Calendar of Events - AL!VE

See you in Atlanta or online!

America's Service Commissions, in partnership with state and territorial service commissions, is pleased to announce the dates for 2025 National Service Training (NST).

Please consider joining us in-person or online!

• April 8-10, 2025 · Atlanta, GA
• April 29 - May 1, 2025 · Virtual

The primary audiences for NST are AmeriCorps State program and fiscal staff, state and territorial service commission staff, and commissioners. While not a primary audience, all other streams of national service — including National, Native Nations, VISTA, NCCC, Seniors, and VGF — are welcome and invited to attend.

Stay tuned for venue and lodging, call for proposals, and sponsorship details later this summer!

We will update our event website as more information is available. 

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.  After your first meeting, you must join as a member to attend subsequent meetings.  You can learn more here.

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.

All times 2 PM Eastern for 1 hour.

2025: Feb 13, Apr 10, Jun 12, Aug 14, Oct 9, Dec 11

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

After your first meeting, we request you join as a member to attend subsequent meetings.  Learn more about membership here.

*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. 
​You may opt out by emailing manager@volunteeralive.org    

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

Click here to join the next meeting.

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. 

April AL!VE Academy:  Small Wins, Big Impact: Managing Partnerships in Volunteer Engagement: Meagan Patterson, CVA - April 16, 2025 @ 1:00 PM - 60 Minutes

As volunteer professionals, we play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and building meaningful connections with volunteers and organizations alike. Managing partnerships is a crucial aspect of effective volunteer engagement and something that should be considered as part of your overall volunteer plan. Building and maintaining fruitful relationships with partner organizations can amplify the impact of volunteer efforts, enhance community outreach, and foster a sense of shared purpose. In this presentation, we’ll explore how partnerships can enhance our personal and professional growth while creating a positive impact for our volunteers and organization. Let’s embrace collaboration, celebrate diversity, and unlock our full potential as leaders of volunteers.

About Our Presenter

As Senior Manager, Operations & Volunteer Engagement, Meagan took the lead in building Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s co-managed volunteer program with the National Park Service. Today, she manages over 300 volunteers who donate approximately 5,000 hours annually.

Meagan is a leader in the field of volunteer management locally and nationally. She serves as the President of the Metropolitan Volunteer Manager Association with the mission to promote and enhance the field of volunteer management for its members in St. Louis. She also leads a Parks & Recreation Community of Practice and serves on the Programs and Advocacy Committee for the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE). She is a 2023 AL!VE Presenter Boot Camp Graduate.

Meagan holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Southern Indiana and an M.A. in Historical Administration from Eastern Illinois University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Hunter, and two pets, Paisley(dog) and Sundae (cat). She also loves to cook, go to concerts and travel.

Enhance your professional development and support the profession of volunteer engagement at the same time! Join us for an AL!VE New Volunteer Information Session! This session is your opportunity to learn more about AL!VE, our mission, and how you can get involved. Whether you’re interested in sharing your skills, learning new ones, or connecting with a community of like-minded professionals, we have opportunities for you! Don’t miss this chance to join a dynamic organization that supports leaders in volunteer engagement nationwide. We can’t wait to meet you and explore how we can make an impact together!
 

See you in Atlanta or online!

America's Service Commissions, in partnership with state and territorial service commissions, is pleased to announce the dates for 2025 National Service Training (NST).

Please consider joining us in-person or online!

• April 8-10, 2025 · Atlanta, GA
• April 29 - May 1, 2025 · Virtual

The primary audiences for NST are AmeriCorps State program and fiscal staff, state and territorial service commission staff, and commissioners. While not a primary audience, all other streams of national service — including National, Native Nations, VISTA, NCCC, Seniors, and VGF — are welcome and invited to attend.

Stay tuned for venue and lodging, call for proposals, and sponsorship details later this summer!

We will update our event website as more information is available. 

When segments of the community do not feel welcome in volunteer spaces, they may choose not to engage.  Join CCVA's Executive Director Faiza Venzant, CVA as she takes you through Is Everyone Welcome? Tools To Broaden Volunteer Engagement.  This field-building toolkit consists of resources to help leaders of volunteers apply an equity lens to the various aspects of their practice. It was created by over 25 CVAs (Certified in Volunteer Administration) in the US and Canada.  Attend this session to learn about tools like A Guide for Creating Inclusive Position Descriptions, Broadening Access to Volunteer Opportunities, and the Inclusive Volunteer Recruitment Guide. Learn about relationship-building tools like Encouraging Reflection in Volunteer Opportunities, Getting to Know Volunteers through Values Based Questions, and the Volunteer Motivation Questionnaire. Check out strategic tools like Guiding Questions for Equitable Community Collaboration and Ethical Data Collection.

Learn more about ADEVI at cvacert.org/adevi  

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.  

For more information contact Brandy Tolbert, Facilitator.  Register from our calendar on the next available date.

2025:  January 6, March 3, May 5, July 7

Join fellow Volunteer professionals at the 2025 WVCA Annual Conference.  New this year will be a 3-hour pre-conference workshop lead by Traci Lato-Smith, designed to help you engage volunteers in your organization.  This session will begin Wednesday afternoon and wrap up with our annual Wednesday Welcome.

Return on Thursday morning as we kick off the day with artist, author and professional speaker, Jason Kotecki that will lead into an afternoon with Beth Steinhorn. Beth will share ideas and inspiration to foster better recruitment strategies and the ability to leverage the skills and talents of volunteers of all generations.

Be sure to attend the after hour socials for networking, camaraderie and a chance at some incredible prizes!

Click here to register for the next meeting.

Not an AL!VE Member? Join Now

Want to try before you buy? Email info@volunteeralive.org to try your first session free.

Join us for " Board Members: Equipping, Engaging and Educating your Board for Volunteer Service!" Is your nonprofit organization seeking to maximize the impact of board members in their volunteer roles? Join this workshop to learn steps you can take to equip, engage and educate board members so they thrive in leading your organization to fulfill its purpose. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to support board members in their role and tools to empower board members to succeed.

• Member benefits
• Resources & where to find them
• Association goals for 2025
• Discuss what's happening in the field on a regional or national level
• Bring your own topic - have a question you need to discuss? We're happy to connect.