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So far SAVMA Leaders has created 43 blog entries.
  • AZ Impact for Good logo- Nonprofits boost bipartisan voter turnout

Nonprofits Boost Bipartisan Voter Turnout

Nonprofits Boost Bipartisan Voter Turnout This is an AZ Impact for Good Membership Announcement, sharing that nonprofits boost bipartisan voter turnout compared to their counterparts in the same communities. As Volunteer Engagement Professionals, you work daily to make Arizona a better place for people to live, work, and play. We see the positive difference you make everywhere—in the smile you bring to a child’s face, the hope you give to a needy family, and the beauty you create in our neighborhoods and public spaces. Your community spirit inspires us. As our elections approach, your unique role in people’s lives uniquely positions you to help them exercise their right to vote. Research shows that when trusted local nonprofits encourage voting on a nonpartisan basis, people vote at significantly higher levels than if nonprofits did nothing. The 2024 Nonprofit Power Report shows that voters engaged by nonprofits saw a 10-percentage point voter [...]

  • Volunteer Engagement Defined and Measured

Volunteer Engagement Defined and Measured

Volunteer Engagement Defined and Measured Volunteerism is flourishing globally, even while volunteers sit untapped and underutilized. Volunteer engagement defined and measured opens the door to standard benchmarks across the profession, at least locally. Apples and oranges make a nice visual for comparative data, but how about volunteers and headcounts? If there is a common language and shared understanding of metrics, then comparative metrics are not out of the possibility. Defining Volunteerism The prevailing definition of "volunteer" in the United States, comes from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) at the U.S. Department of Labor. Volunteer: An individual who performs hours of service for a public agency for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation, or receipt of compensation for services rendered, is considered to be a volunteer during such hours. "To understand how the economy is functioning and changing over time requires measuring and valuing all productive unpriced labor [...]

By |June 3rd, 2024|Categories: Learning and Development, Resources and Samples, SAVMA Programs|Tags: , |Comments Off on Volunteer Engagement Defined and Measured
  • Voluntary Self-Identification Form picture of smiling group of diverse individuals in business attire

Voluntary Self-Identification Form

Voluntary Self-Identification Form Does your volunteer application include a "voluntary self-identification form" to collect demographic, economic, cultural, and social information? Is it damaging your recruitment efforts? Maybe it is helping? Was it there before you arrived? This is the case for one such Volunteer Engagement Professional, who has a few questions. While holding one VEP's confidentiality, we agree these are valuable questions and our discussion might spark more interest. Why the Voluntary Self- Identification Form? Congress established the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to enforce Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEO compliance effort may have birthed the Voluntary Self-identification (VSI) form. Many nonprofit agencies adopted the form over the years as part of federal contract compliance, representing efforts of non-discrimination in hiring practices. The Society of Human Resources Managers has also adopted this form, and variations of this form as a standard of practice. [...]

By |March 26th, 2024|Categories: Member Feedback, Member Share, Resources and Samples|Tags: , , |Comments Off on Voluntary Self-Identification Form
  • Networking is Volunteer Engagement Gold

Networking is Volunteer Engagement Gold

Networking is Volunteer Engagement Gold Networking is Volunteer Engagement gold and we have the key strategies to meet your outreach and recruitment goals. With volunteer recruitment being the biggest need within the profession, developing your networking skills might be your solution. SAVMA's Roundtable Discussion on Networking identified key strategies: Key Strategy: Do your homework Before you attend an event, find out who will be in the room. If you cannot find out the specific individuals, get a general sense of the audience demographics from the host so you can build a plan. If you are attending a Chamber of Commerce event, you might want to meet business professionals that can join your Board of Directors. Compare that to attending a Public Health Awareness event where your goal might be to meet professionals of industry for your advocacy team. Getting a sense of who will be attending an event, or who [...]

By |March 7th, 2024|Categories: Connect with Your Peers|Tags: , , , , |Comments Off on Networking is Volunteer Engagement Gold
  • Partners Call to Action

Partners: Call to Action

Partners: Call to Action Our in-box is full this month with partners call to action including voter registration deadlines, survey requests, pre-conference sessions and Virtual Conferences! There are deadlines looming so let's make this quick and easy for your punch lists. Call to Action: Apply for State AmeriCorps! Applications for the AmeriCorps State Formula Grant (RFGA#: RFGA-FOR-GOYFF-080124-00) are now being accepted. Approximately $4 million will be awarded to programs throughout Arizona to engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions/practices that extend organizational capacity to address critical community needs in one of six AmeriCorps focus areas: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and services for veterans and military families. Organizations awarded AmeriCorps funding will be responsible for the recruitment, training, supervision, and management of AmeriCorps members. We suggest you collaborate with fund development and HR to divide the work. Do not leave funding on the table>>>>> Call [...]

By |February 7th, 2024|Categories: VEP Ecosystem Offerings|Comments Off on Partners: Call to Action
  • Melissa Acuna Junior Achievement of Arizona

Community Service Recognition: Melissa Acuña

Community Service Recognition: Melissa Acuña Melissa Acuna, a Cox Communications employee, and Junior Achievement volunteer will receive a Community Service Recognition for her service. With the support of hundreds of education, business and volunteer partners, Junior Achievement here in Southern Arizona is giving kids the tools to succeed. Our volunteer mentors from the community teach students about the importance of money management, workforce readiness and entrepreneurial thinking. Arming today’s youth with this critical education will result in less financial instability and debt, a better-trained workforce, a more robust economy, and healthier families. Junior Achievement programs, developed by experts, are designed to keep kids engaged and meet them at their level of understanding. But it’s through our volunteering that students can connect what they learn in the classroom to the real world. Melissa Acuña a Career Mentor For example, Melissa Acuna, volunteers at CE Rose K-12 teaching the global market system. [...]

By |January 3rd, 2024|Categories: SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Tags: |Comments Off on Community Service Recognition: Melissa Acuña

Volunteerism is a Values Proposition Match for Sponsors

Volunteerism is a Values Proposition Match for Sponsors The SAVMA Awards 2024 presented by the Governor's Office of Youth, Faith, and Family, found volunteerism is a values proposition match for sponsors. These generous sponsors made publicly recognizing volunteerism in Southern Arizona on January 18, 2024 a priority. In turn SAVMA Leadership is sharing more about our sponsors and their match with volunteerism. 2024 Award Sponsors found the value proposition for sponsorship clear. Volunteers are a critical part of the health and well-being of our community. Public recognition and celebration of volunteerism brings more attention to the causes that are priorities in our community. Platinum Sponsors Presenting Sponsor The Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family The GOYFF develops and implements programs, strategies, and initiatives to strengthen the continuum of services through partnerships with community, faith, private, public, and tribal partners. Their vision is a big one and it has to [...]

By |January 3rd, 2024|Categories: SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Comments Off on Volunteerism is a Values Proposition Match for Sponsors
  • Keynote Nicole R Smith

Keynote Nicole R Smith

Announcing Keynote Speaker Nicole R Smith SAVMA Awards 2024 includes a keynote address by Nicole R Smith, CVA. She is a Panamanian-American, workforce development expert, athlete, published author, nonprofit founder, motivational speaker and sports entertainer. Nicole enthusiastically inspires her audiences with her take on today's volunteerism.  She earned her Bachelor's degree via a Division I full-ride track scholarship. After graduating she founded Step It Up! Inc, a nonprofit dance organization. She performed for audiences nationwide, while simultaneously using dance to teach teamwork to kids in after school programs.  Nicole's experience in sports entertainment, radio, TV, the performing arts and social services spans nearly 20 years covering the Chicago, Houston, Ft. Lauderdale/Miami and Orlando markets. She danced and cheered for four Professional and Semi-Professional sports teams. Undeniably, these experiences gave her a knack for workforce development. It wasn't long before she had prepared more than 800 interns to enter the workforce [...]

By |January 2nd, 2024|Categories: Learning and Development, SAVMA Events, SAVMA Programs|Tags: , |Comments Off on Keynote Nicole R Smith
  • Introducing AmeriCorps Member Lillian hiking in the Gila Wilderness, AZ

Introducing AmeriCorps Member Lillian

Introducing AmeriCorps Member Lillian Through a partnership with Arizona Serve, SAVMA leadership is introducing AmeriCorps member Lillian Ledner to our members. Lillian was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, where she attended Mountain View High School, and graduated in 2008. She attends Pima Community College, and proudly is an 8- year Crew Member at Trader Joes. Markedly, inspired by a volunteer experience through the Jett Foundation at Camp Promise, Lillian committed to pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy. In her free time, she teaches West Coast Swing dancing. Her adventurous love of the outdoors includes activities like hiking, camping, fishing, jumping out of planes, and trying any new activity or opportunity. She enjoys meeting new people and helping others find their passions, consequently making her well suited for volunteer engagement work (noted Gina Hansen in the interview). Arizona Serve, a program of Prescott College, places AmeriCorps members with local organizations to [...]

By |December 26th, 2023|Categories: Member Share, Member Stories, VEP Ecosystem Offerings|Comments Off on Introducing AmeriCorps Member Lillian
  • Career Growth Through Professional Associations

Career Growth Through Professional Associations

Career Growth Through Professional Associations How much time should one invest weekly in a professional association? What do you need to ensure maximum career growth through professional associations? How do you choose the right associations? It turns out there is some pretty good recommendations out there to light our paths as Volunteer Managers in this area. Business Network International (BNI) founder, Dr. Ivan Misner, suggests that successful networkers spend between 8-10 hours per week networking in a professional setting. Dr. Misner, shared at length his experience and his research on professional networks in the BNI Podcast, Episode 528: How Many Networks, How Many Hours?  Networking is part of Professional Development Harvard Business Review, LinkedIn, Indeed, and Google all agree that networking and professional development time should be between 5-10 hours per week. Some of this time is dedicated to "knowledge acquisition" and some of this time is dedicated to "skills [...]

By |December 9th, 2023|Categories: Learning and Development|Tags: |Comments Off on Career Growth Through Professional Associations
  • National Volunteer Management Insights Survey

National Volunteer Management Insights Survey

National Volunteer Management Insights Survey SAVMA is calling all leaders of volunteers to participate in this national volunteer management insights survey. This is VolunteerPro’s 2024 Volunteer Management Progress Report, their ninth annual survey! As they navigate the dynamic landscape of our sector, everyone is eager to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current state of affairs. Your valuable input is crucial to discovering the most current trends in volunteer engagement. Why Participate? This survey serves as a pulse check for the field of volunteerism by providing a nuanced view of challenges, trends, and opportunities. By taking a few minutes to complete the survey, you contribute to a collective intelligence that guides our industry's evolution. Survey Link: https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/OqCzf5 Survey Deadline: Friday, January 1, 2024 @5pm EST Your Data Matters: Rest assured, your responses are confidential and anonymous. The aggregated data will be utilized to generate an industry report, providing a comprehensive [...]

By |December 1st, 2023|Categories: Member Feedback, VEP Ecosystem Offerings|Comments Off on National Volunteer Management Insights Survey
  • Presenting the Public Allies Arizona 2024

Presenting the Public Allies Arizona 2024

Presenting Public Allies Arizona 2024 SAVMA Leadership takes pleasure in presenting the Public Allies Arizona 2023-2024 class to the volunteer engagement professionals of Southern Arizona. The AmeriCorps program is operated by the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, unquestionably, a valued civic partner of volunteer managers. Therefore, Public Allies Arizona is a perfect addition to the service programs SAVMA is proud to promote. Building a Brighter Future: Public Allies Arizona Kickstarts Their 2023-2024 Program Year Authored by: Lou Haiduk (she, her) A new cohort of Public Allies has embarked on a transformative journey. Public Allies Arizona, a program of the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, is part of the national movement committed to advancing social justice and equity by engaging and activating the leadership capacities of all people. This group of emerging leaders in Greater Tucson and Phoenix communities is dedicating the next 10 months of [...]

By |November 17th, 2023|Categories: Member Share, Member Stories|Comments Off on Presenting the Public Allies Arizona 2024

CSR Awards Deadline Extended to 11/15

CSR Awards Deadline Extended to 11/15 Those organizations committing to Table Sponsorship or above, are eligible to submit a volunteer for Community Service Recognition. This recognition opportunity is a unique way to showcase a special volunteer in a meaningful way. Public, and formal praise of those who demonstrate extraordinary service in support of your organization’s work not only confirms their efforts but also inspires others in Southern Arizona to become more involved in our community.   After you register for your sponsorship or table, you complete an online form. The form provides all the information we need to know about your special volunteer we need for materials at the event to highlight their service and for social media materials before and after the event. Each organization may only submit one volunteer or volunteer couple for this recognition (even if more than one table is purchased). You must provide the following [...]

By |November 9th, 2023|Categories: SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Comments Off on CSR Awards Deadline Extended to 11/15
  • International Volunteer Managers Day 2023

International Volunteer Managers Day 2023

International Volunteer Managers Day 2023 Helping Others Help SAVMA Leadership celebrates International Volunteer Managers Day 2023 This November 5, 2023, SAVMA celebrates those that support the profession of volunteer engagement. This includes: volunteer managers, leaders of volunteers, volunteer engagement professionals and volunteer administrators. Thank you for your dedication to your craft. Thank you for your work. This day provides an opportunity to recognize the invaluable contributions of volunteer managers. They play a pivotal role in mobilizing and coordinating volunteers to address critical needs within our communities. Volunteer managers serve as the linchpin between volunteers and organizations. They ensure that the skills and time offered by volunteers get effectively utilized for the betterment of society. Their dedication, passion, and strategic planning are instrumental in driving positive change, enhancing community resilience, and promoting a spirit of civic engagement. By recognizing International Volunteer Manager's Day, we acknowledge the vital role these professionals play [...]

By |November 5th, 2023|Categories: SAVMA Events|Comments Off on International Volunteer Managers Day 2023
  • 2024 Proposed SAVMA Leadership

2024 Proposed SAVMA Leadership

2024 Proposed SAVMA Leadership The SAVMA Board of Directors would like to present the 2024 proposed SAVMA Leadership. To identify barriers to leadership, the Willing and Able Leadership Survey opened September 1st, posing four questions about willingness and ability to serve. The results of that data will be presented in 2024 blog posts. Those identified as willing and able to serve (and qualified) are hereby presented as your leadership team for 2024. As there are open positions there will still be a call for nominations from the floor on December 7th at the annual meeting. If you have not registered, please do so here as the hosts are providing food and beverages. Board of Directors Officers (terms end 12/2024) Jennifer Lohse (President) Jennifer has served in the nonprofit sector for more than 25 years in a variety of leadership positions. She holds a Certified Nonprofit Professional credential from the Nonprofit [...]

By |November 1st, 2023|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events|Comments Off on 2024 Proposed SAVMA Leadership
  • willing and able survey

4 minute- willing and able survey!

4 minute- willing and able survey! Members, did you take the "willing and able survey?" The adage it take a village to raise a child, serves rather well when talking about the care of a membership association. The question before you as a member today is, are you willing and able to serve your profession? There survey is not meant to make members feel bad, but rather to identify barriers to leadership and remove them. Willingness Members might be very willing to serve, but completely lack the ability. This could be the case, but we cannot guess. Tell us! That is all we are asking. Take two minutes and tell us you are willing, but not able. Perhaps you are not willing, because you do not like the current leadership. That is ok too. Be honest, the survey is anonymous. Maybe you even think SAVMA is a waste of time. [...]

By |October 26th, 2023|Categories: Learning and Development, Member Feedback|Comments Off on 4 minute- willing and able survey!
  • 5 Must-Dos for Every C-Suite Leader

C-Suite Must-Dos for your Volunteer Program

C-Suite Must-Dos for your Volunteer Program October is a big volunteer month These C-Suite must-dos for your volunteer program will remind you why you need SAVMA and why your volunteer engagement professionals depend on the association. Members of the volunteer management community are hard at work at recruitment events, fundraisers, interviews, orientations, planning meetings, outreach events, and conferences. Well, actually that sounds like a lot. Unfortunately, since the pandemic this breakneck pace has become the volunteer management way. Volunteer management professionals continue to operate at emergency levels of activity with no end in site. Below are a few must-do actions to take right now to show your support and to help ease the burden. C-Suite Must Dos Right Now Discuss SAVMA Leadership positions with your volunteer engagement staff and why you support their 2024 participation. Without your support of their professional development they will not be able to prioritize this. [...]

By |October 2nd, 2023|Categories: Learning and Development, VEP Ecosystem Offerings|Comments Off on C-Suite Must-Dos for your Volunteer Program
  • Victoria Carlson-Foscz, to receive the 2023 Volunteer Administrator Award from the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA).

2023 Volunteer Administrator Award- An overdue award for a truly committed CVA!

2023 Volunteer Administrator Award An overdue award for a truly committed CVA! Tucson, Sep. 17 — Victoria Carlson-Foscz, to receive the 2023 Volunteer Administrator Award from the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA). Victoria, “Tori,” serves as a role model with her passion, experience and best practices in volunteer engagement and leadership. She holds a CVA, by the Council on Certification in Volunteer Administration. Tori has committed herself to the role of Manager of Volunteer Engagement at Interfaith Community Services (ICS) for over 9 years. She advocates for volunteerism and those who manage volunteers with grace, compassion, and leadership. Her work as a trainer for the Service Enterprise Initiative through ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, finds her using her coaching skills with her peers. This helps to strengthen the entire volunteer program management sector. As a member of the Arizona Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism, Tori [...]

By |September 17th, 2023|Categories: SAVMA Events|Comments Off on 2023 Volunteer Administrator Award- An overdue award for a truly committed CVA!
  • Caterpillar Tucson Regional Offices, is being awarded the 2023 Corporate Volunteerism Award from the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA).

2023 Corporate Volunteerism Award- Focus on leadership development is core to Caterpillar’s mission!

2023 Corporate Volunteerism Award Focus on leadership development is core to Caterpillar’s mission! Tucson, Sep. 14 — Caterpillar Tucson Regional Offices, is being awarded the 2023 Corporate Volunteerism Award from the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA). Paloma Santiago, Southern District Director for Junior Achievement of Arizona submitted the nomination. The Caterpillar Tucson Regional Team will receive the award on January 18, 2024, at the annual SAVMA Awards. The event recognizes all levels of volunteerism including individuals, nonprofits and corporations. Steve Pangburn, Global Sales Manager is quoted “we, at Caterpillar, are honored to be awarded the Corporate Volunteerism Award by Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association. We continue to look for volunteer opportunities where our values align with the code of sustainability, excellence and integrity. JA provides this by giving our employees the chance to work together annually and share their expertise to future generations the importance of having a strong work [...]

By |September 17th, 2023|Categories: SAVMA Events|Comments Off on 2023 Corporate Volunteerism Award- Focus on leadership development is core to Caterpillar’s mission!
  • Chrisie Ballard, a Board Member on the Junior Achievement of Arizona – Southern District, Board of Directors, is being awarded the 2023 Volunteer Board Member Award from the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA).

2023 Volunteer Board Member Award- a leader that believes in wearing all the hats!

2023 Volunteer Board Member Award SAVMA Award goes to a volunteer who has worn many hats! Tucson, Sep. 14 — Junior Achievement of Arizona – Southern District, volunteer Director on the Board of Directors, Chrisie Ballard, is receiving the 2023 Volunteer Board Member Award from the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA). Since joining the Junior Achievement of AZ Southern District Board in 2010, Chrisie has been a force of good for 13 years. She has worked to overcome challenges, advocated for healthy growth and change, and increased fundraising resulting in the two best years in 21-22 and 22-23. Chrisie passionately supports JA’s mission and work to inspire entrepreneurship in their youth. She has held every leadership role: Secretary, Vice Chair, and Chair, serving on the JA AZ Governance Board and chairing multiple committees.  Chrisie brings this same energy and impact as a volunteer in JA classroom programs at every [...]

By |September 17th, 2023|Categories: SAVMA Events|Comments Off on 2023 Volunteer Board Member Award- a leader that believes in wearing all the hats!

2023 Nonprofit Volunteer Program Award- volunteers that literally build a better community

2023 Nonprofit Volunteer Program Award Tucson, Sep. 15 — Habitat for Humanity Tucson, to receive the 2023 Nonprofit Volunteer Program Award from the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA). The Nonprofit Volunteer Program Award recognizes an organization that has demonstrated outstanding impact through their volunteer program. Habitat for Humanity constructed an extraordinary volunteer program. SAVMA will recognize their successes on January 18, 2024 at the annual awards event. The event recognizes all levels of volunteerism including individuals, nonprofits, and corporations. Every year thousands of Volunteers make the mission of Habitat Tucson possible. In 2022-2023 the Habitat for Humanity Tucson volunteer base was 2,100 persons who served for over 46,000 hours. They literally help build a better community right here in Southern Arizona. They strive to find unique ways to utilize our volunteers' valuable skills by inviting each volunteer into the process of partnership that is at the core of everything [...]

By |September 17th, 2023|Categories: SAVMA Events|Comments Off on 2023 Nonprofit Volunteer Program Award- volunteers that literally build a better community
  • 2023 SAVMA Youth Volunteer Award- Donation drive yields $2.6K for domestic shelter

2023 Youth Volunteer Award- Donation drive yields $2.6K for domestic shelter

2023 Youth Volunteer Award Tucson, Sep. 13 — Felipe Garcia, a Commissioner on the Arizona Governor’s Youth Commission, will receive the 2023 Youth Volunteer Award from the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA). SAVMA will honor young Mr. Garcia on January 18, 2024 at the third annual, SAVMA Awards. The awards recognize all levels of volunteerism including individuals, nonprofits and corporations. Felipe's leadership on the Governor's Youth Commission (GYC) is evident throughout his three years of service. He wrote reports on youth mental health in Arizona, and as Vice President, he presented these reports to the Arizona House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Teen Mental Health and the Pima Behavioral Health Coalition. Beyond regular duties, Felipe collaborated with the GYC's Domestic Violence Workgroup to expand their donation drive to Tucson. Despite setbacks, Felipe worked with his school to collect approximately $2,600.00 in donations for a local domestic violence shelter. [...]

By |September 16th, 2023|Categories: SAVMA Events|Comments Off on 2023 Youth Volunteer Award- Donation drive yields $2.6K for domestic shelter
  • 2023 Program Volunteer Awardee David L Tabb, CASA

SAVMA 2023 Program Volunteer Award!- This volunteer was seen going the distance-

2023 Program Volunteer Award  Tucson, Arizona September  11 — Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer, Dave Tabb, is being recognized with the 2023 Program Volunteer Award from the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA). Dave has been a volunteer for CASA of Pima County for three years. He is currently a CASA for nine children. Dave has donated more than 2,000 hours, and more than 24,000 miles in support of his CASA children. Some of Dave's acts of service as a volunteer have included making new memories with his CASA children. This has included watching their first 3-D movie to taking them to experience the snow and scenic views of Mt. Lemmon. He has tried virtual reality at the request of one of his teens, karate lessons, and has been known to see the same movie multiple times in one weekend for “his kids.” Many times, Dave has remained the [...]

By |September 11th, 2023|Categories: SAVMA Events|Comments Off on SAVMA 2023 Program Volunteer Award!- This volunteer was seen going the distance-
  • Level up your leadership! SAVMA leadership positions are open for 2024

SAVMA 2024 Leadership – Raise Your Professional Game!

SAVMA 2024 Leadership: apply by 9/30 SAVMA 2024 leadership on your mind? Never been on a board before? That's ok, a professional association is a great organization to start. You can start in any position and catch on quickly due to the size of the organization and the support you have from the prior year's boards. This process is called institutionalization. What is means is there are lots of materials available to you so you won't be "reinventing the wheel." So you might have questions about serving in a leadership position, like why do you keep saying leadership instead of board member? We say leadership because you might end up serving on a committee, or chairing an event, but not serving on the board. All of those volunteers will still be a part of the SAVMA 2024 leadership team. Here are some more Frequently Asked Questions! SAVMA 2024 Leadership Process [...]

By |September 2nd, 2023|Categories: Learning and Development, Member Share|Comments Off on SAVMA 2024 Leadership – Raise Your Professional Game!
  • SAVMA Member Benefit Alert!

September AL!VE Academy: Volunteer Recruitment Is No Answer

SAVMA Member Benefit Alert! "Volunteer recruitment is no answer" is presented by AL!VE through their Academy series. SAVMA is an Association Member of AL!VE and SAVMA members are able to attend Academy sessions as a Membership Benefit. Please be sure your SAVMA account is in good standing and your name is listed as a contact on the account to register. Presented by Rob Jackson September 20, 7AM MST Everyone knows recruitment can be tricky now, post lockdowns etc.. But the answer isn’t simply trying harder to recruit. We need better, more flexible, opportunities that fit with people’s interests, motivations and availabilities. We need a culture in our organizations that welcomes and nurtures the potential of volunteers, not one that seems them as being nice but not essential. This isn’t just down to the Volunteer Engagement Professional - everyone needs to embrace it. In short we need to see change in [...]

By |August 12th, 2023|Categories: Learning and Development, Member Share|Comments Off on September AL!VE Academy: Volunteer Recruitment Is No Answer
  • Yi Lor is an epidemiology doctoral student at UC Davis. (Credit: UC Davis Health)

New study finds benefits to volunteering in late life

Volunteering in late life may protect the brain against cognitive decline and dementia This article was written by Lisa Howard and originally posted on UC Davis Health Key Takeaways: Volunteering in late life may protect the brain against cognitive decline and dementia. New study of older adults found better memory and executive function among those who volunteered. (Sacramento) Volunteering in late life is associated with better cognitive function — specifically, better executive function and episodic memory. Those are the findings of a new study from UC Davis Health presented today (July 20) at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2023 in Amsterdam. “We hope these new data encourage individuals of all ages and backgrounds to engage in local volunteering — not only to benefit their communities, but potentially their own cognitive and brain health,” said Donna McCullough, Alzheimer’s Association chief mission and field operations officer. Senior volunteers stay active at the UC Davis Arboretum Nursery in Davis, [...]

By |July 30th, 2023|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off on New study finds benefits to volunteering in late life

Research study on Volunteer Administrators- Participants Needed

Research study on Volunteer Administrators Career pathways We encourage SAVMA members are to participate in a research study on Volunteer Administrators career pathways. The study is being conducted by Dr. Allison Russell, an Assistant Professor of Public and Nonprofit Management at the University of Texas at Dallas. Along with her doctoral research assistant, Kayla Parker, they are conducting a research study to investigate the career pathways of volunteer administrators. They seek to examine what leads individuals to enter the volunteer administration profession and their subsequent professional development experiences in the field. The goal of this research study is to improve our understanding of the volunteer administration profession through an exploration of the perspectives of volunteer administrators. From the desk of Dr. Allison Russell Dear SAVMA Members! We want to learn directly from volunteer administrators through in-depth virtual interviews, and we are hoping that you will consider participating. During the interview, [...]

By |July 21st, 2023|Categories: Learning and Development, Member Feedback|Comments Off on Research study on Volunteer Administrators- Participants Needed
  • 2020 SAVMA Awards Volunteer of the Year

SAVMA Awards 2024 Nominate Now

SAVMA Awards 2024 Nominate Now Thousands of volunteers weekly share their skills, time and enthusiasm to hundreds of nonprofits, schools, churches and governments across Southern Arizona. Publicly celebrating and thanking them and recognizing the work they do to make our communities happier and healthier is a win-win for all. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your agency’s good work and the volunteers who make it happen! PLEASE take a few moments to nominate for one or all six of the award categories. SAVMA Awards 2024 nominate now through July 31st at 5PM, with additional details at: https://www.savma.org/awardsnominations/ The Southern Arizona footprint includes: Pima, Santa Cruz, Graham, Greenlee, or Cochise County. Award Categories (nominate now) Southern Arizona Volunteer of the Year Award Corporate or Group Volunteerism Award Nonprofit Volunteer Program of the Year Youth Volunteer of the Year - Individual or Group Board Member of the Year Volunteer Administrator of the Year [...]

By |July 6th, 2023|Categories: SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Comments Off on SAVMA Awards 2024 Nominate Now
  • volunteer administrator skills assessment

Career Pathways for Volunteer Engagement Professionals Survey

Career Pathways for Volunteer Engagement Professionals Survey There is a lack of data on career pathways for volunteer engagement professionals, causing many professionals to leave the field in search of other advancement opportunities. Our Association partner, AL!VE, has a goal to create a Career Pathways Report that will demonstrate the various job levels within our field and the competencies and skills for each level. This will give practitioners and employers a roadmap of progression.  SAVMA Members we need your participation in the career pathways for volunteer engagement professionals survey.   We hope to use this data as validated evidence for the job of the volunteer engagement professional to be officially recognized by the Department of Labor (DOL) in the Occupational Outlook Handbook https://www.bls.gov/ooh/. When DOL conducts its next revision to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), we intend to heavily advocate for the addition of this role! This means, [...]

By |April 11th, 2023|Categories: Member Feedback, VEP Ecosystem Offerings|Comments Off on Career Pathways for Volunteer Engagement Professionals Survey
  • Rob Jackson is Director of Rob Jackson Consulting Ltd

AL!VE Conference- SAVMA Saves the Date

AL!VE Conference- SAVMA Saves the Date October 17th AL!VE announces its conference theme "Leveraging Technology in a Human World: Inclusively, Responsibly, and Creatively."  Each new generation of volunteers is very different from the ones before them. How do we prepare our policies, programs and recruitment in an inclusive, responsible, and creative way that looks to leverage technology in a human world? AL!VE taps Rob Jackson facilitator Rob Jackson is Director of Rob Jackson Consulting Ltd. His consultancy and training company engages and inspires people to bring about change. He has almost 30 years experience working in the voluntary and community sector. Holding a variety of strategic development and senior management roles he focused on leading and engaging volunteers. Since 2011, Rob has worked with a wide range of clients in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the USA and Canada. He is co-author of The Complete Volunteer Management Handbook (DSC, [...]

By |April 10th, 2023|Categories: Learning and Development, VEP Ecosystem Offerings|Comments Off on AL!VE Conference- SAVMA Saves the Date

Service Enterprise Initiative Recommended

Service Enterprise Initiative recommended by SAVMA to all members. SEI certification is a way to increase the impact of volunteerism in our community. ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation is offering this certificate of distinction and its nationally recognized designation of excellence in organizational volunteer integration. Together with AL!VE and Points of Light organizations will gain access to proprietary content and research, including a robust resource library with trends and reports about how best to engage and manage volunteers. Service Enterprise Initiative recommended for these Key Benefits Access to a research-based program which according to research by the TCC Group will transform your organization into one of the top 11% of nonprofits in volunteer management and organizational performance. A diagnostic evaluation of current volunteer engagement practices with customized recommendations for improvement. 16 hours of training focused on change-management and volunteer engagement strategies and best practices. 15-20 hours of individualized coaching and the support of a [...]

By |March 21st, 2023|Categories: Learning and Development, Resources and Samples, VEP Ecosystem Offerings|Comments Off on Service Enterprise Initiative Recommended
  • SAVMA Volunteer Fair

SAVMA Volunteer Fair 2023 April 20th- Registration Now Open

SAVMA Volunteer Fair 2023- April 20th Recruitment and Recognition Fair 2023 Registration Open The SAVMA Volunteer Fair 2023 will take place at Reid Park Zoo on April 20th.  Community members are invited to attend from 4:30PM-7PM and celebrate their volunteerism during this Volunteer Appreciate Week event! This event is open to the public. Volunteer Fair 2023 (for the public- volunteers) This event is for you and we cannot wait to see you at the fair. You do not need to register. To put you in the right mood click here for the Zoo map. Check in with the agency with whom you volunteer and see if they are attending. If not, encourage them to register below. Volunteer Fair 2023- For Volunteer Managers Organizations planning on hosting a table must register now by April 10th. Please invite all your volunteers to attend to celebrate volunteer appreciate week. Organizational, supporting and partner [...]

By |March 20th, 2023|Categories: SAVMA Events|Comments Off on SAVMA Volunteer Fair 2023 April 20th- Registration Now Open
  • volunteer administrator skills assessment

Volunteer Administrator Skills Assessment- Now Open

7 Industry Standards and their Competencies The "Body of Knowledge and Competency Framework" by the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA) provide the questions for the volunteer administrator skills assessment. The 7 standards are listed below as reference before you begin the survey: Plan for Strategic Volunteer Engagement Advocate for Volunteer Involvement Attract and Onboard a Volunteer Workforce Prepare Volunteers for their Roles Document Volunteer Involvement Manage Volunteer Performance and Impact Acknowledge, Celebrate and Sustain Volunteer Involvement Volunteer Administrator Skills Assessment The survey is open to all Volunteer Management professionals in SAVMA's area. It takes approximately 10 minutes to complete the survey. This assessment is for Volunteer Administrators or those whose primary duties are the recruitment, supervision and retention of volunteers. It is NOT an assessment of volunteerism within an organization, but rather an assessment of the skills of individual Volunteer Administrators. You do not need to be a [...]

By |March 1st, 2023|Categories: Member Feedback|Comments Off on Volunteer Administrator Skills Assessment- Now Open
  • 2023 Proposed Leadership

2023 Proposed Leadership

2023 Proposed Leadership The 2023 proposed leadership slate of officers and directors are on the agenda for the February 16, 2023 meeting of the general membership. At the annual meeting in 2023 the vote for officers was postponed for additional recruitment efforts. All things considered, a heroic effort was made in 2022 to complete this task onetime. Nominations may be made from the floor at that time, or by submitting interest to SAVMA email. A simple majority of members present may vote on the slate. Members may submit a proxy no less than 24 hours before the election. Officers Jennifer Lohse (President): Jennifer has served in the nonprofit sector for more than 25 years in a variety of leadership and executive roles. She holds a Certified Nonprofit Professional credential from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (formerly American Humanics). As the Vice President and External Relations of the "Tucson Foundations," she works [...]

By |February 4th, 2023|Categories: SAVMA Programs|Comments Off on 2023 Proposed Leadership

Join Us for The Annual AL!VE Conference October 18th 9:30am-5:00pm

  This years focus on equipping leaders of volunteers with skills to determine what data is useful and how to tell impactful stories using different tools and technologies. Not only is this great information for those that work with volunteers but this can be applied across organizations. SAVMA members receive a discounted rate and all attendees will receive snacks and lunch! Click Here To Register    

By |September 1st, 2022|Categories: SAVMA Events, VEP Ecosystem Offerings|Comments Off on Join Us for The Annual AL!VE Conference October 18th 9:30am-5:00pm

What’s the Deal with Volunteer Engagement Surveys?

Volunteer engagement surveys are conducted to solicit key information from volunteers on a variety of topics, including values, engagement, diversity and inclusion, leadership and management, colleagues, communication, work environment and culture. What’s the purpose of volunteer engagement surveys? Volunteer engagement surveys allow organizations to use input from volunteers to review and improve their programs. Insights from volunteers are incredibly useful in determining areas that are working well or need improvement. Additionally, a survey can help organizations understand how to grow their volunteer base and increase volunteer satisfaction. In short, a strategic volunteer engagement survey provides organizations with an insider perspective on how they are meeting their organizational goals—and can help guide decision making for a stronger future. What are the benefits? Volunteer engagement surveys provide data with relevance to several key areas, including: Volunteer recruitment and retention: Understand levels of volunteer engagement and the key factors that drive this. Volunteer [...]

By |June 13th, 2022|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off on What’s the Deal with Volunteer Engagement Surveys?
  • Stamp out hunger, Saturday, May 14th, 2022 a volunteer event opportunity

Volunteer event opportunity: Stamp Out Hunger

Stamp Out Hunger on Saturday, May 14th Volunteer Event Opportunity The National Association of Letter Carrier’s Stamp-Out-Hunger food drive will occur on Saturday, May 14th   in Tucson. These NALC food drives take place all over the United States and are the country’s largest single-day food drive. Want to volunteer? The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona is recruiting nearly 400 volunteers at 12 different stations and needs your help! We are still recruiting hundreds of volunteers for May 14th. This is a great opportunity for families with children 12 years old and up. Volunteers  unload postal trucks, filled with food and then sort the food on site. To view all the different locations, and specific details pertaining to each opportunity (including shift times) click here. To volunteer as an individual, or as a team, contact Volunteer Services at: volunteer@communityfoodbank.org or (520) 882-3292. Volunteer event opportunity posts are a benefit of [...]

By |April 29th, 2022|Categories: Member Share, SAVMA Events|Comments Off on Volunteer event opportunity: Stamp Out Hunger
  • Volunteer Appreciation Ideas for National Volunteer Week Appreciation 2022

Volunteer Appreciation Ideas

Volunteer Appreciation Ideas How To: Appreciate Your Volunteers It’s National Volunteer Appreciation Week, and in honor of the occasion, we have volunteer appreciation ideas and tips to share showing your volunteers they matter -- this week, and always.  While showing appreciation for volunteers is a nice thing to do, it also benefits the recipient and the organization. Intentionally building recognition into your organization’s culture motivates volunteers and can help you retain them—and even attract new ones.  How does volunteer appreciation benefit you, your volunteers, and your organization? Volunteer appreciation increases morale. Even a simple "thank you" or "good job" from a supervisor can go a long way in making a person feel confident and proud in their job, as can more significant rewards. That confidence and pride can help make an even better volunteer. Volunteer appreciation enables you to keep good help and attract more. Recognition encourages the best people [...]

By |April 18th, 2022|Categories: Learning and Development, Resources and Samples|Comments Off on Volunteer Appreciation Ideas

Resources from the Pima County Library

Typically, when we think of the library, we think of books. But the library offers a wealth of in-person and online resources that are always free to use, from events to learning tools to help with pretty much anything. While these include fun pastimes like streaming services, the seed library, and one-on-one writing consultations with Writer In Residence Wynne Brown, the library also offers a variety of professional resources.  Resources include:  1. Ignite: Business & Nonprofits | Pima County Public Library Ignite is a hub for services for businesses and nonprofits. The website can connect you to resources, including grant and foundation databases.  The free online grant seeker training, sample proposals, and nonprofit management skill-building are worth the trip. Ignite also publishes monthly newsletters, one for business news and resources and one for grant opportunities. 2. Online Courses If your organization or volunteers are interested in expanding their skills, the [...]

By |March 15th, 2022|Categories: Member Share, Resources and Samples|Tags: , |Comments Off on Resources from the Pima County Library

May 17th-Working with Wildcats and What to Expect

Join Us on May 17th at Habitat for Humanity Overview: Alexei Marquez, Coordinate at the University of Arizona (ASUA) will present will review what VolunteerUA tells our students about engaging with community partners and what community partners can anticipate will occur when they have UA students working with them. Who: Alexei Marquez is a native Tucsonan and full-time Coordinator of Service for the Student Governance and Programs department at the University of Arizona. She has a BA in Secondary English Education with a minor in Spanish and a MA in Language, Reading, and Culture from the UA. Currently, she is a Doctoral Student in the Educational Leadership and Policy program at the UA College of Education. A soon to be mother of three, Alexei also serves on the UA Hispanic Alumni Board, as a faculty advisor for Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority Inc. and is part of the SAVMA Board.

By |April 16th, 2018|Categories: Learning and Development, Uncategorized|Comments Off on May 17th-Working with Wildcats and What to Expect

February 16th- Grow Your Volunteer Funding: Securing Grants to Help Your Cause

Join us for our engaging February program on growing your volunteer funding with grants.  In today’s ever-competitive funding environment, nonprofits often seek grants to grow their revenue. Grants are just one of many ways to grow the funding you seek to support your mission. In this special workshop, tailored to volunteer program needs, we’ll talk about the way grant funding fits into your overall revenue plan, explore savvy ways to prospect for new funders, and discuss ways to position your volunteer activities to best justify your grant requests. We’ll break into small groups and have plenty of time for Q&A.

By |February 10th, 2017|Categories: Learning and Development, SAVMA Events, SAVMA Programs|Comments Off on February 16th- Grow Your Volunteer Funding: Securing Grants to Help Your Cause

Monthly SAVMA Meeting for January 2016

Invest in Your Professional Growth!   MONTHLY SAVMA MEETING 2016 The next SAVMA meeting is on Wednesday, January 13th from 11:30 am-1:00 pm at Habitat for Humanity (3501 N. Mountain Ave (85719). Join us as our own, Diane Haeger, brings us into the New Year with her wise and knowing ways! New Year, New Ideas: Creating a Vision for Your Program and Yourself. Come start the New Year with your SAVMA colleagues looking at old problems in a new way. We will spend a little time looking at different approaches to problem solving, brainstorming and idea generation—then we will spend most of our time practicing with each other using our own real-life issues. Come share your obstacles and opportunities with others who really get what it’s like to work with volunteers, docents, interns and administrators. Leave energized with new ideas to make 2016 the year you envision!      

By |December 30th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off on Monthly SAVMA Meeting for January 2016

SAVMA Holiday Luncheon

Whether Your Naughty or Nice Its time for SAVMA's Annual Holiday Luncheon Wednesday, December 16, 2016 from 11:30am-1:00pm All Members and Non-Members invited!!   Habitat For Humanity: 3501 N Mountain Ave 85719 Please RSVP to Gina by Friday, December 11, 2016  by phone: 321-3704 x153 by email: ghansen@hssaz.org $15 fee if you are not a paid member       Catered by Little Mexico (vegetarian options) Raffle Great conversation

By |November 19th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off on SAVMA Holiday Luncheon