PPAI News: PPAI To Engage More Volunteers With New, Flexible Options


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PPAI News: PPAI To Engage More Volunteers With New, Flexible Options

Issue: 2009dec

The PPAI Board of Directors announces a new model for engaging members by offering a variety of ways for volunteers to participate in the Association’s decision-making process. The options, which include a volunteer resource pool, standing committees, action groups and task forces, recognize the increasing time constraints on volunteers and gives flexibility to members to work on projects that are strategic as well as tactical.

The new model was recommended by the PPAI Committee Governance Task Force, which has been working on the project since last June with input from committee members, committee chairs, the Board of Directors and staff. Its goal for recommending a change to the current committee structure was to achieve more opportunities for more volunteers, allow for greater member participation and more meaningful volunteer experiences and to ensure more satisfied and engaged volunteers.

PPAI’s current volunteer structure, in place for nearly 20 years, provides for 13 standing committees with up to 10 volunteers on each committee serving for three-year terms.

“PPAI isn’t alone in considering more relevant ways for volunteers to be involved,” says PPAI President Steve Slagle, CAE. “Nonprofit organizations across the country are challenged to attract and retain volunteers, especially as demands on volunteers’ time have increased. Volunteers are critical to PPAI’s success. This new model will help them to be more productive and more selective in the ways in which they serve their Association.”

The Volunteer Resource Pool, open to all members, will make available volunteers for standing committees, task forces and action groups as well as members to complete surveys, participate on conference calls, serve on focus groups and offer their feedback, ideas and opinions in a variety of ways.

Five standing committees (Regional Association Council Board, Leadership Advisory Committee, Suppliers Committee, Distributors Committee and MAS/CAS Certification Committee) will address ongoing and essential strategic missions and will include a fixed term and meeting schedule for members, along with a fixed size and regular reporting mechanisms.

Action groups will be focused on specific tactical assignments across a wide variety of activities and offer flexible time frames and a flexible group size based on the assigned project.

Task forces will be formed as needed to review and evaluate strategic initiatives or issues and will typically operate on a one-time basis.

Next steps for the new model will be rolled out to current volunteers at PPAI’s Volunteer Leadership Luncheon during The PPAI Expo in Las Vegas, Monday, January 11, from noon to 1:30 pm with a training program and Q&A to follow.

Comments (2)

12/15/2009
Remy (rjfmkt@juno.com)
company: RJF Marketing
title: owner
"Once again PPAI taken the opportunity to miss an opportunity. Instead of rolling out the new model to current volunteers why not roll it out at the general session? Just goes to prove the point of an insular insider mentality."

12/16/2009
Margie Price (margiep@sbcglobal.net)
company: Premiums Plus Inc.
title: President
"Congratulations on taking this step. I am sure a lot of conversatiin took place before you were able to arrive at this decision but it is my strong opinion that this move will attract more capable volunteers who otherwise were unable to give time.Once again PPAI has made it clear they are aware and appreciate their member's time and abilities."

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