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- Why did ANNA implement a volunteer database?
- How do I get started?
- What should I expect after I create my Volunteer Profile?
Why did ANNA implement a volunteer database?
With 11,000 members, ANNA has a tremendous reservoir of talent and expertise. Many members have the opportunity to play a significant role in the success of the association, but less than 10% of our members serve in volunteer roles within ANNA. The Enrichment Opportunity Event (EOE), which was held during the National Symposium in previous years, attracted individuals to various volunteer opportunities. Unfortunately, each year the number of volunteers interested in serving on committees exceeded the number of available slots. Often, one volunteer may serve in several volunteer activities. In addition, there is often a scramble to locate members with expertise in various areas for media opportunities, assignments, and/or participation in short-term projects.
The ANNA Resource Corps was built on the successful implementation of similar programs in other large nursing specialty organizations. All have found that there has been more effective use of volunteers to meet the rapidly growing and changing needs of the association.
How do I get started?
Getting started is simple. Go the ANNA Resource Corps now to create a username and password for your account. You will then be directed through the steps to complete your profile. You will be able to view and select activities that meet your level of interest and time allocation. As your experience, expertise, and availability to volunteer change over time, you will be able to use your username and password to log in to modify your profile accordingly.
Only you know how much time you have to volunteer so take care to select those activities that meet your availability and time constraints. Volunteer activities have been placed into general categories. To see a brief description of the activity and qualifications used to select volunteers, click on the activity name.
You may select as many activities as you want. More detail is available in the Volunteer Opportunities and the Role Descriptions in Section 11 of the Policy and Procedure Manual.
What should I expect after I create my Volunteer Profile?
Completing your profile and selecting activities that interest you will let the administrators of the Resource Corps know that you are available to volunteer. While completing a profile will not guarantee that you will be assigned/appointed/elected to a volunteer activity, it is the expectation of current ANNA leaders that the Resource Corps will evolve over time so that more volunteers will be tapped to use their skills and expertise in a wider variety of activities. As ANNA improves on its ability to match talent with demands, we feel that the nephrology community and the nursing and health care community, at large, will increase the requests for involvement in activities that will add to the number and type of volunteer opportunities.
Volunteers who complete their profile will receive an initial acknowledgment, by email. In addition, you will receive periodic updates about standing committee formation and calls for experts with requests for additional information, if needed.
Historically, ANNA has used "standing" committees, such as Nominations and Awards and Scholarship to accomplish the work toward achieving its mission and goals. Guided by policy and procedure, the chairpersons of each committee are appointed by the President with approval by the Board of Directors in February and members of the committees are selected by the chairperson. The committees begin their work at the beginning of the ANNA fiscal year, following the annual National Symposium.
In addition to the standing committees, there has been an increasing need to identify volunteers to serve on a task force or think tank formed to address an immediate, short term need of the association. Volunteers may also be called to serve as technical experts on panels or to provide testimony before local, state or federal legislatures and agencies. Often these requests are made on short notice.
If you indicate that you would like to run for an elected position at the local chapter or national level, your interest will be forwarded to the Nominations Committee or chapter, as appropriate.
Individuals interested in public speaking and writing will be used as the demand for experts is needed.
Volunteers interested in learning more about Health Policy Committee roles, Kidney Disease Awareness and Education Week volunteer activities and how to contact your elected federal legislators can learn more about ANNA's Health Policy Resources in the Health Policy section of the Web site.
Volunteers for disaster/emergency response should review the information about ANNA's participation in the Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition on the ANNA Web site. Separate registration into the database is required to ensure volunteers are prepared for the first steps in volunteering for emergency relief efforts.