Professional development for our field can take many forms.  If you look at CVA's newprofessional competencies, you can check your skills to see where you might be able to improve.  What has worked for you? Several AL!VE board members gave their input:
Kathy Cahill, Lee County Parks and Recreation:  My Four Rules
I have four rules to maximizing every meeting, conference, 
 

Thank you to all who participated in our survey about AL!VE.  You can view the results on our website at www.http://volunteeralive.org/alve_2015_member_survey_resul.php   Plans are underway for changes based on this input.  THANK YOU for taking the time to give us input, and watch future newsletters (and your inbox) for more follow up.

Reaching your destination or getting results - that is the goal of every training road trip you take.  However, the saying "it is not just the destination, but the journey that counts" is very much true as well.  How you get there, how you know when you have arrived at your destination, and how to make it meaningful and memorable journey are critical questions and knowing the answers BEFORE the training begins

 
I came to the volunteer management field through a non-traditional route.  I’d retired from a corporate job after 31 years, in 2001, started volunteering and found that I was so passionate about the mission and the field of volunteer management, that I wanted to start a second career.  There was a lot to learn, obviously!  Here are the top three ways I worked to learn everything I could as quickly as possible: 
·         I learned everything I possibly could about 

 The time has come to recognize our dedicated leaders for their exceptional achievements in the field of Volunteer Management. To that end, AL!VE is in the process of creating the AL!VE National Awards of Distinction to recognize and celebrate members who personify excellence in service through their personal and professional achievements. These individuals bring distinction to AL!VE, contribute to the betterment of society and enhance their communities.   
Possible award categories up for consideration:

Director of Volunteer Services
Manager of Volunteer Services
AL!VE Member of the Year
AL!VE Partner of the Year
Volunteer Advocate of the Year
Young Professional of the Year

 

 
We're pleased to share this important update on changes to the CVA certification process that will roll out in the coming year.
 
There are five areas of change, which relate to:
Competencies
Application process
Exam assessment
Portfolio assessment
Fee structure
We've recorded a presentation just for YOU--our most valued constituents--decribing what's to come. Please take some time to view the recording (approx. 45-minutes); it can be viewed here.

Receive 15% off  your CVA Professional Certification as an AL!VE member!  Details at www.cvacert.org