• logistics & 'how it really works' 
• fees & technical requirements
• helpful advice from past host sites
• our speakers and content
• with plenty of time to  ask questions.

Shelli Beck, CVA - Director of Volunteer Services at Lyngblomsten

Shelli Beck was introduced to volunteer management as a volunteer introducing volunteerism to the small private school that her children attended. Then she began an AmeriCorps position with Goodwill/Easter Seals as a Volunteer Coordinator.

Over the years she has turned a very part-time Volunteer Coordinator role at Lyngblomsten into a full-time Director level position. Shelli has been a staple of volunteer engagement in Minnesota helping deliver Service Enterprise training, having served as a Conference Chair and Board Member for MAVA, and actively connected with her local peers.

Faith Based Volunteer Programs - 1 Pm Eastern

This will be beneficial for anyone who is involved in faith based volunteer programs.  There will be open discussion, topics presented for discussion and time to share training information and resources.  Some of the topics we will cover are: Recruiting today's volunteers, Managing today's volunteers, and Leading today's volunteers.  

Your thoughts and experiences are valued.  We can learn so much from each other!

2024 Dates:  June 13, Aug 8, Oct 10, Dec 12

2025 Dates:  Feb 13, April 10

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, we request you join as a member to attend subsequent meetings.  You can learn more here.

• December 4
• March 28
• June 17
• September 12
• December 4

• logistics & 'how it really works' 
• fees & technical requirements
• helpful advice from past host sites
• our speakers and content
• with plenty of time to  ask questions.

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.

2024 Meetings will be held (All times 2 PM Eastern):
January 16, February 20, March 19,
April 16, May 21, June 18,
July 16, August 20, September 17,
October 22, November 19, December 17

To register for these dates, see the  link below.

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. 

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.

 2024:  February 20, April 16, June 18, September 9, November 4

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

Director of Volunteer Resources at Hammer Residences

Cathy Thoma, CVA, is the Director of Volunteer Resources at Hammer Residences, Inc., a non-profit in Minnesota supports individuals with developmental disabilities in homes and apartments, helping them to live their lives to the fullest, and oversees a volunteer base of 500 combined individuals and organizations. Not only does Cathy lead volunteers, but she cannot help but be one herself!

She is also serving as the incoming President for the Association for Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE) and has chaired AL!VE’s Program and Advocacy Committee. Prior to working in volunteer engagement, Cathy earned her Master’s degree in Human Resources Management and held several roles in Human Resources.

Megan Vixie,  MPA, CVA, PHR, SHRM-CP

Megan Vixie, MPA, CVA, PHR, SHRM-CP, CEC, is a respected and collaborative executive with 15+ years of leadership experience utilizing human resource strategy to execute the strategic direction of organizations.  She currently is the Chief Engagement Officer for Beach Cities Health District (BCHD), one of the largest preventive health agencies in the nation, and has served as President of the Association for Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE). 

Megan is responsible for all human resources management which includes designing and implementing the infrastructure to manage BCHD’s network of more than 1,000 community volunteers. Megan also serves as a Certified Executive Coach, specializing in career planning and leadership development for the emerging leader.

NEW!  Disability COP

This COP is for those leading volunteerism within the field of disability.  Our conversations are aimed at prioritizing issues aimed at improving the lives and rights of those disabled.  It’s at the heart of why we do what we do. 

• We’ll compare & contrast best practices helping each other shine. 
• We’ll speak to the benefits of volunteering for a disability organization as well as helping those who are disabled volunteer. 
• We’ll share what disability organizations wish others understood while recognizing that intersectionality and language matters.

Each month, we'll host different topics and perhaps guest speakers tailoring this COP to meet our needs.  Join us!

 Meeting monthly – the third Thursday each month – at 2 pm EST/1 pm CST/12 pm MST/11 am PST

For 2024, JUN 20; JUL 18; AUG 15; SEP 19; OCT 17: NOV 14; DEC 19.  

Starting in 2025 with JAN 16

 

Facilitated by Mark Heffner, CVA (He/Him)

New York -  Atlantic Region

Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at ADAPT Community Network (formally United Cerebral Palsy NYC)

Mark has led volunteers for more than 20 years in the areas of cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and homelessness. prior to choosing volunteerism as his career, Mark taught Special Education for those who are disable or differently abled. In his current role, he is able to do both! His role was created to build a volunteer program with serve those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in an agency setting.

 *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.

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, we request you join as a member to attend subsequent meetings.

Book club:  We cover a different book every two months.  Titles are voted on by the group. 

All 2024 Dates:  third Friday of the Month:  July 19, Aug 16, Sept 20, Oct 18, Nov 15, Dec 20, Jan 17, Feb 21 

July 19/August 16- Spark the Heart: Engineering Empathy in the Workplace,  Dr. Nicole Price 

https://drnicoleprice.com/book/

September 20 /October 18 - Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World Without  a Bullhorn, Omkari L. Williams 

https://www.omkariwilliams.com/the-book

November 15 /December 20 - The Art of Holding Space: A Practice of Love, Liberation, and Leadership, Heather Plett 

https://centreforholdingspace.com/the-art-of-holding-space/

January 16 /February 21- The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World, Robin Wall Kimmerer (available for pre-order now) 

https://www.robinwallkimmerer.com/books

Meetings will be held bimonthly (every 2 months) with the first meeting on Wednesday, April 28th at 8-9pm ET (5-6pm PT).  Following meetings will be 10 AM Pacific, 1 PM Eastern:   
2024:  February 22, April 26, June 28, Aug 23, Oct 25, Dec 27

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.

Meetings will be held bimonthly (every 2 months) with the first meeting on Wednesday, April 28th at 8-9pm ET (5-6pm PT).  Following meetings will be 10 AM Pacific, 1 PM Eastern:   
2024:  February 22, April 26, June 28, Aug 23, Oct 25, Dec 27

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.

• Benefits of Board Service
• Expectations of Board Members
• Our goals for 2025 and beyond

• What do you want to tackle next year and are seeking advice about?
• What tech/apps are making your work easier?
• How can you be an influencer for your LA?
• What has worked well for recruitment for you this year? Did you come up with anything new?

• Member benefits
• Resources & where to find them
• Associations goals for 2024
• 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.

• logistics & 'how it really works' 
• fees & technical requirements
• helpful advice from past host sites
• our speakers and content
• with plenty of time to  ask questions.