Faiza Venzant, advocate for volunteer engagement, discusses diversity and equity in volunteerism, the impact of the CVA credential, ethical framework in volunteer management, and embracing community for collective healing. The podcast explores promoting diversity, building authentic relationships, and the importance of unity for overcoming differences.
Encouraging self-identification enhances diversity understanding in volunteerism.
Leaders of volunteers possess unique insights into diverse communities for impactful engagement.
Advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion empowers community-centered change in volunteer administration.
Deep dives
Fiza Vincent's Work on Assessing Diversity and Equity in Volunteer Involvement Study
Fiza Vincent, Executive Director of the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration, discusses the Assessing Diversity and Equity in Volunteer Involvement Study (Adevi) conducted with research colleague Mark Eager. The study, involving a demographic survey and 21 focus groups with CVA's globally, aimed to identify leaders of volunteers, assess their perceptions of diversity initiatives within their organizations, and explore barriers to equity in volunteerism. The second year of the study focuses on building a field-building toolkit to help leaders diversify their volunteer base and make it reflective of the communities they serve.
Highlighting the Importance of Self-Identification and Language in Diversity Description
The Adevi study highlighted the significance of allowing individuals to self-identify in terms of ethnicity and gender. By encouraging descriptive responses rather than simplistic checkboxes, a rich tapestry of diversity emerges. This approach not only captures the nuanced identities of individuals but also emphasizes the evolving language in the equity space, promoting a deeper understanding of personal experiences and fostering a sense of empowerment in self-expression.
Impacts of Proximity and Language Awareness on Volunteer Engagement
Fiza emphasizes the unique perspective of leaders of volunteers in engaging with communities due to their proximity and vernacular understanding of diversity dimensions. This insight suggests that leaders, embedded in not-for-profit and charitable sectors serving under-prioritized individuals, possess a distinct sensitivity and familiarity with diverse communities. The evolving awareness of language nuances in equity work underscores the necessity of thoughtful engagement and the recognition of diverse voices in volunteerism.
Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Shared Stories and Resources
The Adevi study sets the stage for advocacy within the volunteer engagement field, empowering leaders to utilize shared stories and resources to drive community-centered change. Through ethical practices and cultural responsiveness, leaders can advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organizations. By leveraging tools like the CVA credential and ethical frameworks, professionals can elevate their practice, build community trust, and foster meaningful partnerships for impactful volunteer engagement.
Embracing Diversity, Collaboration, and Ethical Practice in Volunteer Administration
Fiza's extensive experience emphasizes the power of embracing diversity, community collaboration, and ethical practices in volunteer administration. By fostering an inclusive and community-oriented approach similar to Indigenous communities, professionals can create environments of empathy, support, and understanding. The journey towards building a resilient and equitable volunteer sector involves acknowledging and celebrating varied dimensions of diversity while advocating for ethical frameworks and professional development within the field.
From a young age, Faiza Venzant's parents instilled a strong sense of volunteerism in herself and her two older brothers. They, as immigrants to Canada from Uganda in the early 70s made a successful transition into Canadian life with the help of many generous volunteers. A volunteer herself from a very young age, she has been an advocate for volunteer engagement and excellence in volunteer management for over 20 years. As a facilitator for the Community Action Poverty Simulation, Faiza is passionate about equity and access amongst volunteers and leaders of volunteers.
Faiza immigrated to the United States in 2021 and now serves as the Executive Director with the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration and an active member and volunteer with Association for Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE.) She has been a CVA (Certified in Volunteer Administration) since 2016.
In 2018, Faiza published her first children’s book entitled, "My Mamma Wants to Eat Me Up!". As a mother of two young boys, she has not actually eaten any of her children.
Learn more about the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration at
www.cvacert.org
Read more about the ADEVI research at https://cvacert.org/adevi/
Music by Zen_Man from Pixabay
Thanks to Awesome Panda for their work editing this episode. Find out more at https://www.awesomepandauk.com
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