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Dear RSVP Directors, 
It has been a challenging six months as
President of NARSVPD.
Shortly after taking office I started getting
forwarded copies
of emails asking that members withhold paying
their dues.
Accusations were made and former members
publicly resigned and made chargers over the
CNCS listserv. I find all of this rather
disheartening. Name-calling and personal attacks
are not benefiting RSVP. Our Board Members
volunteer their services in order to make a
difference and improve RSVP, and each one works
hard contributing long hours, on top of managing
projects, which are very time consuming.
In spite of
these distractions, we’ve made some remarkable
accomplishments –
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We've taken administrative responsibilities for the PVSA awards
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Revised and updated our website (special thanks to Megan McCarthy
and Mary Steele)
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Sent three electronic newsletters to the membership
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Worked with CNCS on the strategic plan (and can you believe, the
Corporation didn't even include the senior
corps programs...but we managed to get the
Board of Directors to reconsider this
position)
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Held discussions on the reauthorization of the Older American Act
(looks like they want special funding for
civic engagement...how will this impact
RSVP?)
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Wrote a grant to provide peer mentoring for RSVP Directors
Worked with NCOA and Civic Ventures
regarding competing resolutions to be
considered at the White House Conference on
Aging
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Worked with Congress on increased funding for RSVP (were looking
at a 3% increase for FY2006...and CNCS
didn't plan to pass any of this increase on
to the projects).
But our needs to be strong advocates for RSVP
continues –
CNCS has indirectly approached me, and directly
approached NAFGPD and the House appropriations
staff asking that we remove language in the
appropriations bill that restricts increased
CNCS administrative funding to prior levels.
CNCS wants more money for Training and Technical
Assistance. The original language in the bill,
put all of the funding increases into the
pockets of CNCS…it was our advocacy that got
language that said funding increases should go
to the programs.
We count on our membership for voice and
direction. RSVP Directors join alliances and
associations to achieve goals they cannot reach
alone. Collaboration makes it possible to
influence policy and address complex and
widespread issues. I look forward to working
with each of you as we move in a more positive
direction.
Respectfully,
Melodye Kleinman
NARSVPD President
Message from the President Archives
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