May AL!VE Academy:
Exploring the Career Pathways of Volunteer Administrators Presented by Dr. Allison Russell and Kayla Parker, University of Texas at Dallas Friday, May 3, 2-3pm Dr. Allison Russell and Kayla Parker will discuss the findings of a recent study they conducted on the career pathways of volunteer administrators.
They interviewed over 50 volunteer administrators, discussing how they became volunteer administrators, what skills they need to succeed, and professional development in the field.
About our Presenters:
Dr. Allison Russell is an assistant professor in the Public and Nonprofit Management Program at the University of Texas at Dallas. Her scholarly work focuses on topics including nonprofit management, volunteerism, and social innovation.
Kayla Parker is a second year Ph.D student in the Public and Nonprofit Management Program at the University of Texas at Dallas. The focus of her studies are nonprofit management and volunteerism. |
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President's Message - Cathy Thoma, CVA |
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Happy Global Volunteer Month and National Volunteer Week!
Right now, I am picturing all of you in a flurry of activity, as you celebrate your volunteers at recognition luncheons, host organizations on site as they volunteer to complete a project and make thank you calls to your amazing volunteers! Don’t worry, you’ve got this!
As I mentioned last month, AL!VE is supporting volunteer appreciation as a Points of Light Global Volunteer Month Official Program Partner. You can find more information about the program here: Global Volunteer Month. If you are in need of some ideas on your social media posts, you can utilize Points of Light’s social media toolkit that makes sharing the message of volunteerism as easy as the click of a button. Don’t forget to tag AL!VE in your posts, and utilize the hashtags #NationalVolunteerWeek and #GlobalVolunteerMonth!
I also want to take this opportunity to thank the AL!VE Board of Directors and committee members who volunteer their time to make our national association run smoothly. It is because of their efforts that we are able to offer all of the benefits that come with an AL!VE membership. If you would like to volunteer with us, please complete the application form here.
And finally, if you are attending the American Service Commission’s National Training in Minneapolis this month, or if you will just be in the area, I would love to meet you! AL!VE and CCVA are partnering for a “Schmooze” event where we'll be gathering for a night of networking at the Yard House, in St. Louis Park located at 1665 Park Place Boulevard on April 23, 2024 from 4:30pm-6:30pm. This event is free to attend and there is plenty of free parking. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Please RSVP at SCHMOOZE so we can be in touch leading up to the event and in case there are any last minute changes. We look forward to seeing you there! Cheers, Cathy |
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| AL!VE's 2024 T-Shirt Design Contest: thank you for your submissions! |
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We are pleased to announce that voting is now open for our highly anticipated T-Shirt Design Contest! We're thrilled to share the incredible creativity and talent that our community has brought forth and thank you to all who submitted T-Shirt Designs!
We have selected the top three T-Shirts for you to vote on. The winner will be selected as the 2024 AL!VE T-Shirt of the year, receive a free t-shirt, and will be available for purchase on our AL!VE Website soon.
Your voice matters in selecting the winning design that will grace our next collection of shirts.
Voting is now OPEN and will remain so until May 1st. To cast your vote, follow this link to vote on your favorite design. Stay tuned for the winner announcement in our May newsletter. We can't wait to unveil the chosen design and see our community proudly wearing it! |
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2024 Volunteer Managers Hybrid Conference October 22 or 23, 2024 'Creating Influence in Your Organization:
Thinking Beyond a Seat At The Table' The theme for the 10th anniversary of the Volunteer Management Hybrid Conference is Creating Influence in Your Organization: Thinking Beyond a “Seat at the Table”
We will be announcing our presenters soon via social media, our mailing list, and next month's newsletter. Stay tuned.
Registration to attend the conference as a host site or an individual opens May 28 and July 1, respectively.
This event is produced and sponsored in conjunction with Better Impact and VMPC. |
Announcing AL!VE's NEW Ambassador Program
The AL!VE membership committee has developed an Ambassador Program where you can share with your peers about AL!VE and all the great resources AL!VE members enjoy in three ways: |
COMING SOON! We are reinstating the AL!VE app for iPhone and Android and will have all the form links you need to be an AL!VE Ambassador on-the-go!
Questions? Contact the membership committee. |
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For Further Reading: Certification & Certificates in Volunteer Engagement
In today's rapidly evolving world, volunteer engagement has become more critical than ever. Nonprofits and organizations rely on dedicated volunteers to drive their missions forward. To ensure the effectiveness and professionalism of these vital efforts, certification and certificates in volunteer engagement have emerged as a powerful tool.
Check out this great blog post from our sponsor, Better Impact, where they explore the significance of certification and certificates in this field and provide a listing of opportunities you may wish to consider for your own professional development. |
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ALIVE is excited to announce that Better Impact is an official Gold Sponsor of AL!VE! In addition to sponsoring AL!VE’s annual Impact Awards and partnering on the annual Hybrid conference, Better Impact is increasing their support to advance AL!VE’s mission to provide networking, professional development, mentoring, and advocacy for our peers. Learn more about AL!VE’s sponsorship opportunities here and learn more about Better Impact here.
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Attention Local Associations:
We are so excited to share that AL!VE is in the early planning stages to produce a National In Person Conference! We will be reaching out with more details and to begin looking for locations to co-host the conference with us. Keep an eye out for our email and further announcements in this newsletter coming soon! |
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Hot Topics: Global Volunteer Month The 'Fast Five' Ways to Appreciate Volunteers Happy Global Volunteer Month! To celebrate, AL!VE's Service Enterprise has put together the 'Fast Five' ways to appreciate volunteers. These quick and easy ways to express gratitude are being shared throughout the month on our website. 'Take Five' and check them out today! |
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SEI Spotlight: Seek Out & Connect with Your Peers!
Whether you will be visiting ASC’s National Service Training, Points of Light Conference, or want to connect with peer organizations that are Service Enterprises we would be happy to assist! We have had the pleasure of helping support and empower almost 900 organizations through the Service Enterprise Program.
Organizations that focus on arts & culture, education, housing, food security, youth, healthcare, government, associations, social services, immigration & refugee, and more have benefitted from the program and achieved the national accreditation in strategic volunteer engagement.
Ways to connect with organizations “like me”: - Look for Service Enterprise Organization stickers and ribbons at conferences
- Follow #ServiceEnterprise on social media
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Contact ServiceEnterprise@volunteeralive.org and ask to be connected
To learn more about Service Enterprise attend our sessions at ASC’s and Points of Light’s conferences or check out our webpage.
CALLING ALL SERVICE ENTERPRISES! Join our ongoing National Service Enterprise Community of Practice to connect and share best practices with other high performing organizations. |
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| Board Member Spotlight: Amy Pinger, CVA, Kansas Senior Community Engagement Manager at Harvesters - The Community Food Network
Amy has extensive experience managing volunteers, national service members, and leading organizational change. In her current role, she is responsible for evaluating annual resource development strategies for volunteerism, community outreach, and donor engagement at Harvesters, a certified member of Feeding America.
Amy is one of eleven individuals in Kansas to become Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA). She serves as a Governor appointed Commissioner for the Kansas Volunteer Commission and Board Member for the local association, Managers of Volunteer Engagement (MOVE).
Amy brings her experience and passion to the AL!VE board serving on the Service Enterprise Advisory Council, AL!VE Development and AL!VE Academy sub-committees. |
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| Upcoming Events & Opportunities |
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Communities of Practice FacilitatorsNeeded! We are looking for new facilitators for the following COPs. Facilitators host a COP with their peers on a regular basis - monthly, every other month, or quarterly. Interested in getting involved further? Contact Sarah for more information! |
| Upcoming Communities of Practice: April 16, 2pm - Rural Programs April 16, 2pm - Literacy April 17, 4pm - Book Club April 18, 2pm - Local Government April 23, 2:30pm - Animal Welfare May 1, 3pm - Advisory Boards & Committees May 7, 3pm - Food Banks May 9, 12pm - Health Care May 13, 2pm - Museums & Cultural Institutions May 15, 4pm - Book Club May 16, 12pm - Parks & Rec *All times Eastern* |
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Other Upcoming Events: April 23 & May 6 - CVA Credential Information Session May 3 - AL!VE Academy May 9 - AL!VE Member Webinar - All are welcome! June 11 - Networking Event at Points of Light Conference, Houston SAVE THE DATE:
10th Annual Hybrid Conference:
October 22 & 23, 2024 |
| Local Associations The next Local Associations Community of Practice is scheduled for June 26, 1-2:30pm EST. The second quarter topic will be a meeting and event planning refresher. The discussion will also include: -
Event Varieties (Breakfasts, Coffee Hours, Mid-Day, Happy Hours, Book Clubs, Professional Development Training)
- Out of the Box Ideas
- Planning Calendars
- Increased Costs
Anyone involved in leadership at your local association (DOVIA, AVA, etc.) are welcome to attend!
Upcoming 2024 Local Association COP Dates: September 25 2024 Summit: October 30 |
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Volunteer With Us!
Looking to get involved further with AL!VE? Join us as a volunteer! Volunteering is a great networking opportunity and a chance to gain new skills and areas of expertise. There are a number of areas of support needed. Most roles are designed with a time commitment of 3-5 hours per month. Training is provided and the networking and professional development is a benefit all committee members enjoy!
Technology Committee - Join our newest Committee! Do you have a knack for technology and a keen interest in assisting AL!VE in selecting the most suitable platforms for our organization's needs? Whether it's streamlining virtual folder organization, providing support for web platforms, or navigating through the digital landscape, we welcome your expertise and enthusiasm to help drive our technological initiatives forward. Join us in shaping the future of AL!VE's digital infrastructure!
Advocacy Committee - Updating Resource Pages on a regular basis
Advocacy Committee - Partnerships and Collaboration - facilitate with our local, regional, or national organizations or colleagues Programs Committee - Presenter Bootcamp Tech Support and Producer Community of Practice Facilitators (see article above) HR & Policy Committee - Support AL!VE's internal volunteer management and association policy & procedure work.
Membership Committee - Support AL!VE's member benefits, Ambassador program, and local association mentoring & professional development. |
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Become a 2024
AL!VE Academy Presenter! |
AL!VE Academy provides high-quality varied educational opportunities designed to help leaders in volunteer engagement. These sessions build and strengthen leadership, management, and/or technical skills.
We are currently seeking proposals for presenters of monthly AL!VE Academy sessions for 2024, especially in the area of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). If you're a subject matter expert in DEI and volunteer engagement and are ready to share your knowledge with your peers, please consider submitting a proposal below! |
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Welcome to Our Newest Members! |
Wayne Kehoe Lynda Pontius D'Ann Jonte June Bass
Mark Osborne Cyan Reed Michele Kuhn Deb Joseph Amy Barter Amie Carr Krissy Hutflesz
Mareza Gandy Stephanie Sielaty Jamie Quadrozzi |
| New to AL!VE or just want to check in?
Find out what's happening or get a quick fix of networking with your peers! New members will get a brief overview of our mission, benefits, activities and committees. We also are giving away some cool door prizes too!
Upcoming Member Webinars:
May 9, 1:30-2pm - New Member Webinar June 17, 4pm - AL!VE Networking Social |
| Thank you to Our Renewing Members! |
Sharleen Tarnate-Nguyen Lee Ann Luxenberger Gretchen Jordan Chelsea White Christine Messick
Krishna Loya Beth Daddario Lace Garland, CVA Carly Weld Michelle Theisen Sherrill Isenhower Elizabeth Paul
Stacey Iden Mykayla Kroeger Brianne Fitzgerald Rebekah Hawthorne Jana Daisy Angel De Luz Karin Lamb
Allison Capella Denise Rene Hannah Julie Greene Carol Martinez |
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Be Sure to Whitelist our Emails! |
We send this newsletter monthly, and an additional 3-4 emails per month. If you didn’t get it in your inbox please check your junk/spam folders (if you find it there right click it and choose Junk/Spam and then select Never Block Domain). If you don’t find it that way you may want to ask your IT to whitelist volunteeralive.org. You can also try to whitelist at your email level by following the directions linked below (sometimes you may need admin permissions): Whitelisting for Gmail
Whitelisting for Office 365 Outlook Whitelisting for Outlook ios If you need more assistance or haven’t been able to access the email please email manager@volunteeralive.org so that we can follow-up and do another test email after volunteeralive.org has been whitelisted on your account. |
| We've been working on cleaning up our website and making resources more easily accessible. Check out the latest updates: - Now you can see the top five events happening this month on our home page.
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Did you know we have seven years worth of AL!VE Academy recordings? We’ve re-organized the Academies by topic! Log in to the member’s only side of our site, click on ‘Resources’ then ‘File Archive’. Lots of great professional development is there to view on your schedule (plus slide decks and handouts).
- You can now find AL!VE Academies, Better Impact & Hybrid Conference, Mentor Program, Impact Awards, and Presenter’s Bootcamp under the “Get Involved” drop down.
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All resources such as professional standards, advocacy, ethics, trends, DEAI, and general management under the “Resources” drop down.
More updates are coming soon, including a resource library where you can upload/download forms, manuals, etc. to share with your peers. |
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