Professional Advocacy
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Response Protocols

(AVA Board approved July 2002)

The purpose of these Response Protocols is to provide guidance to the Association for responding in a timely, thoughtful, and effective manner to issues and discussions brought to its attention by AVA members, collaborating organizations or the general public.

AVA will respond to issues concerning the:

  • Perception of the profession of volunteer resources management
  • Training and professional development of volunteer resources managers
  • Organizational support of volunteer resources managers
  • Compensation of volunteer resources managers
  • Benefits of well-managed volunteers to both organizations and volunteers themselves
  • Relationship between effective volunteer management and the sustainability of volunteering, citizen engagement, and civil society.
  • AVA will respond in ways that have the potential to influence decision makers or public opinion.
    •

    It is appropriate that AVA's response vary depending on the scope of the specific issue or question.  Thus, a somewhat different type of protocol has been established for issues affecting  the local, state/provincial/regional, national and international levels.

    Local Level Issues

    AVA�s response to local issues will be to offer a standard local response packet with information and materials for individuals or networks to advocate for self or colleagues at the local level.

    Procedures

    The response packet will be posted on the website or can be requested in hardcopy through the website or direct contact with the AVA office.

    Within a week of receiving notice of a local issue, AVA will send the standard response packet to the individual or network by electronic or postal mail. 

    The standard response packet includes:

  • AVA resources available (Positioning, Ethics, etc)
  • Emphasis points for talking or writing 
  • Sample documents from members.  
  • General information regarding advocacy
  • Encouragement for action in collaboration with the local professional network or other appropriate partners
  • Encouragement to initiate or continued AVA membership.
  • Suggestions for local network advocacy activities.
    •

    State/Provincial/Regional Issues

    AVA�s response to state/provincial/regional level issues will be a customized letter over the President�s or Executive Director�s signature, based on the letter�s recipient.

    Procedures

  • Over the President�s signature, in consultation with the appropriate members of the Board of Directors, if it is a new issue or an issue that the full Board has not had opportunity to discuss.
  • Over the Executive Director�s signature if the issue is clearly consistent with our philosophy or an endorsement can be implied based on our materials and other publications.
  • The letter will be drafted with input from Professional Issues Advisory Group* as time permits.
  • If no other response deadline is given, the letter will be sent by electronic and/or postal mail within two weeks of notification of the issue or request for a response. A hard copy of any electronic mail will also be sent as confirmation.
    •

    National Issues

    AVA�s response to national level issues will be a customized cover letter over the President�s signature including, as appropriate, copies of AVA publications, materials or a media/information packet.

    The AVA action, and outcome if available, will be conveyed to the membership and general public through publication in the member newsletter, posting on the AVA website, and postings to electronic discussions.

    Procedures

  • The letter will be drafted with input from the appropriate members of the Board of Directors and, as time permits, the Professional Issues Advisory Group.
  • If no other response deadline is given, the letter will be sent by electronic and/or postal mail within two weeks of notification of the issue or request for a response. A hard copy of any electronic mail will also be sent as confirmation.
  • A notice of AVA�s response will be sent to organizational partners and will encourage a separate response from partners, if appropriate.
    •


    International Issues

    AVA�s response to international level issues will be a customized cover letter over the President�s signature and may include copies of AVA publications, materials or a media/information packet as appropriate.

    The AVA action, and outcome if available, will be conveyed to the membership and general public through publication in the member newsletter, posting on the AVA website, and postings to electronic discussions.

    Procedures

  • The letter will be drafted with input from the full Board Directors and, as time permits, the Professional Issues Advisory Group.
  • If no other response deadline is given, the letter will be sent by electronic and/or postal mail with two weeks of notification of the issue or request for a response. A hard copy of any electronic mail will also be sent as confirmation.
  • A notice of AVA�s response will be sent to organizational partners and will encourage a separate response from partners, if appropriate.
    •


    Other Types of Situations

    Endorsement of Statements
    Board consideration with, time permitting, input from the Professional Issues Advisory Group, and input from general membership (via the newsletter, web site, Annual Meeting, etc.

    Direction to AVA Representatives serving on external committees
    Board consideration with, time permitting, input from the Professional Issues Advisory Group and the general membership (via the newsletter, web site, Annual Meeting, etc.)

    Letters to the Editor
    Response from the President, in consultation with appropriate members of the Board of Directors as dictated by the issue.

    Statements to the Media
    Provided at the request of a media professional.  Only the Executive Director and President, or Presidential designee for a particular issue, will issue statements on behalf of AVA.

    Procedures

  • Response will be from the Executive Director if the request 1) is for information about our services, products or programs or 2) can be addressed with a statement based on a Board discussion and decision that the Executive Director has been a part of or made aware of or 3) will be used in conjunction with statements from the chief operating official from a similar or other professional organization.  
  • Response will be from the President if the request is 1) about an issue that the Board has not discussed before or 2) will be used in conjunction with statements from the president from a similar or other professional organization.
  • If contacted locally, individual Board members can respond to a request if it can be addressed with a statement based on a Board discussion and decision.
    •

    * Professional Issues Advisory Group � A standing group of 10 to 15 past and present leaders and individuals from the general membership.

     

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