Virginia Volunteerism and Service Conference
Training Opportunity for Community Action


The Virginia Volunteerism and Service Conference  is pleased to announce more than 30 highly interactive  workshops and sessions in three tracks: Capacity Building, Volunteer Management, and Professional/Personal Development.

Some of the exciting workshops include:
  • Elevating Your Board's Fundraising Role- Amy Nisenson, Amy Nisenson Consulting
  • Don't Say "No" to Pro Bono: Using Corporate Volunteers to Your Advantage- Jamie Seagraves, Capital One
  • Creating a Data-Informed Culture: Bridging Data, Experience and Progress to Demonstrate Impact- Lorie Coker, Table 5 Consulting
  • Succession Management Ideas & Resources- Vanessa DiLeo, VDSS
  • How NOT to be Boring: Using Creative & Fun Facilitation Tactics- Sarah Milston, The Spark Mill
  • Team Communication Styles: Roadmap to Success- Sarah Harvey, VDSS
  • Tricks to Writing a Solid Grant Proposal- Jacqueline Rearick, The RLI Group
For more information and descriptions of all of this year's sessions, visit our website! 

Transforming Virginia
Webinar Friday, March 3rd
We will be conducting a brief webinar on March 3rd at 10am to kick-off the year of learning and thought on this topic, and look forward to involvement from many in the network as we work collaboratively to move Virginia's Community Action Network forward! Ideas for training's and resources can be sent to [email protected] throughout the year, and we will be reaching out for some input as more specific needs are identified.

Join the Meeting!
Friday, March 3rd at 10am
 

Dial: +1 (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 658-082-493
March & April At A Glance 
State Staff Selected to Join National Taskforce
Matt Fitzgerald, CSBG Program Manager, will be serving with the newly formed  Data, Analysis, and Training Assistance (DATA) Task Force. The CSBG DATA Task Force is being convened to assist the Office of Community Services (OCS) and NASCSP in understanding and addressing the CSBG Network's data needs and the use of data for analysis and continual improvement of results. The CSBG DATA Task Force will serve as a consultative body focused on the transition from the CSBG IS Survey to the CSBG Annual Report, as well as ongoing assistance in the implementation of the CSBG Annual Report. The task force consists of representatives from Community Action Agencies, State CSBG Offices, Community Action Agency State Associations, National Partner organizations and OCS. Matt is one of five State Office representatives chosen, and is representing Region 3.
 
What is the role of a CSBG DATA Task Force member?
CSBG DATA Task Force members will have the chance to provide feedback to OCS and NASCSP on the implementation of the CSBG Annual Report, with a focus on how to use CSBG Network data in all phases of the ROMA cycle. Members of the CSBG DATA Task Force will collaborate to make recommendations for improvements to the use of data and provide valuable input regarding data collection, data reporting, and affecting change with data.  Members must be able to participate in regular conference calls and webinars (up to a monthly basis) and up to two in-person meetings annually (requiring travel). New members will be appointed for a term of three years, and can re-apply for subsequent terms. The DATA Task Force held its first webinar on February 28th, and will be meeting again in March. Matt will keep the network apprised of the work of the Task Force. In addition, Ann Angert with NRCA will be participating in the work of the task force going forward through focus groups and other feedback opportunities, so Virginia will hopefully be well-represented with regard to how data will be used/collected/defined going forward.

Also, Kia Holder, CSBG Program Consultant, will be participating in the Community Action Partnerships Results at the Community Level Learning Community Group. 

Learning Community members meet bi-monthly, either virtually or in-person and assist each other by:
  • Discussing "what works"
  • Sharing data findings
  • Solving problems and
  • Offering support for implementing new ideas, unmet needs, new organizational goals or proving that a strategy works.
Learning Community Groups (LCGs) are designed to be informal enough to ensure genuine, "unjudged" discussion, yet formal enough to ensure continuity and follow-through. As a member of the "Results at the Community Level Learning Community Group", the project focus of the group will be to establish a clear definition of what community level needs, outcomes, and strategies are, and to explore how to observe and document change at the community level and how to share the process with key stakeholders. 

For more information on either of these groups, please contact [email protected]

Resources for Community Action 
IM #82- Tripartite Boards
 
IM #82 was released in March, 2005 and addresses several policy questions concerning tri-tripartite boards.  Effective tripartite boards reflect and promote the unique anti-poverty leadership, action, and mobilization responsibilities assigned by law to community action agencies. We have received several questions regarding term limits for board members recently. While term limits are not required for CAA boards, this IM as well as the Virginia State CSBG Office believe that Community Action Agencies may find term limits helpful to keep boards current and engaged. If you need more information, GuideStar has a great article on reasons for Non Profits to have term limits. 

NCCC Application Period Now Open
Each year, AmeriCorps NCCC engages its teams in communities across the United States. Service projects, which typically last from three to eight weeks, address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation, and urban and rural development. Our members have mentored students, constructed and rehabbed low-income housing, responded to natural disasters, cleaned up streams and watersheds, helped communities develop emergency plans, and addressed countless other local needs. In fact, this class marks the 24th year AmeriCorps NCCC has been strengthening communities and developing leaders nationwide.
 
The Southern Region Campus of AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is currently inviting potential Project Sponsors in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana to apply for our teams of developing leaders. The Southern Region Campus assigns teams to service projects lasting 3-8 weeks, to help communities meet their most compelling needs, and to develop the knowledge and leadership of our AmeriCorps members.
 
If your organization, or another organization you know, is interested in hosting an NCCC team to support needs in your community during the Fall (Round 1) of 2017, please submit a Project Concept form no later than May 1st. This is the first step in the application process. Project dates (when teams area available) for Round 1 are August 21st, 2017 through October 16th , 2017.  For more information email Assistant Program Director, Stephanie Gittinger, [email protected].
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