Effective volunteering depends upon effective volunteer management. We see volunteer management as a professional field of expertise that involves a distinct set of skills and competencies. In order to increase the professionalism of the field,The Volunteer Center has developed strong, working relationships with the following local and statewide professional development organizations:

Guilford County DOVIA

Guilford County Directors of Volunteers in Agencies (GC DOVIA) was formed in 1983 as a professional organization for individuals involved in the administration of volunteer programs. Our local organization is affiliated with the North Carolina Association of Volunteer Administrators (NCAVA). GC DOVIA's purpose is to advance the level of professionalism among and increase the effectiveness of its members.

GC DOVIA also promotes cooperation between agencies, provides learning opportunities for its members and explores new means for effectively integrating the involvement of volunteers in our agencies and in our society. If your job involves the management of the volunteer program in your organization, you will want to belong to GC DOVIA. Participation will provide you with the resources and the support you need to think creatively and act effectively as a program manager in a nonprofit setting.

Upcoming Meetings
DOVIA meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month, alternating between a business/educational meeting, usually at lunch, and a networking breakfast. All meetings are free for members (bring/buy your own breakfast or lunch). Non-members are welcomed to attend meetings as well; there is a $5 fee for non-members for each business/educational meeting attended after their first visit. Meetings are usually held at locations convenient to both Greensboro and High Point. Educational meetings are usually endorsed by NCAVA and can be used as credits towards NCAVA's certification program.

For more information and a schedule of upcoming meetings, contact Gerry Alfano at or (336)574-3547.

How to Join
Annual Membership is just $25.
Non-members may attend individual business/educational meetings for a $5 "Listening Fee." They can "visit" their first meeting for free.

GC DOVIA Membership Benefits
Bi-monthly lunch meetings with programs addressing the professional management of volunteer programs. Whenever possible, GC DOVIA programs are endorsed by NCAVA, so attendees earn hours towards their NCAVA certification.

A lending library, housed at the Volunteer center of Greensboro, offers the latest professional development resources available to managers of volunteer programs. DOVIA serves as a resource of information about workshops and training opportunities on the local, sate and national level.

Networks are in place with area Volunteer Centers, the State Commision on National and Community Service, Guilford County Commissioners and NCAVA. This network gives members access to volunteer recognition materials, discounts on workshops and conferences, and information about legislation related to volunteerism.

North Carolina Association of
Volunteer Administration

NCAVA is a statewide professional development organization for those who manage volunteer programs in nonprofit and public agencies in North Carolina. NCAVA links its members and nineteen local affiliate organizations (such as Guilford County DOVIA) to state and national resources through a bi-monthly newsletter, local workshops,the annual Statewide Conference on Volunteerism, and a professional certification program. Membership is $45/year.

For information, contact Nancy Wright, Volunteer Center/ RSVP of Harnett County, Membership Chair at or call her at 910-893-7579

Membership information can also be downloaded off of their website at
www.ncava.org

CAVNC (Certified Adminstrator of Volunteers in NC)
NCAVA also administers a state certification program for professionals in volunteer administration in order to help raise standards of practice, increase knowledge, and improve performance of volunteer administrators in North Carolina.

Requirements for Certification are:
- NCAVA membership.
- At least 2 years experience as a manager of volunteers and/or volunteer programs. - Bachelor's degree, or a year's experience in the field for each year of college lacking.
- Two peer recommendations.
- One year in a leadership role in NCAVA, local affiliate, or a community agency.
- Completion of at least 24 contact hours of pre-certification training endorsed by NCAVA.
- Satisfactory completion of a written certification exam (offered twice a year).
- Payment of $25 certification fee.
- Re-certification every three years requires uninterrupted NCAVA membership and documentation of eight additional hours of training endorsed by NCAVA.

For further information about the certification program or to request an application for certification, contact Harriett Edwards, NC Cooperative Extension Service 4-H, Certification Chair at or call her at 919-515-9548

For more information about NCAVA contact one of our two North Central Region Directors, Linda Dameron: or Donna Camp: .