AL!VE Newsletter: February 2020
Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement

AL!VE Member Welcome Webinars

New to AL!VE or just want to check in?  
Find out what's happening or get a quick fix of networking with your peers! New members will get a brief overview of our mission, benefits, activities and committees.  Existing members can get a refresher, check in and ask questions. We'll share upcoming announcements, activities, calendar events and trainings.

Webinars will be approximately 30 minutes with an additional 30 minutes allocated for networking or discussion.  


Register for an upcoming webinar:
Wednesday, February 26th (1 pm EST)

Monday, March 6 (3:30 pm EST)
 

New YouTube series and podcasts for our profession!

YouTube:
AL!VE Past President Dana Litwin presents "Priceless Advice with Leaders of Volunteers" new web series and YouTube channel.

Dana's Priceless Advice for Leaders of Volunteers

Podcasts:
1. Meridian Swift, the author of the weekly Volunteer Plain Talk blog.
2. Time + Talent podcast from Tobi Johnson and Jennifer Bennett. 

All podcasts can be found on Spotify and Apple podcasts and a few other platforms.​

Give via Amazon Smile or Ebay


AL!VE will NOT be sending an Annual Appeal to our members this year, and instead invite you to give to AL!VE via Amazon Smile or Ebay.  It's easy, and consider bookmarking the sites so you can shop and donate!

To learn more, visit our 'Donate' page on our website.  Thank you!

Welcome New Members!

Liz Johnson
Join Date: 12/17/2019

Rosland Powell
Join Date: 12/17/2019

Christopher Woods
Join Date: 12/17/2019

Kelli Crawford
Join Date: 12/23/2019

Keji Kujjo
Join Date: 01/02/2020

Michele Epifani
Join Date: 01/03/2020

Jaime Denniston-Merced NYAVA
Join Date: 01/06/2020

Monique Stewart
Join Date: 01/06/2020

Barbara Chapman
Join Date: 01/07/2020

Gina Edwards
Join Date: 01/08/2020

Melinda Messenger
Join Date: 01/09/2020

Peter Masonis
Join Date: 01/14/2020

Genesis Rombola
Join Date: 01/18/2020

Sabrina Clark
Join Date: 01/22/2020

Lace Garland, CVA
Join Date: 01/22/2020

Kim Kelly
Join Date: 01/24/2020

Karin Lamb
Join Date: 01/26/2020

Paul Brown
Join Date: 01/27/2020

Melissa Strovers
Join Date: 01/28/2020

Bridget McPike
Join Date: 02/07/2020

 

Thank you to our renewing members

Rachel Manuel Bruns America's Service Commissions
Member Since: 11/27/2017
Renewed On: 12/16/2019

Kaira Esgate America's Service Commissions
Member Since: 11/27/2017
Renewed On: 12/16/2019

Jessica Ames
Member Since: 07/09/2018
Renewed On: 12/23/2019

Molly Anderegg
Member Since: 12/31/2018
Renewed On: 12/19/2019

Barbara Chapman
Member Since: 01/07/2020
Renewed On: 01/07/2020

Kristina Coby
Member Since: 11/27/2017
Renewed On: 12/16/2019

Susan Cory
Member Since: 10/10/2018
Renewed On: 12/19/2019

Dallas Assoc. Directors of Vols
Member Since: 11/02/2009
Renewed On: 01/07/2020

Shade Mokuolu DOVIA-LA
Member Since: 11/28/2018
Renewed On: 01/08/2020

Kevin Engel-Cartie
Member Since: 12/28/2017
Renewed On: 12/19/2019

Ashley Farmer-Hanson
Member Since: 12/31/2018
Renewed On: 12/16/2019

John Gillig
Member Since: 01/14/2019
Renewed On: 12/16/2019

Jessica Gordon
Member Since: 11/11/2017
Renewed On: 12/19/2019

Marcia Haglund
Member Since: 08/11/2017
Renewed On: 12/17/2019

Carrie Hart
Member Since: 11/19/2018
Renewed On: 02/05/2020

Tobi Johnson
Member Since: 12/17/2013
Renewed On: 01/04/2020

Shelly Kaiser
Member Since: 01/01/2018
Renewed On: 12/17/2019

AUDREY KIDWELL
Member Since: 11/13/2018
Renewed On: 12/16/2019

Rachel Krempasky
Member Since: 12/13/2018
Renewed On: 01/18/2020

Heather M Lee
Member Since: 12/14/2018
Renewed On: 12/24/2019

Stacey Luhring, CVA
Member Since: 11/23/2009
Renewed On: 12/17/2019

Brenda Michael-Haggard, CFRE, CVA
Member Since: 09/22/2010
Renewed On: 12/16/2019

Deana Hageman Oneota Volunteer Coordinators
Member Since: 12/31/2018
Renewed On: 12/19/2019

Anne Owens
Member Since: 01/02/2018
Renewed On: 12/19/2019

Cindy Perreira
Member Since: 11/15/2018
Renewed On: 12/17/2019

Michelle Raymer CVA
Member Since: 11/27/2017
Renewed On: 12/16/2019

Allison Schwartz
Member Since: 11/28/2018
Renewed On: 12/18/2019

Nichole Sorgenfrey
Member Since: 01/09/2018
Renewed On: 12/19/2019

Ramona Toussaint
Member Since: 08/02/2018
Renewed On: 12/23/2019

Jennifer Thompson TulsALIVE
Member Since: 12/27/2016
Renewed On: 02/05/2020

Patti Fields United Way Volunteer Center
Member Since: 12/28/2017
Renewed On: 12/19/2019

Rebeccah Verhoff-Kiss
Member Since: 08/15/2017
Renewed On: 12/16/2019

Question? Contact Us!

We are here for you! Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@volunteeralive.org, or visit our website at www.volunteeralive.org.  While you are there, you can also:
 

  • Read the latest news about the profession

  • Submit a calendar or news item

  • Check out the resources page

  • Find volunteer opportunities

...and more!

Partner Corner: CCVA Hosts Information Sessions for 2020 Candidates:

Faiza Venzant, CVA

CCVA will be hosting informational webinars for CVA candidates in 2020.  There is no cost. These webinars will NOT be recorded. Attendance is required to benefit from the information shared.  Webinars will be approximately 90 minutes long. 
 See the AL!VE Calendar for registration information.


Winter: Feb 14, 2020 02:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Spring; May 22, 2020 02:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Summer: Jul 24, 2020 02:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Winter: Nov 20, 2020 02:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 

Learn more about the credential here.

Find us on-line!


Facebook: @Volunteeralive
Twitter: @VolunteerALIVE​
Instagram: @Volunteeralive
LinkendIn: View profile here

President's Message

AL!VE Board President Megan Vixie, MPA, CVA, PHR, SHRM-CP

 Happy New Year!  We have embarked on 2020 and I believe it to be the best year for AL!VE yet.  I am very honored to be serving as your President and I thank 2019 President Dana Litwin again for all she has done for our association and the profession. 
 
In January, AL!VE’s Executive Committee gathered for a retreat to start pulling together a long-term strategic plan for our association.  We are in the process of reviewing our ideas with our board of directors and then will be sharing with our members once our plan is finalized.  We are very excited to continue our programming efforts for professional development and strengthening partnerships throughout our sector, and we look forward to increasing our advocacy efforts for volunteer engagement professionals and local associations.
 
Stay tuned for more ways you can become involved with AL!VE as this association can only get better the more we are all involved!  As always, feel free to reach out to me with any questions, thoughts, or ideas.  Thank you for choosing to be a part of AL!VE and looking forward to working with you all throughout the year.

2019 Impact Award Recipients...Where Are They Now?

The Impact Award Recipients received their awards in October, and we've been following up to see how they are doing.  They're all doing GREAT!  Gretchen Jordan, the AL!VE Association Manager, was lucky enough to catch up with two of them in January.
Susan Nusall from Phoenix, AZ  is using her award money to pay for her CVA renewal and to attend the Points of Light Conference in Washington DC this June.  Susan continues to remain active in AVACA (Arizona Volunteer Coordinators of Central Arizona).  She wants to encourage everyone to stay connected with your peers and always keep learning!


Corina Sadler from Plano, TX, is using her award money to attend the Points of Light Conference this year.  She is involved with DADV (Dallas Association of Directors of Volunteers) and organizes quarterly meetings with the Dallas area of NAVPLG (National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Government) AND on the team planning the Texas Volunteer Management Conference.

  
Nominations for the 2020 award open in August of 2020.  Learn more about the Impact Award from our website

https://content.betterimpact.com/files/agency/18256/BI%20logo.jpgSpecial thanks to our sponsor Better Impact for providing the cash prizes and awards.

Networking & Learning Opportunity -AL!VE’s Communities of Practice

A Community of Practice is a group of volunteer engagement professionals that meets virtually to share issues, strategies and best practices, get and receive colleagues' support, make connections, and provide an opportunity to share information, experiences, and resources specific to the industry/structure or community they serve.

New! Transportation Program Communities of Practice
For any questions about this, please contact Cathy Thoma, COP facilitator.

Multi-Site Communities of Practice
For any questions about this, please contact Allyson Drinnon, COP Facilitator​. 

Rural Communities of Practice - 2020 Dates Set!

  • February 18, 2 pm E
  • May 19, 2 pm 
  • August 18, 2 pm E
  • October 20, 2 pm E
For any questions about this, please contact Rebeccah Verhoff-Kiss, COP facilitator.

Meet Your Board!

Meet our new board member- Kelli Crawford  
Over the next few newsletters we’ll be introducing you to the newest members of our board, starting off with Kelli Crawford! Kelli is the Volunteer Coordinator and Curator of Collections at the Greensboro Science Center in North Carolina. She is also the Past Vice President of her local volunteer engagement professional association, the Guilford County DOVIA, and the Vice-Chair for the Volunteer Management Committee of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “I am especially passionate about advocating for our profession because I remember what it was like to be a new volunteer manager who struggled at the onset. I want to help new and veteran volunteer managers build on their successes, overcome their challenges and elevate our profession.”

Update From the National Alliance for Volunteer Engagement

Beth Steinhorn, Alliance Leadership Team Member

The Leadership Team convened in January for two very productive days of planning and work during which we:
  • Reviewed the research our consultants gathered from stakeholders, which was very helpful and informed all of our discussions and work over the two days. Thanks to all who contributed!
  • Clarified the focus of the Alliance and articulated our intended impact – which is:
    • Mission-driven entities prioritize volunteer engagement as a key strategy.
  • Began drafting and prioritizing the specific action steps the Alliance will take to achieve those impacts.
  • Explored the structures that will be easiest and most productive for individuals and communities to engage with us to achieve this impact.
  • We will be sharing the focus, theory of change, and draft plan very soon and welcoming involvement in all the next steps.
  • We appreciate everyone’s patience as we pull together the notes and next steps in a clear communication. So please stay tuned. We will be sharing much more with all our stakeholders in March.
www.allianceforengagement.org

Volunteer Opportunity!

AL!VE Marketing Committee Openings We’re still seeking one more volunteer to help with developing the ALIVE resource page on our website. Learn more about this and other opportunities at: https://www.volunteeralive.org/get_involved.php

AL!VE HR and Policy Committee Openings Do you want to help build ALI!VE’s capacity to engage members in meaningful volunteer roles that advance the profession? Join AL!VE’s HR and Policy committee, as we look to update our policies and procedures, and strengthen our internal volunteer management protocols. Committee will meet monthly for 6-12 months, then quarterly thereafter, with project assignments between meetings. Education and experience in Human Resources and/or Volunteer Policy and Procedure creation is preferred. Complete a volunteer application or contact michelle.raymer@iowaeda.com with questions.​

Local Association Member Update

To keep a local association going can be a challenge! Budgets, succession plans, social media, education, advocacy, and more, can become a handful. Guess what? We are here to help!

AL!VE provides programs and support for Local Associations of Volunteer Engagement Professionals across the country. Here are some of the resources available for AL!VE Local Association members.
  • Local association handbook. Whether your local association is well established or just beginning, this handbook is a great resource. Send an email to manager@volunteeralive.org to get your copy. There are lots of useful forms and documents in the handbook.
  • Mentorship for local associations. AL!VE kicked off this mentorship program in 2019 and currently has five associations receiving mentorship from seasoned professionals. Local Association members can get up to a 12-month plan with calls and emails, an action plan, quarterly discussion sessions and more. To learn more about being a mentor or a mentee, please click on this link.
  • Interactive development session specifically targeted for local associations - stay tuned for more information. There will be lots of useful information, and a Q&A session too!
  • You can promote all our educational programs to your members – we do the work and your members benefit! National trainers and quality sessions.
  • Promote your local conference on our calendar - simply fill out the form below the calendar on our home page.
  • A National Directory. We’ve been working hard to compile as many of the local associations across the country as we can find into one database and will release that list in April.
If you are a local association and not a member, you can see there are plenty of reasons to join. Check out our membership page here, and if you have questions, please email manager@volunteeralive.org

We welcome NYAVA, (New York NY)  GRAVA, (Richmond, VA)  DAVA (Delaware), GAVA (Georgia) and MCVDS (Maryland) as recent new members.

Volunteer Management Professionals Conference 2020 "Managing Risk"

Save the Date October 20 & 21, 2020!  "Managing Risk" is the 2020 topic.
How will you manage risk in your career, your program, and with volunteers?

2020 Timeline:
  • Call for presenters:  mid February 
  • Remote site registrations open:  April - September 
  • Remote training for remote sites and site facilitators:  July -September 
  • Managing Risk Livestream Event -
    • October 20 (Pacific & Mountain)
    • October 21 (Central and Eastern)
Registration discounts will be given for AL!VE Local Association members and returning locations.  

Sign up to learn more about our sixth annual Volunteer Management Hybrid Conference via informational webinars.  Regular updates will begin in February.

Fall 2019 Member Survey Results are in!

Cairn Reisch, CVA - VP of Membership

THANK YOU for taking the survey. Some highlights from the 48 responses were:

Membership Value
  • 83.3& are likely to recommend AL!VE to a friend/colleague
  • 81% are likely to renew membership
  • 81.5% believe the value of membership matches the membership fee
Involvement 
  • 32.6% would be interested in volunteering with an AL!VE Committee
Communication
  • 74.4% believe AL!VE's official communication channels keeps them well informed
  • 81.4% read the newsletter
  • 74.4% visit the AL!VE website at least once a month (11.6% visit weekly)
Comments:
  • Add more e-blasts or a monthly email news update
  • Reminders on benefits, perks, etc.

February AL!VE Academy Kicks off Year Long Advocacy Series

Emilie Bromet-Bauer, CVA

Advocacy is one of the most important functions of volunteer management and engagement, but it often gets overlooked or undervalued. As the professional association for the field of volunteer engagement managers and leaders, AL!VE is responsible for supporting volunteer engagement professionals in their advocacy efforts as well as representing its members and the profession by advocating for issues and trends that are important to the field. 
 
This year the AL!VE Programs and Advocacy committee is launching an Advocacy initiative to develop these functions. If you are interested in getting involved, please come join us on the Programs & Advocacy Committee. We're also looking for a volunteer, unpaid intern, or capstone student to work with us as an Advocacy Researcher. For more information about these opportunities, check out the Advocacy Researcher position description on the AL!VE website.

 
The new initiative includes quarterly advocacy-focused AL!VE Academy webinars. Have you ever wondered how to get started with advocacy work? Join us Friday, February 21, to attend Advocacy and Volunteer Engagement: Who, What, Why, and How, presented by Emilie Bromet-Bauer and Kelli Crawford. Click here to register now for Advocacy: Who, What, Why and How! Are you wondering how you can help advocate to advance the profession of volunteer engagement? Register now to attend the second quarterly webinar on May 6, presented by Meridian Swift: Advocacy to Elevate the Profession.
 
Another important way to elevate the field of volunteer engagement is through your own professional development. We'll be starting a CVA (Certification in Volunteer Administration) study group for AL!VE members in the Fall. Check the AL!VE website, including the extended calendar, for CVA and CCVA related events, and for further details about AL!VE's CVA study group. 

 
The P &A Committee can support and educate our members by sharing important information about trends and legislation that impacts volunteer engagement.  Currently the US Administration's proposed 2021 budget includes an eliminating the budget for the Corporation for National Community Service and its programs, like AmeriCorps. If you are interested in this issue and want to learn more about it, including how you and your volunteers can be advocates for CNCS, you can visit States for Service Coalition, the advocacy arm of the America's Service Commissions, or go to this site to take immediate action: https://p2a.co/oQqGba3
 
We are all advocates for our volunteers, volunteer engagement, the profession, and our organization's causes. AL!VE is here to support you and your volunteers in becoming effective advocates. If you have any questions or suggestions about how AL!VE can support you in this important function, please contact Emilie at brometbauer@yahoo.com.


In addition, these AL!VE Academy topics are now open for registration:
 
March AL!VE Academy:  March 18, 2 PM E:  The Accidental Trainer:  Developing Immersive Learning as Part of Your Volunteer Engagement Strategy, Presented by Barry Altland.  Register here.

April AL!VE Academy:  April 29, 2 PM E:  Partnering with Volunteers Motivated by Faith Presented by Faiza Venzant, Brittni Coe, and Jordanya Reeves. Register here.

New IJOVA Articles Published

From the IJOVA Editor, Ryan Schmiesing, Ph.D.

This issue of the International Journal of Volunteer Administration (IJOVA) includes three compelling Feature Articles.  Siordia presents data extracted from the Volunteering Supplement of the Current Population Survey from 2011-15 and shows volunteer rates for specific populations in the U.S.  van Gilst and co-authors present an interesting argument for user testing of volunteer brokerage websites and share insights into the importance of usability of specific websites.   Finally, Gallagher presents findings from a study focused on Peace Corps members and their early termination and overall length of service.

On behalf of the IJOVA Board, I’m pleased to share this issue with you and look forward to continuing to grow the journal in the year to come through your active readership and submission of potential manuscripts.  

Learn more about submitting an article and view the current and past journals under the IJOVA tab on our website.

Registration now open for VMPC Conference on Volunteerism

Ruth Millard, CVA - VMPC President

Canada in June.  Yes!!! Come join your Canadian colleagues in volunteer management at the National Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada Conference from June 8-10, 2020 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  Early Bird Registration is now open. Get more information at Annual VMPC Conference and register at early bird rates  here .  There will be six deep dive sessions so come prepared to roll up your sleeves for these ones, nine breakout sessions  on trends, research, experiences and case studies, and four plenary session by amazing thought leaders along with an opening session and experience that is sure to amaze. There will be plenty of time for you to network and build relationships through good quality dialogue with colleagues, and guided mindfulness walks or morning runs each day. This is a great event, jam-packed professional development for Volunteer Management Professionals and persons who may hold volunteer development and management responsibilities as part of their overall accountability, either as a staff person or volunteer.
 
 This event is co-hosted by Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada (VMPC) and Administrators of Volunteer Resources - Saskatchewan (AVR-SK), early bird registration will be available at a discounted rate until March 30th, 2020.  Come join us!! Check it out at Annual VMPC Conference and register at early bird rates  here .
Newsletter - AL!VE Newsletter: February 2020