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
*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, you must join as a member to attend subsequent meetings. You can learn more here.
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.
Click here to join the community and participate in our upcoming meeting.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. Email info@volunteeralive.org for a free trial. You can learn more about membership here.
- January 22: we will meet to review the study resources and an overview of chapters one and two of the textbook.
- February 5 - March 26: 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.
We will contact you with the zoom login information.
* If you are not yet an AL!VE member, you are welcome to attend the first session, but you must join as an AL!VE member to attend further sessions.
If you're interested in learning more about the Certification in Volunteer Administration in general, visit the CCVA website for information sessions about the exam and application and upcoming information sessions from CCVA.
Take the next step into the amazing field of volunteer management and join us for Volunteer Management 201!
This advanced training prepares volunteer managers to tackle the challenging and complex issues of volunteer engagement and program sustainability, to help you build the skills you will need to lead the volunteers.
This 2-day training is designed for volunteer managers who have completed Volunteer Management 101 or those who are seeking advanced training in the field. Facilitated by Emily Coleman and Jenn Forristal, both of whom have been working in the field of nonprofit and volunteer management for over nine years. This interactive workshop will focus on next-level topics, including:
- Equipping Staff to Engage Volunteers
- Organizational Culture & Communication
- Cultivating Leadership Volunteers
- Volunteer Program Evaluation
- ...and more!
Volunteer Management 201 builds on the basics of Volunteer Management 101. Volunteer Management 101 is not required in order to take 201, but we do recommend it.
Day 1: Wednesday, March 12th, 8 a.m. - Noon
Day 2: Thursday, March 13th, 8 a.m. - Noon
Registration for this event will sign you up for both sessions. Zoom links to join this training remotely will be sent out the week before the event to those who have registered, along with a workbook to be used throughout the training.
- January 22: we will meet to review the study resources and an overview of chapters one and two of the textbook.
- February 5 - March 26: 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.
We will contact you with the zoom login information.
* If you are not yet an AL!VE member, you are welcome to attend the first session, but you must join as an AL!VE member to attend further sessions.
If you're interested in learning more about the Certification in Volunteer Administration in general, visit the CCVA website for information sessions about the exam and application and upcoming information sessions from CCVA.
Tim Suda is an experienced leader of volunteers whose niche is empowering leadership volunteers who support their own teams of volunteers. He has a passion for volunteerism and bringing volunteer engagement professionals together. Tim works for the American Red Cross and focuses on the engagement, empowerment, and support of more than 2000 volunteers across Georgia in activities ranging from disaster response, service to members of the military and their families, and the life-saving collection of blood. Tim is additionally the Vice Chair for The Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA) and Vice President for the Georgia Association for Volunteer Administration (GAVA) where he supports efforts for professional development, networking, industry updates and information. Tim was a 2021 Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE) Impact Award recipient for the Emerging Leader Award. Tim has been a volunteer with AL!VE for multiple years supporting the presenter bootcamp, the board development committee, and the local associations community of practice. In 2023, Tim was published in the Engage Journal based on his experience with a tornado and stark reminders of the basics of volunteer engagement. When he is not working or volunteering, Tim can be found in his amateur carpentry shop.
This interactive workshop is designed to empower volunteer managers with the skills and tools needed to enhance their volunteer programs through effective budgeting. Whether you’re planning to expand your volunteer initiatives or secure funding for existing programs, this workshop will guide you through the essential steps to ensure your budget aligns with your program’s goals and the value of your volunteers.
Key Takeaways:
- Determine Specific Costs:
Learn how to identify and calculate the direct and indirect costs involved in enhancing your volunteer program. From training expenses to volunteer appreciation, we’ll explore how to capture all aspects that contribute to your program’s success. - Build a Comprehensive Budget:
Gain practical insights on how to create a budget that reflects both the costs and the value of your volunteer initiatives. You’ll leave with the tools and techniques to build a sustainable budget that communicates the full impact of your volunteer program. - Present to Gain Approval:
Learn effective strategies to present your budget and program plans to decision-makers, equipping you with the communication skills to secure approval and support for your volunteer program.
This workshop will be a collaborative, hands-on experience with time dedicated to applying the concepts to your own volunteer program. Participants will walk away with actionable insights and a completed budget ready for presentation.
Who Should Attend:
Volunteer managers and coordinators who want to improve their budgeting skills, secure resources for their volunteer programs, and present their initiatives effectively to stakeholders.
Meet the Speaker: Kathy Dise “Finding ways to save our clients money and making QuickBooks work for them are two things I truly love to do. I have an MBA in finance from the University of Toledo, a BBA in finance from St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, and 20 years of continuous growth and responsibility in the banking industry. Just before founding BudgetEase, I worked at the Cleveland Clinic Innovation Center. I am also a certified advisor for QuickBooks desktop and online products as well as Webgility, Hubdoc, Fathom and other QuickBooks apps.”
Upon registering, we will email you the meeting log in information (and a reminder, too).
(All times Noon E)
2025: Jan 9, Mar 13, May 8, Jul 10, Sept 11, Nov 13
January topic: The Cost of Volunteering
March topic: Volunteer Appreciation Week
May topic: Summer Student Opportunities
July topic: Including DEI in Volunteer Onboarding
September topic: Terminating a Volunteer
November topic: Making the Worst Volunteer Role More Appealing
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.
For more information about this COP, please contact Marie Howell, Health Care COP facilitator.
Look forward to seeing you there!
To learn more about AL!VE Community of Practice, visit our website.
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. Learn more about membership here.
March AL!VE Academy: Developing a Culture of Appreciation: Alexandra Berríos Feliciano - March 13, 2025 @ 2:00PM - 90 Minutes
Retention and Recognition of Volunteers from the Para la Naturaleza Experience
In this workshop, we will explore how Para la Naturaleza has developed a culture of appreciation towards its volunteers, which has resulted in strong retention and significant recognition. Through our experience, we will identify effective strategies and successful practices that can be applied in various organizations to improve volunteer retention and recognition. Topics to be discussed:
1. Understanding the importance of volunteer retention and recognition.
2. Building a culture of appreciation: core values and guiding principles.
3. Strategies to encourage long-term retention of volunteers.
4. Tools and techniques for the effective recognition of voluntary work.
5. Case studies: concrete examples of success in Para la Naturaleza.
6. Practical actions to implement in other organizations.
About Our Presenter
Alexandra Berríos Feliciano is a professional with a decade of experience dedicated to the third sector, specifically focused on the conservation of cultural and ecological resources. Currently, she works as a volunteer and community relations specialist at Para la Naturaleza. In this role, Alexandra provides comprehensive support in the administrative processes of volunteer management, including the development of opportunities and events, volunteer recruitment, design and facilitation of training workshops, research, and communications and relationships with other organizations. She is also a 2023 AL!VE Presenter Boot Camp Graduate.
Her academic formation includes a bachelor's degree in Geography from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, and she is completing a master's degree in Cultural Administration and Management at the same institution. In addition, she has professional certifications as an Interpretive Guide from the International Association of Interpretation, as Volunteer Manager and in Ecological and Cultural Tourism projects.
With a passion for youth development and raising awareness on crucial issues such as climate justice, grassroots building and citizen science, Alexandra has designed,
coordinated and facilitated youth training workshops. Her personal interests span a wide range of topics, from geography and cultural management to sustainable development, ecofeminism, gardening, environmental justice and music.
With a unique combination of professional experience, specialized skills, and a deep connection to her personal interests, Alexandra is committed to promoting environmental and cultural conservation, as well as empowering communities to build a more sustainable and equitable future.
In this 30 minute call, we will highlight:
- 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.
Click here to register for the next meeting!
We look forward to seeing you online!
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.
- January 22: we will meet to review the study resources and an overview of chapters one and two of the textbook.
- February 5 - March 26: 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.
We will contact you with the zoom login information.
* If you are not yet an AL!VE member, you are welcome to attend the first session, but you must join as an AL!VE member to attend further sessions.
If you're interested in learning more about the Certification in Volunteer Administration in general, visit the CCVA website for information sessions about the exam and application and upcoming information sessions from CCVA.
Click here to join the community and participate in our upcoming meeting.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. Email info@volunteeralive.org for a free trial. You can learn more about membership here.
This is an AL!VE Communities of Practice for those managing volunteers in museums, galleries, cultural and arts centers. Join us as we discuss and share insights and experiences that we are all having in the arts education/enrichment communities. COVID has posed certain challenges and changes for us all so let’s rely on each other for ideas and inspiration! This will be a time for networking, sharing ideas, asking questions, and brainstorming with your peers. This COP is hosted by AAMV (American Association of Museuem Volunteers) members; all AAMV members may attend.
*Note, new dates & times*
2025: Jan 13 (only one at noon EST), Mar 19, May 21, July 16, September 17, November 19- all dates 4pm Eastern
Click here to register for the next meeting!
COPs are an AL!VE member benefit.
Not a Member yet? Click here to join.
Want to try before you buy? Email info@volunteeralive.org to try your first session free!
Those working at a national level face different issues than those operating on a local or regional level. Often national level leaders are engaged in big picture, strategic or policy decision-making. Sometimes those operating at a national level don’t work directly with volunteers, but rather help empower others in their organizations who do. Join the discussion to connect and learn from others working nationally. We invite anyone looking to brainstorm around the unique issues facing volunteer leaders on a national level. This COP group will be a chance to network, share expertise, ask questions, and solve problems with your peers.
All times 2:30 Eastern
Jan 27, Mar 24, May 26, July 28, Sept 22, Nov 20
Click here to join the next meeting!
If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Mooney or Laura Gray, COP Facilitators.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit;
Not a member? Click here to join AL!VE.
Want to try before you buy? Email info@volunteer AL!VE to try out your first session free.
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.
- January 22: we will meet to review the study resources and an overview of chapters one and two of the textbook.
- February 5 - March 26: 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.
We will contact you with the zoom login information.
* If you are not yet an AL!VE member, you are welcome to attend the first session, but you must join as an AL!VE member to attend further sessions.
If you're interested in learning more about the Certification in Volunteer Administration in general, visit the CCVA website for information sessions about the exam and application and upcoming information sessions from CCVA.
2025 Dates are January 15, March 19, May 21, July 16, September 17, and November 19.
Click here to join the community and participate in our upcoming meeting.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. Email info@volunteeralive.org for a free trial. You can learn more about membership here.
Looking to grow your local association’s membership and volunteer base? Join us for an engaging discussion on best practices, innovative tools, and effective messaging strategies to attract and retain members. This session will explore creative and practical approaches to recruitment, from developing compelling outreach materials to leveraging digital and in-person engagement tactics. Learn how to highlight your association’s value, foster meaningful connections, and create an inviting community that encourages involvement. Whether you’re looking to refine existing strategies or discover new resources, this Community of Practice meeting will provide valuable insights and actionable takeaways to enhance your recruitment efforts.
Click Here to Register for this Event
Be sure to add this event to your calendar and sign up for your email reminder below before joining for the event!
The Local Association COP is a paid member benefit. Not a member yet? Click here to join now!
All Volunteer Engagement Professionals are welcome to attend a networking social event, quarterly at 4 PM Eastern for 45 minutes. Feel free to leave early or come late as your schedule allows. Connect and network with your peers for live discussions - ask questions and let us know what's on your mind!
All times 4:00-4:45 PM Eastern
- March 28
- June 17
- September 12
- December 4
Open to all in the field of volunteer engagement. We look forward to seeing you!
To submit your event, click on the link below.