We apologize for the additional email. We want to provide a version of this month's updates with working links to ensure the newsletter is top quality. While we're undergoing transitions in technology and shifts in operations to prepare for a new and improved newsletter experience, we encountered a few missing links and incorrect information in the published newsletter. The content below provides the most up to date information, messaging, and access to additional resources. Thank you for your understanding! |
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| Dear AL!VE Community, I don't need to tell you how difficult a month it's been. But our AL!VE committees and volunteers have been hard at work getting us prepared for whatever the future holds. A special thank you to those of you who attended our peer chat session last week. Be on the lookout for the notes from the session soon.
in the meantime, we've launched the new Member Area, delivering on our strategic goal to improve accessibility with offerings and satisfaction with members. We've begun planning the 2026 National Summit, an event sure to strengthen our bonds and deliver insights to help us improve the rigor of our work. Additionally, I hope you'll see the strength our new Executive Director, Nicole Smith, is bringing to AL!VE, tackling the difficult but needed improvements to help us not only weather the climate but more so to ensure we thrive right through it. If you weren't convinced before, I hope you'll consider joining one of the many committees to help move the mission forward, or join that Community of Practice to share your insights and needs. This is the year you won't want to miss being part of building our profession.
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In partnership, Darlene Laird 2025 Board President |
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Login to the AL!VE Member Site! |
Unlock exclusive content and connect with the AL!VE community by signing into our Member Area today! As a member, you’ll gain access to special resources, events, and updates designed to enhance your experience. Don’t miss out on the latest – sign in now and be a part of something exciting!
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March AL!VE Academy: Developing a Culture of Appreciation - March 13, 2025, 2:00 PM Eastern, 90 minutes |
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In this workshop, we will explore how Para la Naturaleza has developed a culture of appreciation towards its volunteers, which has resulted in strong retention and significant recognition. Through our experience, we will identify effective strategies and successful practices that can be applied in various organizations to improve volunteer retention and recognition. Topics to be discussed:
1. Understanding the importance of volunteer retention and recognition.
2. Building a culture of appreciation: core values and guiding principles.
3. Strategies to encourage long-term retention of volunteers.
4. Tools and techniques for the effective recognition of voluntary work.
5. Case studies: concrete examples of success in Para la Naturaleza.
6. Practical actions to implement in other organizations. |
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About our presenter:
Alexandra Berríos Feliciano is a professional with a decade of experience dedicated to the third sector, specifically focused on the conservation of cultural and ecological resources. Currently, she works as a volunteer and community relations specialist at Para la Naturaleza. In this role, Alexandra provides comprehensive support in the administrative processes of volunteer management, including the development of opportunities and events, volunteer recruitment, design and facilitation of training workshops, research, and communications and relationships with other organizations. She is also a 2023 AL!VE Presenter Boot Camp Graduate.
Her academic formation includes a bachelor's degree in Geography from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, and she is completing a master's degree in Cultural Administration and Management at the same institution. In addition, she has professional certifications as an Interpretive Guide from the International Association of Interpretation, as Volunteer Manager and in Ecological and Cultural Tourism projects.
With a passion for youth development and raising awareness on crucial issues such as climate justice, grassroots building and citizen science, Alexandra has designed, coordinated and facilitated youth training workshops. Her personal interests span a wide range of topics, from geography and cultural management to sustainable development, ecofeminism, gardening, environmental justice and music.
With a unique combination of professional experience, specialized skills, and a deep connection to her personal interests, Alexandra is committed to promoting environmental and cultural conservation, as well as empowering communities to build a more sustainable and equitable future. |
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Emerging Leaders Mentor Program
April - September 2025
AL!VE is dedicated to the professional growth and development of leaders in volunteer engagement. The purpose of the Emerging Leaders Mentor Program is to provide a platform for AL!VE members to connect, share best practices and position themselves as leaders in the field through ongoing professional development and skills building. |
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The mentor cycle will commence during April - September 2025. |
| Our seasoned, experienced AL!VE members are donating their time and talent to you! |
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Are you interested in being a mentee in this next round? |
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| National Summit on Volunteer Engagement Wants Your Opinion! |
The Program Committee for the 2026 National Summit on Volunteer Engagement invites your input on what contributes to a dynamic and engaging conference experience. Please take 5-10 minutes to share your ideas about conference format, speakers, and more. Your survey participation is valuable even if you don’t plan to attend! |
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| Upcoming Events & Opportunities |
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Upcoming
Communities of Practice: Upcoming COPs (all times EST): February 21, 12pm - Book Club February 26, 1pm - Local Associations March 3, 2:30pm - Career Transition March 3, 3pm - Education & Reading Programs March 4, 3pm - Food Banks March 13, 12pm - Health Care March 18, 2pm - Rural Programs *All times Eastern* |
If you registered for a CoP in 2024, you must re-register using the calendar, in order to receive this year’s reminder emails, invites and latest updates. Any questions please contact Sarah Sukhram at ssukhram@mypasco.net or Meagan Patterson at meagan.patterson@archpark.org
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CCVA has launched a survey as part of their job analysis process to ensure that our professional certification is up to date and future oriented and would love your input. |
| COP Spotlight: Book Club Is Back!
Join Executive Director Nicole Smith as she launches our new monthly Book Club CoP! February’s chosen reading is “Wonder Drug-7 Scientifically Proven Ways that Serving Others is the Best Medicine for Yourself” by Stephen Trzeciak & Anthony Mazzarelli. AL!VE’s Book Club Community of Practice brings volunteer engagement professionals together to explore insightful books, share perspectives and connect through meaningful discussions that inspire growth & innovation. |
AL!VE Volunteer Opportunities
Help move the mission and vision of AL!VE forward by using your skills to enhance one of our committees, sharpen the ones you already have, learn new ones and up your professional development game this year! From as little as 1 hour per month, there is a place for you here. All you need is the want to give back. Our next New Volunteer Information Session is February 19, 2025 at from 3p - 3:30pm Est. The following areas have openings and are welcoming new volunteers: General Admin Support Pilot Programs Marketing Committee Advocacy Committee Summit Steering Committee Finance Committee HR & Policy Committee Development Committee
Review role descriptions and estimated time commitments here. |
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Welcome to Our Newest Members! |
Annette Hood Josie Mattern Laura Brindza GigiHart Bessicks Michelle Russell Missy Orr Linda Reiter Natalia Black Julia May Marisol Garcia Bonnie Patterson Karen Cooper Jennifer Webb Mary Fremin Susie Turner Jennifer Kraft Lisa Varholy Jennifer Greenman Linda Van Fulpen |
| 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:
March 13 & April 2 |
| Thank you to Our
Renewing Members! |
Jessica Trump Barbara Hodges Kathryn Goller Julie Roberts Elise Moeller Ashley Rieser Stephanie Sielaty Linda Reiter Lori Pilley Jeanie Ziegler Jamie Quadrozzi Nicki Price Kristine Roselle Hilary Hager Kari Welsh Allie Zimmerman Sidney Enss Kelly Gascoine Gabe Taylor Heather Schrader Jenny Hymans Mary Koehler Susan Ruiz Michele Wiesner Kelly Lee Nicole Lowe Jennifer Golbach Anne Marie McPartlin Belinda Chester |
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