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.
Meetings are held at least quarterly (check our calendar or newsletter for dates) and will last no more than one hour. Discussion topics will vary depending on issues affecting COP members in their programs.
Each COP has a Facilitator who works with AL!VE to determine the needs of the COP, and AL!VE members can suggest meeting topics for future COPs through their facilitator.
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.
Interested in starting a new Community of Practice? Apply as a volunteer to get started.
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
2024: June 20; July 18; August 15; September 19; October 17: November 14; December 19.
Connect with other organizations practicing strategic volunteer engagement, expanding their budgets by investing in effective volunteer engagement, and diversifying the skills, talents, and lived experience of their human capital. Join volunteer engagement professionals and nonprofit leaders on the second Wednesday of even months at 11E/10C/9M/8P.
Click here to request to join the group and get more information or contact our National Service Enterprise Administrator at ServiceEnterprise@volunteeralive.org.
This COP is for those managing an AmeriCorps Seniors program(s) as a grantee or sponsor. This includes Foster Grandparent Program (FGP), RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program), and SCP (Senior Companion Program. Join us as we are a sounding board for sharing best practices and resources that are unique to federal grants and the older volunteers we work alongside.
2024 dates: 3 PM Eastern
February 14, April 10, June 12, August 14, October 9, December 11
The past few months have especially created some challenging situations. Let’s support each other! Health care (hospitals, blood banks, health care facilities, long-term health care, and other related organizations) has some unique situations, requirements, and environments for volunteers! Join your colleagues in discussion about your questions, situations, needs, and share your experiences with others as well.
2024 dates (Noon Eastern): January 11, March 14, May 9, July 11, September 12, November 14
The COP - Animal Welfare is designed to include a broad range of animal welfare organizations such as animal shelters, rescue groups, foster-based programs, sanctuaries, direct care for animals, and humane education programs. The objective of this COP is to connect volunteer engagement professionals within these organizations to share resources and best practices. This informal venue encourages open discussions for anyone seeking or offering advice in tackling the unique challenges facing volunteer leaders in the animal welfare field.
2024: February 27, April 23, June 25, August 27, October 22, December 24
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
Quarterly COP Meetings are held virtually on a variety of topics pertaining to administration of a local association of volunteer engagement professionals (Dovias, AVA, etc). Past topics have included Board Recruitment and DEAI, Financial Management, Membership and Marketing, Social Media, and Revitalizing your Organization. Check our calendar for future discussion topics. Meeting notes, resources, and handouts are posted in the 'file archive' section of our website. All involved in leadership with a local association in the US are welcome!
2024 Dates: March 27, June 26, September 25, October 30 (Summit)
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/
September 20 /October 18 - Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World Without a Bullhorn, Omkari L. Williams
https://www.omkariwilliams.
November 15 /December 20 - The Art of Holding Space: A Practice of Love, Liberation, and Leadership, Heather Plett
https://centreforholdingspace.
January 16 /February 21- The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World, Robin Wall Kimmerer (available for pre-order now)
CVA Study Group
Registration for the Spring 2025 Study Group is now open and will close January 20, 2025.
It will be led by facilitators who have earned their CVA certification.
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.
This is 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 is a time for networking, sharing ideas, asking questions, and brainstorming with your peers. AAMV members welcome!
2024 dates*: January 18, March 21, May 13, July 8, September 9, November 4
* New meeting dates & times for May - November
Join in the conversation about volunteers programs that manages volunteers who respond during an emergency. This is a very broad range from citizen corps, Red Cross, government, state, federal and non-profit. Share success and struggles during blue skies, gray skies and black skies. How to keep your volunteers engaged year around when things are (enter Q word here). Between meetings, share burning questions or share resources on the Emergency Response Volunteer Programs message board here (Must be signed in to Member Log In). This is where we can share best practices, ask questions, brag, vent and connect.
2024 dates: March 14, June 20, Sept 19, Nov 14
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.
2024 dates: January 22, March 25, May 20, July 22, September 23, November 25
This will be beneficial for anyone who is involved in faith based volunteer programs. There will be open discussion, topics presented for discussion and time to share training information and resources. Some of the topics we will cover are: Recruiting today's volunteers, Managing today's volunteers, and Leading today's volunteers.
Your thoughts and experiences are valued. We can learn so much from each other!
2024 Dates: June 13, Aug 8, Oct 10, Dec 12
2025 Dates: Feb 13, April 10
This is involved in managing volunteers at food banks, food pantries, hunger relief, nutrition or food-focused community organizations. These organizations use volunteers in unique and creative ways, especially during times of crisis like the pandemic. Join your hunger relief colleagues virtually to discuss your challenges, successes, and to share ideas.
2024 dates: January 2, February 6, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5, December 3
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 Dates: January 16, February 20, March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17, October 22, November 19, December 17
Let's talk about County Government volunteer programs. This community of practice discusses the challenge and successes of operating a volunteer program within a government structure. NAVPLG members welcome!
2024 Dates: January 18, April 18, July 18, October 17
2024 dates: Jan 18, April 18, July 18, Oct 17
To attend a Community of Practice (COP),
Interested in starting a new Community of Practice? Apply as a volunteer to get started.