"Here are some ideas how your DOVIA's
and like organizations can get the word out about OUR special day."

The question may arise why should we have a day of recognition and how can we get the word out to our DOVIA's and like organizations that should also include the general public. We as volunteer manager's work hard to recognize our volunteers, not only in our own organizations, but also to the public. We highlight the volunteers and what they do in various publications, speeches and one on one. However, what do we do for us, the caregivers of volunteers? Very little at best. Yes, at times we get published and recognized for our many hours of effort by our bosses and colleagues. As a profession, this hasn't happened until Volunteer Managers Appreciation Day was developed. Here are some ideas how your DOVIA's and like organizations can get the word out about OUR special day.

First of all, the volunteer managers have to know about the day and decide on the best way for each DOVIA to celebrate our day. For example, I am the chair of DOVIA Washington and The Professional Association of Volunteer Managers of Thurston County. I was aware of this special day when Nan came to me and asked DOVIA Washington to get the word out through out the State of Washington about Volunteer Program Managers Appreciation Day.

DOVIA Washington voted to support VPMAD and discussed how we can inform our various organizations. The first idea was to assure our own DOVIA's and like organizations would be informed about the special day. The best way was in the various publications we all have and to make sure we announce it at our own meetings. The word of mouth is always the best way to inform people of any event or special needs. DOVIA Washington also contacted the governor's office and asked for a proclamation for the International Volunteer Managers Appreciation Day. Gary Locke, Governor of the State of Washington, has been a strong supporter of volunteers and realized the efforts of volunteer program managers. Another great source to receive a proclamation is your local government. This would include city and county governments. Typically, local governments enjoy giving proclamations to local groups. This is great press for the local government and our profession. Once your organization receives the proclamation, this is a great opportunity to contact the local press, TV stations and cable companies.

Every organization has someone that is connected with the local press and should be the person to send the press release. Local press can either print an article or make it a large event or decide not to consider it at all. So take advantage of any connections you or your organization may have with the press. As you send out the press releases, don't forget your local TV stations and cable companies.

Most cable companies have a station for local government and the general public. This service is normally free. Additionally, asking the local advertisers to add to their ads that they support Volunteer Managers Appreciation Day December 5th 2000. The additional information normally doesn't cost any additional money for the businesses.

If your DOVIA has a web page, this would be another place to advertise Volunteer Managers Appreciation Day. Typically, you can add the proclamations to the site to be downloaded by any interested parties. This has worked out very well for DOVIA Washington. We not only announced the upcoming event, but we all so added the proclamation from the government. Volunteer managers throughout the state were able to print the proclamation and it saved us a lot of money, not having to pay postage.

Another group of people that need to know about our special day is our own volunteers. Publish the information in your organization's newsletters. If you have special meetings with your volunteers, this would be another great time to announce the event. Volunteers appreciate the efforts you do and this could be an opportunity for them to recognize you and your efforts. Nothing is more flattering than the volunteers in your organization letting you know the positive impact you have on them and the organization.

Remember, this is our special day of celebration. Volunteer Managers Appreciation Day is a great way to demonstrate and inform the public that volunteer managers are professionals. This day of celebration is a good way of patting ourselves on the back and the many thousands of volunteer managers throughout the world. Volunteer managers are the backbone and support of any good volunteer organization. Without the constant effort that we as professionals give, many volunteer organizations just would not exist. As Nan Hawthorn gracefully states on her web page, "But why on International Volunteer Day? Because they can't do it without us - here's our chance to illustrate that fact!!!"

Chuck Hennigan
Chuck Hennigan works as the Volunteer Services Manager with Lacey Fire District Three, in Lacey, Washington.   His community involvement includes: Chair person, Director of Volunteers in Agencies (DOVIA) Washington; Chair person, Professional Association of Volunteer Managers in Thurston County; Chair person, International Year of the Volunteer 2001 statewide event at the State Capital, July 14th 2001 and State of Washington coordinator for IYV 2001; Member of the Association of Volunteer Administrators; Member of the Points of Light Foundation; Volunteer Deputy Fire Chief at Griffin Fire District Thirteen; and Chairman, Thurston County Training Consortium Operations Board.