Area Volunteer Coordinators meet in Goshen

Area Volunteer Coordinators from around the Midwest Region met at the Midwest Regional office on Saturday August 4 to develop strategies for working with volunteer communities in their areas. Attending the meeting were Howard and Wilma Lord and John and Saundra Brockschink Iowa, David Kellogg NE, Robert Reed (Mn), Richard and Mary Alice Ruback (Wi), Al and Nancy Lewis (MI), Gordon and Nancy Spalenka (MI) and Gene Gardner (OH). Staff present were Midwest Director David Boothby, Adminsitrative Assistants Rowena Impey and Margaret Vandal, Northwest Area CRC Chris Quinlan and consultant Nikki Kelly

During the session, the overall mission of Heifer International was reviewed by Dave Boothby and the importance of the volunteer program was emphasized. Dave then presented the emerging plan to develop “volunteer communities” as a means of linking volunteers together for better communication and support. Each volunteer community is headed by an Area Volunteer Coordinator whose role includes recruiting, training and supporting the volunteers in his/her area.

In the afternoon session, Nikki Kelly reviewed the work she has been doing following interviews with each AVC and then working with a task force to develop tools that Coordinators can use to recruit train and keep records of volunteer activity in their area. AVC’s not able to attend the meeting will get a packet of materials from the meeting. Following the afternoon session the group had dinner together at an Amish style restaurant (Das Duchman Essenhaus) in Middlebury. Thanks to all who came and shared their ideas and pledged their support for this new program.