Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership Is Pleased to Announce Rhonda Rochon Smith Receives Woman of The Year Award

Recipients will be celebrated at Congressman Garamendi 2023 Women of the Year Award Ceremony, Thursday, October 12^th, 2023.

Vallejo, CA, October 10, 2023, Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) is pleased to announce Rhonda Rochon Smith, has been recognized by Congressman Garamendi’s office as a 2023 Women of the Year Award recipient. Rhonda is one of several women being recognized this year in honor of her commitment to community through leadership and dedication to public service. All award recipients will be presented with a Congressional Commendation at Congressman Garamendi’s 2023 Women of the Year Award Ceremony held Thursday, October 12^th, 2023, at the Benecia Veteran’s Memorial Hall.

Congressman John Garamendi states “Each year, I recognize outstanding women of my Congressional District who have been nominated by their peers and have demonstrated a clear commitment to their community through their leadership and dedication to public service.”

Rhonda Rochon Smith is CVNL’s Program Manager for Solano Volunteers. Rhonda is a dynamic professional with twenty-seven years of progressive management and advocacy expertise. Specializing in building strategic partnerships focused on leading change and building consensus, Rhonda has served as a member of staff and boards and has volunteered and advocated in a variety of nonprofit, government, and educational institutions. She is an experienced trainer, presenter, and facilitator with special interests in volunteer management and program development, multicultural and diversity, family and youth programming, and organizational leadership.

CVNL CEO, Linda Jacobs, states “We could not be more pleased for Rhonda and our entire community. This is a well-deserved recognition of Rhonda’s ongoing contributions and commitment to creating a healthier, happier, and more equitable society.” Jacobs continues “Rhonda cares – she listens to her community and their needs and works to build strategic partnerships to support positive social change. She connects – serving on boards, volunteering, and advocating for Solano County nonprofits and the power of engaged volunteers to accomplish what needs to be done. She contributes – bringing unstoppable energy, insight, professionalism, and compassion to everything she does.

Award Ceremony Details:

Congressman Garamendi’s 2023 Woman of the Year Award Ceremony

Thursday, October 12, 2023

9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Benicia Veterans Memorial Hall, 1150 1^st Street, Benecia, CA 94510

This event is closed to the public and will be live streamed for friends, family and those who cannot attend in person. https://www.facebook.com/repgaramendi

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About CVNL: Since 1964, CVNL has advanced nonprofits and volunteerism by strengthening leadership, encouraging innovation, and empowering individuals in their communities. Passion alone isn’t enough when it comes to creating strong nonprofits. That’s why we work with aspiring and established leaders every day to help them build the skills and connections that can take their impact to the next level. Together we offer comprehensive programs that support nonprofits and volunteers, including Learning & Leadership programs and training, executive search, customized consulting solutions, volunteer matching, and corporate engagement. Heart of Marin™, Heart of Napa™, Heart of Sonoma County ™, and 100MARIN events support nonprofits of every size and mission through recognition and cash awards. Other programs and services include the Sonoma County Human Race, Secret Santa, Court Referral Program, and Paratransit. We provide disaster preparedness training and serve as an Emergency Volunteer Center (EVC), overseeing spontaneous volunteers and donations for Napa, Marin, Sonoma, and Solano Counties in the aftermath of a disaster. We believe that with confident and prepared leaders, our nonprofits will be better equipped to create healthy, happy, and more equitable communities. Visit www.cvnl.org to discover more. 

About Solano Volunteers: The Solano County Board of has been working with Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) since 2016 to build an online volunteer system to better serve nonprofits and service-minded individuals – “Solano Volunteers.” Together, Solano County and Solano Volunteers provide access to meaningful volunteer opportunities for individuals, families, groups, and businesses, leveraging online tools to make it easier for both volunteers to engage and organizations to post volunteer opportunities. In addition to providing online volunteer matching services, Solano Volunteers produces National Days of Service, provides disaster preparedness training, and serves as an Emergency Volunteer Center (EVC), overseeing spontaneous volunteers and donations for Solano County. Visit solanovolunteers.org to discover more.