CVN's Goal: 1,000 Hours in 2012

In the first CVN leadership meeting of 2012, we were looking over the numbers of volunteers and hours contributed to the community from past years.  We have been growing steadily since we were founded. In 2010, we had 954 hours contributed by 348 volunteers. In 2011, we had 929 hours contributed by 341 volunteers.  While the most recent numbers show a downturn, the reality is that we had a very strong year and were set to pass our prior year’s involvement, but for rain, excessive heat, and a hurricane that resulted in the cancellation of several events.

Though CVN has been growing steadily, at the initial leadership meeting, we all looked at each other and decided that we could do more and keep up CVN’s momentum!  This year, we've challenged ourselves (and all of you out there putting your hours in) to break the 1,000 hour ceiling.  With the busy schedules and time commitments of those who volunteer for CVN, we know this won't be easy, but we also know it is very attainable. 

There are 3 main ways to get more hours in:

1.  Organize new events

2.  Get more people to show up to events

3.  Spend more hours at events and get even more done

We all agreed that #1 sounds like the best way to reach our goal.  Doing a 3 hour event with 10 volunteers adds 30 hours to our total.  Throw in 4 of those on top of what we're already doing and BAM, 1,000 hours here we come!  The hard part is finding new events to do and getting them on our calendar.  The leadership team is working hard to keep our current 900+ hours running smoothly, but we could really use some help organizing and leading new events.  If you've got an idea for an event that you'd like to lead, shoot us an e-mail at cvn.m.volunteering@gmail.com.  Leading an event is easier than you might think and even if you missed our leadership training session, we will help you manage it.  The key thing is to find an organization that needs CVN's help with enough notice to publicize the event and recruit volunteers.  If a group needs helpers for an event that lasts a few hours after 6 pm on a weeknight, or any time on a weekend, then it's perfect for CVN.

As for getting more people to show up and spending some more hours at events to get even more done, the leadership team will be working on those too.  If you have any friends who might be interested in volunteering, bring them out to the next CVN event.  We'll show them all sorts of great volunteering opportunities in Arlington and hopefully add another person to the CVN fold.

With all of these together, I think we can definitely pass 1,000 hours in 2012.  I'll be keeping you all updated on our progress, because it's your progress as much as anyone's.  Let's all go and make Arlington a better place!

Give and Get—All Year Long as a CVN Leader

As the year winds down it’s a great time to celebrate the efforts of the people who take on a whole variety of tasks to help CVN run smoothly—leaders! Yes, that means the Leadership Team (which I had the opportunity to be a part of this year). But it also includes a whole crew of folks who contribute in ways large and small. Some of them step up to plan and manage a one-time or recurring event. Others take on an informal leadership role by making a point to chat up newcomers at monthly meet-ups. And some serve as leaders simply by inspiring others through their dedicated and ongoing volunteering.

This blend of formal and informal leadership opportunities makes CVN special—there are so many ways to contribute! Whether you want to pitch in for a specific job or commit to something more extended, CVN offers a fun and flexible way to try out your leadership skills. And as the insights from the four CVNers below demonstrate, taking on a leadership role is a great way to “give” and “get.”

-----

Rachelle Stoll (center) was new to CVN in 2011 and jumped right in by co-leading a volunteer event gleaning apples for AFAC.

Describe your leadership style in three words.
Organized, enthusiastic, informative.

What’s one way that you’ve motivated someone else to get involved/stay involved with CVN?
I spoke about the variety of events that are available to us and the fact that there is absolutely no pressure to volunteer. Being able to volunteer when you can and still be a part of CVN is awesome!

What are you most proud of contributing via your involvement in CVN?
I could NOT believe how many pounds of apples we gleaned at Marker-Miller Orchards. When I saw that the truck was packed full of apples and on their way to AFAC it felt awesome!! It was truly amazing that the CVN volunteers drove all the way out to Winchester and gleaned apples in the cold rain.

-----

Babak Yaghmaei first got involved with CVN in spring 2011 and by the fall was co-leading volunteers through an orchard to glean apples for AFAC.

Describe your leadership style in three words.
Sociable, warm, goal-oriented.

What have you gained through your involvement with CVN?
The great feeling of giving back to the community. Being able to sharpen my skills of working in team driven environments. Networking with others of similar interests.

Why should others try out their leadership skills with CVN?
CVN's ability to facilitate a positive atmosphere allows anyone to take ownership of the event being led. No micro managing at CVN.

-----

Marjorie Censer (far right) has led a recurring volunteer event at the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) since early 2010. She received the 2010 Outstanding Volunteer Team award from Arlington County and was honored as one of CVN’s 2011 All-Star Volunteers.

Describe your leadership style in three words.
Organized, lowkey, behind-the-scenes. Once we get to AFAC, their leadership runs the session so my role is just to organize CVN's visits and make sure we have people signed up.

What have you gained through your involvement with CVN?
I'm very grateful that CVN introduced me to AFAC, which has been a great place to volunteer. There's plenty of work to do and they're very welcoming.

Why should others try out their leadership skills with CVN?
It's a good opportunity for you to connect willing and able volunteers with organizations you want to help.

-----

Since fall 2010, Michael Manning (right) has led a monthly volunteer event at Tuckahoe Elementary School. He was honored as one of CVN’s 2011 All-Star Volunteers.

Describe your leadership style in three words.
Infuse positivity, humor.

What are you most proud of contributing via your involvement in CVN?
Helping put helping out on people's radar screen.

Why should others try out their leadership skills with CVN?
You get to make the menu instead of just select from the menu, which is a great way to use your creativity and cultivate relationships with others.

CVN Event Leaders' Group

Part of CVN’s mission is to create a positive difference in Arlington by developing leaders. To help promote leadership and provide more access to leadership opportunities we have created a new group to match leaders with volunteer events. Anyone interested in leading events can join. Joining the group doesn’t commit you to leading an event. The goal is to expose people to opportunities and hopefully match volunteer leaders with an event, organization or activity that they are interested in. CVN’s past experiences have found that a key factor in a successful volunteer event is a leader who is passionate about the activity.

CVN will use the group to send out information about potential volunteer events. We will post all the information we have on the event, such as a description of the event, information about the group we would be volunteering with, location, and date and time or potential dates if it is a flexible opportunity. If you are interested in leading an event just reply that you are interested and we will put you in touch with the contact for the group that we will volunteer with. Don't worry if you have never led an event before, we will work with you to get all the information and tools you need to run a successful volunteer event!

If you are interested in joining please click here and then click on “join group.” If you have any questions please email CVN.Chair@gmail.com.