PAST EVENT SUMMARIES

March 2017 Workshop

Showing Volunteer Impact

Presented by Susan Sanow, Special Projects Manager, Volunteer Fairfax

Susan provided NVAVA Members with the tools to improve how we communicate our volunteer impact and how it can make a difference to your volunteers (in quantity and quality), impact your organization and increase your job satisfaction.  We talked about data: what you have, what your need and what others can provide (for free) to support your volunteer impact.    Members also worked on their  elevator speeches.

 This is a great workshop forall, whether new to the field or those who feel like they already know it all, but no one else does.

And of course there was great food a ton of networking!

January 2017 Workshop

What a wonderful turn out for the NVAVA January workshop. There were over 50 volunteer managers in attendance to hear Barry Feil, CEO Celebrate Fairfax , Inc. speak about Creating Community Events from the Ground Up. Mr. Feil provided invaluable information to be used by all volunteer managers. There was an abundance of wonderful networking and many new contacts made. Can't wait to see you at the next workshop.

November 2016 Workshop

During our November meeting, Mr. Eric Byrd presented and lead a discussion on The Power of Connections: Enhancing Your Networking Skills to Making Good Impressions to Reach Success. Mr. Byrd led a dynamic discussion which captivated the NVAVA audience. He provided useful information on organic networking which is beneficial to all volunteer managers. 

Mr. Byrd is a well sought after trainer, coach and consultant that specializes in topics such as but not limited to networking, pitching/sales, marketing, presentation creation, and overall communication enhancement. His 25+ years of experience includes success in the entertainment industry, marketing/sales and local government. Mr. Byrd was also a trainer at the most recent Virginia State Conference on Volunteerism and Service.  

September 2016 Workshop

For the September workshop, NVAVA participated in the Al!ve & Better Impact Hybrid Conference. Many thanks to Cornerstones, Reston VA who hosted NVAVA members in their conference center. We joined sites around the US by a livestream to listen and participate in the 4 sessions. The Day’s theme: Once Upon A Time Begins With You: Reimagining the Future of Volunteer Engagement featured:

Rob Jackson (Rob Jackson Consulting Limited – www.robjacksonconsulting.com)–How to Develop as a Volunteer Manager: He focused on how we can develop as volunteer leaders and what options are available to us to make our goals happen by asking: What do you want from a career in working with volunteers? Do you even see volunteer management as a career or just a step towards something else? How can you take control of your professional development? He described the Elements within the Professional Learning Iceberg (Lindsay, 2013).

Tobi Johnson, MA, CVA (CEO at VolunteerPro – www.volpro.net) -It’s About People Work Not Paperwork: Using Psychology to Boost Volunteer Involvement: Tobi overviewed new discoveries in brain science, psychology and human behavior and how it is disrupting business as usual and creating new opportunities to connect, collaborate, and mobilize volunteers for the greater good.  She asked, why is it important to understand how the brain works? And then detailed that our brains determine everything we do so better understanding triggers humans to act, volunteer managers can become better influencers and, ultimately, better leaders.

Our own, Elisa Kosarin, CVA – Principal at Twenty Hats Consulting (www.twentyhats.com)  Getting Strategic about Advancing Your Volunteer Program: Elisa stated a well-run volunteer program is an organization’s greatest resource in meeting its mission. Then asked why is it that many nonprofits do not recognize volunteers at the highest levels of their organizations and include volunteer engagement in their strategic plans – even if they currently operate a volunteer program?  The session walked us through an action plan to advance our Volunteer program and hone our skills as advocates.

Neil McCord: Hospitality Vs. Courtesy: The final speaker asked, “Is customer service a culture in your organization?” Neil motivated us think differently about volunteers, clients and our missions through his experiences at the Walt Disney Company and his current role in providing exceptional experiences for families at Give Kids The World.

A great day mixed with learning and interaction. Many thanks to Liz Salter for being the computer facilitator. 4 great national speakers without the travel!