2000 - Do We Need New Models for DOVIAs?

Keyboard Roundtable article from e-Volunteerism, Vol.I, Issue 1, Fall 2000, 19 pages.

Electronic version:


Price: US$3.00

Order this article individually from here or subscribe to e-Volunteerism for just $40 to access all past and current articles.

Article Preview

Participants: Includes seven participants from six states and one province, collectively representing at least 21 different professional networks/associations for volunteer program managers at the local, state/provincial, national and international levels!

Introduction
Toward the end of summer, we gathered some of the brightest minds in volunteer management at our virtual Roundtable to engage in a unique and lively discussion on a current topic of great interest to those involved with DOVIAs. What resulted was a thoughtful but critical look at DOVIA structures of the past, present, and future. While we didn't find solutions to many of our questions, I believe we did move the discussion to a new level, and perhaps we even proposed a new paradigm for professional volunteer management support networks.

And because DOVIAs do not exist in a vacuum, our conversations branched out to many topics related, but not exclusive to DOVIAs. For example, along the way, we had quite a bit to say about the related issues of training, accrediting, and advancing the professionalism of the field. We acknowledged the clear correlation between the degree to which we consider ourselves "professionals" and the types and levels of support we need from our DOVIAs.

While each Roundtable member certainly brings her or his unique perspective to these issues, it was energizing to find such like minds, so much energy and passion for the work, and an absolute agreement on the need for continued change in and between our organizations. Personally, my heart beats fast at the idea of all these people continuing this forum, in a real, rather than virtual discussion. If such a meeting could take place, there is no doubt that exciting change would occur!

Other e-Volunteerism Articles

Subscribe to e-Volunteerism

This article was published in e-Volunteerism: The Electronic Journal of the Volunteer Community. Subscribe now to access all the articles.