Happy Pride everyone! This month we celebrate and recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally. So to all our LBGTQIA+ colleagues, thank you for your continued contributions to our profession and we look forward to working alongside you in this amazing profession we all call our own!

Today also marks another step forward as the Senate unanimously passes a resolution making Juneteenth a federal holiday, where June 19 will be known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, a US holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It is also important to recognize we still have a long way to go.

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.  It is my privlege, on behalf of AL!VE's board of directors, to announce the following statement to our members:

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.

As we head into the summer months, please take time to downshift and enjoy the weather, your friends and family, or just some quality "me" time!  Our work is never finished, but it can wait a bit for you to recharge. If you need anything in the meantime, please reach out to your AL!VE colleagues for support.

Take care and be safe!
Megan

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!
 
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

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:  Parks & Recreation Co-Leader

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

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...

(as of June 15, 2021)

Evan Rose
Kasey Zronek
Jovita Woodrich
Raj Sam
Michelle Gipson
Margaret (Peg) McEvoy
Amy Howard
Alex Seblatnigg
Jody Schaffer

Gretchen Jordan
Member Since: 06/08/2009

Todd McMullin
Member Since: 06/23/2009

NW Oregon Vol Admin Assoc (NOVAA)
Member Since: 07/13/2009

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

Barbara Sheffer
Member Since: 06/19/2011

Donna Martin MAET, CVA
Member Since: 06/27/2011

Linda Llewellyn
Member Since: 05/21/2015

Melissa Palmer
Member Since: 06/21/2016

Mary Beth Harrington
Member Since: 07/14/2016

NVAVA
Member Since: 08/15/2017

Antoine Cook
Member Since: 04/18/2018

Kelly McCulley-Miko
Member Since: 06/16/2018

Faiza Venzant, CVA
Member Since: 06/17/2019

NYAVA
Member Since: 01/06/2020

Karen Reid
Member Since: 04/02/2020

Dee Martin
Member Since: 07/08/2020

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

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!

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

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...

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.

The Volunteer Value Proposition: Capturing Numbers and Impact
Presenter: Sue Carter-Kahl. PhD.
June 23, 1 PM E  Register Here.

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

Our AL!VE Academy Webinar topics are assigned for the remainder of 2021 and we area actively scheduling for early 2022.  Have an idea or would like to present for a future webinar?  Learn more here.

As we start to approach the much discussed but hard to attain “new normal,” your change management skills are probably being tested.

You’re responding to those changes both as an individual and as a leader. You’re navigating the push and pull between your organization’s goals for your program and the needs and comfort levels of your volunteers. It’s a tough position to be in and can take a toll on us. May was Mental Health Awareness Month. In the volunteer management profession – and many others – we are thankfully seeing an increase in the awareness piece of professional mental health.

I’ll admit I’ve been struggling to find this new normal professionally. What was my breaking  point? 

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. 

• June 22 @ 12 E, Health Care COP

• June 30 @ 10 E, Animal Welfare COP

• July 7 @ 1pm E, Transportation COP

• July 12 @ 3pm E, Food Banks COP

• July 20 @ 2pm E, Rural COP

• July 22 @3pm E, Cultural Arts COP

New!  Animal Welfare  COP
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.

Two more new COP's coming soon:

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). 

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.

Professional Development for Local Association Leadership, Boards, etc. 
If your Local Association (DOVIA, AVA, DOV, 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 May Professional Development Webinair for Association Leadership featured Jessica Dennes from SAVMA Tucson and how to do a virtual volunteer fair.  This webinar can be viewed in the members only area under the 'Resources' tab and then 'Webinars'.

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

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/.

Check out these headlines from our home page news feed! 

• American Rescue Plan Includes 1 Billion in Funding In Supplemental Funds For National Service Programs 03/15/2021

• The newest edition of Volunteer Administration: Professional Practice is available for purchase  03/17/2021

• Breaking News: The CORPS Act re-introduced in Senate for 117th Congress 04/16/2021

• Independent Sector Releases 2021 Value of Volunteer Time 04/21/2021

• 'What is Excellence? Pushing Us Beyond The Ordinary' 2021 Theme for International Volunteer Managers Day 05/09/2021

• MAVA Announces Name Change 05/19/2021

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'

We're updating our member database to enhance our member networking benefit! 

When you register or access the members only system, you will be prompted to fill out the member skills database.  As this database grows you can search our membership to connect with a colleague regarding a specific skill - such as board development, social media, or fundraising. Please take five minutes and update  your skills on our database.  You can also go in an edit at any time.

Thank you!

PS:  Check to make sure messages from AL!VE aren't going in the spam folder.