Dear VAN Members,

Happy July to you! We hope this message finds you enjoying the summer season here in Central Ohio and gearing up for our next Professional Development session this Thursday, June 26th! 

Message from our President:

Dear VAN Members,

June has arrived—and with it, the midpoint of 2025. As we reach this milestone together, I invite you to pause and reflect: How are you really doing? Are you feeling on track with the personal and professional goals you set at the beginning of the year? Have new priorities or lessons emerged along the way?

For me, this time of year is about reflection, reassessment, and realignment. I’m grateful for the progress I’ve made in areas I committed to growing in, and I also recognize where I still have work to do. That’s the beauty of this season—it offers us space to evaluate, celebrate, and adjust.

June is also a month rich with meaning. We honor Black Music Month, Pride Month, and the historic commemoration of Juneteenth—a day marking the end of slavery in the United States and the ongoing pursuit of freedom and equity. These observances invite us to celebrate the voices, identities, and histories that have shaped our communities—and continue to shape our work as volunteer administrators.

As leaders in service, you play an essential role in ensuring that the diverse people and communities we serve feel seen, supported, and valued. Your daily efforts echo the legacies of those who fought for freedom, inclusion, and dignity—and your dedication helps sustain that work today.

At VAN, we want to honor this spirit of reflection and liberation. In observance of Juneteenth, we will not hold our regularly scheduled professional development meeting on June 19. Instead, we’ll gather the following week on Thursday, June 26, and we hope to see you there for meaningful conversation and community.

As we embrace the warmer months, I also encourage you to take care of yourself. Step outside. Rest deeply. Do something that brings you joy. Those of us who hold space for others also deserve space to recharge.

I’ll close with a quote from the great Stevie Wonder, whose music and message have shaped generations:

“We all have ability. The difference is how we use it.”

Let’s continue to use our ability to drive change, uplift one another, and find balance along the way.

With appreciation,

Leachuin Dean
President, Volunteer Administrators’ Network

June Professional Development:

• Date:  Thursday, June 26, 2025
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Location: Columbus Metropolitan Library, 96 South Grant Ave., Columbus, OH 43215-Meeting Room 3B
• Agenda: The morning session kicks off at 9 a.m. with a light breakfast, coffee, and an engaging professional development presentation. The session concludes around 10:15-10:30 a.m., followed by a dedicated time for questions and networking.
• Topic: Communicating with Impact: Clearer Messages that Drive Action. 

 

JOB POSTINGS:

Our website is full of job listings in central Ohio! If you're a VAN Central Ohio member looking for a position working with volunteers, you can click here to access the page. There are many local openings including positions at the Bath & Body Works, Amazon, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and MORE! Postings are updated throughout the month, so log in and check back often!

Need to renew your VAN Membership or know someone who might be interested in joining VAN? Visit us online at vancentralohio.org!