ORANGE, Calif., June 23, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Volunteer Center Orange County today announced that Chief Executive Officer Carol Stone will retire this year.
"It is with a considerable amount of satisfaction and pride that I approach the end of my term as CEO of The Volunteer Center," said Carol Stone. "Over the past 24 years, I have experienced the great privilege of working with dedicated colleagues, and many of Orange County's finest business, non-profit and civic leaders to promote volunteerism in our community."
"Since assuming the role of CEO in 1981, Carol has been instrumental in building this organization to one that today connects more than 41,000 volunteers annually, commands a $3 million annual budget and serves as the fourth largest Volunteer Center in the United States," said Steve Cranford, Chairman of the Board. "On behalf of the entire Board, we thank Carol for her more than 24 years of dedicated service and leadership at the Volunteer Center, and her investment in our community."
A celebration of Ms. Stone's service and retirement is planned and details will be announced at a later date.
The Volunteer Center also announced that with Ms. Stone's plans to retire, the search for her successor has begun.
About The Volunteer Center:
For over 40 years, Volunteer Center Orange County has been the essential partner in improving the quality of life in Orange County by connecting community resources, increasing volunteerism and building professional capacity in non-profit organizations. Last year, the Center connected over 41,000 volunteers to local opportunities. Their nine million hours of service to the community equaled a $141 million cost-savings to local organizations. For more information, on Volunteer Center Orange County, please visit our website at www.volunteercenter.org.
Carol Stone Biography and Volunteer Center Tenure Highlights
Since 1981, Carol Stone has served as the president and CEO of Volunteer Center Orange County (VCOC) located in Santa Ana, California. Under Mrs. Stone's leadership, VCOC has grown from a small grassroots organization into a major, countywide organization that provides volunteers, management assistance, and training to more than 2,000 nonprofit agencies in the 34 cities of Orange County.
She has been past chairman of the National Network of Centers representing approximately 350 Volunteer Centers nationwide, and in that capacity, served on the Points of Light Foundation Board of Directors. Mrs. Stone also serves on the board of Orange County Head Start and recently finished her term as Chairman of the Board. Currently, she serves as a board member and treasurer of the California State Board of Volunteer Centers, the Forum for Corporate Directors, and the Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism (GOSERV), also known as the California Service Corps Statewide Network Leadership Team.
Mrs. Stone serves as a consultant and trainer to nonprofit organizations and the academic community. She teaches a variety of subjects related to the effective management of nonprofits and capacity building. Her significant accomplishments include:
1981 Carol Stone appointed president and chief executive officer of
Volunteer Center Orange County (VCOC) with an annual budget of
$100,000 and 2000 volunteers.
1984 Establishes Corporate Volunteer Program, to foster and support
corporate citizenship in Orange County businesses. This
initiative today includes the Business Cares and WorkPace
programs. By 2004, 17 companies comprise the Business Cares
Council and a number of companies participate in the program
annually.
1985 VCOC launches Non-Profit Resource Center, a member of the
Foundation Center's Collection Center, providing non-profits
with free access to information and resources on everything
from starting a non-profit to applying for grants to
non-profit board development.
1988 Implements Youth Drug and Alcohol Deterrent Program (YDAD) to
proactively encourage youth to make wise decisions about
alcohol and drugs. Today, more than 5,000 youths have
completed the program.
1994 Mrs. Stone serves as national chairperson for the Volunteer
Center National Network, serving as spokesperson for the 360
Volunteer Centers nationwide.
2000 Launches Board Connection, linking business leaders to
non-profit board opportunities.
2003 VCOC establishes OC Cares, to encourage and connect
individuals with volunteer opportunities throughout Orange
County. Today, more than 1500 volunteers are registered as
Orange County Cares volunteers, providing evening and weekend
support to nonprofit organizations throughout 34 cities in
Orange County.
2004 Creates the Center for Social Enterprise
VCOC, now the fourth largest Volunteer Center in the U.S.,
boasts an annual budget of close to $3 million and more than
41,000 volunteers
Mrs. Stone travels to Japan as an international trainer/expert
on non-profit and volunteer development
2005 VCOC launches Volunteer Management Certificate Program,
becoming a train-the-trainer site for other Volunteer
Centers and VISTA/Americorps.