by recorded teleconference. The recording would then be streamed on the VRM Roundtable web site and made available to the COVAA web site. The invitation was not accepted, with no explanation provided.* That's too bad, because a recorded, professional-level discussion between the two project leaders would have been very healthy for the profession. Maybe the idea will be revived. Hope so.
Additionally, COVAA could telephone Celeste and invite her to attend the gathering and represent VRM Roundtable there. I don't know if it fits in Celeste's schedule but the gesture at least would be well received.
I agree that a duplication of efforts should be avoided. However, it's a huge sector and it seems to me that there is bound to be a certain amount of duplication as the natural result of different visions for how best to serve volunteer resources managers. I think that's okay.
_______________________
*In going back into my emails, I find that an explanation was provided. However, the person asked me to keep it confidential, and I always honor such requests.
9 comments so far...
Re: So, What is this "Congress" thing and why can't we all just get along? I believe there is a place for both entities. As stated, this is an "event" to further the dialogue as to what is needed in a national organization. As I understand it from the website (www.covaa.org), the invitation has been extended to a multitude of groups/organizations, which would indeed include VRM. Please do not intimate that a personalized invitation is required for a representative from VRM to attend. In fact, I would EXPECT to see a representative there, particularly in light of the desire for inclusivity. At this point I don't think we can reject viable options and ideas. As a part of the conference team for the VRM task force, I am hopeful for a melding of ideas and forward movement for a potential national organization.
Re: So, What is this "Congress" thing and why can't we all just get along?
I believe there is a place for both entities. As stated, this is an "event" to further the dialogue as to what is needed in a national organization. As I understand it from the website (www.covaa.org), the invitation has been extended to a multitude of groups/organizations, which would indeed include VRM. Please do not intimate that a personalized invitation is required for a representative from VRM to attend. In fact, I would EXPECT to see a representative there, particularly in light of the desire for inclusivity. At this point I don't think we can reject viable options and ideas. As a part of the conference team for the VRM task force, I am hopeful for a melding of ideas and forward movement for a potential national organization.
Re: So, What is this "Congress" thing and why can't we all just get along? Nancy, where on the COVAA website is the invitation? I'm not seeing it.
Nancy, where on the COVAA website is the invitation? I'm not seeing it.
Re: So, What is this "Congress" thing and why can't we all just get along? Hi Steve,Basically, I meant that the invitation was IMPLIED to all organizations. However, SPECIFICALLY it is mentioned in the FAQS, quoted below:"9. Is the Congress the same as the VRM-Roundtable? No, VRM-Roundtable (www.vrm-roundtable.com) is a separate organization, though they are welcome to send a designated voting representative to the Congress. The Congress is a first-ever attempt to convene existing associations of volunteer program managers in the United States."Personal invitation or not, I believe there is a place for VRM at this Congress and that we should most definitely be represented there. Let's keep moving forward, and gather up everyone who wants to move forward as well. I love the line from John Mellenkamp's song, "...if you're not part of the future, get out of the way." I think we are ALL part of the future, so let's get going!
Hi Steve,Basically, I meant that the invitation was IMPLIED to all organizations. However, SPECIFICALLY it is mentioned in the FAQS, quoted below:"9. Is the Congress the same as the VRM-Roundtable? No, VRM-Roundtable (www.vrm-roundtable.com) is a separate organization, though they are welcome to send a designated voting representative to the Congress. The Congress is a first-ever attempt to convene existing associations of volunteer program managers in the United States."Personal invitation or not, I believe there is a place for VRM at this Congress and that we should most definitely be represented there. Let's keep moving forward, and gather up everyone who wants to move forward as well. I love the line from John Mellenkamp's song, "...if you're not part of the future, get out of the way." I think we are ALL part of the future, so let's get going!
Re: So, What is this "Congress" thing and why can't we all just get along? Heck, I wasn't looking for a personal invitation, though it would be nice if someone would contact Celeste from the COVAA organization. Thanks for the reference to the web site. I'll pass this on to Celeste. One thing I need to correct. Going back in my emails (no small task since I get over a thousand a day), I find that there was an explanation provided for declining the offer for a recorded public dialog as mentioned in my blog posting. However, the person asked me not to share it and so I have honored that. Nevertheless, I continue to hope that the leaders of these two projects will demonstrate that there can be strong cooperation by taking this bold step. I've offered to moderate, something I've done dozens of times for these kinds of recorded dialogs.
Heck, I wasn't looking for a personal invitation, though it would be nice if someone would contact Celeste from the COVAA organization. Thanks for the reference to the web site. I'll pass this on to Celeste. One thing I need to correct. Going back in my emails (no small task since I get over a thousand a day), I find that there was an explanation provided for declining the offer for a recorded public dialog as mentioned in my blog posting. However, the person asked me not to share it and so I have honored that. Nevertheless, I continue to hope that the leaders of these two projects will demonstrate that there can be strong cooperation by taking this bold step. I've offered to moderate, something I've done dozens of times for these kinds of recorded dialogs.
Re: So, What is this "Congress" thing and why can't we all just get along? I applaud VRM Roundtable for its openness and inclusiveness from the beginning of this project, and also for remaining true to its purpose despite some of the distractions that have arisen here and there. I just wish that COVAA would have discussed things with the Roundtable leadership before-hand. In my view (and forgive me for saying so), the COVAA leaders have divided us at the very time when we needed to come together. For my part, I'm just going to support VRM Roundtable any way I can and have many friends and colleagues who feel the way I do.
I applaud VRM Roundtable for its openness and inclusiveness from the beginning of this project, and also for remaining true to its purpose despite some of the distractions that have arisen here and there. I just wish that COVAA would have discussed things with the Roundtable leadership before-hand. In my view (and forgive me for saying so), the COVAA leaders have divided us at the very time when we needed to come together. For my part, I'm just going to support VRM Roundtable any way I can and have many friends and colleagues who feel the way I do.
Re: So, What is this "Congress" thing and why can't we all just get along? Many folks were not a part of the truly collaborative work that began at the two "What's Next meetings" in Seattle in June 2006 at the Points of Light Conference. They were tough, challenging conversations but they led to an understanding and a desire to move forward together. There were varying thoughts on how to get to the mission but a belief that we could work together and create a great future for the profession. It appeared, unfortunately, that folks coming to represent VRM at the Seattle meetings were not given permission to represent VRM and make decisions on their behalf and eventually VRM chose not to be involved with that initial collaborative activity to build the profession. A group of leaders from that meeting, along with folks who had previously been leaders in the VRM movement, then chose to go to the grassroots leaders of volunteer management associations around the country as a place to begin the building of a professional organization to serve all who work in this profession. From that effort came the idea of the first ever Congress of folks who would come collectively and officially representing thousands of folks in the field. There was no public mention of the Congress until funding was secured as it would not have been possible to sponsor it without their generous support. The Denver DOVIA of 200 colleagues is serving as hosts for this exciting event. There is not one leader but a substantial TEAM of leaders that are working to make this happen.I personally hope that VRM will send a representative to the Congress to add their collective thinking towards the future of the profession. This is not a devisive event but rather a time for a face to face two-day gathering of leaders who care about the future of the profession and want to move the agenda forward. No one knows what the outcome will be but many personally believe it will be filled with positive energy to envision the future, develop strategic plans to build the infrastructure and select leaders to guide us in reaching our common mission. There is much to be done. Let's move forward. Please visit COVVA.org and use this opportunity to be a part of the future. There are only 125 spots available and many have expressed interest in participation so I encourage those who will represent a volunteer management association to register soon. PS I am adding these comments anonymously because I don't want to get into a personal debate with anyone regarding my comments. I am just expressing them as someone who cares deeply about this profession.
Many folks were not a part of the truly collaborative work that began at the two "What's Next meetings" in Seattle in June 2006 at the Points of Light Conference. They were tough, challenging conversations but they led to an understanding and a desire to move forward together. There were varying thoughts on how to get to the mission but a belief that we could work together and create a great future for the profession. It appeared, unfortunately, that folks coming to represent VRM at the Seattle meetings were not given permission to represent VRM and make decisions on their behalf and eventually VRM chose not to be involved with that initial collaborative activity to build the profession. A group of leaders from that meeting, along with folks who had previously been leaders in the VRM movement, then chose to go to the grassroots leaders of volunteer management associations around the country as a place to begin the building of a professional organization to serve all who work in this profession. From that effort came the idea of the first ever Congress of folks who would come collectively and officially representing thousands of folks in the field. There was no public mention of the Congress until funding was secured as it would not have been possible to sponsor it without their generous support. The Denver DOVIA of 200 colleagues is serving as hosts for this exciting event. There is not one leader but a substantial TEAM of leaders that are working to make this happen.I personally hope that VRM will send a representative to the Congress to add their collective thinking towards the future of the profession. This is not a devisive event but rather a time for a face to face two-day gathering of leaders who care about the future of the profession and want to move the agenda forward. No one knows what the outcome will be but many personally believe it will be filled with positive energy to envision the future, develop strategic plans to build the infrastructure and select leaders to guide us in reaching our common mission. There is much to be done. Let's move forward. Please visit COVVA.org and use this opportunity to be a part of the future. There are only 125 spots available and many have expressed interest in participation so I encourage those who will represent a volunteer management association to register soon. PS I am adding these comments anonymously because I don't want to get into a personal debate with anyone regarding my comments. I am just expressing them as someone who cares deeply about this profession.
Correction of website in previous email to COVAA.org Sorry, the website to register for the Congress is www.COVAA.org
Correction of website in previous email to COVAA.org
Sorry, the website to register for the Congress is www.COVAA.org
Re: So, What is this "Congress" thing and why can't we all just get along? Hi All, How does hosting a congress imply that we cannot get along? COVAA is an EVENT. It is not a separate group, it is not a conference, nor is it a new professional organization being formed in opposition to VRM. It is an EVENT. Is there some other way to put this? VRM needs to go to this EVENT just as any other group that represents the profession needs to go; is that going to happen? Will those leading VRM be attending to represent our profession?
Hi All, How does hosting a congress imply that we cannot get along? COVAA is an EVENT. It is not a separate group, it is not a conference, nor is it a new professional organization being formed in opposition to VRM. It is an EVENT. Is there some other way to put this? VRM needs to go to this EVENT just as any other group that represents the profession needs to go; is that going to happen? Will those leading VRM be attending to represent our profession?
Re: So, What is this "Congress" thing and why can't we all just get along? My thanks to everyone who has commented on this. It is my continued hope that the leaders in this field will set aside whatever it is that seems to make it so hard to work together for the best interest of the profession.
My thanks to everyone who has commented on this. It is my continued hope that the leaders in this field will set aside whatever it is that seems to make it so hard to work together for the best interest of the profession.
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