Press Release March 4, 2009
A Growing Global Need for Volunteers -- HVA is now in its fifth year of operation and its presence continues to grow in the U.S. and other parts of the world because the need for volunteers is growing more critical. There are many factors that are driving this need. In response, the Hospice Volunteer Association (HVA) will soon become the International Hospice Volunteer Association (IHVA).

2008 was a year of innovation and change for us at the HEAL Project. The year primarily focused on developing programs associated with the Hospice Volunteer Association (HVA). The most significant of these programs was the development and implementation of the Patient Data Vault, a HIPAA-compliant solution to the need for communicating, storing and retrieving patient data for the purpose of managing hospice volunteer programs. This program has dramatically changed the way volunteer coordinators manage their volunteer programs.

In 2008 HVA established the Hospice Community Forum (HCF), which is a rapidly growing venue for the entire hospice community to network on critical issues relating to the important work that the community does as well as stimulating professional growth through better communication.

There were many other significant achievements at HVA this past year:

• HVA clarified its Mission Statement and Vision for moving forward in 2009.
• HVA membership has more than doubled, now covering 94% of the continental U.S.
• HVA has a growing international presence with members in Britain, Canada, China and Ireland.
• HVA has established a collaborative effort with the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC) for a palliative care volunteer training/mentoring program for third-world and developing countries.
• HVA receives numerous requests from individuals wishing to volunteer. HVA member hospices receive priority with HVA's Volunteer Referral Service.
• HVA launched its new website early in 2009.
• HVA established its Patient Data Vault service, which utilizes technology that is revolutionizing volunteer management. Volunteer managers that are using the service are very pleased with it.
• Some members have expressed an interest in establishing regional chapters in the U.S. (Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest).
• Hospice Volunteer News e-magazine has added 3 new columnists who are experts in their fields. The quality of the content and number of contributors has continued to grow dramatically again this year.
• National Hospice Document Repository (NHDR) provides the general population and the hospice community with the largest FREE database of documents and articles relating to hospice and end-of-life care.

As we move forward in 2009, HVA has the following goals and objectives:

• Encourage continued international growth of HVA, which will result in HVA changing its name to the International Hospice Volunteer Association (IHVA) in the near future.
• Establish the Hospice Volunteers Without Borders program which will encourage volunteers to serve in other countries.
• Encourage development of regional chapters in the U.S.
• Continue to expand the features of HVA's Patient Data Vault Service.
• Watch for a new education program from the Hospice Volunteer Training Institute (HVTI)
• HVA will be working with HVTI to establish national certification and training standards for hospice volunteers and their managers
• Plan and fund our first annual conference
• Maintain the Hospice Volunteer News as the best hospice volunteer and volunteer manager magazine in the country and the world

There is a growing need for volunteers in all parts of the world. While Britain, Canada and the U.S. have been the leaders in the world when it comes to hospice volunteerism, interest in this area of volunteerism is growing in other countries because more caregivers are needed to aid a growing elderly population.

HVA's mission and vision embraces a worldwide goal of improving hospice and palliative care. The economic challenges facing the world are going to require more altruistic actions from individuals everywhere. HVA wants to be a catalyst in making this happen. We can only do this through your continued support and personal vision for a better world through compassionate service.

Help us spread the word by telling others about HVA and its mission, especially other volunteers and volunteer coordinators.

Finally, your feedback and suggestions on how we can best serve the hospice community is very important to us. We believe all of our programs should evolve based upon the needs of hospice organizations and the volunteer community that supports them. If you have comments or suggestions, please send them directly to me via e-mail. We wish you all a prosperous 2007!!

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