• 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.

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

• 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.

Join for a session with FVA member and Summit Metro Parks Manager of Volunteer Programs Lisa Meranti to read, regulate, and reset your nervous system. As volunteer administrators, we are busy with addressing executive staff, field staff, and volunteers needs and wants. Let this be a time to address your own needs and wants as well as an opportunity to bring tools to others. Mindfulness, gentle movement, nature connections, and personal/group reflections will be integrated to help you feel more balanced and whole. Dress in comfortable clothes you can move in. Bring a mat or towel. In-person attendance only.

Optional: bring a brown bag lunch, enjoy your meal at the park, and catch up with friends!

(Lisa Meranti)

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

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. 

• 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.

• 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.

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

Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z: there are four generations in today's nonprofit workforce, and with such wildly varying communication styles and preferences in play, miscommunication is virtually inevitable - or is it? This workshop focuses on ways to address or eliminate common sources of friction, leverage the communication strengths of each generation, and set up your multigenerational team for healthier, more effective communication.

About our presenter:
Kate's odyssey in nonprofit communications and marketing spans over a decade, evolving from a dedicated volunteer and board member to a committed staff member. She ventured into contract and freelance work along the way, ultimately circling back as a full-time staff member and part-time consultant focused on remedying communication breakdowns and cultural toxicity, as well as providing high-quality, affordable marketing for small nonprofits. She has worked with dozens of nonprofit organizations and causes, from healthcare and tourism to child welfare and animal rescue.

Kate is a NANOE Certified Nonprofit Consultant and holds a BA in International Studies, an MA in Global Communication, and a professional Certificate of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

September 25, 2024

11:00am - 12:00pm British Summer Time (BST) and Irish Standard Time (IST)

Is Volunteer Impact the right software for your volunteer organization?

Get in the know about the many ways THIS volunteer management software (VMS) solution can make you smile! 

Presented by Daniel Green | REGISTER NOW

Attend live to earn Professional Development Units (PDUs).

Leaders in non-profit organizations and community groups increasingly understand that volunteers can be a critical resource for delivering on a mission. Effective people management and community engagement is imperative – whether they be paid or unpaid. As a result, employers expect that those individuals tasked with mobilizing and coordinating volunteer engagement demonstrate a thorough knowledge of effective practices and an understanding of how to apply that knowledge in support of real-world organizational priorities.

Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) is an international professional certification in the field of volunteer resources management

In this session, you will learn about the CCVA, why certification may be right for you, how the exam is created, what the application, preparation, and certification process is, and when you will be ready. 

September 25, 2024

3:00pm - 4:00pm Irish Standard Time (IST) / British Summer Time (BST) or 10:00am - 11:00am Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Fundamentals of Volunteer Engagement at Festivals and Events

Gain essential skills for recruiting, managing, and maximizing volunteers at festivals and events. Based on real-world experiences from small events to national festivals.

Presented by Stuart Garland, Learning and Capacity Building Manager, Volunteer Ireland | REGISTER NOW

Attend live to earn Professional Development Units (PDUs).

• 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?