Volunteer Managers Network

Steering Committee Information Sheet 2015

The Volunteer Managers Network of Catholic Charities is an affinity group for
staff and volunteers from Catholic Charities USA member agencies and
affiliates, who want to advance volunteerism as a practice and philosophy,
integrate volunteers into daily operations and promote the leadership of
Volunteer Managers in organizations.
Thank you for considering joining Catholic Charities USAs Volunteer
Managers Network Steering Committee! 2015 continues to be the inaugural
year for the steering committee of the Network and you will have a
tremendous opportunity to shape the volunteer management agenda!
This team will be chosen from Catholic Charities staff and volunteers from
across the country who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the
engagement of volunteers, promoting volunteer management as a
profession and to living out the mission of Catholic Charities. We aspire to
create a group of people who innovatively manage volunteers, advocate for
volunteer management in their agency and utilize volunteers to reduce
poverty in America.
In order to help you make an informed decision about being a part of this
team, we created this packet containing background information on the
Network and guidelines for steering committee functioning.
Volunteer Managers Network
The Volunteer Managers Network of Catholic Charities USA is an affinity
group for staff and volunteers from Catholic Charities USA member agencies
and affiliates, who want to advance volunteerism as a practice and
philosophy, integrate volunteers into daily operations and promote the
leadership of Volunteer Managers. The Volunteer Managers Network serves
as a forum for networking and professional development by sharing best
practices, learning new skills, anticipating trends, group problem solving and
as a resource for materials, training, and formation tools that make
managing volunteers successful.
Steering Committee Guidelines
The Volunteer Managers Network will create and be led by a Steering
committee representing the membership of the Network. The Volunteer
Managers Network Steering committee will provide strategic direction,

Volunteer Managers Network

Steering Committee Information Sheet 2015

facilitate networking and coordinate Network activities. The team will
represent the diversity of models and skills present in Catholic Charities
agencies across the country.
The Steering committee will consist of up to twelve members. Steering
committee members will be selected from the overall Network membership.
Each year candidates will be solicited from the entire Networks roster to be
considered for open positions on the Steering committee. Candidates apply
to be a part of the Team and are selected by the Steering committee based
on qualifications, experience and skills. The Steering committee attempts to
maintain a group reflective of the gender, age, racial and ethnic diversity of
the Network membership as well as the region, size and scope of the agency
in which the members work.
Members will serve two year terms and may apply for a second two-year
term through the annual application process. Terms will be staggered to
facilitate continuity. Terms will begin in January and end in January.
The Steering committee will have at least one Catholic Charities USA Staff
Liaison to the Network who will facilitate the exchange of information and
resources between the Volunteer Managers Network membership, Steering
committee members and Catholic Charities USA.
Meetings
To ensure focus and continuity, the Steering committee will conduct
conference calls as needed and will hold an optional face-to-face meeting at
the Catholic Charities USA Annual Gathering. The Team will function on a
consensus basis. When voting is necessary, the Team will function on a
majority basis.
The steering committee members are asked to make a time and work
commitment to the team. Members can anticipate participating up to three
hours a month as a steering committee member.