AVA

Androscoggin Volunteer Administrators

February 23rd, 2010
8:30-10a.m.

Present: Maryalice Crofton, Phil Crowell, Sue Bowie, Trudy Hamilton, Nancey
Drinkwine, Lana Whittemore, Karen Pollard, Nick Kyllonen, Matt Fornoff
Next Meeting: 3/30 from 8:30-10 at SeniorsPlus in Lewiston

Maine Commission for Community Service

-Executive Director Maryalice Crofton and Commissioner Phil
Crofton lead a discussion on what problems volunteer managers are
facing in the area, and what direction the volunteer sector in Maine is
going in.

Discussion Notes
-What is going on around you that impacts ability to carry
out program mission?
-Economy
-losing volunteers to paid work, second jobs
-older demographic: retirement fund disappears,
want to retire (and volunteer), but are forced to get a job and either
don’t have the time, or have less time to volunteer
-Training as a barrier
-rigorous training schedule can either be a deterrent
to the unemployed looking to volunteer, or those that do become
volunteers may leave prematurely when they find a paid position
because they don’t have the time anymore
-Time
-many have dual roles in their agencies and
therefore aren’t able to focus on volunteer management
-Funding
-not enough money to bring on help for the
volunteer manager, or the person working in dual roles
-Combatting reputation problems
 -What trends have occurred that impact your volunteer
program?
-Lack of incentives
-goes back to funding, hard to recognize volunteers
for hard work with lack of money
-Change in workplace
-evolving workplace: shift towards more technology
based, requires whole new skill set
-Loss of volunteers
-through downsizing/elimination of agency
departments for efficiency’s sake
-What forces will influence volunteer program in next 5
years?
-Awareness of agency and volunteer opportunities
-Change in nonprofit leadership structure due to
retirement
-Volume of individuals coming to volunteer
-once economy rebounds, may see change
-shift to requirement of service learning in HS and
college curriculum, new era of volunteering

Have further input? Please email the Maine Commission for

Community Service at service.commission@maine.gov. Also
keep your eyes peeled for the strategic plan, which will be
released for public comment in May.

Announcements
-SeniorsPlus is putting on ChocoLArt on Sunday, March 21st
from 2-5PM at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn. It is a fundraiser for
the Meals on Wheels program and will feature chocolate, wine, art,
jazz music, and more chocolate! Tickets are $35. For more
information or to buy tickets visit www.seniorsplus.org
-Join the Norlands for Maple Sugaring and a Pancake
Breakfast on Maine Maple Sunday (March 28th) starting at 9am. The
Norlands is located at 290 Norlands Road in Livermore.
-Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 18-24. It was decided a
few months ago that we would try and do something to promote this
in the community. A few ideas were brought up such as advertising in
local newspapers and also some recognition ideas for volunteers
such as the President’s Volunteer Service Awards. We will brainstorm
more extensively at next month’s meeting, so come prepared with
some ideas!
-The registration for the Dempsey Challenge is quickly
approaching. This year will see some changes, with the 5K and 10K
run/walk on October 2nd, and the 10, 25, 50, and 100 mile cycling
tours on October 3rd. Registration fees are $35 for the run/walk and
$75 for cycling, or $100 for both. Also, the minimum fundraising
requirement is $150 for those 18+. If you are interested, registration
begins March 1st and early registration is suggested. See
http://www.dempseychallenge.org/
-Next month’s AVA meeting is 3/30 from 8:30-10 at
SeniorsPlus. The meeting topic is Risk Management. Upcoming
meeting dates are 4/27, 5/25, and 6/29.