award winners

Each year, NVAVA meets in May to recognize the exemplary work of its membership. Two awards are presented at the Annual Meeting: the Outstanding New Professional Award and the Sandra Lee Fitch Volunteer Administrator of the Year Award.

2011 Award Winners

Outstanding New Professional
Christine Coffey
Special Events Manager, Volunteer Fairfax

Christine Coffey
Christine is the Special Events Manager for Volunteer Fairfax and has served this role for two and a half years. Her duties vary widely, and include managing the Youth Program, organizing VolunteerFest®, planning the Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards, and more. Her supervisor, Emily Swenson, said of Christine,"She is motivated by the chance to find interesting, engaging opportunities that not only appeal to a wide range of people, but can accommodate volunteers of all ages and skill levels. Time and time again, she has employed her creativity and command of volunteer management to develop volunteer projects with agencies that engage large groups, youth, or individuals with unique skills."

Sandra Lee Fitch Volunteer Administrator of the Year
Tomoko Taguchi
Volunteer Placement Program Coordinator, Brain Injury Services

Tomoko Taguchi
Tomoko has served as Volunteer Placement Program Coordinator for Brain Injury Services for five and a half years. Tomoko places active consumers of Brain Injury Services in volunteer positions in the community. She assesses the consumers‟ needs, performs on-site job coaching, and cultivates partnerships with other volunteer coordinators in Northern Virginia. Tomoko‟s supervisor, Michelle Thyen, says "Tomoko‟s dedication to the field of volunteer management and specifically to people with disabilities is unmatched and her work ethic is like no other. She inspires the rest of us at BIS to serve those with brain injuries and to run our programs in similar fashion to hers. She is a gem!"

2010 Award Winners

Outstanding New Professional
Lindsay Paulette-Chapman
Hotline and Volunteer Manager, CrisisLink

Lindsay has been with CrisisLink for 2.5 years and engages approximately 240 volunteers, with nearly 20,000 volunteer hours. She manages the recruitment, training, scheduling, retention, and recognition of volunteer crisis counselors, paid overnight crisis counselors, and all other CrisisLink volunteers. She has more than doubled the number of volunteers at CrisisLink since she began working with the organization. In the past year, Lindsay created and Access-based volunteer management database to manage the 600+ volunteer inquiries received in a given year. A CrisisLink volunteer says of Lindsay, "Her demeanor always remains consistently unruffled and tranquil, no matter what the day's pressures and workload brings. Lindsay treats everyone with fairness and respect, and it is apparent she is highly regarded by all levels of volunteers and staff at CrisisLink."

Sandra Lee Fitch Volunteer Administrator of the Year
Barbara Sheffer
Director of Volunteer Support, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

Barbara has held her position as Director of Volunteer Support for 6 years, engaging over 3,600 volunteers annually. She establishes, coordinates, and oversees programs supporting volunteers, and also supervises two critical volunteer administered programs: thrift shops and the Budget for Baby Counseling and Layette Program. She provides volunteer leadership and management training to 52 field office directors. This past year, Barb played a critical leadership role in developing strategic self assessment surveys of volunteer and client satisfaction, with results at more than 98% positive. President of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Admiral Steve Abbot, says "Barb Sheffer is the most enthusiastic, positive, and effective volunteer coordinator I have encounted in my seven years of charity work. She lifts the room with energy and keeps all of us pulling together to achieve our goals."