Happy 10^th Birthday AL!VE!
 
For me, round number birthdays and anniversaries have been a great time for reflection and planning. This is the case for my time with AL!VE, and for our board as a whole. I’ll leave a bit more detail to Past President Beth Whitmire on this matter, in her article in this newsletter issue.
 
Our current board is brimming with new and eager practitioners. We are also surrounded by many members who helped create AL!VE and were highly involved in COVAA and AVA. This balance is a sign of strength, evolution, and opportunity.
 
As a young organization, we’ve seen many of the typical struggles. And at the same time, we’re really starting to come into our own, with a future that seems increasingly bright each year. After a recent visioning process, we were well positioned to attend the MAVA Summit (see August newsletter) and took on new directions, including upcoming support for the creation and nurturing of local volunteer professional associations.
 
With these new directions, we have additional opportunities in which we would love all of our members to engage in. Most notably, please consider joining one of our standing committees, get involved in the post-summit national endeavors, or if you are particularly interested interested in a leadership role, consider joining our board.

Lastly, a sincere thank you to all the amazing individuals who created these opportunities – recently and through the decades. We truly stand on the shoulders of giants.

All my best,
Jason
 

AL!VE Member Webinar
Tuesday, November 7^th, 2017
9-10am PST /12-1pm EST
via GoTo Meeting

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. 

AL!VE Group Member Roundtable - Developing Community Partners
Tuesday, November 15^th, 2017
12-1pm PST /3-4pm EST
via GoTo Meeting
 
This event is open to AL!VE Group Members who represent their local volunteer managers' professional association.
 

Welcome to our newest AL!VE members:

Sue Carter Kahl

Kimberly Quam
Saskatoon Health Region

Sharon Jordan
Direct Supply

Melissa Heinlein Storti

Maura Muller
New York Public Library

Craig Young
Inspiring Service

Jackie Maas
City of Plymouth

Karen Kendall
Minnesota Historical Society

Karen Stolt
Lollypop Farm Humane Society

Kevin Wilkes
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

Susie Ryks
Sioux Empire DOVIA

Nancy Shafer

Lisa Greenberg
Hammer Residences

Terri Hayden
Sheridan Senior Center

Robin Clough
Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center

Marcia Haglund
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council

Sheryl Parker
UJA-Federation of New York

Richard Wineland

Rebeccah Verhoff-Kiss
Serve Ohio

Rut Kessel

Susan E. Yoder

Liz Salter
Northern Virginia Association for Volunteer Administration

Jennifer Nelson
Maple Grove Hospital

Patricia Wright
Western Maryland Health System

Emma Onawa
Hope Coalition

Sheri Burke

Jennifer Tatum AVACA
Association for Volunteer Administration of Central Arizona

Chris Linnell

Garrett Zaffke
Dakota County, MN

Lauren Daniels

Amber Cote'
Center for Nonprofit Excellence

Shelli Beck
Lyngblomsten

Angela Alston

Tanja Schroeder
Fleet Science Center
 

A big THANK YOU to these renewing members:

Wanda Bailey
Member Since: 06/09/2009

Paul Belanger
Member Since: 07/10/2009

Kathy Cahill
Lee County Southwest Florida
Member Since: 06/05/2009

Hortencia Castano-Urbanowiez
University Health System of San Antonio
Member Since: 06/26/2013

Angie Drier
Senior Neighbors
Member Since: 07/25/2016

Allyson Drinnon
Habitat for Humanity
Member Since: 06/24/2014

Harriett Edwards
NC State University
Member Since: 06/05/2009

Sarah Elliston, CVA
Member Since: 05/17/2010

Ericka Garcia
University Health System of San Antonio
Member Since: 09/18/2013

Alison Jorgensen, CVA
Hands On Blue Ridge
Member Since: 07/07/2011

Todd McMullin
Samaritan Technologies
Member Since: 06/23/2009

Brenda Michael-Haggard, CFRE, CVA
Member Since: 09/22/2010

Stacie Moody
Union Station Kansas City
Member Since: 09/28/2016

Lori A. Morris
Orion Township Public Library
Member Since: 09/12/2013

Joy Pietschmann, CVA
U.S. National Park Service
Member Since: 07/10/2009

Anthony Richardson
United Way of the Inland Valleys
Member Since: 06/03/2014

Nikki Rowe
Environmental Volunteers
Member Since: 08/24/2016

Barbara Gullickson
Southeastern Virginia Association for Volunteer Administration
Member Since: 07/16/2010

Glen Stubbolo
State of Delaware
Member Since: 08/28/2014

Melanie Vincent
Volunteer East Tennessee
Member Since: 07/19/2016

Kathleen Wisniewski, CVA
Histiocytosis Association
Member Since: 06/10/2009
 

We are here for you!  If you have a question, recommendation or concern, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@volunteeralive.org. 

Or visit our website at www.volunteeralive.org.
 

Celebrating 10 Years…Cheers!

10 years. 120 months. 522 weeks. 3,652 days. Any way you calculate the numbers, each represents the passage of time since AL!VE approved bylaws on November 29, 2007. Wow. Ten years. Who knew?

Thinking back on AL!VE’s efforts over the years, I marvel at how many combined volunteer hours have been dedicated to developing trainings, conducting webinars, hosting regional roundtables, supporting conferences, participating in committee meetings, developing partnerships, designing member benefits, crafting professional standards, and managing the day-to-day administrative tasks involved in maintaining a nonprofit. I can only imagine the total number of service hours invested, and we offer our sincere gratitude to our members and those who gave their support to sustain our association over the past decade.

Since the onset, hundreds of devoted individuals have served on boards, chaired or served on committees, or participated on various work groups. Additionally, valuable partners played supportive roles advocating for our mission and assisting in the advancement of our shared goals. Coupled with the strong foundation put in place from our founding leaders, AL!VE is continuing to play the role of connecting volunteer engagement professionals across the country and celebrating 10 years of service.

Over the years we’ve accomplished goals and reached significant milestones. Conversely, we faced a challenge or two, to be sure, but we gained valuable insight with each setback. The hurdles were daunting at times, but learning experiences as well. Because from day one, there have always been individuals dedicated to advancing the profession and moving the association forward for the benefit of all.

There will always be a variety of good and thoughtful opinions and ideas on next steps, future initiatives, and the role of the association. By respecting all ideas and staying the course of our vision, we will achieve our desired mission: to enhance and sustain the spirit of volunteering by fostering collaboration and networking, promoting professional development, and providing advocacy for leaders in community engagement. I’m confident our platform will strengthen and the association will continue to make great strides on the local, national and global stage. Going forward, AL!VE is committed to building alliances that encourage innovation, creativity, vision, and passion. And we’re counting on your continued support as we strive to ensure leaders in volunteer engagement are provided with high-quality resources, avenues to connect with other practitioners, and professional development opportunities.

Who knows what the next decade will bring our way? The only thing certain is we’re up for the challenge and hope you’ll be with us in 2027 when we celebrate another decade of service. Happy Anniversary, AL!VE! Cheers!
 

AL!VE is seeking candidates who have a passion for volunteer engagement and the growth and success of the profession to serve on the Board of Directors. The volunteer commitment is an average of 15 hours per month. Individuals may nominate themselves or a colleague. We welcome nominations from all regions, with an immediate need of representation from the following regions: Mountain, Upper West, Atlantic and South East. 

Deadline for nominations is this Monday, October 16^th. To learn more or apply, visit the 2018 Board Nomination webpage.
 

Oct 24: 10-5 Mountain and 9-4 Pacific
OR
Oct 25: 11-6 Atlantic, Eastern 10-5 and 9-4 Central

www.betterimpact.com/taketheleap

Join us for an exciting lineup of thought leaders in the field of volunteer engagement in an innovative format that includes TED-style talks, peer-to-peer dialogue at each local event, live tweeting with presenters, and some fun surprises along the way!

Session Topics Include:
Overcoming the Challenges in Change  |  Change in Society
Change in Organizations  |  Change in Your Professional Career

Would you like to attend an event?
Find a location near you and register through that group. Here is a list of locations offering the conference:

Phoenix, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Camarillo, CA | Sacramento, CA | San Diego, CA | Wilmington, DE | Peoria, IL | Topeka, KS | Wichita, KS | Washtenaw, MI | Sewell, NJ | Corning, NY | Las Vegas, NV | Reno, NV | Tulsa, OK | Bend, OR | Knoxville, TN | Plano, TX | Fairfax, VA | Appleton, WI

Questions?  
Contact Gretchen Jordan, AL!VE Association Manager.
 

Wednesday, November 29^th, 2017
10-11am (PST) / 1-2pm (EST)
To RSVP, click here.

AL!VE President Jason Frenzel, CVA and AL!VE Vice President Dana Litwin, CVA will lead AL!VE's Annual meeting with a report of AL!VE's activities over this past year, by-laws review and updates, and upcoming plans for 2018.

The election results for AL!VE's Board of Directors for 2018 will also be announced.

Space is limited; this meeting will be recorded and a link will be placed on our website for members to view. Meeting minutes will be available to members in the December newsletter.
 

The AL!VE Board of Directors have revised AL!VE's bylaws (last revised in 2010) and are providing these proposed changes to our members so you will have a chance to review and vote to approve said changes at AL!VE's Annual Meeting on November 29^th, 2017.

To review the changes to the by-laws, click here.
To read the by-laws in its entirety, click here.

For any questions regarding these changes, contact Beth Whitmire, AL!VE Past President, at bethwhitmire94@gmail.com.
 

AL!VE Academy: The Importance of Writing for the Profession and You
Tuesday, November 7^th
10-11am PST /1-2pm EST
via GoTo Meeting

What makes writing so important?  It is the primary basis upon which your work, learning, and intellect will be judged in the workplace, community, and with your peers. Writing is portable and permanent.  It makes your thinking visible. Besides being an essential job skill, writing for the profession fosters your ability to explain a complex position to readers and to yourself.

Presenter Harriett Edwards, Ed.D. Harriett currently serves on the Board of IJOVA (The International Journal on Volunteer Administration).  For over 40 years, IJOVA has been an essential resource for the profession.  Learn more about the importance of writing, how to get started, how best to use others' professional writings, and how you can utilize the new IJOVA website as a resource.

Space is limited. Register here.
 

AL!VE is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Verified Volunteers, the recognized thought leader in the volunteer background screening industry.  To kick off this partnership, Verified Volunteers will be offering a complimentary copy of its 2017 Volunteer Screening Trends & Best Practices Report.

Here’s a glimpse into what the report covers:

• Updates on the current state of volunteering in the United States – and  how this year’s research results compare to last year’s

• How your organization‘s volunteer program compares to others in your sector and where potential gaps may exist in your volunteer screening program

• Best practices to improve your volunteer screening program

Watch your email inbox the week of October 16 for more information on how to download your copy.
 

Pro Bono Week
October 22^nd-28^th, 2017
The Taproot Foundation and the American Business Association started this week to celebrate "the pro bono ethic in all industries, where professionals are using their skills to help make a difference in their communities."

Make a Difference Day
October 28^th, 2017
Started in 1992, this annual day of service lets people seek single-day volunteer opportunities or register their own projects, plus gives participants resource information and logos.

International Volunteer Managers Day
November 5^th, 2017
Take time to celebrate and acknowledge the work of volunteer managers directly making our communities, countries and world a better place.  Get resources, banners, photos and more at the official website to  celebrate at your organization!

National Family Volunteer Day
November 18^th, 2017

Created by Points of Light in 1991, Family Volunteer Day is held annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving to 'kick off' the holiday season with giving and service, and to signal the start of National Family Week.

#GivingTuesday
November 28^th, 2017

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.

International Volunteer Day
December 5^th, 2017

In 1985 the General Assembly of the United Nations designated December 5th for an annual celebration by communities, peoples and governments of all that is achieved by voluntary effort – by volunteers – around the world.