We are pleased to provide you with a copy of the 2001 Volunteer Center Survey Report. It presents an overview of the member Volunteer Centers that make up the Volunteer Center National Network, outlines the basic organizational composition of these Volunteer Centers, and gives an indication of the different roles that Volunteer Centers play in their communities. This report covers the following topics as they pertain to Volunteer Centers: management, finances, network projections of volunteer opportunities and connections, and core competencies.

On February 15, 2002, the 2001 Volunteer Center Survey was sent to 426 member Volunteer Centers via e-mail. During the course of the survey, it was discovered that 408 Volunteer Centers were actually eligible to complete the survey. Reasons for ineligibility varied. Because Volunteer Center membership fluctuates, for the purposes of this presentation we have chosen to report Volunteer Center membership as of March 29, 2002, the closing date of the survey. Of the 408 Centers eligible to participate in the survey, 286 returned completed surveys, yielding a 70% response rate.

It is important to note three significant methodological changes made in conducting this version of the biennial Volunteer Center Survey. The first change was a switch from a paper-based survey to a web-based survey. Additionally, in 2001 only members of the Points of Light Foundation Volunteer Center National Network were surveyed. Past surveys were sent to both member and non-member Centers. Moreover, in 2001 Volunteer Center Satellite Offices were not surveyed. We believe these changes will give us a more accurate picture of the Volunteer Center National Network. We were also very pleased to be able to secure the assistance of Dr. Jeffrey L. Brudney of the University of Georgia to analyze the data and develop this report, and we thank him for his work on our behalf.

The statistics provided in this report indicate the current scope of the national network of Volunteer Centers and the potential reach an expanded and strengthened network offers to the nation in terms of human resources dedicated to addressing local needs.

We believe this report will be useful for local Volunteer Centers in comparing themselves to national averages for such purposes as fund development and the education of local leaders, either to illustrate the comparative positioning and power of a very strong Volunteer Center, or to demonstrate the potential for growth in a smaller Center seeking funds to increase its capacity.

We would like to express our appreciation to the 286 Volunteer Centers who gave generously of their time to complete this survey and share this important information. We also want to thank Dr. Rennie Dutton and her staff for their leadership that ensured we had a quality survey and final report, and David Styers and Stephanie Jackson for their consistent efforts to ensure the survey reflected accurately, the needs of the Centers.

Bill Bentley Chief Operating Officer

Mei Cobb Senior Vice President