Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement News

Peer Connection Chat Follow Up: Where Do We Go From Here?

Below is a summary of notes from the breakout room discussion from our recent Peer Connection Chat, along with recommended resources shared during the call. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list but rather a recap of key points from this session.

Temperature Check

Attendees expressed a deep sense of despair over the executive orders, describing the unfolding situation as chaotic and exhausting. Many felt threatened by the uncertainty, with no clear direction or indication of where things would ultimately land. Fear and hurt were prevalent, as individuals grappled with the implications of these decisions. Some spoke of an exodus, as people sought alternatives or felt forced to leave. Amidst the turmoil, there was a shared struggle to resist apathy and continue the fight for clarity, stability, and justice.

Examples of Impacted Funding/Programs

• USAID
• Federal grants for victims of abuse
• AmeriCorps
• RSVP
• Foster Grandparents
• Salaries fully funded by gov’t dollars

Resources Shared

• AL!VE’s Statement on Executive Orders
• National Council of Nonprofits - Executive Orders Affecting Charitable Nonprofits
• The Law of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Presidential Actions

How Are You/is Your Organization Responding?

• Operations moving out of country
• All of us are being hit
• Mobilizing to other funding streams
• Some steadfast, not censoring web content yet
• Direct mission connection to DEI making adjustments
• Expecting new clients to drop
• Restructure for sustainable support for refugees, etc.
• Refine mission to meet moment
• Already thinking of how volunteers can help as opposed to disengaging
• In some cases more people wanting to serve but less to do
• Some have anticipated changes in advance
• Just because not federally funded doesn't mean there won't be impacts around the corner

What is Helping?

• Looking to examples of resilience in communities and history
• Staying focused on why we are here
• Why we are here will outlast
• Flexibility
• Hope is a verb, a deliberate action
• Not giving into despair
• Coalition building
• Fight for future generation
• Get breaks for exhaustion
• Meal trains, help community members in disaster areas
• Getting involved, getting engaged
• Youth engagement
• Listen to youth, answer questions, provide info they need, give them outlets and opportunities to engage
• The work we do every day is helping
• Active to take care of self (sleep, eat well, get exercise)
• Support other organizations and activists
• Reports without emotion to communicate with donors, staff, and volunteers. What is going to be lost because of the E.O’s?
• “Someone you know may be affected and lose services”
• Adjusting how we collect and report demographics, specifically cultural and gender
• Document everything-if you’ve made an effort to be compliant, any decisions may be more in your favor