February AL!VE Academy:
"B.A.S.I.D.E." in Volunteer Appreciation: Belonging | Accessibility | Safety | Inclusion | Diversity | Equity Monday, February 19, 2-3:30pm
In this presentation, volunteer engagement professionals will be provided with actionable steps and practices to improve their volunteer appreciation and recognition strategies. The principles of Belonging, Accessibility, Safety, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity, and their relevance to our work with volunteers, will be illuminated upon. The topic of appreciation events, as well as everyday recognition, will be discussed at length, and participants will be invited to share their own successes and learning experiences in these areas. Participants will also be provided with tangible resources to take with them.
|
|
|
| About our Presenter:
Alana Knoppow is the Volunteer Program Manager at Arbor Hospice in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has been managing volunteers for over a decade across numerous nonprofits, including Hospice of Michigan, Habitat for Humanity, Visiting Nurse Association, and Jewish Family Services. Alana holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan, focusing on aging, organizational management, and interpersonal practice. She is passionate about empowering volunteer management professionals to advocate for their needs, and about elevating our profession. She is a founding member of VolunteerPro, and has served on the Board of ALIVE, with involvement in the DEAI Committee. Alana volunteers her time providing pet therapy visits in her local community.
|
|
|
President's Message - Cathy Thoma, CVA |
|
|
Greetings AL!VE Members, I wanted to share some exciting news:
Megan Vixie, MPA,CVA,PHR, SHRM-CP and former AL!VE Board President and I will be representing AL!VE at the Points of Light Conference this year by presenting “Career Pathways for the Volunteer Engagement Professional”. The presentation is based on the results of the national Career Pathways survey that we conducted last year, and in which, hopefully, you were able to participate.
Kayla Paulson, CVA, AL!VE’s Service Enterprise Administrator, will also be presenting at the Points of Light Conference with, “ Jump Start Strategic Volunteer Engagement Through Self-Assessment and Asset Sharing to Implement Change”.
The Points of Light Conference will be held in Houston, TX from June 11-14, 2024. Registration opens March 1st. For more information on the conference, please see: Points of Light | Creating a Global Culture of Civic Engagement
In addition, Kayla will be presenting twice at the America’s Service Commissions National Service Training Conference in Minneapolis, MN, from April 24 - 26, 2024. Her topics will be: - ASC Volunteer Engagement Convening – Jump Start Strategic Volunteer Engagement Through Self-Assessment and Asset Sharing to Implement Change
- ASC National Service Training - Sneak Peek to Strategic Volunteer Engagement & Service in Action
For more information on the ASC National Service Training Conference, please see: Minneapolis - NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING
I hope you will have the opportunity to come and see us at one of these conferences. I always enjoy meeting our AL!VE members in person! Cheers, Cathy |
| |
|
2024 Volunteer Managers Hybrid Conference October 22 or 23, 2024 'Creating Influence in Your Organization:
Thinking Beyond a Seat At The Table'
This event is produced and sponsored in conjunction with Better Impact. Learn more about last year's conference here: www.betterimpact.com/vmhc
Request for Stories and Conference Presenter Request for Proposals 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”
Have you found a unique way to proactively build your influence within your organization?
We’d like to hear from as many people as possible on this and we’ll publish a compilation of stories after the conference. Please share your story through the form below.
Would you like to share your story about proactively building influence withing your organization as a presenter at the Volunteer Management Hybrid Conference this year?
We are looking for confident presenters who can tell a great story without reading from a script, are comfortable in front of a video camera, can travel to Hamilton Ontario for October 21, 22, and 23, and are able to fulfill the requirements in the Speaker Agreement (view at the conference website). If that’s you, let us know when you submit your story.
Registration to attend the conference as a host site or an individual opens in June and July, respectively. |
| |
Emerging Leaders Mentor Program
April - September 2024
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. Participants will be paired with AL!VE Mentors to receive individualized coaching and support as well as monthly mentee peer sessions pertaining to leadership development topics.
For more information about this program, commitments and requirements, etc., please visit our website here. The mentorship will commence during the months of April - September 2024.
If interested in serving as a mentor, complete the mentor questionnaire here. Applications for mentees will open in March, 2024. |
|
|
Hot Topics: Background Checks
Controversial & Inconsistent Practices Across the Sector We have been listening to our members, through Communities of Practice, Service Enterprise, and in general conversations, and Background Checks keep surfacing. We would love to hear from all of you… - What’s your policy?
- Any solutions to manage risk, but not have a background check be a barrier?
- Do you accept background clearance statements from employers (especially for corporate volunteer projects)?
- What help, guidance or resources would you love to have?
Since AL!VE Members are some of the best Volunteer Engagement Professionals out there and we are looking to crowdsource great samples and sentiments from all of you. Be sure to check out next month's newsletter for the results! |
| SEI Spotlight
February is all about love and connection and we are really excited to connect with great and kind organizations that are striving to achieve their social missions! We now have over 850 organizations that are part of the Service Enterprise movement.
Join us in sharing some LOVE with our newly accredited Service Enterprises! Follow AL!VE on facebook to check out and celebrate these great organizations. We are excited to CONNECT both with these amazing organization that have achieved the national accreditation in Strategic Volunteer Engagement and with organizations that are interested in joining the movement. Here’s how:
Email ServiceEnterprise@volunteeralive.org if you want to CONNECT or would LOVE to learn how your organization can begin it’s Service Enterprise journey! |
|
|
| Announcing
AL!VE's 2024 T-Shirt Design Contest! |
|
|
Calling all AL!VE Artists! In 2023, we partnered with Raygun to create official AL!VE T-Shirts! This year, we are inviting our members to submit concepts for a new T-Shirt design for 2024! Our T-Shirt Design Contest is the perfect opportunity for you to shine. Whether you're a graphic design enthusiast or a casual doodler, we invite you to unleash your imagination and participate in our exciting competition!
Our contest theme is focusing on recognizing yourselves as leaders in volunteer engagement while recognizing your amazing volunteers. From whimsical illustrations to thought-provoking slogans, the sky's the limit! Let your creativity run wild and submit a design that speaks to you. To ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all participants, please adhere to the following guidelines: - Design must be original and unpublished.
- Submissions should be in vector format (AI, EPS, SVG) or high-resolution raster format (PNG, JPEG).
- Avoid using copyrighted material or offensive content.
-
Each participant can submit one design
- AL!VE logos can be found on our website. Designs may be adjusted to accompany AL!VE Branding.
What's a contest without exciting rewards? Our top 3 winners will receive recognition in our AL!VE Newsletter, and a free AL!VE T-Shirt of their choosing.
Entering the contest is quick and easy! Simply follow these steps: Create your stunning t-shirt design based on the theme. Visit our website and fill out the submission form. Upload your design files and provide a brief description of your inspiration. After the submission period ends, our AL!VE Board will review the submitted designs, and present our top 3 designs that will be voted on by the public! We will be showcasing our top 3 designs on our website for public voting. Rally your friends, family, and followers to support your entry and increase your chances of winning!
Ready to make your mark in the world of design? Join our T-Shirt Design Contest today and let your creativity shine! Whether you're in it for the thrill of competition or the chance to see your design come to life, we can't wait to see what you create.
Submission deadline is April 1, so don't delay—submit your entry now and take the first step toward becoming our next design champion! |
|
|
Become a 2024
AL!VE Academy Presenter! |
| Board Member Spotlight:
William Webber |
|
|
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. |
|
William was elected to the AL!VE Board of Directors last fall. He is Associate Director, Community & Volunteer Engagement at Partners for the Americas
William Webber holds both the Certified Volunteer Administrator credential from the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration and the Certified Association Executive credential from ASAE. He has experience working with the US Government, implementing various grants and cooperative agreements, as well as writing grant proposals.
William is looking forward to grow professionally as a board member and expand his network of colleagues within the profession. His work, studies, and personal travel have taken him to 35 countries across the globe. He speaks English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.
Will is currently serving on the Local Associations Committee and will be contributing at the Local Associations Community of Practice (see below for more information!), and working on updating our database of Local Associations. |
|
|
| Upcoming Events & Opportunities |
|
|
Communities of Practice FacilitatorsNeeded! We are looking for new facilitators for the following COPs: - Faith Based
- Museums
-
Animal Welfare
- Parks & Recreation
Interested in getting involved further? Contact Sarah for more information! |
|
Upcoming Communities of Practice:
February 20, 2pm - Rural Programs February 20, 2pm - Literacy February 21, 12pm - Book Club February 27, 1pm - Animal Welfare March 5, 3pm - Food Banks March 14, 12pm - Health Care March 14, 2pm - Emergency Response *All times EST* |
|
|
Other Upcoming Events:
February 19 - AL!VE Academy February 21 & March 5 - CVA Credential Information Session February 26 - AL!VE Member Webinar
SAVE THE DATE:
10th Annual Hybrid Conference:
October 22 & 23, 2024 |
| Local Associations The Local Associations Community of Practice meets again March 27, 1-2:30pm EST. The first quarter topic will be presented by a panel of your peers on these topics, based on input from the 2023 Annual Local Associations Summit: - Membership recruitment
- increasing participation
-
AL!VE benefits for local association members
Anyone involved in leadership at your local association (dovia, ava etc.) are welcome to attend! Upcoming 2024 dates: June 26, September 25 2024 Summit: October 30 |
|
|
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:
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 Page Advocacy Committee - Partnerships and Collaboration
Programs Committee - Presenter Bootcamp Tech Support Community of Practice Facilitators HR & Policy Committee |
|
Website Updates 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.
-
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.
-
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. |
|
|
Welcome to Our Newest Members! |
Ebony Sherod Sherry Keller Jillian Durkee Diane Zapata Alice Miller Debbie Fambro Lisa McGrail Megan Young Anne Marie Sirois Kimberly Durham Deborah Weymouth Teresa Miller Carlen Haag Mary Koehler Regina Casini Kari Welsh Hayden ML Test |
| 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:
February 26, 3-3:30pm April 2, 1:30-2pm |
| Thank you to Our Renewing Members! |
Brigette Wilson Jennifer St. Peter Jane Leighty Brianna Cronin Sidney Enss Kay Sibetta Christina Basey Shelley Orloski Adrienne Polumbo Gabe Taylor Adrienne Yoe Kasey Tunell Kathryn Goller Alicia Campbell Brenda M-H Tuls Tony Richardson Jamese Robinson Emily Braley Paula Allen Lua Durham Jeanie Ziegler |
|
|
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. |
| |
|
|
