Welcome to the Resource Kit, a growing collection of informational documents related to Affiliate Volunteer Centers. These materials are intended for use only by the Affiliate Volunteer Centers of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network. Most of these links lead to publicly accessible areas, but in some cases they link to the Affiliate Volunteer Center-only Web site.  We recommend that you log-in now.  Upon log-in simply click on "Back to where I logged in from” to return to this page. You may also want to log-in to the Intranet by clicking here.

1. Orientation Information
2. Requirements
3. Resources
4. Meetings and Conferences
5. New & Start-Up Volunteer Centers and Satellites

For more information on Volunteer Center materials, please contact Startup@pointsofLight.org

ORIENTATION INFORMATION

Volunteer Center Teleconference Orientations
Regular conference calls for any interested Volunteer Centers to gain a better understanding of the Points of Light Foundation & the Volunteer Center National Network, elected Council, Standards of Excellence, and Foundation programs, services, and networking opportunities. Second Wednesday of even months, 3:00-4:00 pm EST. Please send an e-mail to JSalang@PointsofLight.org with your contact information to RSVP.  Prior to the call, try to familiarize yourself with the orientation information available to you below.

Conference Call Orientation Evaluation Form
We highly value your opinion! Once you have participated in our conference call, please take a few minutes to fill out an evaluation form and return it to JSalang@PointsofLight.org.

Welcome New Volunteer Center Directors
The Points of Light Foundation & the Volunteer Center National Network welcome new Volunteer Center directors, who came on board between July 2006 and January 2007. Network members, including Volunteer Center National Network Council representatives, Volunteer Center Association leaders and neighboring Volunteer Centers, are encouraged to reach out and offer support and encouragement to these new leaders in the Network.

Volunteer Center National Network Intranet
Step-by-step guide explaining how to join the VCNN Intranet. This restricted site for Affiliate Volunteer Centers will enable you to communicate with your Volunteer Center colleagues in the Network, share important documents and information, learn about upcoming events, and stay up-to-date with important announcements.

Volunteer Center Affiliate Only Website
Different from the Volunteer Center National Network Intranet, this area helps affiliate Volunteer Centers find Foundation information and provides online access to various resources, tools, and technical assistance. For information on how to receive and/or change your login name and password click above.

VCNN Newsletter
VCNN News is a bi-weekly email communication of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network. VCNN News features information of importance to the network under the following categories: (1) Network Information, (2) Information Requests, (3) Grants, Funding and Recognition Programs, (4) Upcoming Events, and (5) Resources and Materials.

VolunteerCenter One-Pager
A comprehensive flyer encompassing key aspects of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network.

VCNN Orientation Presentation
This presentation outlines the main components of what you will hear during the next orientation conference call.

Volunteering in America
This article details important information about the history of volunteering and the creation of the Points of Light Foundation & the Volunteer Center National Network, and provides valuable resources for new Volunteer Center Directors.

History of Volunteer Centers in America
Volunteering has a long and proud history in America.  Our roots in service extend back to the first pioneers, when colonists banned together to overcome the challenges of surviving and adjusting to a new land.  Since the time of the formation of our nation, Americans have volunteered to help each other in times of war, tragedy, and need.

Points of Light Foundation Volunteer Center Brochure
More than 360 Volunteer Centers around the nation mobilize people and resources to deliver creative solutions to community problems. This color, printable brochure features the key benefits of a Volunteer Center.

VCNNC (Volunteer Center National Network Council) Roster
The purpose of the Volunteer Centers National Network Council (VCNNC) is to serve as the official link between local Affiliate Volunteer Centers and the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network.

VCNN Strategic Plan
The vision of the Volunteer Center National Network is "to strengthen the nation by igniting volunteering and social action through Volunteer Centers in local communities." To accomplish this,,the VCNN created a guide to establish and implement the long-term strategies for ongoing development. The VCNN Strategic Plan was developed in 2004 by almost every Volunteer Center in the Network; it is indeed a strategic plan byand for the members of the VCNN.

Points of Light Foundation Staff
Ever wonder who to contact with a specific question and/or concern that you may have?  Click above to access a comprehensive on-line staff directory of the Points of Light Foundation.

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REQUIREMENTS

Standards of Excellence
The Volunteer Center Standards of Excellence create a common identity based in the Volunteer Center National Network framework of Vision, Values and Core Competencies.

Volunteer Center Outputs Survey – Fiscal Year 2006
The Outputs Survey was developed to help the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network quantify the services and resources provided by Affiliate Volunteer Centers. It allows the Foundation & the Network to compile statistics and present the larger scope to all Affiliates. Volunteer Centers complete the survey annually at the time of their Affiliation renewal.

Affiliation Agreement
We are pleased to present the Affiliation Agreement between The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network and individual Affiliate Volunteer Centers. The idea underlying the Affiliation Agreement is simple.  The Preamble describes the extraordinary capabilities of each of the constituents in the Volunteer System.  The Agreement seeks to harness those capabilities for the mutual benefit of all participants.  Regardless of size, location or focus, the local Affiliate has the opportunity to share in the knowledge, skills, contacts, fundraising, and other features of a broad national network. 

Updating your Service Area by Zip Code
Your Volunteer Center’s area of service is delimited by zip codes registered with the Volunteer Center National Network (VCNN). Maintaining an up-to-date zip code registry is important for assuring efficient service to your communities.

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RESOURCES

BUSINESS: Corporate Volunteer Council Partners Program
Corporate Volunteer Councils are the primary local resource for encouraging, educating and connecting businesses that support employee volunteer programs as a business strategy, benefiting the whole community. Connect your Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC) with the Corporate Volunteer Council Partners Program and benefit from the knowledge of CVC leaders across the nation.

CERTIFICATION: Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA)
The Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA) advances the profession and practice of volunteer resource management by certifying individuals who demonstrate knowledge and competence in the leadership of volunteers. Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) is an international credential awarded to practitioners with at least 3 years of experience who successfully complete an exam and written portfolio process. Originally developed by the Association for Volunteer Administration (AVA) several decades ago, the credentialing program is now sponsored by the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration.

COMMUNICATION: Premiere Global Services
Have you ever struggled with how you were going to get key members of you organization together with time and distance constraints making it all but impossible? A new member service from the Points of Light Foundation makes that probability non-existent. Whether you are in the office, car, hotel, or airport, you are in charge of this new, highly efficient, easy-to-use conference calling service. The Foundation has partnered with Premiere Global Services to offer this new service, which will provide a cost savings to your organization for all of your conference calling requirements.

FUNDRAISING: Volunteer Center Resource Development Toolkit
The purpose of the toolkit is to help Volunteer Center directors, staff, development officers and volunteers present your Volunteer Center’s important story for community investment from corporate, foundation, individual and government sources. The toolkit includes sections on individual solicitations, grants, special events, and earned income corporate services

MARKETING: Communication Toolkit
The Communications Toolkit for Volunteer Centers is a growing collection of current material, guidelines, and templates designed to help you meet your local communication needs and leverage our national communications efforts.

PARNERSHIPS: Hands on Nashville – Build Your Volunteer Center through Partnerships
Learn how to redefine your volunteers, agencies and volunteer resource managers as customers of your Volunteer Center through an excellent article in the most recent Volunteer Leadership Magazine. Hands on Nashville is a prime example of innovative ways to strengthen the promotion of volunteering in the Nashville area.

Points of Light Benefits at TechSoup
Points of Light and TechSoup collaborate to offer account management services to Affiliate Volunteer Centers.

PROGRAMS: Fast for a World Harvest
Oxfam is a nonprofit organization that works to end poverty through saving lives, strengthening communities, and campaigning for change. Oxfam's Fast for a World Harvest offers individuals and organizations a way to join the global movement to end poverty and hunger. The Fast has engaged inspired, informed and motivated tens of thousands of people since its founding in 1974.

RECOGNITION: Customizable Awards for Volunteer Centers
Are you looking for items that you can customize at great prices? VolunteerResource.org is creating a line of awards just for us. Visit our market place for a full selection of items and for questions, contact Marketplace@PointsofLight.org.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: VolunteerResource.org
VolunteerResource.org is a comprehensive virtual library for the most up-to-date information on volunteering, volunteer management, and effective engagement of people and resources to solve community problems. From insights on long-term strategy to on-the-ground ideas for making volunteering fun and rewarding, VolunteerResource.org is designed to make it easy to connect with new ideas and information.

TECHNOLOGY: Volunteer Center National Network Intranet
Are you utilizing the tool available to you through the VCNN Intranet? This restricted site for Affiliate Volunteer Centers enables you to communicate with your Volunteer Center colleagues in the Network, share important documents and information, learn about upcoming events, and stay up-to-date with important announcements.

TECHNOLOGY: TechSoup Stock Offers Discounted Technology Products
All Volunteer Centers now have expedited access to deeply discounted technology products at TechSoup Stock. TechSoup Stock distributes donated and discounted technology products to nonprofit organizations from companies such as Cisco, Macromedia, and Symantec. In addition, TechSoup Stock is the exclusive distributor of donated Microsoft products. As our partner, TechSoup Stock will provide Volunteer Centers with direct access to a TechSoup Stock Account Manager who will help expedite your TechSoup Stock order processing, assist with registration at TechSoup Stock and ensure your organization is maximizing the benefits of TechSoup's various services.

TECHNOLOGY: Board Matching Program
In partnership with boardnetUSA, the program helps boards and potential board members find each other through local Volunteer Centers. The boardnetUSA website is designed to be a common technological platform for a national collaborative network of communities working locally to enhance nonprofit board governance.

TRAINING: Volunteer Management Training Series
VMTS is a high quality, comprehensive series of courses in volunteer management designed to be delivered to community organizations and volunteer managers by local Volunteer Centers. The curriculum is based on research and effective practices in volunteer management and is packaged in an easy-to-use format that includes everything needed to conduct a successful training.

TRAINING: Other Training Opportunities
The Points of Light Foundation offers information-packed, interactive training seminars to meet needs across the broad spectrum of volunteer programs.

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MEETINGS & CONFERENCES

2007 Volunteer Center Regional Meetings Registration is Now Available Online!
It's time to register for the 2007 Volunteer Center Regional Meetings. Dates for the 2007 Regional Meetings are February 26 – 28 in Washington, DC; March 12 – 14 in San Francisco, CA; and March 26 – 28 in Chicago, IL. The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network is excited about this opportunity to come together and share best practices, engage with local networks and build connections for the volunteer movement. The 2007 meetings will place an emphasis on strategic communications training from an outside marketing consultant working in conjunction with the Foundation's Communications Staff.

2007 National Conference on Volunteering and Service
Date: July 16-18, 2007
Plan now to attend the nation's premier event for volunteering and community service. The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network and the Corporation for National and Community Service invite you to join your colleagues from all corners of the volunteering and service fields to share and learn. Historic Philadelphia provides an ideal setting for learning from past success and gaining knowledge and skills to serve you in the future.

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NEW & START-UP AFFILIATE VOLUNTEER CENTERS AND SATELLITES

Affiliate Volunteer Center Start-Up Program
This program supports Affiliate Volunteer Center development in local communities. The program uses the analogy of a life cycle of a tree in three phases of growth – “Planting the Seed," "Nurturing the Seed," and "Growing for Success" -- to chart a course for new or emerging Affiliate Volunteer Center development. Implementing the Benchmarks for Development as a framework, the program outlines the steps necessary for launching a successful, thriving Affiliate Volunteer Center.

Volunteer Center Start-Up
Please take a couple of minutes to complete this questionnaire to help the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network assess the level of your progress starting a Volunteer Center in your community. The information you provide in this form will help us better support your efforts.

"Origins: A Process for New Volunteer Center Development”
A comprehensive 135-page capacity-building guide with specific recommendations and best practices related to all aspects of the administration and management of a Volunteer Center is available for purchase on our Web site. This toolkit was developed to transition a community from its initial indication of interest on through the actual launch of a new Affiliate Volunteer Center.  The toolkit is most beneficial for communities actively moving toward new Volunteer Center development.

Guidebook for Opening Volunteer Center Satellite Office
A satellite office is a branch of a Volunteer Center that has a unique relationship with the main Volunteer Center, known as the "parent" organization, but is not located within the physical structure of the parent organization. Opening a satellite is an effective strategy that Volunteer Centers utilize to overcome geographic barriers, cultural differences, and sheer size of service areas. This guidebook offers a step-by-step process with real case examples for opening your Volunteer Center Satellite Office.

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