Often we try hard to avoid the topic of succession planning altogether. However, research in the nonprofit sector claims that 65% of Executive Directors and Board Chairs expect to leave their positions within the next five years. 85% of them do not have written leadership sustainability plans. So open your eyes and consider doing some planning.

Anticipate. Begin by conducting an open, transparent process for considering the possible consequences of losing a key person in your organization. Start with something as simple as reviewing all job descriptions.

Prepare. Brainstorm actions that mitigate potential risks. Ask each key person to create their own succession plan. Identify primary outside contacts that are critical to your success.

Document everything. Create a binder of essential resources. Develop a standard protocol for recordkeeping, passwords and file storage.

Identify a continuity officer. Susan Ellis suggests that you should identify one key person to be the keeper of the records of your organization. That includes documenting the organization’s history, copies of minutes, newsletters and key communications. Track policies and procedures. Understand the organizational structure and culture.

Engage your business partners. Leverage their expertise. Seek their advice. Gain financial and pro bono support. Many of them are happy to provide business planning services and not just financial support.

Identify potential. Target emerging leaders and engage them in new ways. Create a leadership pipeline and demonstrate that “This is a place to grow.”

Develop bench strength and build teams. Cross-train volunteers and staff to understand the various responsibilities and functions of others. Build self-sufficient and self-directed teams.

Coach and Mentor. Give new and less experienced volunteers opportunities to learn skills and exercise leadership.

Provide training for all. Orient them to the organization, both to the physical space and your mission and goals. Identify training opportunities within and outside your organization. Be transparent by inviting questions and sharing information.

Celebrate. No matter how small the steps are that you take on the path of creating a sustainability plan, cheerlead for those efforts. Communicate widely internally and externally. The community will appreciate your long range thinking.

Those were the words spoken by Bill Basl, director of AmeriCorps at the 16th Annual Maine AmeriCorps member conference. As an attendee and member of the planning committee, I was able to experience the ins and outs, as well as the impact of gathering members from a variety of programs and locations.

Maine AmeriCorps Members with Bill Basl, Director of AmeriCorps, in April 2013.

As a member of the planning committee, I had insider knowledge of the details of the workshops, and I knew exactly what was planned for the day. That being said, I was still surprised by the energy that comes when more than one hundred members are combined into the same room to celebrate the strength of national service. Serving as part of an eight member Campus Compact team can be challenging, primarily due to our size and varied locations across the state. While the Campus Compact VISTA network is very strong, we are fairly removed from the other members serving in our communities.

The day kicked off with Bill Basl as the keynote speaker. He has previously served as a VISTA- an experience that is rare to find with someone in his position. During his keynote, there were two messages that stood out to me the most. He began by sharing a story. Located in Washington DC, he is around a slew of AmeriCorps members. Often, he will approach them on the street and begin a conversation.

“Thanks for serving.”

“What?”

“I said thanks for serving! I see you’re an AmeriCorps member.”

Despite interacting with a variety of members on the street, their reaction is always the same. At first: they’re baffled by his statement. Then, pleasantly surprised, the members enthusiastically share stories of their projects and programs. Reinforcing this, he told the audience to “Wear the ‘A’, respect the ‘A,”- referring to the AmeriCorps logo on pins and other materials we’ve received, but often ends up in the back of our closets.

Secondly, as described by this title, he told us that we’re making history every day. As VISTAs, it is easy to forget the impact we have on our communities and organizations. Our capacity-building work is constantly forward-looking and removed from those we impact. We often forget that the little steps we take make a huge difference. Whether it’s taking the time to listen to students, forge a new campus-community partnership, or connect with a new faculty member. Those connections did not exist previous to our service, and without our efforts they wouldn’t exist today.

Besides listening to the keynote address at the Maine AmeriCorps Conference, I was able to sit in on three workshops. It was a great opportunity to hear one of my VISTA members talk about the online financial literacy program he created, and share his tips to workshop participants. I listened to fellow Lewiston State and National members talk about the AmeriCorps collective group that we’ve created- and viewed a presentation that consisted entirely of GIFs. Lastly, I attended a workshop that taught participants how to film and edit videos from a smartphone. While all the topics were interesting, having current members present brought the workshops to another level. What could have been just another typical conference, was transformed when the people presenting are your friends and fellow team members.

Overall, the conference was a very exciting, energy filled day. It also was an excellent motivational event as I enter the second half of my term as a part of the Maine AmeriCorps community. When I look back over the last year and a half of my AmeriCorps term, it is the AmeriCorps community that’s made the greatest impact on my service and life. When my term ends in August, I know that I will be disappointed to leave this community. But I’m also looking forward to approaching members on the street to say: “Thanks for serving!”

As VISTA Leader for Maine Campus Compact, Lauren supports a team of eight VISTA’s as they navigate their year of service. She is responsible for organizing regular meetings, providing professional development and networking opportunities so that team members can reach their full leadership potential. This post originally appeared on the Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA Blog.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR CATEGORY
June Messier, Wells – June Messier serves on the Board of Directors for Wells-Ogunquit Senior Needs Committee/Senior Center and lends a hand at the Senior Center. June founded “Applause for a Cause” senior theater group that performs to raise funds for the senior center, serves as chair of the Pancake Breakfast Green team, coordinates entertainment and meals for “Days of Warming” during the winter, and organizes the annual “Ice Cream Social” as a thank-you to students who volunteer at the Senior Center.

June Messer is an amazing example of the kind of person, we all want to grow up to be–and a confirmation that one person, can indeed, make a difference in this world.

Diane Davison, Portland – Diane Davison is president and co-founder of Friends of the Eastern Promenade (FoEP). Through Diane’s leadership and dedication, FoEP has grown to more than 300 dues paying members, 20 active board members, and 27 engaged committee members. She established the annual Summer Concert Series which averages of 400-500 families per weekly show.

Diane converted what was an inert plan for the park’s improvement into a dog-eared kitchen table attraction for area citizens who care deeply for the Eastern Promenade. She collaborates with individuals in the community, Historic Preservation Board, City Parks Commission, landscape designers, and architects to orchestrate a graceful solution that adds significance and use to Fort Allen. Diane has been named Chair of the Portland’s Park Commission, so her dedication as a volunteer and to green spaces extends beyond the Promenade.

Dorothy Blanchette, Falmouth – Dorothy “Dotty” Blanchette serves at the Director of the Falmouth Food Pantry, though her volunteer efforts are far more encompassing. For Dotty, no job is too small or too big. She manages operations of the Food Pantry, engages clients in the process to lean valuable skills, and creates networks of families, individuals, students, and community groups to support clients during the holidays and beyond.

Dotty also serves a mentor for many students she involves in serve at the Food Pantry. One student shared that Dotty recruited him by leaving a note about a need for volunteers to help move furniture under the windshield wiper of his truck. The student appreciates an opportunity to help that fits his busy schedule and helps connect him to his community.

OUTSTANDING NATIONAL SERVICE VOLUNTEER CATEGORY
Kaley Littlefield, Old Orchard Beach - Kaley Littlefield is an AmeriCorps member serving with Goodwill Industries of Northern New England’s Multilingual Leadership Corps Program at the Portland Housing Authority. In her two terms of service, Kaley has reinvigorated the Kennedy Park Study Center to promote learning, creativity, peace, and excellence. She serves students by being a mentor, editing college essays, helping with college application process, and arranging college visits. Kaley works closely with families to make sure they understand the financial aid process.

On a nightly basis, Kaley will walk home younger students who have approached her about safety concerns. She has had conversations, at length, with both students and some of their families regarding safety. Currently Kaley is planning a culturally appropriate “relationship safety” talk–with help from the United Somali Women of Maine–for Valentine’s Day.

Shelby Greene, Columbia Falls - Shelby Greene, as a member of Goodwill AmeriCorps Program, serves at the Washington County Food and Fuel Alliance and the Maine Seacoast Mission. Tasked with increasing numbers of both school greenhouses and family greenhouses, she has created one new school greenhouse and 24 family greenhouses. Shelby increased the productivity of the Food Pantry greenhouse and created a plan to provide greens throughout the winter season.

In her second year with AmeriCorps, Shelby is using her community organizing experience to help students engage in a more successful school experience. She serves in an afterschool program and has worked with 350 students.

EXCELLENCE IN VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATION CATEGORY
Molly Haley, Portland – Molly Haley is the Volunteer Coordinator at The Telling Room, a nonprofit writing center dedicated to the idea that children and young adults are natural storytellers. The Telling Room works with close to 2,000 young writers in grades K-12. Molly manages more than 300 volunteers who connect to students in meaningful ways that a single teacher can’t do because of time and numbers. Molly holds monthly volunteer orientations to welcome new volunteers and lead them through a typical Telling Room Style writing workshop so they can understand from the student side what they will be facilitating from the instructor side.

The Telling Room wouldn’t exist without all of the young writers. On the same note, The Telling Room would not exist if the volunteers didn’t exist. And it is due to Molly’s organizing, recruiting, training, and ongoing support that keeps the volunteers working.

OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SECTOR VOLUNTEER CATEGORY
Benjamin Roberts, Litchfield – Benjamin Roberts has been mentoring students for the past five years at RSU#4. He spends most of his time at Libby-Tozier School, but also volunteers at Oak Hill Middle School. Four years ago, Ben began serving as a mentor for a student who was at risk of dropping out. Ben spent many hours preparing activities, bought different supplies and met with the student weekly. He has taught this student manners and the importance of getting enough rest to do well in school.

Ben is a “book buddy” to a second grade class and reads individually with all of the students in the class. He also tutors several students in a second grade class math class. Ben has a wonderful rapport with many students who look forward to seeing him and talking with him every day. When a student needs someone to talk to about struggles in school or at home, Ben is there willing to listen.

When Litchfield and Wales schools merged into one, Ben combined the guided reading sets of books from both schools into one neat, organized guided reading library of more than a 1000 books!

OUTSTANDING NONPROFIT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM CATEGORY
Seniors Plus, Lewiston – SeniorsPlus provides information and resources to support independent living and healthy aging for older adults and adults with disabilities in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford Counties. SeniorsPlus offers various programs that utilize volunteers including Medicare counseling and Tax and Rent rebate assistance. Last year, these two programs alone served over 1400 seniors and adults with disabilities. In 2012, SeniorsPlus Nutrition Services provided 111, 215 nutritious meals to 609 Meals on Wheels clients and the LunchPlus Café diners served 841 older adults and adults with disabilities throughout the tri-county area. To accomplish this work, Senior Plus relied on 594 volunteers who provided 33,800 hours of service to help 12, 425 seniors and adults with disabilities live healthy, independent lives.

Since 1987, the Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism have celebrated and recognized the exemplary work of Maine’s most dedicated citizens. At the same time, the awards seek to inspire others to follow in the footsteps of those recognized. Through their donated time and talent, volunteers help communities stretch finite cash resources to deliver the most service possible.

Founded during Governor McKernan’s administration, the program has continued uninterrupted. It is managed on behalf of the Office of the Governor by the Maine Commission for Community Service. The awards are presented at the Capitol each year in April during National Volunteer Week.

Deborah (Deb) Palman is the cofounder and current President of the only volunteer K9 SAR (Search And Rescue) unit in Maine, Maine Search and Rescue Dogs, which averages 25 searches a year. Deb deploys on searches as a search dog handler, trains and leads other search dog teams, trains police working dogs, and trains her own search dog.

Deb is also the President of Maine Association for Search and Rescue, which promotes and develops search and rescue capabilities and resources in the State of Maine with the underlying principle of saving lives. She provides overarching leadership to 16 SAR units with 120 personnel providing technical rescue, ground search, wilderness evacuation of injured people and medical support to searches. During 2012 alone, these units rescued hikers off the cliffs in Acadia, carried injured hikers off the Appalachian Trail and Mount Katahdin, and found a body of a missing person in Waterville.

An internationally respected dog handler, Deb’s overall impact and effectiveness to K9 SAR and other working dogs in the state is huge. She provides extensive volunteer work for SAR and K9 training in addition to her regular job as a small business owner. All her expenses for travel, equipment, dog and dog care, and time away from her business are borne strictly by her as her donation to the continuing well-being of people in Maine.

Deb’s personal dedication and superb leadership provides critical inspiration to others that is reflected in an extensive SAR volunteer network throughout the state that can be called upon on short notice to help save lives and prevent further injury, anywhere, at any time.

Since 1987, the Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism have celebrated and recognized the exemplary work of Maine’s most dedicated citizens. At the same time, the awards seek to inspire others to follow in the footsteps of those recognized. Through their donated time and talent, volunteers help communities stretch finite cash resources to deliver the most service possible.

Founded during Governor McKernan’s administration, the program has continued uninterrupted. It is managed on behalf of the Office of the Governor by the Maine Commission for Community Service. The 2013 awards were presented to honorees by Maine’s First Lady Ann LePage on April 24, 2013 in the Hall of Flags in Augusta.

Katherine (Kate) Stitham serves as a Goodwill AmeriCorps Member under the Multilingual Leadership Corps Program at the Portland Housing Authority. She serves as the Study Center Coordinator at the Riverton Study Center where she works with more than 100 youth. Kate is always eager to take on a new challenge, whether it’s participating in AmeriCorps training, organizing a service project, or helping a student at the study center.

Kate is working hard to bring in community volunteers to give children at Riverton extra support that is a key towards academic success. She is also able to expand the work of the CHEETA Project, a youth leadership and community building summer program for refugee and immigrant teens in Portland which she founded in 2010. Through her AmeriCorps service, Kate is expanding the CHEETA Project at Riverton to a year-round volunteer club and, this summer, expanding it to all three Portland Housing Authority centers. She engages youth in service projects to help build self-respect, confidence, and passion for learning.

Her prior volunteer activities include serving as a volunteer coordinator and education specialist with the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants in NY and as teaching staff providing workshops on sustainable farming projects and working with rural youth in India.

What distinguishes Kate is that she looks not only with her eyes, but with a deeper understanding. This gives her the ability to surpass traditional limits; to empower individuals; to engage the community; and to make an impact. Kate always goes above and beyond in all that she does because, in her mind, there are no limits.

Since 1987, the Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism have celebrated and recognized the exemplary work of Maine’s most dedicated citizens. At the same time, the awards seek to inspire others to follow in the footsteps of those recognized. Through their donated time and talent, volunteers help communities stretch finite cash resources to deliver the most service possible.

Founded during Governor McKernan’s administration, the program has continued uninterrupted. It is managed on behalf of the Office of the Governor by the Maine Commission for Community Service. The 2013 awards were presented to honorees by Maine’s First Lady Ann LePage on April 24, 2013 in the Hall of Flags in Augusta.

Lisa Park Laflin, Executive Director United Way of the Tri-Valley Area, works tirelessly to unite people and resources by building collaborative relationships. She plays a vital role in multiple organizations, typically spear-heading a creative response to a critical need in the Greater Franklin County. Lisa is involved with Farmington Rotary, New Vineyard Public Library, University of Maine Farmington Board of Visitors, Farmington Downtown Association, Comprehensive Planning Committee to revitalize New Vineyard, and many others.

Lisa understands the impact volunteers have on community and that each person has an innate drive to make a difference, “no matter what shoes they wear.” She listens to others’ dreams and visions and meets them where they are. With Lisa’s leadership, the Franklin Volunteer Network (FVN) was reinvigorated and has grown from 20 members in 2009 to more than 60 in 2012. In addition to providing training for its members, FVN coordinates an annual community celebration of volunteers and supports a one-stop volunteer center to connect community members with diverse and meaningful volunteer opportunities.

In 2011, Lisa established a volunteer center within the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area that coordinates 12 Days of Caring and supports three volunteer-based programs: Community Energy Challenge, which provides customized, interior storm windows to reduce heating costs; Lunch Buddies Program, which provides mentors for students who are struggling in school; and Girls Talk/Teen Voices, which is a literature based mentoring program.

Lisa inspires with vision, facilitates through coordination, and leads by example.

Since 1987, the Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism have celebrated and recognized the exemplary work of Maine’s most dedicated citizens. At the same time, the awards seek to inspire others to follow in the footsteps of those recognized. Through their donated time and talent, volunteers help communities stretch finite cash resources to deliver the most service possible.

Founded during Governor McKernan’s administration, the program has continued uninterrupted. It is managed on behalf of the Office of the Governor by the Maine Commission for Community Service. The 2013 awards were presented to honorees by Maine’s First Lady Ann LePage on April 24, 2013 in the Hall of Flags in Augusta.

Meghan Charest is a freshman at Falmouth High School and already has many years experience as a volunteer in her community. As a second grader, Meghan became involved with the Ocean View Kids’ Club, which is an intergenerational gathering at an assisted living community. Through the Ocean View Kids’ Club, Meghan learned about beekeeping and has since become a hardworking apiarist. She has developed an interactive lesson plan to teach residents and students about beekeeping.

While in seventh grade, Meghan learned that the Falmouth Food Pantry was in great need of fresh vegetables. She devoted her time to writing grants, planning gardens, teaching fellow students, and talking with a wide range of organizations to support the garden. Last year, Meghan successfully petitioned a local civic group to donate permanent space for a garden for the Falmouth Food Pantry. As a result of her efforts, hundreds of pounds of organic vegetables produced in the garden have helped feed more than 300 food pantry clients.

Some of Meghan’s other activities including being an active member of Falmouth Service Club, coaching a soccer program for toddlers, and participating in relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Sandy. She is an inspiration to all who meet her and inspires others to extend a helping hand to families in need. Meghan is determined to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate and shows no signs of tiring of her dedication.

Since 1987, the Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism have celebrated and recognized the exemplary work of Maine’s most dedicated citizens. At the same time, the awards seek to inspire others to follow in the footsteps of those recognized. Through their donated time and talent, volunteers help communities stretch finite cash resources to deliver the most service possible.

Founded during Governor McKernan’s administration, the program has continued uninterrupted. It is managed on behalf of the Office of the Governor by the Maine Commission for Community Service. The 2013 awards were presented to honorees by Maine’s First Lady Ann LePage on April 24, 2013 in the Hall of Flags in Augusta.

The Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park’s role is to solicit funds for the Maine Wildlife Park and to help increase public awareness of and participation in the park’s exhibits and programs. Through fundraising and volunteer work, the Friends strive to ensure that the park continues to grow and increase its ability to meet the need for education about Maine’s native wildlife and habitats.

The Friends has 150 volunteers who contributed 8600 hours of service to staff the gatehouse, the Snack Shack, and oversee the maintenance of the park’s numerous gardens and flowerbeds. Volunteers also lead tours of rambunctious school kids that “think you have the best job in the world.” Last year, volunteers helped 100,000 visitors to the park learn a little more about Maine, have a wonderful time, and see moose, bears, and a bald eagle. Hours contributed by of all volunteers at the park comprise nearly 40% of the park’s annual labor! The Friends make the construction of new exhibits possible, greatly enhance the park’s image and public appeal, and are essential to the park’s everyday operation.

Since 1987, the Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism have celebrated and recognized the exemplary work of Maine’s most dedicated citizens. At the same time, the awards seek to inspire others to follow in the footsteps of those recognized. Through their donated time and talent, volunteers help communities stretch finite cash resources to deliver the most service possible.

Founded during Governor McKernan’s administration, the program has continued uninterrupted. It is managed on behalf of the Office of the Governor by the Maine Commission for Community Service. The 2013 awards were presented to honorees by Maine’s First Lady Ann LePage on April 24, 2013 in the Hall of Flags in Augusta.

John Eckert joined Spectrum Generations Volunteer Corps at the Cohen Community Center in February 2010. He retired as a Veterans Administration Benefits Program Coordinator in 2010 and before that spent 26 years in the Armed Forces. “Spectrum Generations provided just the right opportunity for me to volunteer,” John states, “If we (the volunteers) can touch just one person every day, then it is worth all the work we do. I enjoy giving back and knowing that I make a difference!” Since 2010, John has gifted 2000 hours of service to his community with Spectrum Generations’ Meals on Wheels and Community Lunch programs being the major focus for his volunteer time.

Considered the Lead Packer, John cares greatly about the other volunteers he works with and tries to make things go easier for them by leaving home an hour early to get the Meals on Wheels work station set up and figuring out the correct amount of food needed to pack in the mornings. He sets the tone for other volunteers and takes the process seriously. Timing is everything in order to accomplish the task of feeding about 310 homebound seniors per day. John guides his fellow volunteers through the preparation process with relative ease and finesse. His leadership capabilities enable John to make quick decisions when faced with any dilemma and the ability to keep the process going seamlessly. John continually goes the extra mile and is always willing to help! He is the first person to take on any duty needed to “get the job done.”

Since 1987, the Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism have celebrated and recognized the exemplary work of Maine’s most dedicated citizens. At the same time, the awards seek to inspire others to follow in the footsteps of those recognized. Through their donated time and talent, volunteers help communities stretch finite cash resources to deliver the most service possible.

Founded during Governor McKernan’s administration, the program has continued uninterrupted. It is managed on behalf of the Office of the Governor by the Maine Commission for Community Service. The 2013 awards were presented to honorees by Maine’s First Lady Ann LePage on April 24, 2013 in the Hall of Flags in Augusta.

Kennebunk Savings believes in being a good neighbor by encouraging their employees to share their time and talents with organization in communities they serve. In 2012, 53% of its employees volunteered and 151 employees contributing more than 8500 hours of services.

Kennebunk Savings Bank President and CEO Bradford C. Paige and Vice President for Community Relations Heather Harris

Employees also serve on various boards and committees of local nonprofits and schools.

Kennebunk Savings invests in community not just through its financial contributions but also by the contributions of its employee volunteer program.

Since 1987, the Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism have celebrated and recognized the exemplary work of Maine’s most dedicated citizens. At the same time, the awards seek to inspire others to follow in the footsteps of those recognized.
Through their donated time and talent, volunteers help communities stretch finite cash resources to deliver the most service possible.

Founded during Governor McKernan’s administration, the program has continued uninterrupted. It is managed on behalf of the Office of the Governor by the Maine Commission for Community Service. The 2013 awards were presented to honorees by Maine’s First Lady Ann LePage on April 24, 2013 in the Hall of Flags in Augusta.