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Delegates Submitting Report: Theresa Nelson (WI, MI, MN, OH, ND/SD) and Nancy Jameson (IA, IL, IN, NE)
What opportunities have you had, as a delegate, to communicate with project directors (NARSVPD members as well as non-members)?
I (Theresa Nelson) have had the opportunity to serve as an alternate and then a delegate. Communication with NARSVPD members and non-members at National Conferences (UT, FL, WI); Association Meetings, CNCS Cluster Meetings, continuous emails to all states in and outside of the North Central Cluster, conference calls, many contacts made through the sales of the RSVP Candy Bars. Have many conversations with non-members during MI State Association RSVPD Conference Calls to include but not exclude MI Service Commission, FGP/SCP Association, ConnectMichigan Alliance and MI Promise. Whenever or however the opportunity arises for open communication lines, I jump at the chance.
Nancy Jameson discussed issues with individual directors via phone and email.
What challenges/successes have been identified in your cluster? Successes?
Wisconsin RSVP Programs continue to face a funding crisis. The state decreased funds to programs by 50% in the 2003-05 budget years. As a result, programs had to lay off staff, decrease service area and work to maintain existing volunteers and sites. The decrease of state funds has not only made it difficult to operate programs but it has also made it difficult to meet the federal match requirement.
North Dakota/South Dakota – Challenges and successes have not been identified because the state association has not met for a couple of years. Areas of concern from individual directors were a need for additional funding and additional staff to help cover the new areas covered by mandated program expansion, and being asked by CNCS State Office to expand program area up to 180 miles from office location.
Minnesota - Statewide publicity and program coverage in a statewide newsletter.
Ohio - Statewide Citizen Corps (CC) involvement has met with varying success depending on the willingness of the local EMA. We have a few RSVPs that are involved with model Citizen Corps, while others have minimal involvement.
Michigan – Marketing RSVP statewide. Meeting with each other in person is difficult based on budget constraints, geography of program locations. We are collaborating with our state’s SCP/FGP association (presents challenges and yields successes). I believe that our Michigan RSVP association has been most successful in promoting coordination between programs and in our partnerships with the state CNCS staff and staff of the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging. We have also been successful in securing additional state funding for senior volunteer programs, through coordinated efforts with the state FGP/SCP association. (Macomb Co.)
Indiana – Challenges: Becoming a self-incorporated RSVP; unfunded mandates like the new annual field guidance initiatives. Successes: Combing the state Senior Corps Directors into one Association.
What innovative strategies have been implemented?
Wisconsin - Milwaukee RSVP is connected with the Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee and RSVP stations are coded on their website to help with recruitment. Joint recruitment efforts with two RSVP projects that are in adjoining counties.
North Dakota/South Dakota - “Constantly networking” was one response; a referral contest for recruitment was also mentioned with volunteers who refer new volunteers to the program entered into a drawing during the annual recognition event which resulted in 150 new volunteers for the program during the past year. For one project, partnerships with other agencies in the program area that are addressing concerns in common with RSVP PM development areas have proven to be very helpful, as well as gaining even more support and respect for the program.
Minnesota - We have a unified web site for all three Senior Corps programs. We have developed a statewide newsletter which is sent to legislators, funders, volunteers and station managers.
Michigan – In Kalamazoo we have chosen to use “RSVP – Your Invitation to Volunteer”, rather than “Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.” Our states’ RSVP programs (with our state CNCS office and our state of Michigan funding office) have worked hard for several years on the development of PFI/PM with an outside consultant. This consultant also helps develop, implement and compile local and statewide volunteer and volunteer station surveys. All senior volunteer programs in Michigan allocate a small portion of our budgets to contract with a state evaluator, who has worked with us in developing a variety of templates for PFI statements, which have now become two statewide performance measure statements used by all senior corps programs. She also conducts and prepares summary reports on statewide volunteer and station surveys, and works with individual projects on developing performance measures and approaches for documentation of impact. We consider ourselves very lucky in Michigan. (Macomb Co.)
Indiana – RSVP volunteers participated in “Meatloaf Mentoring” in Jasper Indiana where families of inmates come together over a home-cooked meal made by senior volunteers. Citizen Corps have given RSVPs new life and new identities, fostering partnerships with local government and first responders in Indiana. VITA income tax programs have fostered relationships with banks and other social service agencies. The RSVP in Laporte/Starke counties has formed a large multi-partner group that is providing wheel chair ramps and home repairs.
Illinois – A VISTA volunteer is working with RSVP literacy tutor and mentor program in the Rock Island Schools. The goal is to increase community involvement in and support for the schools.
Iowa – Selected and trained RSVP volunteers will assist veterans and veterans’ spouses in obtaining VA benefits to which they are entitled. This is a first-in-the-nation project which is generating much interest throughout the nation.
What types of funding are being pursued by project directors? Have they been successful in securing additional funding?
Wisconsin - RSVP Milwaukee has been successful in finding sponsors to cover cost of annual volunteer recognition event as well as the cost of the quarterly newsletter. The director personally contacts prospective sponsors and budgets for $5,000 each year from sponsoring organizations. The Milwaukee Telephone Reassurance Program receives funding from United Way. Local grants, United Way and Community Foundations are sources where some programs have been successful at receiving funds.
North Dakota/South Dakota - One project sells ads for the annual recognition event booklet, which has been raising over $10,000 for them each year. One project has a coupon redemption project in a grocery store that does not yield a lot of money, but everything helps! Nearly every project receives funding from a local United Way agency, local companies, and utilities.
Minnesota - Programs of National Significance grants have been quite successful in Minnesota. Many of the MN Senior Corps programs also use the assistance of AmeriCorps or VISTA members to enhance their programs.
Ohio - Local foundation grants seems to be the most effective
Michigan - Kalamazoo garners funding outside of our CNCS and State of Michigan funding from United Way and fundraising efforts to support recognition events. We (Kent Co.) have established a foundation, but other funding is very difficult to secure. Over the past five years, since I (Macomb Co.) have been RSVP director, I have been successful in securing a variety of grants from public sources and private foundations, including CNCS PNS funds to expand RSVP; state funds to start a Senior Companion Program; CNCS PNS funds to expand our Senior Companion Program; funds to expand an existing adult day service center; funds to start two additional adult day service centers; funds to purchase a wheelchair life equipped vehicle; funds to hire drivers; additional funds to transport FGP volunteers for a neighboring FGP program; and miscellaneous grants for computer upgrades, equipment, supplies. Most recently we receive two new printers from Dell and Gifts in Kind International.
Indiana – The RSVP in Laporte/Starke County has received over $45,000 in grants this year to support their home repairs/ramp building and their vision screening projects. Various RSVPs have been funded by Citizen Corps, CDBG, cities, counties, and foundations, large and small. RSVPs have been successful in raising thousands of dollars toward the costs of their volunteer recognition events by asking businesses to sponsor the cost of a table. Several RSVPs sponsor trips, getting a cut from each traveler. One RSVP promotes Grocery Gift cards which divert 4% of expenditures to RSVP.
What grants (PNS, PHS, RWJF, etc.) were written by RSVP project directors? Were they funded? At what level?
Wisconsin - RSVP Milwaukee has received PNS funds of $10,000 to fund Seniors in Schools Tutoring Program in past years; this year applied for PNS funds for “Life Savers” Project-emergency information gathered and provided for EMS personnel who responded to elderly.
North Dakota/South Dakota - One PNS grant was written and funded at $21,000.
Minnesota - The Greater St. Cloud Area RSVP received a $51,000 homeland security PNS grant in 2003.
Ohio - We have had several directors receive PNS grants through out the years.
Michigan – Kalamazoo has been successful in recent years in securing PNS grants (literacy, safety). We currently have one PNS pending addressing independent living for seniors. After several rejected attempts at PNS grants, we (Kent Co.) have not pursued whatever the other grants listed above. We (Macomb Co.) have secured PNS grants, as well as funds from local and national foundations, including the Brookdale Foundation. In most cases, we received funding at requested levels. Grant writing is one of the things I do best.
PNS grants were funded for the Boone, IA, RSVP ($24,025); RSVP of St. Joseph in Indiana ($11,900); and NDSU RSVP in North Dakota ($10,800).
How much state funding will each state in your cluster receive in the coming fiscal year? Is this an increase or decrease over last year? Is it new or continuing funding?
Wisconsin - The state of Wisconsin is currently in the process of deciding the biannual budget for 2005-07. At this time RSVP is currently listed in the budget at the level of $251,368. (This amount is existing funds that are given to 16 out of 17 WI RSVP Programs.) The final budget will be passed at the end of the summer so it is still uncertain if we will receive funding at all or at what level. Prior to the 2003-05 budget RSVPs were funded at the level of $502,736.
North Dakota/South Dakota - South Dakota receives $9,500 per project per year and this has been continuous for about the past 10 years. North Dakota does not receive any “per project” funding from the state.
Ohio – Continuing state funds are $5,883 per RSVP project. These are a decrease and we are looking at another cut.
Michigan – We are unsure of our state funding for the next fiscal year. The governor has proposed $5.5 (a $71,000 cut from last year). This is continuing funding.
Indiana – No state funding.
Illinois – Illinois will receive $782,000, down from $802,000 the previous year.
Do any state associations apply for and receive any type of funding? From what sources? How is the money divided among projects? For what purpose is the money used?
Wisconsin has not applied but we would like to and have wondered if other associations have done this. WI has taken steps to become its own 501 (c) (3) in preparations for future funding attempts.
North Dakota/South Dakota - None applied for, none received.
Minnesota - Not to my knowledge.
Ohio - We have received money from the state EMA for a Senior Safety Program and for recruiting recruiters for Citizen Corps ($1,000 per county). The individual projects applied for the money through the state association. We had $26,000 from the state EMA.
Michigan – Our state does not apply for funding via our state association.
What contacts have been made with your state’s legislators?
Wisconsin - The sponsoring program for Walworth RSVP held a legislative day in March and met with several local legislators. Milwaukee RSVP has sent letters to local legislators and governor to encourage support of state funding. Telephone Reassurance Program was the recipient of the 2005 Governor’s Service Award. Outagamie RSVP has met with Mark Green to discuss grant match and state funding and have written letters to representatives. Most program directors have made contact with representatives in some fashion the last year to inform them of the impact that RSVP programs are making.
North Dakota/South Dakota - Legislators receive copies of project newsletters, are invited to annual recognition events, and are contacted by letters when special concerns arise. South Dakota does not have a state commission. Letters, calls, personal visits.
Minnesota - We are very active in communicating with our local legislators. They all receive a State-of-the-State report on all Senior Corps programs annually as well as the state MNNSSC newsletter. We have received education on working with our legislators and have involved our volunteers and station managers in letting the legislators know the importance of senior volunteers to the communities.
Ohio - Numerous directors have made contact.
Michigan – Because the State of Michigan provides funding to the Senior Corps programs we work diligently to prepare and present testimony to the House and Senate during the budget process. In addition, we encourage our Senior Corps program directors to develop and maintain relationships with the state legislators representing their services area(s). RSVPs in Michigan send quarterly, statewide faxes to legislators which include project-specific updates in addition to statewide data. We (Macomb Co.) also send our annual report to legislators in January of each year, welcoming those newly elected and sending reminders of our existence to returning legislators. They also are invited to our volunteer recognition events.
Indiana – Most directors have regular contacts with congressman, mailing information about various program successes. In Ft. Wayne, the Congressman’s office often calls with questions about RSVP’s services, and Lugar has a staff representative on the RSVP’s board.
What networking has been done on the part of state associations or projects with the state commissions? Other CNCS programs?
Wisconsin - On behalf of the state association, none; but individual RSVP projects in WI have on occasion worked with AmeriCorps, VISTA, Learn & Serve, Foster Grandparents, etc.
North Dakota/South Dakota - There is no state commission in South Dakota, and North Dakota has a fairly new commission and not much contact has been made as yet. Cooperation/networking between CNCS programs seems to be a norm in North/South Dakota.
Minnesota - We have a very close association since we are one. We work closely with FGP and SC programs on a regular basis. We have a unified mission and work collaboratively on projects, publicity and trainings.
Ohio - As an association, the state commission staff and CNS staff are invited to our state RSVP meetings when it is appropriate. Our association appreciates the dialogue.
Michigan – As mentioned earlier, we collaborate with the SCP/FGP association in Michigan, particularly on advocacy issues. In addition, we continue to seek collaborative efforts with our commission and vice versa. The Connect Michigan Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting volunteer service in the state of Michigan, has been working with all CNCS funding programs in Michigan particularly on federal funding issues in light of the new, more competitive appropriations structure. Connect Michigan Alliance is also seeking ways in which Michigan’s national service programs can continue to get to know one another and foster future collaborative efforts. In addition, our CNCS office and the commission are planning a workshop/training for all of Michigan’s national service programs.
As indicated above, the RSVPs, SCPs and FGPs successfully worked together a number of years ago to secure increased state funding for senior volunteer programs. An RSVP director was a member of the Michigan Community Service Commission. The MCSC offered scholarships several years ago for Senior Corps directors to attend the annual Volunteer Super Conference held in Michigan. The new state director of CNCS and the relatively new MCSC director participated in MARSVPD’s conference call in May 2005. (Macomb Co.) Michigan is currently working, with guidance from the ConnectMichigan Alliance, to build a state in which all CNCS programs work together and recognize the important contributions of each program. We envision opportunities to learn from each other, work together, and present a united front in Michigan.
Indiana – Our state commission is often invited to our Director’s Association meetings. We also get a Friday Night Facts email from the commission director. In addition to our state CNS director, an RSVP director is on the commission board and the commission director is on our bi-monthly Senior Corps conference calls.
What issues have been identified in your State as priorities for the NARSVPD board?
Wisconsin - FUNDING-Point us to possible sources-show us examples of other programs that have obtained funding to support their existing programs and start new ones. Great concern has been expressed time and time again on behalf of directors regarding the level of funding that CNCS offers to begin programs. It seems unjust to fund new programs at a higher level and allow existing programs, which are vital to communities, to struggle with being under-funded. Concern has also been expressed that the NARSVPD should keep an eye on the baby boomer programs that CNCS is funding. Its seems interesting to note that these new programs aimed to recruit baby boomers have allowed a lower age of 50, versus RSVP’s 55 age limit, and are funded at a higher level than existing programs. Do they believe that RSVPs are not skilled enough to attract baby boomers when, in fact, we have been in the business of volunteer management and placement for years? NARSVPD should develop recruitment tools that could be used by any RSVP program - especially colorful/exciting flyers-videos-power point presentations, etc., to attract upcoming retirees. Programs do not have the funds to develop these tools on their own.
NARSVPD needs to begin to examine how to work with short-term or one-day type assignments (preferred by many volunteers) and measuring impact. Need to examine this and make recommendations to CNCS about the “reality” of working with today’s senior volunteers and trying to measure the impact of these more “transient” assignments. Work with CNCS to provide training or training materials to engage sponsoring agencies—remind them that they are sponsors and what that ideal relationship would look like.
Michigan – Haven’t discussed as an association. If list serve e-mails are any indication, it sounds as if the NARSVPD needs to focus on improving relationships and cooperation between NARSVPD board members, members of the association, and other CNCS programs (Macomb Co.). Funding (Marquette County).
Indiana – Continue PVSA awards. Get your act together – this in-fighting is disgusting.
Any additional information you’d like to include?
Wisconsin - Our program tries to do the best it can with extremely limited staff. Most of our state programs are in the same boat! Need to find ways to minimize reporting/paperwork/duplication – need to find ways to provide support (such as advertising) that programs can use without having to use their own limited staff time and resources.
Indiana – Several United Ways have started posting volunteer needs on their local websites. This is bringing in more volunteers than national websites. |
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