Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at NOVAA

DEI Statement 

NOVAA believes everyone deserves equitable rights and opportunities. Our vision is to:

For NOVAA to authentically and responsibly live out our mission, we embarked on a diversity, equity, and inclusion journey that prioritizes identifying, challenging, and dismantling barriers to inclusion in our organization and the volunteer management profession. Through educational programs and discussion forums, NOVAA offers members opportunities to explore and challenge the ways systemic oppression shapes our norms, influences our choices and operates in the larger systems and organizations where we work and advocate for volunteerism.

Embracing differences, celebrating volunteerism and its many forms in all communities helps NOVAA forge new partnerships and strengthens the profession and society as a whole.

 “Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.”  -Renee Verney Meyers

Ways to Get Involved

As a member-driven organization, we feel it is imperative to include our community in this work and cultivated a DEI committee to help inspire growth.

Get involved with the DEI Committee:

• Send an email to contact the NOVAA’s DEI Committee. 
• Attend a DEI Discussion Learning Community or see other events on the Calendar.
• See the list of DEI focused links on the Resources section.

DEI Committee work involves:

• Making connections between our organizational values, culture & practical work in the field of Volunteer Management. 
• Prioritize the development of outreach and recruitment strategies inclusive and equitable by exploring why volunteer program administration is led predominantly by white women, and address the root causes of this as we learn to understand them.

"If  you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together." - Lilla Watson