Greetings to Our Incredible VAN Community,

Hello, September!

A new month is here, bringing crisp mornings, golden light, and the perfect excuse to reset and refocus. Whether you're settling into new routines or simply savoring the shift in seasons, September invites us to pause, take a breath, and look ahead with fresh perspective. There is something about this time of year that sparks motivation and we are here for it!

With that spirit in mind, we invite you to join us for our upcoming Professional Development session Thursday, September 18th. This is a great opportunity to reset, refocus, and continue growing together as we move into a new season.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Dear VAN Members,

This past month has been a season of reflection for me, and I want to share something personal that may not be everyone’s experience but is something we can all take into consideration.

After 7.5years with my previous organization, I was recently laid off. To be honest, this transition has been challenging. It took me time to process what happened, work through the emotions, and come to terms with the change. There were days when I missed the work deeply, but there were also moments when I realized how much lighter I felt without the weight and pressure of responsibilities that were no longer serving me.

This experience has reminded me of something very important: nothing is guaranteed. Plans can shift in an instant, and sometimes we are forced to pivot in ways we didn’t anticipate. While that can be unsettling, it also opens the door for new opportunities and growth. I am now looking forward to the chance to explore a new direction, find a better way forward, and create a future that aligns even more closely with my values.

I encourage each of you to take a moment and ask yourself: if you were faced with an unexpected change, what would you need to be successful, to survive, and to support those who rely on you? It’s a powerful reminder to prepare, to stay flexible, and to extend grace to ourselves and others during times of transition.

I also want to offer my sincere apologies for my lack of engagement over the last month. I needed to take a step back and work through some things in order to show up as my best self. I remain fully committed to finishing my term as your president strong and to continuing to support this incredible network of volunteer administrators.

Thank you for your understanding, encouragement, and support. I am excited to reconnect with you all and look forward to seeing you at our next professional development session.

With gratitude,
Leachuin Dean
President, Volunteer Administrators Network of Central Ohio

September Professional Development Session:

• Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
• Time:9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Location:Columbus Metropolitan Library-Main Library, Room 3B / 96 South Grant Ave., Columbus, OH 43215
• Agenda:Join us for a hands-on session on nonprofit grant writing. We’ll explore how to identify funding opportunities, craft compelling proposals, and build strong relationships with funders. Participants will leave with practical tools and strategies to strengthen their grant writing skills and increase their organization’s funding success. Networking and questions encouraged.
• Topic:Grant Writing for Nonprofit Organizations
• Presenter:Tiffany Nobles, T. Nobles Grant Consulting LLCLinkedIn Profile

JOB POSTINGS:

Our website is full of joblistings in central Ohio! If you're a VAN Central Ohio memberlooking for a position working with volunteers, you canclick here to access the page.There are many local openingsincluding positions at theColumbus Association for the Performing Arts, Ronald McDonald House, and MORE!Postings are updated throughout the month, so log in and check back often!

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