This episode of the Nonprofit Report features Elizabeth Voudouris, President and CEO of Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU), and Kathleen R. Golovan, Board Chair of BVU and Chief Administrative Officer & Corporate Secretary of Westfield Insurance. The conversation explores how BVU connects business professionals with nonprofit organizations through board service, pro bono projects, direct-service volunteering, consulting, and education.
Interview by: Mark Oppenheim
Guests:
- Elizabeth Voudouris, President & CEO of BVU
- Kathleen R. Golovan, Board Chair of BVU; Chief Administrative Officer & Corporate Secretary of Westfield Insurance
Key Points
- BVU was founded by Northeast Ohio business leaders to create a stronger connection between business talent and the nonprofit sector.
- BVU connects professionals with nonprofit board opportunities, pro bono projects, and direct-service volunteer opportunities.
- The organization provides nonprofits with consulting and education focused on areas such as governance, strategy, and succession.
- Volunteerism can benefit both nonprofits and businesses through community engagement, team building, leadership development, and employee growth.
- BVU’s Homeless Stand Down brings volunteers and service providers together to help people experiencing homelessness access resources in one location.
Other Points on Volunteerism and Community Leadership
BVU serves as a bridge between businesses and nonprofit organizations by helping professionals apply their skills to community needs. The organization connects volunteers with board service, pro bono projects, direct-service opportunities, and consulting, while also helping nonprofits strengthen their boards and organizational practices.
The guests discussed how volunteerism can benefit businesses as well as nonprofits. Volunteer opportunities can provide team-building and leadership-development experiences while giving employees opportunities to use their skills outside of their regular jobs.
The Homeless Stand Down was highlighted as an example of BVU’s community-focused volunteer work. The annual event brings together approximately 80 service partners and hundreds of volunteers to provide people experiencing homelessness with access to medical services, legal assistance, clothing, food, and other resources in one location.
Kathleen Golovan also shared her personal experience with BVU’s board-matching program, which connected her with her first nonprofit board more than 25 years ago. She described board service and volunteering as personally rewarding while also providing opportunities for professional and leadership development.