Training advisory councils
Abstract
Like any other volunteer, advisory council members need to understand their role and what's expected of them. The director of the Senior Services Program at Catholic Charities in Fresno, California, collaborated with the Corporation for National and Community Service State Office to provide an advisory council workshop for the Senior Corps programs in Fresno and Madera counties in the Central Valley. The workshop included assignment descriptions, training, available support, recognition skills, and program evaluation.Issue
The project director wanted a more active advisory council and understood that the advisory council volunteers needed to be trained and recognized like all volunteers.Action
The project director contacted the Corporation for National and Community Service State Office for technical assistance. The state office provided technical assistance to develop an advisory council training.
The day-long training included their assignment description, training, support available, and recognition.
Assignment description
For an advisory council position, an assignment description can be written for a committee rather than an individual. Committee participation is highlighted and overall council functions are mentioned.
- The resource development committee could be responsible for grant opportunities, fundraising events and activities, in-kind donations, and sponsors and corporate partners.
- The recognition committee could be responsible for program and invitation development, certificates and gifts, door prize solicitation, presentation of awards and newsletters.
- The evaluation committee could be responsible for planning, survey development, implementation, compilation, and final report.
- The volunteer development committee could be responsible for public speaking engagements, assignment description development, new volunteer orientation leaders, grievance and appeal process, recruiting new council members, acting as a representative to station-driven meetings and events, and developing new volunteer stations.
- Introduction
- An overview of the Corporation for National and Community Service and National Senior Service Corps
- An overview and history of your project locally
- Advisory council bylaws
- Current projects
Support
Support in the context of advisory councils includes:
- Inclusion in the development of agendas, meetings, and membership
- Opportunity to serve as an official
- Provision of appropriate materials necessary to do the work
- Training and orientation
- Personal growth
- Ability to develop skills
- Opportunity to share experience and expertise
- Be recognized
- Be thanked
- Be appreciated
- Be involved in events and activities
- Be asked to speak about participation
Context
The training was available to RSVP, Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent programs in Fresno and Madera counties in the Central Valley of California.Outcome
After attending the training, advisory council members saw how their work was necessary and effective, and how it had an impact on the program. This created more long-lasting volunteers.
Shortly after the training, the advisory council rewrote their bylaws and organized into three committees -- fundraising, recognition, and evaluation. Using ideas gathered from their training, the council oversaw a program evaluation that was valuable to the staff in improving and enlarging the program. A year later, they did a three-year strategic plan for the program.
Posted On
November 13, 2001For More Information