Create a Winning Nomination: Learn How to Stand Out at the 2026 SAVMA Awards Category: Your Content Goes Here The SAVMA award nomination workshop is designed to help Volunteer Engagement Professionals, nonprofit leaders, and community partners create stronger, more competitive nominations for the 2026 SAVMA Awards. Led by three-year SAVMA Awards Nomination Chair Jill LaBrie, this virtual session will provide practical guidance on the [...]
SAVMA Members: Join the America Gives Initiative As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, a national call to service is taking shape through America Gives. This initiative invites organizations to mobilize volunteers, strengthen communities, and highlight the impact of service across the country. For SAVMA members, the America Gives volunteer initiative presents a clear opportunity to lead. Why the America Gives Initiative Matters Volunteer Engagement Professionals (VEPs) play [...]
SAVMA supports the 2026 Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF), a national initiative led by AmeriCorps. This support reflects SAVMA’s commitment to strengthening volunteer engagement across Southern Arizona and beyond. The VGF plays a critical role in building sustainable volunteer programs. Specifically, it invests in capacity, training, and systems that help organizations recruit and retain volunteers. As a result, nonprofits can deliver stronger and more consistent community impact. At the same [...]
Tucson, AZ - The Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA) is proud to announce the 2026 SAVMA Volunteer Fair, a community-centered event designed to connect individuals with meaningful volunteer opportunities across Southern Arizona. The SAVMA Volunteer Fair brings together nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and community partners to showcase a wide range of volunteer roles that support education, health, social services, environmental stewardship, and more. Attendees will have the opportunity [...]
SAVMA Volunteer Awards 2026 Relive the excitement and celebration of the SAVMA Volunteer Awards 2026 presented by the Governor's Office of Youth, Faith, and Family. Check out our Event Program. Our wonderful photographers from Sol Focus Media, captured our favorite moments. You can view, and even download, copies of the photos on our Facebook page (no account is required). Enjoy a little sample before you leave the page! [...]
Community Service Recognition: Irene Coppola In January, Southern Arizona celebrated volunteerism at the SAVMA Awards, presented by the Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family. Junior Achievement of Arizona submitted Community Service Recognition: Irene Coppola, in honor of a dedicated spirit of service. Organizations submitted individuals and groups for Community Service Recognition to share stories of local volunteerism. Supported by: Irene Coppola: Junior [...]
Complimentary ELEVATE 2026 Conference Registrations for SAVMA Members Category: Your Content Goes Here Complimentary ELEVATE Conference Registration SAVMA Leaders announce a limited professional development opportunity for members. Thanks to the generosity of Tucson Foundations, SAVMA received five complimentary registrations for the ELEVATE 2026 Conference to benefit our members. Each registration has a fair market value of $125 and is fully underwritten to support learning, connection, and [...]
Thriving Together: Self-Care for Volunteer Success Volunteer engagement professionals often carry out meaningful work that touches many lives. The work requires compassion, patience, and focus. Because of this, stress can build quickly. As a result, personal well-being may fade into the background. However, healthy leadership grows when balance and boundaries come first. These ideas guide Thriving Together: Self-Care for Volunteer Success, a session led by Dr. Melissa Hernandez, Jessica [...]
Welcome to SAVMA’s Annual Meeting! Each year, the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA) gathers our community of Volunteer Engagement Professionals (VEPs) for our Annual Meeting — a cornerstone of connection, learning, and reflection. It’s our opportunity to celebrate our collective achievements, elect our leadership, and look forward to the next chapter of growth guided by our strategic plan. This year’s agenda features something significant — an in-person vote [...]
Announcing the SAVMA Award 2026 Honorees The Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA) is thrilled to announce the honorees of the SAVMA Awards 2026. Celebrated on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. at the Tucson Convention Center. These distinguished awardees exemplify the best of volunteerism, leadership, and community engagement across Southern Arizona. We invite you to join us as we celebrate their achievements, honor their contributions, and uplift the [...]
Understanding SAVMA’s Proposed Bylaws Changes What’s Changing and Why It Matters The Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA) is updating its bylaws—the rules that govern the organization's operations. These changes reflect today’s volunteer engagement field, create more flexibility for members, and prepare SAVMA for long-term growth and success. Read the read-lined version of the revised Bylaws in their entirety here>>>>>>>>>> With this in mind, here are the key updates: [...]
Introducing the SAVMA Awards Keynote Speaker: Brenda Meller Inspiring Volunteer Engagement in a Time of Renewal Across the United States, volunteerism is experiencing a renaissance. More than 75 million Americans—28.3% of the population—formally volunteered between 2022 and 2023. As a result, they collectively contributed nearly 5 billion hours of service valued at $167 billion. Furthermore, Arizona alone outpaced the national average with a 30% formal volunteering rate while also [...]
10 Tips to Increase Your Odds of Writing a Winning Volunteer Award Nomination In a world where acts of kindness and community support often go unnoticed, volunteer awards provide a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on those who dedicate their time and energy to making a positive impact. Writing a winning volunteer award nomination is an art that requires both heartfelt storytelling and strategic presentation. Whether you're nominating [...]
🌟 Why ADHD Inclusion Matters in Volunteerism Volunteer programs succeed when every person feels seen, supported, and empowered to serve. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects millions of adults worldwide, yet volunteer settings rarely consider how to accommodate neurodivergent volunteers. Inclusive practices aren’t just ethical—they improve team performance, retention, and community impact. 💙 SAVMA’s vision of a connected network of Volunteer Engagement Professionals (VEPs) depends on acknowledging that volunteers bring diverse [...]
💰 Tax Considerations for 2025: Paying It Forward and Paying It Yourself 👋 Welcome! Every March, as tax season rolls around, many of us review receipts, registrations, and charitable acknowledgments with a mix of curiosity and confusion. For Volunteer Engagement Professionals (VEPs), there’s often a double challenge:1️⃣ Managing your own professional-development expenses.2️⃣ Guiding your volunteers who ask, “Can I deduct my volunteer mileage or training?” This post offers [...]
SAVMA Awards 2025 We hope you were able to join us for celebration of the SAVMA Awards 2025. A copy of our Event Program can be downloaded in PDF format. Our wonderful photographers from Delta Productions, captured our favorite moments. You can view, and even download, copies of the photos on our Facebook page. (No account is required). Enjoy a little sample before you leave the page! [...]
SAVMA Awards 2024 Relive the excitement and celebration of the SAVMA Awards 2024 presented by the Governor's Office of Youth, Faith, and Family. A copy of our Event Program can be downloaded in PDF format. Our wonderful photographers from Delta Productions, captured our favorite moments. You can view, and even download, copies of the photos on our Facebook page. (No account is required). Enjoy a little sample before you [...]
