What a great year we're having! Word is spreading about NAVPLG being the leading association for city, county and local government agencies, helping to strengthen volunteer programs around the country. This is being done through leadership, education, advocacy, and networking. We are boldly addressing the challenges and issues that are unique to our field, along with concerns that are universal to all volunteer program administrators.
For 18 years, NAVPLG has been helping volunteer management professionals connect from coast to coast and everywhere in the middle. Did I mention we had a 35% increase in memberships in 2015? Are YOU taking advantage of the networking NAVPLG offers?
In October, NAVPLG hosted a session at the Points of Lights' National Convention on Volunteering and Service in Houston, Texas. With 120 people registered, we discussed current trends and topics such as strategic planning, corporate partnerships, technology, best practices, and more. We will be posting the information gathered so that members can see what challenges are being faced and what questions need more answers. We hope this information will help propose additional sessions with a government track at the 2016 conference. Can you serve on next year's Conference Planning Committee?
As a board, we would love to bring our members together for more educational sessions. We are exploring different ways to do that through webinars or other technology-based formats. Most of us perform various trainings and orientations on a regular basis, while looking for higher levels of engagement. Maybe you'd like to share your talents and become a member of the Education Committee?
This past year, we saw an increase in social media activity, a trend we'd love to continue. Send us pictures of your volunteers in action through Twitter and Facebook, and join the discussions on LinkedIn. Email us your logo and we might put it on the website! Check out the “Members Only” section to read articles from NAVPLG's e-newsletters, and don't miss the "Resources" area where we post information to help boost your professional development.
Your board is working diligently to grow this association and offer more benefits to our membership. We each started out as members, and still are, so we understand the value of NAVPLG. That’s why we volunteer to serve on the board and want to improve the membership engagement. Tell us more about what you want from NAVPLG, and be prepared to share what you know too. Thank you for your continuing support of NAVPLG.
Happy Holidays! Happy New year!
Kathy Halstead, NAVPLG President
Volunteer Services Manager
City of O’Fallon Missouri
