Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations

(VBCCO)

Educating Civic Leagues and HOA's

About City Government Since 1959

Civic Leagues and HOA's must operate as persistent advocates for the public good — not passive advisory bodies. And, their power lies in organized, sustained and informed community action.

The Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations (VBCCO) is an educational non-profit advocate for the established, suburban neighborhood.
We fully support attainable, affordable, and workforce housing, when it is located on an appropriate property, that does not adversely affect the established, suburban neighborhoods of the City of Virginia Beach.

Official Notice – December 17, 2025 General Meeting & Special Meeting (Combined)

Dear Civic Organizations and Voting Representatives,

In addition to the email we sent to Officers and Voting Representatives, this communication serves as the 14-day official notice, as required by the VBCCO Bylaws, that the December 17, 2025 General Meeting will also function as a Special Meeting for the express purpose of administering the Oath of Office to all newly elected Officers and Directors.

Purpose of the Special Meeting

To formally administer the Oath of Office as authorized under Article IV, Section I (“…or at any Special Meeting called for that purpose”).
To establish transition provisions regarding the effective start and end of service terms.

The meeting will be held at the Bow Creek Recreation Center beginning at 6:30pm.

December 17, 2025 is the next VBCCO Membership meeting at the Bow Creek Recreation Center. Our Guest speaker is Lisa Wiggington, Grants Manager for the City of Virginia Beach.

VBCCO Academy – Session #2

Understanding How Your City Really Works

📅 January 29, 2026

📍 Bow Creek Recreation Center – 3427 Club House Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Virginia Beach runs on processes, priorities, and people. As taxpayers and civic leaders, understanding how decisions are made is the key to influencing them. Session #2 of the VBCCO Academy builds on our foundation and equips residents with the practical knowledge needed to navigate City Hall with confidence.

What You’ll Learn

I. How Local Government Works – Roles & Hierarchy

Who actually makes the decisions? How do departments feed into executive management? Where do elected officials fit into the process?

II. Communicating with Executive Management & Elected Officials

Learn strategies used by seasoned civic leaders to ensure your message is clear, effective, and taken seriously.

What gets attention? What gets ignored? Why?

III. Agenda Review & Introduction to the Legislative Process

Understand how City Council agendas are built, what citizens should look for, and how early engagement changes outcomes.

IV. Open Q&A

Bring your questions—big or small. If it affects taxpayers, it’s worth asking.

V. Adjourn

Why You Should Attend

If you're committed to protecting neighborhoods, stewarding tax dollars, and ensuring good governance, this is the session that turns “I think” into “I know.”

If the system feels opaque, this session turns on the lights.

Save the Date!

January 29, 2026 – Bow Creek Recreation Center

Doors open at 6:00 PM. Session begins at 6:30 PM.

Leadership begins with understanding. We’ll meet you there.

News You Need To Know
Send your City news to: news@vbcco.org

CITY NEWS

VBCCO BUSINESS

LAND USE NEWS

Mission Statement

To create a forum whereby the Civic Organizations throughout the city can work together to educate, inform, and empower civic leaders, support and assist member organizations, and advocate for stronger neighborhoods.
To help organize neighborhood Civic Organizations, and to support the activities of member organizations when requested.
To develop and approve Resolutions on matters of city-wide interest that represent the position and/or recommendation of the VBCCO.
To unite Virginia Beach neighborhoods for the common good.
To study and discuss important issues and problems that affect our communities and to work toward mutually agreeable solutions.
To provide a forum for the discussion and debate of current topics and to provide educational programs that will enable member organizations to better serve their residents.

Join Us

Is your Civic Organization a member of the VBCCO? If not, why not? Join us in making our neighborhoods have a bigger voice in City Government.

Click one of the buttons below to have your Civic Organization join!

New Civic Organization Signup
Email Membership Chairperson
Subscribe to our Emails

membershipchair@vbcco.org

What's In It For Me?

HOW GETTING INVOLVED IN THE VBCCO HELPS NEIGHBORHOODS TO HAVE A VOICE

COMMUNICATION - Authentic Communication

Inclusive civic engagement to address critical issues and create stronger connections among residents, businesses and nonprofit and government leaders. Credible, civic-minded sources of information
presented in a way that residents can use

EDUCATION - Information resource

Raise awareness of matters affecting the community
and steps to influence the outcome.

Educate neighbors on City and neighborhood issues.

Educate residents on how to identify community needs and access City services.

COLLABORATION - Networking and Socializing

Provide a framework in which to work together in
prevention of crime and to improve the quality of life.

Facilitate community volunteer programs.
opportunity to meet new people,
make friends, and strengthen community bonds.

REPRESENTATION - Represent the community wishes

Communicate recommendations, suggestions,
and/or modifications to City Council to improve the
quality of life in the community.

Giving Citizens a "Seat at the Table".

Attend meetings and public hearings and report to members.

VBCCO Calendar

Volunteer

The Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations (VBCCO) needs volunteers. Please consider donating an hour of two per month of your time to help us in our mission to educate taxpaying citizens who live in established, suburban neighborhoods about City Government.

The time you give can go a long way towards helping make your fellow citizens aware of how City Government works...and what to do when it doesn't. Click the button below for current volunteer opportunities.

Volunteering Opportunities

If you do not see a Volunteer Opportunity that interests you, please email us at: volunteerchair@vbcco.org

Best Practices, Chair - Bill Filbert

Community Affairs, Chair -Open

Events & Programs, Chair - Open

Communications (Marketing, Website, Email) Temporary Chair – Rick Boyles

Membership, Chair - Rick Manolio

Bylaws Review, Chair - Bill Filbert

Annual Review, Chair - Bill Filbert
VBCCO Academy, Chair Chris Taylor

Volunteers, Chair, Cindy Freifeld

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Pay Your Annual Dues

Civic Organizations
Pay $50.00 Civic Organization Dues

Individual Members
Pay $25.00 Individual Member Dues

Frequently Asked Questions

Member
Onboarding

Welcome Letter from the President
President's Welcome Letter

Overview of the VBCCO and Mission
Welcome Overview

Member Civic Organization Responsibilities
2025 Member Civic Organization Responsibilities

Helpful Links Sheet
Useful Links

City Public Notice Blog

Start a Civic League
VBCCO Best Practices

We can help!!! Welcome to the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations (VBCCO) Best Practices Series. This collection of publications is designed to provide guidance and share proven strategies that support the effectiveness and impact of civic engagement in Virginia Beach. As a well-established non-profit organization, the VBCCO aims to foster strong relationships between residents and city leaders while upholding transparency, inclusivity, and proactive advocacy.

The Best Practices Series covers a variety of topics, from governance and community outreach to program development and member engagement. Each publication in this series is crafted to offer practical insights that align with the VBCCO’s mission and values, enabling civic leagues, board members, and volunteers to strengthen their contributions to the community.

Thank you for your dedication to advancing the VBCCO’s mission and for being an integral part of the civic community.

Feel free to contact our Best Practices Committee at bestpractices@vbcco.org for help or questions. Clicking the button below will take you directly to those documents.