Best Practice Tips for Defining and Managing the Relationship between Employees and Volunteers
Date: Wednesday, 30 October, 2025 Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) / Melbourne Time
Presented by: Christine Spiers, Director & Consultant at Flutterbye
Often the lines between volunteering and employment can blur, putting organizations and people at risk.
In this webinar Christine will guide you through the importance of defining the volunteer and employee relationship and provide practical tips to mitigate the risks associated.
You'll discover:
Defining the employee and volunteer relationship: Why it’s important, the risks of not defining the relationship and how to mitigate these.
Best Practice Tips for Managing the relationship: Gain actionable tips and best practices for your own volunteer programs, including:
How to conduct a stakeholder analysis
What to include in Role Descriptions
How to develop a Volunteer Agreement
Training and support tips
Improvement opportunities
Don’t miss this chance to protect your organization and strengthen your volunteer program—reserve your spot today!
Let's talk about Government volunteer programs. This community of practice discusses the challenge and successes of operating a volunteer program within a government structure.
4:30pm ET / 3:30pm CT / 1:30pm PT
2025: Feb 13, Apr 10, Jun 12, Aug 14 and Nov 2
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. NAVPLG members can attend anytime for free as part of our partnership
*note* When you register, you will automatically be registered for all the future COP dates (listed below) and reminders will be sent - the COP will use the same zoom link.
âYou may opt out by emailing manager@volunteeralive.org
If you recently lost your job or feel like you have reached the ceiling at your current organization and are looking to explore opportunities, this COP is for you. AL!VE’s Career Transition Community of Practice is a supportive space for volunteer engagement professionals in career transition, offering encouragement, networking, and connections to help you find new opportunities through our community.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. Email info@volunteeralive.org for a free trial. You can learn more about membership here. more info...
Celebrate International Volunteer Managers Day at our professional development event designed to honor volunteer managers. Nicole R. Smith, CVA from the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE) will serve as our featured speaker in person. Breakfast and lunch are included. Reserve your spot by scanning the QR Code or calling 423-434-5785. more info...
Take the next step in your career as a leader of volunteers and become certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA).
Leaders in non-profit organizations and community groups increasingly understand that volunteers can be a critical resource for delivering on a mission. Effective people management and community engagement is imperative – whether they be paid or unpaid. As a result, employers expect that those individuals tasked with mobilizing and coordinating volunteer engagement demonstrate a thorough knowledge of effective practices and an understanding of how to apply that knowledge in support of real-world organizational priorities. more info...
Join your peers for discussions for those who manage food banks, hunger organizations, or nutrition programs. This COP will meet Monthly on the first Tuesday @ 3 PM Eastern.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. Email info@volunteeralive.org for a free trial. You can learn more about membership here.
AL!VE will be hosting a virtual celebration brunch featuring Melissa Rhodes Carter from the Walmart Foundation, Senior Manager, Community Resilience, for the Caring and Connected Communities portfolio. Invite your teams and supervisors to attend. We will have an hour full of purpose, fun, and recognition!
We proudly announce the celebration of International Volunteer Managers Day (IVMDay) 2025, observed every year on November 5. This year's global theme, “Beâ¯BOLD. Makeâ¯Change.”, encourages volunteer managers, volunteers, volunteerism enthusiasts, and community members to advocate for meaningful change, embrace innovation, and strengthen the impact of volunteer programs in communities across the country.
This is the meeting for the AL!VE Transportation Community of Practice. This meeting is open for AL!VE members and all volunteer engagement professionals (first one is free, the subsequent will be for members only).
The call will last one hour and will focus specifically on volunteer programs with transportation as a volunteer role.
After registering, you'll be emailed a Teams Meeting Link
We look forward to connecting with you! *note* When you register, you will be automatically be registered for all the future COP dates (listed below) and reminders will be sent - the COP will use the same zoom link every meeting.
âYou may opt out by emailing manager@volunteeralive.org
Calls will be held on All times Noon Central, 1 PM Eastern
2025 dates: February 12, May 7, August 6, November 5 more info...
Take the next step in your career as a leader of volunteers and become certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA).
Leaders in non-profit organizations and community groups increasingly understand that volunteers can be a critical resource for delivering on a mission. Effective people management and community engagement is imperative – whether they be paid or unpaid. As a result, employers expect that those individuals tasked with mobilizing and coordinating volunteer engagement demonstrate a thorough knowledge of effective practices and an understanding of how to apply that knowledge in support of real-world organizational priorities. more info...
The "Financial Management in Volunteer Administration" workshop is an hour-long online learning session designed to enhance participants' understanding of key financial management concepts relevant to volunteer programs. The workshop covers essential learning objectives, including the basics of financial management, the application of cost principles to budgeting, the importance of diversifying funding sources, and the effective valuation and utilization of in-kind contributions. The agenda includes an introduction to the role of financial management and a discussion of key concepts such as cost principles and budgeting with an interactive activity for the practical application of these principles. There is time set aside following the presentation for Q&A to address participant inquiries.
The Speaker:
Jamie S. Dent, MCL, MHA (and a former CVA), is a dedicated professional specializing in research administration, leadership, and financial management within the nonprofit sector. Currently serving as the Research Operations Director in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Stanford University, Jamie oversees active research awards to emergency medicine physicians (faculty) exceeding $40 million annually, providing strategic leadership to administrative staff and enhancing the research administration infrastructure.
Jamie served as a Senior AmeriCorps Program Officer for Volunteer Tennessee, where they directed a comprehensive grant making process, managing over $4.5 million annually in federal funds for impactful community-based programs. His experience in financial resource management was further demonstrated as the Administrative Services Manager for the Department of Health in Tennessee, where they successfully wrote and directed grant application processes totaling over $19 million annually and co-wrote the first funded opioid substance use disorder program grant for the state.
With a strong background in financial oversight, grant development, and capacity-building training for nonprofit agencies, Jamie is committed to fostering sustainable operational efficiencies and maximizing the impact of social initiatives.
This is an AL!VE Communities of Practice for those involved in managing volunteers or programs in health care settings such as hospitals, hospice, Blood Banks, Health care facilities, long-term health centers, etc. Health care can have some unique situations, requirements, and environments for volunteers! Join your colleagues in discussion about your questions, situations, needs, and share your experiences with others as well. Let’s support each other!
Upon registering, we will email you the meeting log in information (and a reminder, too).
(All times Noon E)
2025: Jan 9, Mar 13, May 8, Jul 10, Sept 11, Nov 13
January topic: The Cost of Volunteering
March topic: Volunteer Appreciation Week
May topic: Summer Student Opportunities
July topic: Including DEI in Volunteer Onboarding
September topic: Terminating a Volunteer
November topic: Making the Worst Volunteer Role More Appealing
For more information about this COP, please contact Marie Howell, Health Care COP facilitator.
Look forward to seeing you there!
To learn more about AL!VE Community of Practice, visit our website.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. After your first meeting, you must join as a member to attend subsequent meetings. Learn more about membership here. more info...
Join us for a chat about passion and calling featuring Adam Janes, CVA — former religious leader and now a volunteer engagement professional with nine years of experience. Through building and rebuilding communities, careers, and worldviews, Adam has come to see volunteer engagement not just as a job, but as a true calling and a lifelong journey of learning what healthy community truly means.
Adam will draw on some illustrations, not for profit history, macro narratives and personal experiences to show how your work is more than a cog in the nonprofit wheel. It’s a force for generosity, connection, and care within your organisation and beyond. He will make the case for why you have one of the greatest jobs in the world and helping convince others of its importance is a challenge best built through building a passion for the profession.
The session will be moderated by Nicole R.Smith, CVA a leading voice in volunteer engagement, who will guide the conversation and pose thought-provoking questions along the way.
Education & Reading Programs Community of Practice is a group of professionals with the interest of improving reading levels for youth and adults. We convene bimonthly to offer support, share best practices, provide a safe space for discussion, and networking.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. Email info@volunteeralive.org for a free trial. You can learn more about membership here. more info...
This virtual Community of Practice supports volunteer engagement professionals managing programs in and across rural communities. These monthly peer-to-peer sessions address some of the challenges that come with operating in geographic areas with lower population numbers and that are located outside of more suburban and urban areas. Members use these sessions to troubleshoot issues, to give and receive support, and to share strategies, best practices, and resources for effective volunteer program management.
2025 Meetings will be held (All times 2 PM Eastern):
January 21, February 18, March 18,
April 15, May 20, June 17,
July 15, August 19, September 16,
October 21, November 18, December 16
COP's are an exclusive AL!VE member benefit. Anyone is welcome to attend the first COP meeting, but after the first meeting we ask you become a member. Learn more here.
This COP is designed to include a broad range of topics regarding urban and rural parks, botanical gardens, parks, and nature preserves. The objective of this COP is to connect volunteer engagement professionals within these organizations to share resources and best practices. This informal venue encourages open discussions for anyone seeking or offering advice in tackling the unique challenges facing volunteer engagement professionals in the Parks & Rec field. Bring your lunch/brunch and beverage! If you're not sure if you fit with us, please join us! This COP is facilitated by Jenny Garver, Macon Courty Conservation District Volunteer Coordinator, Callie Le'Au Courtright, CPM, CVA, City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation Supervisor, and Yvonne Dunphe, Five Rivers Metroparks, Volunteer Coordinator.
2025 Dates are January 15, March 19, May 21, July 16, September 17, and November 19.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. Email info@volunteeralive.org for a free trial. You can learn more about membership here. more info...
This COP is for those managing an AmeriCorps Seniors program(s) as a grantee or sponsor. This includes Foster Grandparent Program (FGP), RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program), and SCP (Senior Companion Program. Join us as we are a sounding board for sharing best practices and resources that are unique to federal grants and the older volunteers we work alongside.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. Email info@volunteeralive.org for a free trial. You can learn more about membership here. more info...
Museums & Cultural Institutions Community of Practice:
This is an AL!VE Communities of Practice for those managing volunteers in museums, galleries, cultural and arts centers. Join us as we discuss and share insights and experiences that we are all having in the arts education/enrichment communities. COVID has posed certain challenges and changes for us all so let’s rely on each other for ideas and inspiration! This will be a time for networking, sharing ideas, asking questions, and brainstorming with your peers. This COP is hosted by AAMV (American Association of Museuem Volunteers) members; all AAMV members may attend. *Note, new dates & times*
2025: Jan 13 (only one at noon EST), Mar 19, May 21, July 16, September 17, November 19- all dates 4pm Eastern
COPs are an AL!VE member benefit.
Not a Member yet? Click here to join. Want to try before you buy? Email info@volunteeralive.org to try your first session free!
National Networks COP:
Those working at a national level face different issues than those operating on a local or regional level. Often national level leaders are engaged in big picture, strategic or policy decision-making. Sometimes those operating at a national level don’t work directly with volunteers, but rather help empower others in their organizations who do. Join the discussion to connect and learn from others working nationally. We invite anyone looking to brainstorm around the unique issues facing volunteer leaders on a national level. This COP group will be a chance to network, share expertise, ask questions, and solve problems with your peers.
All times 2:30 Eastern
Jan 27, Mar 24, May 26, July 28, Sept 22, Nov 20
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit;
Not a member?Click here to join AL!VE. Want to try before you buy? Email info@volunteer AL!VE to try out your first session free. more info...
If you recently lost your job or feel like you have reached the ceiling at your current organization and are looking to explore opportunities, this COP is for you. AL!VE’s Career Transition Community of Practice is a supportive space for volunteer engagement professionals in career transition, offering encouragement, networking, and connections to help you find new opportunities through our community.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. Email info@volunteeralive.org for a free trial. You can learn more about membership here. more info...
December AL!VE Academy - Break Through Status Quo Problem-Solving and Learn New Skills to Test Solutions Before you Build With Heather Hiscox, December 2, 2025 @1PM Est - 60 Minutes
If you have worked in volunteer management for three months or 30 years, you know the importance of listening and making every volunteer feel special. But what do you do when needs shift, capacity shrinks, and new ideas emerge? How do you move through uncertainty with the evidence you need to make decisions and influence your organization?
Heather Hiscox, Founder and CEO of Pause for Change, will walk through key skills of the PAUSE framework to help you brainstorm inclusively, operate from abundance, go bold, know what strategies will work before you invest time and resources, reduce your risk, and learn quickly and creatively.
About Our Presenter
Heather Hiscox is a Frustrated Changemaker on a mission to change the way WE change the world. Heather is the founder and CEO of Pause for Change. The PAUSE method is a proven framework that helps changemakers address difficult challenges and pursue promising opportunities. These skills help organizations be certain about which solutions will create the greatest impact while using fewer resources and less time. Heather is the author of No More Status Quo: A Proven Framework to Change the Way We Change the World. Heather speaks at conferences and events about social impact (nonprofit, local government, and philanthropic) disruption and innovation, and has launched several ventures that benefit the social impact sector, connecting organizations to the training, skills, and resources they need to deepen their impact.
Join your peers for discussions for those who manage food banks, hunger organizations, or nutrition programs. This COP will meet Monthly on the first Tuesday @ 3 PM Eastern.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. Email info@volunteeralive.org for a free trial. You can learn more about membership here.
Take the next step in your career as a leader of volunteers and become certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA).
Leaders in non-profit organizations and community groups increasingly understand that volunteers can be a critical resource for delivering on a mission. Effective people management and community engagement is imperative – whether they be paid or unpaid. As a result, employers expect that those individuals tasked with mobilizing and coordinating volunteer engagement demonstrate a thorough knowledge of effective practices and an understanding of how to apply that knowledge in support of real-world organizational priorities. more info...
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 Time: 10:00am - 11:00am Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Presented by: Rob Jackson, Rob Jackson Consulting Ltd
The Lie That Is Holding Volunteer Managers Back
If you’re wondering what that is, join this thought-provoking session with internationally recognized consultant Rob Jackson, who will uncover what the lie is, why it matters, and—most importantly—what can be done about it.
Participants will explore how shifting the way volunteering is promoted can create new opportunities, and why rethinking long-held approaches is essential for the future success of volunteer engagement.
Rob Jackson brings a wealth of experience and an engaging style that has inspired volunteer managers worldwide. Past participants have said:
“Excellent speaker, very engaging.”
“An excellent engaging presentation. Very informative.”
“Rob is an extremely engaging and inspirational speaker.”
Join this session to gain fresh insights, challenge assumptions, and leave with practical ideas for re-imagining the future of volunteering.
Reimagining Volunteer Redirection for Sustainable Community Impact
Wednesday December 3, 2025 from 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Register HERE
Volunteer redirection is often viewed through the lens of risk management. In this session, we’ll challenge that perspective and reimagine redirection as a tactic to educate community members, show genuine care for their wellbeing, and foster transparency and trust. Through case studies, interactive discussions, and practical tools, this session will explore how ethical redirection can lead to genuine transformations by addressing evolving community needs and volunteer motivations. This session will use Mentimeter, allowing the audience to easily share insights, ask questions, and brainstorm opportunities.
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
· Apply redirection strategies at each stage of the volunteer engagement cycle (with a focus on opportunities in the planning, recruitment, orientation and training, and recognition phases)
· Develop strengths-based redirection messaging that aligns with volunteer motivations and community needs
· Prepare for community-centric redirection conversations that foster transparency and trust
· Meaningfully steward individuals and groups who are redirected from volunteer service
Join us for the 2025 Annual Meeting, a time to come together to reflect, connect, and look ahead. We’ll celebrate our accomplishments from the past year, vote on the 2026 Board of Director's slate and bylaws revisions, and share an exciting preview of what’s to come in 2026. This annual gathering is your opportunity to engage with fellow members, stay informed about AL!VE’s direction, and be part of shaping our collective future. more info...
All are welcome to join our quarterly networking social for anyone involved in Volunteer Engagement.
All Volunteer Engagement Professionals are welcome to attend a networking social event, quarterly at 4 PM Eastern for 45 minutes. Feel free to leave early or come late as your schedule allows. Connect and network with your peers for live discussions - ask questions and let us know what's on your mind!
All times 4:00-4:45 PM Eastern
March 28
June 17
September 12
December 4
Click here to register and join us for door prizes, networking and camaraderie! Don't miss it!
Open to all in the field of volunteer engagement. We look forward to seeing you! more info...
MAVA's 2025 Dismantling Inequities in Volunteerism virtualconference is unlike any other, as it propels you to turn insight into action, and dismantle inequities within your scope of work, the field of volunteerism, and in your community.
This year's theme is Solidarity in Action - We Are Stronger Together
How can you work in solidarity when silos and tunnel vision cloud your ability to prioritize collective work? The answer is you can't!
Our conference workshop sessions will amplify and identify the systems, structures, and ways of thinking that get in the way of building bridges towards collective action and solidarity between organizations, individuals, volunteers, especially in underrepresented and marginalized communities. This conference will unpack strategies and tips on unlearning and relearning how to operate with a lens of intentional collaboration and creating the environment for solidarity to thrive!
Join us and VEP's from around the country virtually on Friday, December 5th from 9:00am - 3:00pm CST
Education & Reading Programs Community of Practice is a group of professionals with the interest of improving reading levels for youth and adults. We convene bimonthly to offer support, share best practices, provide a safe space for discussion, and networking.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. Email info@volunteeralive.org for a free trial. You can learn more about membership here. more info...
Meetings will be held bimonthly (every 2 months). Following meetings will be 10 AM Pacific, 1 PM Eastern:
2025: February 13, April 10, June 12, Aug 14, Oct 9, Dec 11
The COP - Animal Welfare is designed to include a broad range of animal welfare organizations such as animal shelters, rescue groups, foster-based programs, sanctuaries, direct care for animals, and humane education programs. The objective of this COP is to connect volunteer engagement professionals within these organizations to share resources and best practices. This informal venue encourages open discussions for anyone seeking or offering advice in tackling the unique challenges facing volunteer leaders in the animal welfare field.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. Email info@volunteeralive.org for a free trial. You can learn more about membership here.
Take the next step in your career as a leader of volunteers and become certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA).
Leaders in non-profit organizations and community groups increasingly understand that volunteers can be a critical resource for delivering on a mission. Effective people management and community engagement is imperative – whether they be paid or unpaid. As a result, employers expect that those individuals tasked with mobilizing and coordinating volunteer engagement demonstrate a thorough knowledge of effective practices and an understanding of how to apply that knowledge in support of real-world organizational priorities. more info...
This virtual Community of Practice supports volunteer engagement professionals managing programs in and across rural communities. These monthly peer-to-peer sessions address some of the challenges that come with operating in geographic areas with lower population numbers and that are located outside of more suburban and urban areas. Members use these sessions to troubleshoot issues, to give and receive support, and to share strategies, best practices, and resources for effective volunteer program management.
2025 Meetings will be held (All times 2 PM Eastern):
January 21, February 18, March 18,
April 15, May 20, June 17,
July 15, August 19, September 16,
October 21, November 18, December 16
COP's are an exclusive AL!VE member benefit. Anyone is welcome to attend the first COP meeting, but after the first meeting we ask you become a member. Learn more here.
This COP is for those managing an AmeriCorps Seniors program(s) as a grantee or sponsor. This includes Foster Grandparent Program (FGP), RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program), and SCP (Senior Companion Program. Join us as we are a sounding board for sharing best practices and resources that are unique to federal grants and the older volunteers we work alongside.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. Email info@volunteeralive.org for a free trial. You can learn more about membership here. more info...
Heather Hiscox is a Frustrated Changemaker on a mission to change the way WE change the world. Heather is the founder and CEO of Pause for Change. The PAUSE method is a proven framework that helps changemakers address difficult challenges and pursue promising opportunities. These skills help organizations be certain about which solutions will create the greatest impact while using fewer resources and less time. Heather is the author of No More Status Quo: A Proven Framework to Change the Way We Change the World. Heather speaks at conferences and events about social impact (nonprofit, local government, and philanthropic) disruption and innovation, and has launched several ventures that benefit the social impact sector, connecting organizations to the training, skills, and resources they need to deepen their impact.
The answer is you can't!