Volunteer Structure Enhancements

Almost three years ago, in the spring of 2018, PanCAN rolled out the current Affiliate volunteer structure, and there has been some great success with it!  The structure helped volunteers lead their Affiliates in new ways and provided opportunities for more people wanting to make a difference.  More than a year ago, at the 2019 National Summit, the VAC started monitoring feedback and listening to what was going on specific to these roles.  They then started the conversations about what the next evolution of the volunteer structure might look like.  

A few months ago, VAC members Stefanie Abate and Frank De Seno joined a workgroup with PanCAN staff partners.  Their role was to represent the volunteers.  Armed with the volunteer feedback, Stefanie and Frank discussed the changes with PanCAN staff partners and eventually implemented enhancements to the Affiliate volunteer structure. These changes included the addition of a Communications Committee led by a Communications Chair.  That committee includes the Social Media Chair and a new Marketing Chair.  Secondly, the November Awareness Chair is now part of the Mission Committee.  

Stefanie and Frank worked with the PanCAN staff partners to create role descriptions to support the changes.  Once resources were ready, in early September, they co-hosted a webinar for the Affiliate Chairs where they shared the Affiliate volunteer enhancements.  They also provided guidance for how to speak to their impacted volunteers and their local affiliate.  Stefanie and Frank stressed that the VAC is a resource for the Affiliate Chairs and available to answer any questions or to support them.  During the webinar, the volunteer feedback was very enthusiastic, and they embraced the Affiliate volunteer structure enhancements!  Everyone was very excited with these changes and the continued evolution of the Volunteer roles.