CVN Update and Leadership Transition Info.

Below is our most recent email--please let us know any feedback. Also, if you aren't getting these in your inbox, sign up on the County site (be sure to check the box that you're interested in CVN and in receiving emails): http://tinyurl.com/CVN-register Dear CVN volunteer, With 2010 not far off, and some helpful survey results recently in, we, the volunteer leaders of Community Volunteer Network (CVN) have some news to share. First, we'd like to explain a few basic changes coming up for CVN. Second, we have some CVN leaders transitioning out, and want anyone reading this to consider getting involved--not just as a part of our Leadership Team, but also as a part of our newly-expanded committee structure (more details below). So, to take each of those in turn: To start with some upcoming changes, basically, we got some interesting survey results that said you guys are all for what we're doing now, but are interested in some new possibilities as well. Because we do want CVN to be an outgrowth of what, you, the larger group are interested in, we're going to try some new things as we start into 2010. The specifics of these new initiatives will be developed through collaboration with the new leaders we bring on, and we will provide more details as we go. The plans, generally speaking though, are to launch recurring volunteering, start a CVN blog (see possible types of posts here), involve more of you in leadership, and develop the social side of CVN a bit more. Over 50 of 87 respondents showed strong interest in each of the above ideas. Will they work though? We're not sure, there's no way of knowing. So, we are planning to approach these as experiments--ones that have significant potential, but nothing that we are wedded to; we're planning to solicit continued feedback on everything as we go too, so you can help keep us in check.   Now, for Leadership Team and committee information. It's basically become apparent, as noted above, that there's much that can be done with CVN, and as is said, many hands make light work. SO, do you think you can help? Take a look here at a Google Doc with our Leadership Team "Chair" position openings and role descriptions, and here for our likely "Committee Lead" position descriptions. After taking a look at the position openings and descriptions above, click here to fill out a quick form letting us know: a) which roles you're interested in; and b) what experience and/or interests you bring to the table--please be sure to reply by Nov. 20th at the latest. Many thanks to Meredith Clayton, outgoing Social Chair, and Lisa Dorsey, outgoing Program Chair, as they gave a lot of their time and energy to help make this last year happen with CVN! We look forward to seeing everyone as we work through these next few months, and hope you will get involved if you're not, and stay involved if you are already. The basic concept behind CVN, of a driven group of people gathering together to address issues in their community is an important one, and we hope to keep after it as we head into the new year. All the best, Brendan PS - Please feel free to contact any of our current Leadership Team if you have questions on what is involved: Lisa Dorsey (CVN.program@gmail.com), Meredith Clayton (CVN.social@gmail.com), Jon Bunger (CVN.membership@gmail.com), and Brendan O'Connor (CVN.chair@gmail.com). You can also contact our CVN County Liaison, Sharon Tewksbury-Bloom, at (CVN.admin@gmail.com). -- Brendan O'Connor Community Volunteer Network (CVN) Chair

CVN Monthly Update, Oct. 2009: CVN's Biggest Event of the Year and Survey Winners!

Below is our most recent email--please let us know any feedback. Also, if you aren't getting these in your inbox, sign up on the County site (be sure to check the box that you're interested in CVN and in receiving emails): http://tinyurl.com/CVN-register Dear CVN volunteer, To all those who took the time to give us your thoughts in recent surveys--thank you. We had over 90 respondents on each survey. We'll be working through what actions we can take based on responses. Otherwise, we're happy to announce the four gift certificate winners below (if you won, come to our Meetup next Tues., Nov. 3rd at Old Arlington Grill to cash in--or email our County Liaison Sharon if you can't be there): Grace with $25 for Whitlow's on Wilson Marjorie with $25 for Mexicali Blues; Laura with $25 for Busboys and Poets; and Andy with $15 at Regal Cinemas in Ballston Thanks as always to those who gave their time to our October events--Plants and Pitchers, Time Slips, our CVN Stakeholder Meeting, and the AFAC Chicken Bagging last night.  Many thanks!  A special shout out to the Plants and Pitchers volunteers who  braved the rain, showing great dedication!  (Remember, you can always check our Google Calendar here to review what was done at past CVN events, and what's coming up.) Now, for upcoming events...

Last Chance - CVN Survey Closes In 12 Hours

Below is our most recent email--please let us know any feedback. Also, if you aren't getting these in your inbox, sign up on the County site (be sure to check the box that you're interested in CVN and in receiving emails): http://tinyurl.com/CVN-register Dear CVN volunteer, Community Volunteer Network (CVN) is trying to understand what you, as an active or semi-active volunteer*, are interested in doing with our group--types and length of volunteering, social events, etc. Please help us by completing this survey which will take no longer than 5 minutes of your time to complete.  Your name will only be connected to answers that specify listing your name (such as interest in being on the leadership team).  The rest of the results will be analyzed anonymously. ***By completing this survey, you will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win one of 3 possible gift cards - $25 for Mexicali Blues, $25 for Busboys and Poets, or $15 for Regal Ballston Theatres**** If you have already taken the survey, your answers have been counted.  Thank you. We think our current structure is great, and so the survey data should help build on our strengths. Some questions mention new possibilities for CVN--if there's an interest, we'll do what we can to facilitate something. With any possibilities though, know that the CVN leadership has always been all-volunteer, and therefore can't do much without help--so we hope you'll get engaged where you can, and continue to help define what CVN is as we move forward! Lastly, if you would like to discuss the issues brought up in the survey more, and have input on the future of CVN, please join us at a planning session Sun., Oct. 25th, 1-4 pm. Go to the following link for more info and RSVP details: http://tinyurl.com/CVN-StakeholderMtng Click HERE to complete the survey. The survey will close at 9 am Wednesday October 21st.  You must answer before then to be included. Thank you for your time, Sharon Tewksbury-Bloom Arlington County Liaison Community Volunteer Network NOTE:  If you have difficulty with thesurvey link above, paste the link below into your browser: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=yj60uejEjKaFlHxo9FcCeg_3d_3d *this survey is intended for volunteers that have been active with CVN at some point.  If you have never participated in anything with CVN please disregard this message.

CVN Survey and Raffle

Below is our most recent email--please let us know any feedback. Also, if you aren't getting these in your inbox, sign up on the County site (be sure to check the box that you're interested in CVN and in receiving emails): http://tinyurl.com/CVN-register Dear CVN volunteer, Community Volunteer Network (CVN) is trying to understand what you, as an active or semi-active volunteer, are interested in doing with our group--types and length of volunteering, social events, etc. Please help us by completing this survey which will take no longer than 5 minutes of your time to complete. ***By completing this survey, you will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win one of 3 possible gift cards - $25 for Mexicali Blues, $25 for Busboys and Poets, or $15 for Regal Ballston Theatres****  We think our current structure is great, and so the survey data should help build on our strengths. Some questions mention new possibilities for CVN--if there's an interest, we'll do what we can to facilitate something. With any possibilities though, know that the CVN leadership has always been all-volunteer, and therefore can't do much without help--so we hope you'll get engaged where you can, and continue to help define what CVN is as we move forward! Lastly, if you would like to discuss the issues brought up in the survey more, and have input on the future of CVN, please join us at a planning session Sun., Oct. 25th, 1-4 pm. Go to the following link for more info and RSVP details: http://tinyurl.com/CVN-StakeholderMtng Click HERE to complete the survey. Thank you for your time, Sharon Tewksbury-Bloom Arlington County Liaison Community Volunteer Network NOTE:  If you have difficulty with the survey link above, paste the link below into your browser: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=yj60uejEjKaFlHxo9FcCeg_3d_3d