AL!VE Elevates and Advocates for Volunteer Engagement on the National Stage

This year's Points of Light Conference was more than an opportunity to connect with volunteer engagement professionals from across the country—it was a defining moment for AL!VE's growing influence on the future of our profession.


As the only national association dedicated to championing the professionals who make volunteerism possible, AL!VE was honored to not only participate on the Advisory Council for Points of Light’s National Volunteer Strategy, but to be quoted in it as well.

During the conference, to help ensure that volunteer engagement professionals have a voice in shaping the future of volunteerism, our President, Jordanya Reeves, CVA and Treasurer, Carol Ayars, CVA, shared the value of Service Enterprise during a pre-kick off information session, demonstrating how organizations can unlock greater mission impact by strategically engaging volunteers as an extension of their workforce.

Next, AL!VE’s Executive Director, Nicole R. Smith, CVA took the stage and participated during the opening plenary of this year’s conference by advocating for leaders of volunteers, volunteer engagement infrastructure, and helping to set the tone for conversations about the evolving role of volunteer engagement and the professionals who lead it.

This milestone reflects the growing recognition that effective volunteer engagement requires intentional leadership, professional expertise, and strategic investment.
The energy, spirit of leadership, community and connection was evident and followed AL!VE well after the opening plenary and throughout the conference.

• Our interactive Volunteer Engagement Legends Quiz, created by our Website Lead and Board Chair, David Horwitz, CVA was a conference hit driving members, partners, and new faces to the AL!VE booth to connect. It’s not too late to discover your Leader of Volunteer Archetype!
• The AL!VE booth, was full of energy and attracted members and non-members alike to learn more about AL!VE's programs, membership, and resources, thanks in large part to the interactive Legends Quiz. A special thanks to Board Members Amy Pinger, CVA, Carol Ayars, CVA, David Horowitz, CVA and Jordanya Reeves, CVA, and AL!VE members, Corina Sadler, CVA, who stepped in to engage current and potential members at the booth.
• Nicole R. Smith, CVA also presented to a packed room, demonstrating why investing in volunteer engagement professionals and their professional development is essential for organizations seeking greater capacity and mission impact, and quoted in the National Strategy.

From the opening plenary to educational sessions, networking events, our bustling exhibit booth, and participation in shaping a national strategy, the conference demonstrated that AL!VE is not simply participating in the conversation—we are helping lead it.

Thank you to everyone who visited our booth, attended our sessions, joined the CCVA/AL!VE meetup, and shared your passion for volunteer engagement. Together, we are strengthening our profession, elevating volunteer engagement as a strategic function, and helping shape the future of volunteerism.




Submitted: 07/03/26
Article By: Smith, CVA, Nicole R