Excellence and Expertise Task Force: October 2021

In Attendance: Pam Proulx-Curry, Susan Hawthorn, Veronica Kupferman, Kelsey Preecs

Volunteer Sector Survey Report - continued

A. Considering the data on supporting Volunteer Capacity presented in the report, what areas can the Commission address? And what are your thoughts on strategies that could be used?

  • Creating more educational experiences for volunteer managers.
  • Creating a check list of things to consider when reopening volunteer opportunities with COVID still around.
  • Creating more ideas for organizations to take advantage of remote work – not just virtual but work that a person can do at home. This would be particularly helpful for the seniors in these communities.
  • We need to address the trauma that we communities have experiences from COVID-19. Some people are still really scared, can we train volunteer managers on how to help their volunteers with the trauma?
    • Sue Hawthorne may know a group who can help with this training.
  • Think to the future of hybrid, people will still want remote and virtual at times, how can you mend them together?

B. Given the specific issues identified by the small rural agencies, are there any that the Commission can address?  What activities might help address them?

  • Remote opportunities would be helpful for rural agencies – especially where internet access is sketchy.
  • Creating education opportunities for volunteer managers that are in person – it will help gain their trust and work around internet disparities.

Process review  - Disaster Service grants?  

What worked and what can be improved

  • Very interesting projects, Kelsey learned that her definition of a service project and an emergency manger’s definition are very different. But we were able to work with them to create some really great projects and engage lots of communities.
  • Would like to get some time with county EMAs to teach them more about engaging the community. 

DEI Task Force liaison

How can E & E support the work of the DEI task force?

  • Pam is serving on the DEI Task Force. Currently looking at equity audit for the commission – potentially also E&E.
  • Looked at identity statement to make sure that it reflected DEI issues, and to make sure it was inclusive.
  • Going to look into presentation for the board on implicit bias.

Updates

Volunteer Leadership Conference

  • Hover around 70 registrants.
  • We’ve been doing tech checks with presenters

Service Enterprise Cohort Training (ongoing)

  • Current cohort is running until November, some really engaged organizations.
  • Kelsey is currently going through the training to be a trainer and will finish that up with the cohort at about the same time.
  • Planning on another orientation/SED schedule for January and then starting a new cohort in March.

Youth Service & Service-learning goals/activities

  • We have the MOTT foundation money to provide service learning training to community based organizations.
  • We have a great contractor and are going to be building out the schedule soon!