How to Become a Community Partner Agency
When a student or a community agency comes to Madison House and would like to become a new site or a new program, they first meet with the Associate Director for Programs. All potential new sites complete a proposal that asks basic questions about their program and their volunteer needs. Potential CP agencies should: (1) demonstrate a community need to have volunteers in order to achieve their program mission; (2) exhibit a commitment to a weekly service model; (3) demonstrate a willingness to support a positive learning environment for student PDs and volunteers; and (4) should identify a contact person who welcomes the opportunity to serve as a CP and who is in the postion to make the necessary time commitment. We also assess for student interest, to determine whether or not there is a desire among our student population to do the type of volunteer service that the agency requires.
New sites within existing programs can be approved by the Madison House staff, often with the consultation and support of the Program Committee of the Board. All new programs added to the overall Madison House structure must be approved by the Program Committee first, and put forth in a motion to the entire Board of Directors for approval.
If you are interested in learning more about how to become a community partner agency, please call Elizabeth Bass, Associate Director for Programs, at 977-7051.
The Role of a Madison House Community Partner
A Madison House CP works to: (1) build a sustaining, supporting, guiding, empowering and cooperative relationship with our student PDs and volunteers; (2) commit the necessary time to identify appropriate referrals who would benefit from a match with our student volunteers and/or to help coordinate appropriate services that are a function of the program; (3) maintain regular contact with both the agency clients and the Madison House PD and volunteers to address any program related issues; and (4) participate in evaluation of the program.
Madison House Community Partner Forum
Annually, Madison House hosts a Community Partnership Forum to provide training opportunities for community partner coordinators, to get feedback from our community partners, to provide an orientation as to their roles and responsibilities to Madison House and its PD's and an opportunity to network with other community coordinators. The highlight of this forum is a keynote address by the Community Partner of the Year.
Programs can nominate their community partner coordinator each April for the Community Partner of the Year award. The Program Committee of the Madison House Board of Directors will select the winner based on the following criteria...
Responsiveness: Is readily available and accessible to both PD's and volunteers and follows through on all tasks and responsibilities to the volunteer program.
Understanding of Madison House and Volunteer Program: Understands the goals and structure of both Madison House as a whole and the specific volunteer program. Is familiar with the history of both Madison House and the program, including strengths and weaknesses
Dedication: Shows commitment and enthusiasm for the volunteer program and Madison House. Puts forth individual effort to promoting and enhancing the volunteer program.
Vision: Works toward improving the program for the future within the context of Madison House as a whole. Suggests appropriate changes to meet community needs. Is invested in the effectiveness and success of the program.
Volunteer Recognition: Makes an effort to recognize, encourage, and thank volunteers for their service. Recognition need not be formal (i.e. plaques, ceremonies).
Past Recipients:
1999 Brian Dublirer, Clark Elementary
2000 Mark Andrews, Massanutten Adpative Ski School
2001 Sharon Root, ESL and Migrant Education, Albemarle County Schools
2002 Deb Brown, Housing Improvement Program
2003 Minda Barnett, Walker Elementary School
2004 Susan Manning, Greenbrier Elementary School
2005 Ellen Vaughan, Childrens Health Museum
2006 Erica Lloyd, I Have a Dream Foundation
2007 Maureen Oswald, U.Va. Health System
2008 Laura Young, Charlottesville Free Clinic
