[November 15, 2012]

Columbian NGOs Discuss Volunteerism at National Conference

CoreStrategies for Nonprofits, Inc., principals Gail Meltzer CFRE, Robyn Fern Perlman and Terrie Temkin Ph.D., recently appeared as keynote speakers and workshop facilitators at the Colombia National Conference on Volunteerism 2012 in Armenia, Colombia. The trip was sponsored by The Florida Association of Volunteers in Action for the Caribbean and the Americas (FAVACA) as part of a U.S. State Department grant.

The conference, presented by the Colombian government ministry Organizaciones Solidarias brought together nearly 800 volunteers from across Colombia. The volunteers represented large urban NGOs as well as remote indigenous and African descendant populations. Outcomes of the conference will be presented to a special government commission, which is responsible for setting the 2013 government agenda on national volunteerism.

"This was an opportunity for us to discuss nonprofit management including fundraising, board development, media relations and public policy as practiced in the United States," said Perlman. "With the implementation of the U.S. - Colombian free trade agreement, NGOs and government ministries are anxious to develop strong public-private partnerships with American companies entering their markets."

The role of government, the need for strategic planning and accountability were also topics for discussion. "As we met with representatives from organizations like Colombia's Cancer Society, Scouting, Red Cross and YMCA, we repeatedly heard how practical and easy to implement our suggestions were for putting conversations first in order to build relationships with the government and ensure accountability," said Temkin.

CoreStrategies for Nonprofits, Inc. is an internationally-recognized boutique firm that handles only a select few clients so that they are assured ample, timely and personalized input and guidance. As consultants with extensive roots in both the nonprofit and corporate worlds, CoreStrategies offers the perspective and experience of blending bottom line objectives and accountability to the ethos of doing well by doing good. You may reach us at info at info@CoreStrategies4Nonprofits or 888-458-4351.

The Florida Association for Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and the Americas, Inc. (FAVACA) is a private not for profit organization formed in 1982 by Florida Governor (now former U.S. Senator) Bob Graham. FAVACA's Florida International Volunteer Corps is the only program of its kind in the country and enjoys statutory authority under Section 288.0251 Florida Statutes. A state appropriation, voted annually since 1986, provides a funding base for an estimated 100 volunteer missions to Latin America and the Caribbean each year.

Organizaciones Solidarias is an agency of the Colombian government whose mission is to promote, strengthen and develop entrepreneurially Solidary Organizations for the prosperity and support of the economic sectors and regions of the Country.

For more information, photos and interviews please contact Robyn Perlman (305) 725 4777 or by email rfp921@aol.com.

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