VACE President’s Report ~ Amy Foster

A Year In Review • Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

• This has been a wonderfully productive year, and I am grateful to have served as a representative of such a wonderful organization.

• Through teamwork, group projects and individual efforts, VACE is heading into the next year with great momentum and energy.

• The following slides will highlight the VACE 2019-2020 year.

• Our board, committees and membership have worked hard to provide enriching and meaningful professional development and networking events. Whether in person, or on-line, each event has strengthened our organization.

VACE 2020The Best Conference that Never Happened

Thank you to everyone who registered and planned to attend!• 95 registrations

• 26 program proposals submitted

Key Features of the 2020 Conference (what would have been)• Focus on Wellness Workshops

• Employer Focus Group

• Talent Pipeline Employer Panel

• VACE Board Listening Session

• Best Practices Exchange

We look forward to seeing you in 2021 so you can experience these exciting new features first-hand!

Thank you to our conference committee!!!!

We were honored to work with everyone who contributed so much time and so many amazing ideas to the vision of the 2020 conference. Your hard work,

creativity, and passion created what would have been a phenomenal conference. We can’t wait to see your

ideas come to life in 2021!

Katie BeachJonathon Byers

Sam CollierAndrea Cordray

Wendy Buie DaltonMegan EckartAmy Foster

Amanda GranthamDorothy HaydenLaura HickersonLorayah LenoreDebbie LumpkinToni McLawhorn

Debbie MurrayAndy Park

Chelsey ParsonsPeggy Reed

Bev ReidNicole ShawDon Snyder

Summer SteelmanCarolyn Sutphin

Dannita TriceBarb Watts

Steven WhitePhilip Wilkerson

VACE 2020 Conference Committee

President-Elect, 2019-20 ~ Kimberly Phillips

Year in Review:

• Shadowed the President and Immediate Past President in preparation for President role beginning July 1

• Provided support to board members as needed

• Prepared a job description for potential VACE internship that may be organized in the future

Director of Operations ~ Carolyn Sutphin

The 2019 Business Meeting Minutes can be found at:

2019 VACE Annual Business Meeting Minutes

I have been blessed to be a part of the Board for 2 years as Director of Operations. Being a member of VACE this year has allowed to me to be:

• Coordinator, Awards Committee• Member, Membership and Marketing Committee• Member, Professional Development Committee• Member, Conference Committee• Member, Technology Committee• Mentor, Mentorship Program

Finance Director and Finance-Elect ~Barbara Watts & Dorothy Hayden

A request form for Conference Refunds has been used to organize refunds for all 2020 Conference Registrants.

• All requests were processed within 48 hours of receipt.

• To date, over 90% of the refunds have been processed.

The 2020 deposit paid to Hotel Madison will be applied to a future event.

The 2021 Conference deposit was paid in February 2020.

Finance Director and Finance-Elect ~Barbara Watts & Dorothy Hayden

All virtual programming and Member benefits continue during social distancing.

VACE is in good financial standing for budget year 2019-20.

The VACE budget for 2020-21 will be determined in late summer 2020 by the VACE Executive Board.

Please contact Dorothy Hayden (dhayden5@gmu.edu) with questions regarding VACE’s finances.

Professional Development Director ~ Samara Reynolds

New Offerings & Events• Confidential Member Resume Review Service (July 2019-Present)• Regional Networking Meet-Up (Dec. 2019) – 50 participants

• Concurrent professional happy hour events hosted in 4 cities across VA

Signature Programs: New Places, Faces, & Ideas• Webinars – average of 45 participants each

• “Career Ready Student Workers: Transforming the On-Campus Student Work Experience”

• “Advising Alumni and Professionals Through Career Transitions”

• “Authenticity & Identity in the Workplace”

• Mid-Year Professional Development Event (Jan. 2020) – 25 participants• “VACE MLI” theme with focus on Pro Staff Supervision & Mentoring + Financial

Management & Revenue Generation

• Drive-In Employer Site Visits: Williamsburg (Nov. 2019) – 20 participants• Snow Companies & Busch Gardens

Professional Development Director ~ Samara Reynolds

Plans for the Near Future • Conference Presenter Webinar Series (May-July 2020)

• Drive-In Employer Site Visits: Vienna, VA – pending July 2020

• Employer-Focused Event in Fairfax, VA (GMU) – pending August 2020

• Regional Networking Meet-Up – pending Summer 2020• 5 locations: Richmond, Harrisonburg, Fairfax, Salem, and Tidewater (TBD)

• 177 total members• 136 college members

• 30 employer members

• 8 affiliate members

• 3 student members

• Hosted Get To Know VACE webinar

• Mentorship program (8 pairs)

• Deactivated old member accounts

• Prepared for Spirit Cup contest

Marketing & Membership Director ~ Amanda Grantham

Technology & Communications Director ~ Jonathan Byers 2019 – 2020 Accomplishments

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Technology & Communications Director ~ Jonathan Byers 2019 – 2020 Year In Review

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Immediate Past President Report ~ Peggy Reed

Served on Site Selection Committee & Awards Committee – results for both in the Awards slides

Revised Strategic Plan for 2020 – 2025.

It has been my pleasure to serve our membership.

Mission and Vision Statements

Mission Statement• The mission of VACE is to facilitate career development and growth among

college and employer members and promote the accomplishment of professional goals by providing opportunities for relationship building and professional development activities.

Vision Statement• VACE will become the premier state networking and professional

development organization for the career development of college students. Through connecting colleges and employers, we will provide entry level career opportunities for Virginia’s graduates and economic development in Virginia.

VACE Strategic Plan ~ 2020 - 2025

Goal 1: VACE will enhance opportunities for networking, professional and leadership development for members in our organization.

Action Plan:

Increase and enhance opportunities for networking and professional development of our members.

Strategies:• Increase the number of regional events offered throughout the year.

• Set up procedures and opportunities for training and networking via social media and virtual events.

• Develop intentional programming that is coordinated between the conference and other offerings.

• Provide HRCI credits to employer members.

• Continue funding the Professional Development scholarship(s) for members.

Develop future leaders in our organization and professions.

Strategies:• Prioritize succession planning by utilizing committees to identify and develop future leaders for the organization.

• Provide leadership training and opportunities to our members to enhance their own career experiences and advance their careeropportunities.

• Promote opportunities for both formal and informal mentoring through the VACE Mentoring Program, conference Newcomer events and other networking opportunities.

• Support the career advancement of our members through posting job opportunities on the listserv and LinkedIn group.

VACE Strategic Plan ~ 2020 - 2025

Goal 2: Increase member retention and engagement, as well as recruit a diversity of employer and other member categories.

Action Plan:

Cultivate relationships between members to retain and engage our membership over the years.

Strategies:• Maintain committees and keep them active and engaged in the mission and vision of the organization.

• Utilize interested members to serve on and chair committees, serve as mentors, and share expertise.

• Develop strategies to engage our employer relations members and members at the Director level.

• Strengthen programming and professional development opportunities in addition to conference offerings.

• Re-connect with organizations and individuals traditionally involved with VACE who are inactive or at risk of becoming inactive.

Diversify employer members to bring into better balance the distribution of membership categories. Strategies:• Target small businesses, non-profit, public service, health care and technology organizations.

• Work closely with Employer Relations staff from college members to identify target organizations and promote VACE.

• Reach out to professionals and organizations from contiguous states to promote the value of a VACE membership.

• Enhance employer member programming and offer HRCI credits.

• Work with existing employer members to develop promotional materials for prospective employer members to promote buy-in to the value of membership.

• Increase personal connections between employers to recruit to new members.

VACE Strategic Plan ~ 2020 - 2025

Goal 3: Brand VACE as a “must have” membership in the state within the career services and talent acquisition profession. Promote the unity of members, value of the organization and the strength of Virginia colleges, employers and students at the state and national level.

Action Plan:

Promote the shared goals of colleges and employers to connect students in Virginia to employment opportunities.

Strategies:• Identify opportunities to partner with economic development groups, as well as university communication and marketing

departments to collaborate and promote the organization.

• Continue to market the VACE brand and increase statewide visibility.

• Apply practices in VACE “toolkit” to help small businesses and organizations in recruiting efforts.

Position VACE to provide a voice at the state and national level for issues concerning student employability and career outcomes.

Strategies:• Ensure that VACE is represented at national and regional events to promote statewide efforts.

• Coordinate conversations between college members regarding first destination surveys.

• Participate in conversations with local, regional and state economic development organizations.

Closing and Thank you!

We would like to thank our membership for your unfailing support over the past year.

We look forward to gathering in-person for the 2021 conference at Wintergreen Resort.

Mark Your Calendar NOW for April 20-23, 2021