AL!VE Newsletter: July 2021
Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement

President's Message

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

 

 I hope everyone had a celebratory 4th of July this month! As a look back a year ago at this time, we were still finding our way through the changes and disruption we were facing as a country, and I hope we are all in a healthier, safer and more enlightened space going forward. I am always energized by the work you all do to move us in the right direction!

Please take a moment to look at all the great offerings AL!VE has at this moment to help propel you forward in your career and profession.  We are preparing to announce the nomination process to join AL!VE's board of directors starting next month, and I encourage you to think about how you may be interested in using your skills and expertise to further AL!VE's mission around advocacy, development and collaboration. It would be an honor to serve with you!

A quick reminder, come and visit AL!VE's virtual booth at the Points of Light Conference! We enjoy chatting with our members and want to hear about your experience with us and how we can better serve you. Enjoy the conference and we will see you soon at one of our events.

Take care and be safe!
Megan

Visit Our Virtual Booth At Points Of Light Conference



AL!VE is proud to be a part of the Host Committee for the 2021 Points of Light Conference. This year we have many AL!VE members presenting and will sponsor a virtual exhibit table! 

If you are registered for this conference July 14-16, be sure and visit our virtual booth!  Our booth will be staffed often during the day; we will have 'live' times listed!
 
This conference connects changemakers from across the globe looking to make connections and uncover meaningful ways to drive transformative change. www.pointsoflight.org/conference #PointsofLight21 #CivicLifeToday

AL!VE Member Welcome Webinars

New to AL!VE or just want to check in?  

Next Member Welcome Webinar:
July 29, 4 PM Eastern

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...


read more...

Welcome to our new members!


Katie Oster
Hilary Hager 
Jordan Hoftender
Allana Hilley
Demica Davis
PAHVRP (Pennsylvania Association of Healthcare Volunteer Resource Professionals) 
Karen Henry
Ebony Johnson 
Juliet Nations 
Elizabeth Johns
Jessica Chan 
Jessica Wood
Karlene Kuhn
Emily Stieber 
Bethany Tatro 
Jane Clifford
Laura Gordon 

Thank you to renewing members!







Emilie Bromet-Bauer, CVA

Member Since: 06/06/2009

Shirley Conger
Member Since: 06/07/2009

Katherine Campbell, CVA
Member Since: 07/23/2009

Jeannie Citerman-Kraeger
Member Since: 06/20/2012

Jan Hathaway
Member Since: 08/30/2013

Allyson Drinnon, CVA
Member Since: 06/24/2014

Corina Sadler, CVA
Member Since: 07/02/2015

Kate Ekman, CVA
Member Since: 07/14/2016


Alana Knoppow
Member Since: 07/14/2016

Alejandra Sierra
Member Since: 07/14/2016


Megan Vixie, CVA
Member Since: 07/14/2016

Angie Drier
Member Since: 07/25/2016

Holly Payne
Member Since: 08/08/2016

Susan Wolford
Member Since: 07/11/2017

Amanda Caruso-Yahne
Member Since: 08/03/2017

Lisa Greenberg
Member Since: 08/10/2017

Jessica Ames
Member Since: 07/09/2018

Robert Ashcraft
Member Since: 07/09/2018


Morris Cohen
Member Since: 01/17/2019

Katrina Bettis
Member Since: 07/08/2019

Joan Cardellino
Member Since: 07/10/2019

Allison Schwartz
Member Since: 12/11/2019

Donna Wager
Member Since: 01/24/2020

Karin Lamb
Member Since: 01/26/2020


Betsy Storm
Member Since: 07/07/2020

Stacia Miller
Member Since: 07/09/2020

Missy Reams
Member Since: 07/23/2020

Marie Howell
Member Since: 08/20/2020

Volunteer With AL!VE!

Volunteering with AL!VE in a Committee Role is a great way to:

  • Develop Leadership Skills

  • Contribute to the Profession

  • Create New Connections

  • Nourish Skills

  • Earn PDU's for CVA recertification

  • ---and more!

Committee work usually consists of a monthly meeting and 2-4 hours of additional time per month for committee related projects.  

There are openings for new members on these committees:

  • Marketing (Social Media, Newsletter Editor-in-Chief)
  • ​Membership (New Member Calls, Regional Outreach)
  • Finance 
  • Community of Practice:  Cultural Institutions lead or co-lead

Interested?  Check out our website information, then apply.  We'll be in touch to connect with you right away about how to get started!  

Questions? 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!

Find Us Online!


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

AL!VE CVA Study Group Sign Ups Due JULY 13

AL!VE is excited to announce a fall session of a  weekly one-hour virtual study series for members working towards their Certification in Volunteer Administration exam (CVA). 

SIGN UPS DUE TODAY!
To receive information about the AL!VE study group fill out this form by July 13th and save the date for the July 28th introduction session at noon EDT.


The study group is a benefit for members with a full AL!VE membership who are preparing for the fall 2021 exam.  The group will be led by facilitators who have earned their CVA certification.


read more...

Volunteer Management Hybrid Conference Registration Now Open!

Host Site Registration Now Open - Click Here!

Early Bird Registration Extended to July 31, 2021
Individual Registration Opens Late July

7th Annual Volunteer Managers Hybrid Conference
October 19 (Pacific/Mountain) or 20 (Central or Eastern)

Learn more at an informational session:
June 18 @ 1 PM E or July 1, Noon E


Host & Moderator:  Faiza Venzant, CVA  

Faiza Venzant CVA is the Executive Director of the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration and General Manager, Volunteer Development at the YMCA of Greater Toronto. With 20 years of leadership experience in volunteer engagement, she continues this work with a goal of centering community amongst the profession, improving equity and access to volunteerism and increasing diversity amongst professional leaders of volunteers.  In 2018, Faiza published her first children’s book entitled, My Mamma Wants to Eat Me Up!  As a mother of two young boys, she has not actually eaten any of her children up. 

This year's Presenters are...


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AL!VE Treasurer's Mid Year Report

Sean Devereaux, CVA AL!VE Treasurer

AL!VE is having another great year financially, though the mid-term numbers may look a little troubling at first pass. 

YTD Income Variance  - $3,844.00
YTD Expense Variance - $2,911.00
YTD Variance- $933.00

Our biggest miss is clearly in income, but this is entirely a result of timing. Our budget was built under the assumption that would would be earning revenue for Hybrid Conference bookings starting in about May. This year, our conference partner Better Impact is handling all of the reservation logistics for the Hybrid Conference, and will provide us with that revenue in one lump sum near the end of the year. This large miss in income will be corrected immediately when that payment is made.

What is not reflected in the numbers above, however, is our overwhelming success we have had in membership participation! We have been ahead in new memberships each month this year. Additionally, we have been very frugal with our spending which is reflected in the nearly $3000 positive expense variance that is reported above.  We plan to add to our reserves and expand resources for members in 2022 with these funds.

Please do your part to help us maintain our financial health by renewing your membership! Renewal invoices are sent on a regular basis, so please check your email as well as your spam folder.  If you need assistance please contact us!


 

CCVA Speakers Series: Negotiation for the Volunteer Engagement Professional


Negotiation for the Volunteer Engagement Professional: Advocating for What You Want and How to Achieve It

THIS MONDAY, July 19, 2021 at 3 PM EST

Register in advance here

For AL!VE Members and/or professionals who have earned their CVA

Are you looking to negotiate a job offer or pay increase in your current role? A lot depends on what you do before you even begin salary or benefits negotiations. Coming prepared to these discussions can end up putting more money in your pocket along with some life-changing perks and benefits. In this session, we will discuss how to identify what you really want and how to go about achieving it. Now that you have achieved your CVA and continue to demonstrate your value, this can move you towards the salary and benefits you are searching for.

Speaker Bio: Megan Vixie (she/her/hers), MPA, CVA, PHR, SHRM-CP
Megan is the Chief Engagement Officer for Beach Cities Health District (BCHD), one of the largest preventive health agencies in the nation. She is responsible for developing and executing Human Resource strategy in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of the District, including the areas of organizational and systems alignment, workforce planning, organizational development, compensation and benefits, etc...


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Upcoming AL!VE Academy Webinars

Paula Allen, CVA VP of Programs & Advocacy

These monthly professional development webinars are available FREE to all AL!VE members, including Local Association memberships.  These sessions are recorded, and the slide deck & recording can be accessed on the members only side of our website.  From the member menu, choose 'Resources' tab and then File Archive.

Advancing Your Volunteer Program
Presenter: Alec Lawson
July 23 @ 1pm E Register Here


Centering Empathy, Equity & Experimentation in Volunteer Management
Presenter: Heather Hiscox
August 25 @ 2pm E Register Here


Building Strategic Partnerships - Or Not!
Presenter:  Brian Rosenbaum
September 10 @ 1pm E, 75 min

 

No Academy sessions scheduled in October -
please sign up for the Hybrid Conference!

Communities of Practice - Don't Miss These July Meetings!

Join a Community of Practice!
The AL!VE Communities of Practice (COP) Program is designed to give AL!VE members networking and educational opportunities within their field of expertise. Led by AL!VE  members and field experts, it is a time to share experiences, resources and  recommendations with fellow AL!VE members. If you'd like to lead a COP in an area not listed below, contact us!

For more information about each COP, visit our COP webpage. Please register for the COP you want to attend via our calendar

  • July 20 @ 2pm E, Rural COP

  • July 22 @3pm E, Cultural Arts COP


New COP in September - Boards & Advisory Groups - Save the Date - September 8 @ 3pm E!
 
New COP:  
The COP Group- Early Childhood Education Programs such as Head Start,  Being a volunteer manager for Early Childhood Education is great- who doesn’t want to rock babies?  Being in a category with young children and government regulations there are certain unique challenges for volunteers, such as Level 2 background Checks, In-kind donations, many trainings, and long placement times.  This COP group will be a chance to network, share expertise, ask questions, and solve problems with your peers. 
 
Our organizational meeting will be on Monday, August 16th at 2 pm Eastern Time.  Please register from the Al!ve Calendar.  If you have any questions, please contact Jean Ward at jward@childrenfirst.net COP Facilitator.
 
BIG thank you to the COP Facilitators who work hard to manage the logistics, resources, and content for each COP and make sure each conversation is meaningful and helpful for participants. Thank you for your service!


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Local Associations Updates

Professional Development for Local Association Leadership, Boards, etc. 
If your Local Association (DOVIA, AVA, DOVS, etc) is an AL!VE Local Association member, or if you belong to a Local Association, please read and pass along these updates!  For more information about joining AL!VE as a Local Association, learn more here. 

Our next professional development webinar for leadership in local associations is scheduled for September.  More information soon!

 

Be sure and save the date for the second annual
Local Associations Summit scheduled for November 4, 2021.  

In addition, check these additional benefits to AL!VE local association members.


read more...

2021 Impact Award Nominations Open August 1

Thank you to our sponsor Better Impact, who will once again provide cash awards to the 2022 Recipients. 

Nominations will open August 1 and close September 15 for the 2021 Impact Awards. Note:  Eligibility this year has changed to AL!VE Members only (this does include any member of a Local Association that has a membership with AL!VE)

Watch your email for the official announcement and the link to nominate yourself or a colleague!  Learn more about the Impact Awards here and nomination information. Read on to see how our 2020 Recipients utilized their award funds!









Emerging Leader Recipients:
Kate Ekman, CVA: I plan to do a new headshot and also take a management/ leadership course but I’m about to start working with a skilled ED mentor who will help me with some of those goals. 

Nicole Smith:  I was able to purchase my book to study for my CVA certification and was able to purchase a WOCA membership (Women of Color in the Arts).

Jessica Dennes:  I used my award money to purchase a continuing education course on grant writing at the local community college. I hope to be able to support current projects and initiatives that come up in the future and is course will help. Thank you for the support!

Exemplary Leader Recipients: 
Becca Hand, MPA, CVA
:  I used my award funds to register for a professional certification and the study materials that I needed.

Tracey O'Neill, CVA
I joined The Renewed… Connecting the Cause community with Breauna Dorelus.  I will be putting the remainder of the money toward attending the Al!ve, Better Impact & VMPC Hybrid Conference “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion” and the next Volunteer Australia National Volunteer Manager Conference.

Andrea Hill, CVA
My award funds went towards the registration fee for the CFRE exam. I will be taking the test in November of this year. 

Small Town America Civic Volunteer Award Opportunity

STACVA is an annual program that honors 100 extraordinary public service volunteers in localities under 25,000.  It spotlights the urgent need for citizens to fill critical civic volunteer  roles including local government boards and councils, volunteer firefighters, EMTs, and the many advisory committees that support key local government functions. Localities represented by the top 100 national nominees will receive free volunteer management modules and 12 months of free ongoing support services from CivicPlus, with the top 3 also receiving cash awards of $20,000, $10,000 and $5,000 respectively. Nominations open July 15, 2021.  To learn more, visit https://www.civic-volunteer.com/.

Update: AL!VE's Commitment to Diversity

In our previously stated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, the AL!VE board recently adopted our Commitment to Community statement at its June board meeting. 

AL!VE is able to grow and learn better by welcoming an inclusive group of members who have the freedom to bring their whole/authentic selves to our work. The collective sum of unique differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent that our members bring represents our culture of inclusion and diversity.

We are not the experts; rather the conductors of information, challenging norms and best practices with a commitment to improve. We believe identifying ourselves as visible and voluntary allies is vital amidst the challenges we face, as it signifies an environment where all members feel supported. 

To make our commitment a reality, we embrace members from all backgrounds and identities, inclusive of: race, color, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical abilities, neurodiversity, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, and more. If you don’t see your identity represented, or you have feedback to help us grow, please reach out. 


Our board of directors is continuing to meet around DEI initiatives for our association and we hope to share more with you soon.

 

2022 AL!VE Board Nominations Open Soon

Do you have a passion for Volunteer Engagement and the growth and success of the profession? Then consider applying to serve on the AL!VE Board! Board service is a chance to grow personally and professionally, to develop skills, gain unique experience, and make lasting connections with a team of other passionate and motivated professionals throughout the country. Our Board aspires to be representative of our membership and the communities that they serve.  If you feel you have helpful skills and knowledge, or a unique voice, lived experience or perspective that you can lend, please consider applying.
 
Nominations will open in August- watch for more information soon!

 

New Member Benefit Now Available!



For AL!VE Members with a full membership, you now have access to a great new member benefit:  

Announcing the Portfolio Manager!


What is it? A convenient way to store your professional development certificates, transcripts, and the like.  Any .pdf, .jpg, picture, or the like can be stored here.  This will be stored for the duration of your membership.  If you currently hold a CVA, you'll be able to keep all your PDU's in once place, electronically.

How does it work? When you access the members' only side of the AL!VE Website, scroll to the bottom of the page and locate your membership information. On the far right, you'll see the 'Portfolio Manager'


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Newsletter - AL!VE Newsletter: July 2021