| Let's Do This! Join our Initiative to Recognize
Volunteer Engagement Professionals
The why and how, tips, tools and templates to use to advocate for a stand-alone volunteer engagement professional occupational code with the Department of Labor- Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Find out what AL!VE is doing and how you can play an important role in elevating this cause. Time is of the essence as the commentary period with the Department of Labor closes August 12th. Learn more at our informational webinars on July 15 or August 1. |
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Nominations are now open for the AL!VE and Better Impact Sixth Annual National IMPACT Awards, celebrating exceptional leadership in Volunteer Engagement. This award highlights the profession's importance and inspires continued leadership. Submit your nomination electronically by August 15, 2024.
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Awardees will be announced at the AL!VE/Better Impact/VMPC Hybrid Conference on October 22nd & 23rd, 2024.
There are two categories of awards, Emerging Leader and Exemplary Leader. Three recipients will be selected from each category and receive $500, $250, and $125, respectively. The award is to be used for professional development within 18 months of award. Please nominate the emerging and exemplary leaders in your networks, or nominate yourself! |
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July AL!VE Academy:
Simple Market Research Methods for Recruitment and Communications Strategy
Presented by David Horwitz, CVA
Thursday, July 25, 2pm Eastern
In today's dynamic and competitive media landscape, effective research-based recruitment and communications strategies are essential for success in volunteer engagement. To create strategies that truly resonate with your target volunteers and potential partners, it is crucial to base your decisions on up-to-date data and insights. The good news: market research can be as easy as scrolling through social media—that is, if you know how to collect and analyze what you read.
This session, "Simple Market Research Methods for Recruitment and Communications Strategy," is designed to equip volunteer managers, partnership coordinators, and communication specialists with the fundamental marketing research tools required to craft effective communications.
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President's Message - Cathy Thoma, CVA |
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Dear AL!VE Members,
I was delighted to meet so many of you at the Points of Light Conference in Houston last month. I appreciate the excitement and discussion that occurred during and after Megan Vixen and I presented “Career Pathways for the Volunteer Engagement Professional.” There really seemed to be a desire for the results of last year’s survey, as it was standing room only. To accommodate those who couldn’t get in, we presented the information again at a bonus AL!VE Academy. If you weren’t able to make it, you can view the recording, as well as access the career mapping and salary tools that we provided, at : Professional Career Pathway Survey - Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (volunteeralive.org)
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I also invite you to attend our “Let’s Do This!” webinar on either July 15th or August 1st, where we will share how AL!VE is advocating for a stand alone volunteer engagement professional occupation code with the Department of Labor and how you can advocate for this too. This is a critical next step for the recognition of our field.
Thank you for all that you do for your organizations, volunteers and our profession. Cheers, Cathy |
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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'
Early Bird Registration Extended to July 31 - Save $50 ! Host site registration and individual attendee registration are open! Learn more at a 30-minute informational session - dates and times are on the conference website at www.betterimpact.com/vmhc.
This event is produced and sponsored in conjunction with Better Impact and VMPC.
Host sites have already registered in these locations. Information on how to register at a host site will be available soon. DOVIA - LA - Los Angeles, CA Hands On Twin Cities - St. Paul/Minneapolis MN Peninsula Humane Society - San Francisco, CA
SAVMA - Tucson, AZ Washtenaw AVA - Ann Arbor, MI MOVE - Topeka, KS Volunteer Managers of Central Iowa - Des Moines, IA Heart of Illinois United Way - Peoria, IL |
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Thank you to all who attended our networking event at the Points of Light Conference in Houston last month! A very good time was had by all. We appreciate our event co hosts VolunteerMatch, CCVA, and Better Impact. |
New Partnership Alert! The American Association for Museum Volunteers & AL!VE The American Association for Museum Volunteers (AAMV) and AL!VE have partnered to strengthen our shared mission of advocating for volunteer management. AAMV members now enjoy select AL!VE benefits, including access to Museums and Cultural Institutions Communities of Practice (COP) sessions, AL!VE Academies, and past webinars. AAMV will oversee the COP sessions. |
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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 Spring 2026! This conference would be in addition to the annual Hybrid Conference.
We are looking for Local Associations to be the host site for the AL!VE National Conference in 2026. Your input is invaluable to us as we begin the planning process for this significant in-person event.
Your input will help us in determining the feasibility and potential success of hosting the AL!VE National Conference in your area. Apply by midnight July 15 to be considered.
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SEI Spotlight: Service Enterprise Builds Strategic Volunteer Engagement Capacity
Service Enterprise offers tailored solutions to elevate community engagement through strategic volunteer involvement via multiple offerings that can be paired together or offered a la carte:
Volunteer Engagement Training Program: Caters to all levels and delivers practical insights and actionable strategies. Past participants (including Program Managers, Volunteer Coordinators, AmeriCorps Members, and Executive Directors) found it valuable and received a Certificate of Completion.
Diagnostic & Debrief Service: Pinpoints improvement areas with a 30-minute assessment involving 5-10 participants. Receive a comprehensive report and 2-hour facilitated debrief. This helps your organization prioritize focus areas for maximum impact.
Service Enterprise Program: Transforms how organizations perceive, value, and engage volunteers. Our facilitated training and discussions empower cross-functional teams to drive change. With up to 16 hours of training and additional coaching, we ensure organizations achieve strategic volunteer engagement goals effectively.
Contact Kayla Paulson or visit our website to learn how you and your organization can join us in maximizing your impact with focused volunteer engagement solutions. |
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Board Member Spotlight:
Grace Belizario, CVA VP of Marketing
Grace's background includes communication and marketing strategies, program/event management, volunteer engagement and life & health coaching. She has helped cultivate, implement and evaluate 450+ programs, including the launch of online opportunities.
Grace also has experience in local and nationwide partnership development. She has been a lifelong volunteer and believes volunteering has a huge impact on society. "Volunteer Administration Professionals create environments that ultimately can have a direct impact on our communities. The more people are aware of this, the further our field can be understood, supported, and legitimized."
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| | Board Member Informational Session Coming Soon!
Wednesday, July 25, 2-2:30pm, EST Interested in joining the AL!VE board? Attend our info session in July before open nominations. |
A very sincere thank you to two AL!VE Board members who have recently resigned. We are grateful for their service to the profession! Chris Woods, VP of Marketing
Amanda Schmierer, CVA, Board Member at Large And thank you to Grace Belazario, CVA, who has been appointed by the Board President to be VP of Marketing! |
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| Upcoming Events & Opportunities |
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Upcoming Communities of Practice: July 15, 12pm - Museums & Cultural Institutions July 16, 2pm - Rural Programs July 18, 12pm - Parks & Recreation July 18, 2pm - Local Government July 18, 2pm - Disability July 19, 12pm - Book Club July 22, 2:30pm - National Networks August 6, 3pm - Food Banks August 7, 3pm - Advisory Boards & Committees August 8, 2pm - Faith Based August 14, 3pm - AmeriCorps Seniors *All times Eastern* |
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Other Upcoming Events:
July 18, 25, 31, & August 8 - Volunteer Management Hybrid Conference Informational Webinars July 22 & August 7 - CVA Credential Information Session July 25 - July AL!VE Academy
July 1- August 15 - AL!VE Impact Award Nominations are Open! August 8 - AL!VE Member Webinar - All are welcome! SAVE THE DATE:
10th Annual Hybrid Conference:
October 22 & 23, 2024 | |
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CVA Study Group
Registration for the Fall 2024 Study Group is now open! Sessions will be led by facilitators who have earned their CVA certification.
July 20: You MUST Register by this date to join the study group * July 24: we will meet to review the study resources and an overview of chapters one and two of the textbook.
August 7 - September 25: We will meet every Wednesday at 12:00pm ET for eight weeks. The study schedule is based on reading 1-2 chapters of the CVA textbook, discussing those chapters and reviewing sample scenarios during the calls. |
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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 Membership Committee - Support AL!VE's member benefits, Ambassador program, and local association mentoring & professional development.
Development Committee - Members with fundraising, grant-writing, and grant-researching skills are invited to join this committee. Join the development committee and help build new funding streams for AL!VE! |
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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 2025, 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! |
Julie Ann Barowski Elizabeth Pawloski Anica Haymes Angela Mann Hannah Snaza Kristin Keckler-Alexander Kathy Brown Alyson Balfour Sonora Coles Allison Bouton Gerald Winkel Caroline Norris Alexis Wilson Jennifer Farter Sharon Stahl Christine Messick |
| 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:
August 8, 1pm: AL!VE Member Webinar - All Are Welcome! |
| Thank you to Our Renewing Members! |
Lisa LaVigna Vsysone Garrett Zaffke Jennifer Weichel, CVA Marie Howell Kathy Halstead Tori Carlson-Foscz Timothy Suda Kiersten Anderson Roseanna Galindo Jana Daisy Krista Gilmore Keri Gorman Keri Tucker Karen Reid Emilie Bromet-Bauer Grace Marie Belizario Karen Henry Soleil Delgadillo Rachel Ameresekere Rebecca Hand, MPA, CVA Lisa Romish Robin Popik Kelly Walters Nicki Price Nancy Williams Andrea Hill Nicole R. Smith Alicia Campbell Jenn Forristal Jennifer Bennett |
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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. The tabs at the top of our page have changed and been reorganized! About: Find information about AL!VE like annual reports and meeting information, Board of Directors, mission, vision, and values, and more.
Membership: Find information about becoming a member or renewing your membership. Learn & Connect: Find ways to learn and connect with other AL!VE members like AL!VE Academies, Communities of Practice, Mentorship Programs, AL!VE Impact Awards, and more. Support AL!VE: Learn about ways to support AL!VE like the Ambassador Program, Sponsorship, Donations, shop our t-shirts, presentation opportunities, volunteer and intern opportunities.
Resources: Find resources to support your work as a volunteer engagement professional like AL!VE Professional Standards, Advocacy, Trends, DEAI, International Journal of Volunteer Administration (IJOVA), and more.
Service Enterprise Program Overview: Learn more about the Service Enterprise Program and how to get involved. Looking for something specific? Try utilizing the search feature by clicking the magnifying glass on our website. |
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