Volunteer Advisory Committee Working to Improve Volunteer Experience

October 2015 - The EAA Volunteer Advisory Committee (VAC) continues to be diligent in improving the volunteer experience; however, it has come to our attention that not all our volunteers and volunteer chairs understand who we are and the resources we provide. As you may or may not recall, EAA put this group together a little over three years ago. We were selected due to our diverse backgrounds—pilots, builders, enthusiasts, mechanics, business people, EAA chairs, and EAA volunteers. Our main goal is to represent the interest of you—the volunteer—to make sure you have a voice and that the organization’s goals are properly conveyed and understood.

The VAC members are as follows:

• Ken Decker, EAA 52084, of Ottawa, Ohio, deckair@bright.net
• Tim Fox, EAA Lifetime 335031, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, tim@flyingshepherds.com
• Dennis Hasha, EAA 227907, of Tuscumbia, Alabama, dlhasha1@gmail.com
• Ginny Largent, EAA 575325, of Stephens City, Virginia, glargent2@verizon.net
• Rich Largent, EAA 512497, of Stephens City, Virginia, snooksflyer@verizon.net
• Dave Mercer, EAA 379378, of Vancouver, Washington, davidrmercer@comcast.net
• John Nowicki, EAA 116894, of West Chicago, Illinois, jwnowicki@gmail.com
• Barbara Rapchak, EAA 638323, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, brapchak@leapoffaith.com
• Alan White, EAA Lifetime 60137, of Superior, Wisconsin, al.white159@gmail.com

Together with EAA staff, we strive to better understand the EAA culture in order to create consistency across all volunteer groups. We need to know what you feel is important. We need to keep the lines of communication open. You, your thoughts, opinions, and recommendations matter.

The VAC’s charter has not changed since its creation; we are still charged with the continual improvement of EAA’s Volunteer Program. The following items are just a few things we have been working on and continue to work on:

• Research and recommend volunteer management policies and procedures
• Research and recommend ongoing training for volunteers and staff liaisons
• Support volunteer recruitment and management
• Assist individual volunteer groups with operational procedures for their specific areas
• Assist individual volunteer groups with succession planning
• Assess and recommend recognition and appreciation programs that celebrate volunteer contributions and successes
• Oversee the production of the volunteer newsletter, Along the Flightline, and support other communication channels to ensure volunteers are informed
• Volunteer Park brick recipients

The volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization. Without them it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to achieve the success that EAA has. As said earlier, you matter, so please let us know how we can help. We are a resource ready and willing to assist you.