2023 Hybrid Conference: Registration Closes Monday - October 16! |
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We are ready for the 10th annual Volunteer Manager’s Hybrid Conference!
There are 45 host sites in the US and Canada - learn more at the conference website, www.betterimpact.tv/vmhc
If you cannot make it to a host site, individual registration closes TODAY, October 14. |
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President's Message - Michelle Raymer, CVA |
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Happy fall!
With the changing of the seasons we begin to reflect on the past year and make plans for 2024. I hope you’ve all received and taken your AL!VE member survey to help us do that! Every year we closely review the results, incorporating your feedback into our plans. Help us continue to support you and the profession by sharing your ideas, feedback, and suggestions.
Thanks, and we’ll see you at the hybrid conference later this month! Michelle |
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Become a 2024
AL!VE Academy Presenter! |
| AL!VE's Presenter Bootcamp:
Launching our Second Cohort February 2024! |
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AL!VE Academy provides high-quality varied educational opportunities specifically designed to help leaders in volunteer engagement. These sessions build and strengthen leadership, management, and/or technical skills. Are you a subject-matter expert in an area helpful to other leaders of volunteers? Do others routinely ask you for advice on a particular skill set you’ve developed? Are you interested in sharing your expertise with others? From finding your spotlight to online volunteer recruitment, the topics may be as varied as they are helpful to other leaders of volunteers. We are currently seeking proposals for presenters of monthly AL!VE Academy sessions for 2024. |
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Are you a volunteer engagement professional seeking to elevate your presentations? Do you have an idea for a topic or lived/professional experience but you don’t know how to turn it into a compelling narrative for a training? Do you freeze when tapped to lead educational content? We’ll focus on engaging presentations, whether online, in-person, or hybrid formats.
AL!VE has developed a Presenter Bootcamp for AL!VE members only which will address these needs and more in a focused 7 week course. Professionals at any level can benefit from joining us. Pairing webinars with COP-style discussions, our training is designed to put theory into practice and lead you through creating a presentation from scratch.
Don’t fret, don’t sweat: you’ve got this! Once you complete the training and provide a presentation that meets the criteria, you will be a certified AL!VE Presenter. You will receive CVA credits for the hours you join us in training. Join us in the first quarter of 2024 and level up your presentation skills whether online, in-person, or hybrid. |
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There is not an AL!VE Academy for October. Join us at the Hybrid Conference!
Or watch a past AL!VE Academy recording. To find over three years worth of content, log into your members only page. Then, Click on Resources/File Archive/ AL!VE Academy Slide Decks/Handouts/Recordings |
| Registration is limited to 24 AL!VE members! We will maintain a waitlist. If you are on the waitlist, please hold these dates until February 1, 2024 in case you are added to the cohort (we will notify you). 2024 Dates:
February 6: Where Do I Start? February 9: Presenter Boot Camp Community of Practice (COP) February 13: Knowing and Engaging Your Audience February 16: Presenter Boot Camp COP February 20: Draft to Presentation February 23: Presenter Boot Camp COP February 27: Prepare to Go Off-Script March 1: Presenter Boot Camp COP March 5: Speaker Logistics and Brand Identity March 8: Presenter Boot Camp COP March 12: Attendee Presentations March 15: Attendee Presentations March 19: Attendee Presentations March 22: Attendee Presentations
All meetings are 12 noon Pacific time for 1 hour. |
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2024 National Service Training Call for Proposals Submission Deadline: Monday, November 27 Want to present at 2024 National Service Training (NST)? Our Call for Proposals is now open! In 2024, we will be hosting an in-person event on April 24-26 in Minneapolis, MN and a virtual event on May 14-16.
The theme for 2024 NST is “Serve. Connect. Build.” We encourage workshop sessions that speak to how we can leverage AmeriCorps and national service to bring our communities together and build toward a better, more equitable future.
Please review the Call for Proposals and a PDF copy of the submission form for reference and planning purposes, including theme, workshop topics of interest, event purpose, session formats, proposal selection, and presenter costs.
For proposal-related questions, please contact Elisa Gleeson. Visit our NST website for up-to-date event information. |
AL!VE Standards:
Requesting Feedback & Volunteers
for The Standards Subcomittee
The AL!VE Standards for Organizational Volunteer Engagement have been posted on our website for more than one year! Check out more of the Standards and action steps here.
Have you looked over them? Have you used them in your work? Were the Standards helpful? We are looking for feedback from AL!VE members about these Standards. Whether you've used the Standards or not, please take this very short survey.
The AL!VE Standards are meant to be a living document, one that changes to reflect the trends in the field and the needs of Volunteer Engagement Professionals. The Standards Subcommittee has a lot of work to do to keep this living document up to date, relevant, and useful for all VEPs. We are looking for Subcommittee members who are interested in helping with this important effort. If you are, please contact Emilie at ebrometbauer@gmail.com or Jordanya at jordanyareeves@gmail.com.
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| International Volunteer Managers Day is Coming November 5 Every year, our profession celebrates YOU! This year's theme is 'Helping Others Help'
Volunteer Managers change lives — both the lives of volunteers themselves and of those served by well-led volunteers. It is a life-changing profession. Volunteer managers provide the leadership and direction that allows people to build a good and just society and to mend the social fabric. Without professional leadership, people’s time, talents and efforts could be wasted.
Plan now to recognize your peers and yourself. We have a downloadable postcard you can print and send! Check out the website link below for more ideas to celebrate yourself and your colleagues! |
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| Annual AL!VE Member Survey Now OPEN!
The Annual AL!VE Member Survey has been emailed to you October 6 (if you didn’t see it, please check your spam folder). We value your feedback and input, and every year we are able to make changes and/or improvements to member benefits, the website, and association policies and procedures. We ARE member driven!
Please complete the survey no later than October 23, 2023. This year’s survey results will be presented at our Annual meeting December 6. |
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| Upcoming Events & Opportunities |
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Upcoming Communities of Practice: October 17, 2pm - Rural Programs October 23, 2:30pm - National Networks
October 23, 3pm - AmeriCorps Seniors October 25, 1pm - Animal Welfare November 1, 2pm - Emergency Response November 7, 3pm - Food Banks November 9, 12pm - Health Care
November 9, 2pm - Faith Based November 16, 12pm - Parks & Recreation November 16, 4pm - Museums *All times EST* |
| Local Associations National Summit - November 2, 2023 Save the date! November 2 from 1-3 PM Eastern.
A national gathering of Local Professional Associations in the United States. Networking, door prizes and celebration of International Volunteer Managers Day. Any member of a local association of volunteer engagement professionals (DOVIA, AVA, etc.) is encouraged to attend! Our agenda is as follows (all times EST): 1pm Welcome & introductions 1:15pm Brief remarks from AL!VE Board President Elect Cathy Thoma 1:25pm Roundtable discussions on Local Associations topics as voted on by attendees 2:25pm Re-convene and group discussion 2:40pm Welcome from our Special Guest Martin J Cowling to help us celebrate International Volunteer Managers Appreciation Day! 2:55pm Door prize drawing and announcements
The Local Associations National Summit is open to ALL Local Associations of Volunteer Engagement Professionals, DOVIA's, AVA's in the US. Members involved in leadership are encouraged to attend with as many others in their leadership group, board, etc. as possible. |
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Other Upcoming Events: November 2 - CVA Credential Information Session November 5 - International Volunteer Managers Day! November 8 - November AL!VE Academy: Hidden Biases in Volunteer Management |
| | About our special guest, Martin J. Cowling:
Martin J Cowling has been a volunteer, hands-on manager, leader, researcher and consultant across the globe for small and large organizations. Martin led the Office of the Not for Profit Sector for the Australian government and helped establish the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission (ACNC) in 2013.
Martin is a skilled presenter who has spoken at conferences and universities. Philanthropy 101 ranked him as one of the top 100 speakers on philanthropy. He has worked with LaTrobe University on research into volunteerism. He has written over 200 articles, research papers, blog posts and book chapters on the subjects of leadership, change in organizations, community engagement and volunteering. Martin believes that people are the key to an organization's success and he is passionate about ensuring that staff (both paid and unpaid) have mutually beneficial relationships and contribute to making lasting positive change. He volunteers to support cancer research, MS and homelessness and poverty alleviation.
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Does Your Organization Need a Back to School Physical for Strategic Volunteer Engagement?
October is Green Cities Month; we love that Green Cities strive to create sustainable and renewable environments while prioritizing the health and well-being of its residents. That’s why we’re highlighting Boulder Colorado, a Service Enterprise. Not only are they recognized by CDP, a global environmental reporting organization, for their bold leadership on environmental action, but they also have very impressive volunteer action! In a recent conversation with Cassy Bohnet, Boulder’s Volunteer Cooperative Senior Manager, she shares how they approach volunteer engagement and operate as a Service Enterprise.
Bohnet said, “We don't just use them [volunteers] for just this thing or that thing. We really think the community’s needs and process what's beneficial to the volunteer, as well as to the city. Rather than just responding to requests, we are preparing for requests, being thoughtful about it, planning for impact, and making sure that all the components of a good experience are there for the volunteer as well” when asked about what a shift to strategic volunteer engagement meant for Boulder.
As the leader of the Volunteer Cooperative Bohnet’s role isn’t to work directly with all the volunteers instead she focuses on working with the staff who work with volunteers to ensure Boulder has things in place to successfully engage the community and identify where gaps are and work to increase engagement. In a true cooperative fashion they are connecting the silos (departments) and bringing everybody together to ensure volunteers have the same experience from one department. Contact Kayla Paulson, AL!VE’s Service Enterprise Administrator to learn how Service Enterprise can help you and your organization strategically engage volunteers. |
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AL!VE Graphic Tees Now Available! |
Now you can have that perfect shirt to wear to work, events, or whenever you need to advocate for your position and the profession! We've partnered with a small business who will take your t-shirt order in your size & style, then ship directly to you!
AL!VE will receive a portion of the t-shirt revenue. There are two designs available at this time; with more interest, more designs & colors will be created! You can find more information at our website, Membership>Donate/Shop |
| #SoManySelfies! Our Association Manager Gretchen Jordan had a great summer visiting colleagues, going to conferences to represent AL!VE, and attending Local Association meetings during her travels this summer. ‘It’s an honor and absolute pleasure to connect with colleagues, and I’m so impressed by the great impact they are having in their communities!
Thank you to everyone for making the time to meet with me, stopping by the AL!VE table at a conference or inviting me to your local association meeting!' |
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Welcome to Our Newest Members! |
Sue LeBuhn
Krysta Osweiler Frank Brulc Rut Kessel Heather Moseley Brandi Shawn-Chaparro
Maleah Gustafson Loretta La Point Julie Roberts Liz Self Genna Woods Bri Lopez Therese Schumacher Michelle Watts Courtney Jones |
| 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 ! Our next event will be on October 26 at 1 PM E. |
SAVE THE DATE for Our Next Member Social
Our final member social of 2023 is a great time to just hang out, connect and network with your peers! Our next social will be held on November 7. We'll look back and look ahead to next year - celebrating successes, not so successes, and what you're planning for next year! |
| Thank you to Our Renewing Members! Carol Noel Juanita Goode Mark Smith Brenda Michael-Haggard, CVA Elizabeth Hodgkins Michele Roberts Erica Holmes Sheila Bradley
Patricia Wright Janessa Weightman Allison Schwartz Gabby Vera Stacey Luhring, CVA
Jessica Bolten Betsy Storm Jovany Otero Bethany Tatro Mandy Stegint Kay Pelt-Walker Callie Le'au Courtright Liz Salter Lisa LaVigna Vsysone Shelly McAlpin
Samantha Mohn |
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Call to Action: Volunteer Driver Coalition
Needs Your Support for H.R. 3032!
Volunteer drivers provide millions of rides each year for older adults and other non-drivers, giving them access to healthcare and other essential community services and products, but volunteers are sometimes reluctant to provide rides due to liability for federal income tax. Help us pass H.R. 3032, which would increase the volunteer driver reimbursement rate from 14 cents to match the business mileage rate (currently 65.5 cents per mile)! |
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| SAVE THE DATE! 2023 AL!VE Annual Meeting WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6 - 2:00-3:30 PM EASTERN
AL!VE Board President Michelle Raymer, CVA, and President-Elect Cathy Thoma will present our initial 2023 Annual Report.
We will review: - President's Report
- Results of Board Elections & Introduction of New Board Members
- VP's of Marketing, Membership, & Programs & Advocacy
- Finance
- Service Enterprise
- National Alliance For Volunteer Engagement
- Review of 2023
- 2024 Goals
- Association Manager
- Special Announcements!
All AL!VE members and interested parties are welcome to attend. Please pre-register, we will send you reminders. |
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We're Updating Our Website! |
Not finding what you’re looking for on the website? No worries! We’ve made a few changes to make things more accessible. 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. All resources such as professional standards, advocacy, ethics, trends, DEAI, and general management under the “Resources” drop down. |
| 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. |
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From our colleagues at MAVA: BIPOC Volunteer Engagement Leaders Needed for Race Equity Listening Sessions!
Are you a Volunteer Engagement Leader who identifies as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color? The Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement (MAVA) would love to hear from you about your experiences as a leader of volunteers, and we will pay you with a $25 gift card for your time, energy and ideas.
Join MAVA for a 1.5 hour listening session about volunteer leadership and race equity in volunteerism on Friday, October 27 from 12:30 - 2 pm CST. MAVA has previously held listening sessions with BIPOC volunteers, and now is seeking input specifically from BIPOC volunteer engagement leaders to learn more about the systems, structure and culture that contribute to or dismantle racism in volunteerism. Please join us if: You lead volunteers at a nonprofit, community organization, or informally in your community You are willing to share your ideas and experiences You are Black, indigenous or a person of color You are 18 years of age or older You have a device, such as a computer, tablet or phone, and internet connection to listen and talk to other people in a 1.5 hour session If you would like to join or have questions, please email Anne Morehouse at amorehouse@mavanetwork.org to register for the session.
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