A conversation between members of several Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) United States of America (USA) member societies attending the Country Women’s Council USA September 1994 Annual Meeting concluded there was a needed connection among this group of CWC and ACWW member societies in the USA. A group met at the 1995 CWC meeting and voted to establish a national organization. October 1, 1995, the National Volunteer Outreach Network (NVON) was formed. Officers elected were Louise Nichols (Indiana), President; Mary Nell Fairey (South Carolina), Vice President and Jean Davis (Kentucky) Secretary/Treasurer. Betty Buff (South Carolina) served as advisor.
Phyllis Howard (Indiana) prepared By-Laws and applied for Articles of Incorporation status in Indiana. This was granted January 25, 1996. The Articles of Incorporation were amended to comply with the Internal Revenue Service May 31, 2005.
Charter member societies were Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council; Illinois Association for Home and Community Education; Indiana Extension Homemakers Association; Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association; South Carolina Family & Community Leaders; West Virginia Community Educational Outreach Service; and Wisconsin Association for Home & Community Education.
In May 1996 NVON was accepted as an ACWW member organization which allowed for membership in the Country Women’s Council USA (CWC). This action placed the NVON President on the CWC Board.
The first NVON newsletter was mailed December 1996. 1998-2004 states volunteered to compile and print the newsletter. January 2002 the first newsletter editor was appointed. VISION was selected by the membership as the name for the organization’s newsletter July 2003.
The mark NVON was registered with the United States Patent and Trade Mark Office (US PTO) June 22, 1999 and renewed February 8, 2005.
The mark National Volunteer Outreach Network was registered with the United States Patent and Trade Mark Office (US PTO) September 21, 1999 and renewed March 21, 2005.
The “Ns (National & Network) are supporting the (Volunteers), who are holding up the world (Outreach), to make the world a better place for women and families.
The NVON Logo was adopted October 10, 1999.
http://www.nvon.org became the organization’s web address August 2000.
“Member organizations working together to promote communication, education and volunteerism for all people” was adopted as NVON’s Mission Statement July 18, 2001.
In 2002 NVON colors were confirmed as BLUE for water and sky, GREEN for earth, and GOLD to show value.
May 2002 the first NVON brochure was designed and printed.
July 2004 the first NVON Handbook was printed and distributed. It was decided to revise and print the handbook every three years during the year of the President Elect.
August 10, 2005 the National Volunteer Outreach Network, Inc. was granted 501 (c) (3) status. This status allows NVON to receive bequests, devises, transfers, or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the code. Contributions made to NVON are tax deductible under section 170 of the code. The effective date of exemption granted was January 25, 1996.
The idea that NVON member states exchange programs resulted in a “NVON Program Box” October 2000. The Program box was renamed Program Library in 2004.
This special 10 year pin was designed and sold in commemoration of NVON’s 10th Anniversary.
January 17, 2006, the North Carolina Extension and Community Association became the eighth member state to join NVON.
February 10, 2020 the Michigan Community Education Outreach became the ninth member state to join NVON.
This special 25 year pin was designed and sold in commemoration of NVON’s 25th Anniversary.