Jennifer Lohse

#BlackOutTuesday & #TheShowMustBePaused (June 2, 2020)   The music and performing arts industries asked that BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) voices take center stage online on June 2, 2020.  An additional note of support was provided from organizers to ask that if you are muting yourself, please do not use #BlackLivesMatter as it defeats the purpose. We have several performing arts organizations that are SAVMA members as well as individual members wishing to understand how to support their volunteers or become better allies. We offer the above guidance from the organizers.      

Last year at this time, SAVMA hosted the Census at a monthly program. This weekend marks the launch of 2020 Census Digital Action Weekend: May 1-3 and we have reached an important milestone in the 2020 Census: More than half of the households in our nation have responded – that’s nearly 80 million responses! As we recognize this achievement, we thank you for your support and ongoing effort to Get Out the Count, as well as your continued outreach to encourage self-response, especially among the hardest-to-count populations. We thank our partners, the public, and everyone who has helped to shape the success of the 2020 Census. We aim to count everyone accurately while we support efforts to protect the health and safety of the American public and the Census Bureau team. Current times are unprecedented, but they also present an opportunity to reach families digitally across the nation and work [...]

SAVMA wants to support and learn from our community's Volunteer Engagement professionals..... In an effort to do this, we have created a short 12 question survey with a focus on what your organization and volunteer program is experiencing during this time of uncertainty. We hope to not only hear your feedback and voice, but also find out what we can do the same or differently in the future for our programs IF a similar situation arises. We plan to share the findings of this survey with all of our members on Monday, March 30th.  Thank you so much for the work you are doing to support your communities work which can be even more challenging in these uncertain times. We know there is an overwhelming amount of COVID-19 information out there, but we'd like to be specific to our community; we are stronger together, and we appreciate your willingness to [...]

Thank you to photographer, Michael Kloth the photos are in! If you a looking for additional photos from the event, perhaps they were shot by an amazing volunteer. Those can be found on our Facebook Page in the event album.

The Volunteer Center at United Way has provided an online volunteer matching platform since it adopted the work for the Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona nearly 10 years ago. We are transitioning a more user-friendly, app-based platform and are excited to share the product and demo the opportunity creation process for volunteer managers. Learning Objectives:  Attendees will learn the primary features of the Golden Volunteer App and how to create and promote opportunities to volunteer with their organization. Attendees will also learn how to walk volunteers through the process of downloading the app, signing up for volunteer opportunities, and checking in to their selected opportunities to track their hours. Presenter: Ken Briggs, Associate Vice President, Community Development at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona Ken Briggs has been a teacher, teacher trainer, assistant professor and college administrator, nonprofit executive director and regional director, and now oversees financial wellness initiatives [...]

One of the largest volunteer engaging organizations in Southern Arizona is the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Their mission is to change lives in the communities they serve by feeding the hungry today, and building a healthy, hunger-free tomorrow. Thank you to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona for your dedication in integrating volunteers in all areas of your mission. Thank you for sponsoring the SAVMA Awards 2020. Your support of volunteers and those that support them is helping us build a stronger community!

Southern Arizona's top volunteers to be honored at awards breakfast (Arizona Daily Star) By Loni Nannini Special to the Arizona Daily Star  Jan 7, 2020 If your vision for 2020 includes volunteerism, the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association offers the perfect opportunity to kick-start your New Year’s resolution. The organization is hosting the 2020 SAVMA Awards and Workshop at 8 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. Celebrations about the impact of volunteers — along with inspiration and motivation for those who work with volunteers and those considering donating time and talent — are front and center at the event, said event chair Jessica Dennes. Read More

Southern Arizona's top volunteers to be honored at awards breakfast https://tucson.com/news/local/southern-arizona-s-top-volunteers-to-be-honored-at-awards/article_c939f578-88b9-555b-80b8-5d9013154e8e.html By Loni Nannini Special to the Arizona Daily Star Jan 7, 2020 The Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association Youth Volunteer Group of the Year Winner is the Zoo Crew from the Reid Park Zoo. If your vision for 2020 includes volunteerism, the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association offers the perfect opportunity to kick-start your New Year’s resolution. The organization is hosting the 2020 SAVMA Awards and Workshop at 8 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. Celebrations about the impact of volunteers — along with inspiration and motivation for those who work with volunteers and those considering donating time and talent — are front and center at the event, said event chair Jessica Dennes. “Without volunteers, there are so many services within our community that wouldn’t get done, whether it is sorting food [...]

We were downright joyous when AZ Lotus joined SAVMA Awards 2020 as our media sponsor. We want to thank Arizona Lotus Corp. for their support of those that give their time and talent to our community and to those that support them.   AZ Lotus Corp with radio stations, KLPX, KFMA, KMXZ, KFFN, KCMT and KTKT  is proud to serve the Tucson community through support of non-profit organizations like SAVMA.  We enjoy creating strong, supportive community partnerships with our community partners.  AZ Lotus always  welcomes, with open doors to all non-profit organizations in the Tucson and Southern Arizona areas.

This post is viewable to active members only please log in to see content. [memberonly] The original content of this post can be found on the SARSEF website. Job Title: Volunteer and Events Manager Reports To: COO Status: Full Time, Exempt Job Summary With SARSEF, every Arizona student has the potential to be a scientist or engineer solving problems big and small. We create opportunity for students to think critically and solve problems through science and engineering, but we couldn’t do it without our signature events or the volunteers who make it possible. As SARSEF’s Volunteer and Events Manager, you will plan, run day-of operations for, and evaluate our major events as well as build, grow and manage the more robust volunteer program we need in order to keep up with the growth of our organization. In both the event and volunteer aspects of the role, you will lead well-established projects and build new [...]

SAVMA event recognizes outstanding volunteers Tori Carlson, Special to Inside Tucson Business | Dec 20, 2019 Southern Arizona is home to thousands of warm-hearted talented people, passionate to help the community without a request for anything in return. Volunteers that help others are integral to our community and to organizations that rely on their assistance, dedication and input. According to the 2018 “Volunteering in America” report, one in three adults volunteered through an organization. Their help included fundraising, food donations and meal preparation, transportation and labor support, tutoring/teaching/mentoring and lending professional and management expertise. Read More

The North Carolina Association of Volunteer Administration (NCAVA) is pleased to offer the Basics in Volunteer Management course online. The course will cover volunteer recruitment, retention, risk management, recognition, etc. Jan. 14 – Mar. 17, 2020 (10 weeks). REGISTRATION FORM MUST BE COMPLETED & RECEIVED BY JAN. 10, 2019.. PLEASE NOTE: if these dates are not convenient, agencies/organizations with approximately 8 or more students can request a customized online class. After enrollment, there is no set time to "log on" each day. You can access the course from any computer with Internet access. Graduates of the class will receive one Continuing Education credit from Southeastern Community College (Whiteville, NC), 12 hours toward NCAVA certification as a Certified Administrator of Volunteers in North Carolina, as well as several completed components of the certification portfolio. The tuition cost of the course is $70, made payable to Southeastern Community College. A handbook is required [...]

Those organizations committing to a Table Sponsorship or above, are eligible to submit a volunteer for Community Service Recognition at the upcoming breakfast on January 16, 2020. 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.   You will be asked to complete an online form which will be used to obtain information about your volunteer that will be used for the printed event program and to highlight their service on the scrolling event screens 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 information [...]

Description: Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern Arizona is seeking a Director of Development to lead the stewardship of corporate, foundation, public, and community donors. The candidate must be innovative and passionate about Candlelighters important mission – Candlelighters supports, serves and advocates for children and adolescents with cancer and other blood disorders, their families, long term survivors, bereaved families, and the professionals that care for them. The successful candidate will engage staff, board, volunteers and families to maximize funding for Candlelighters in order to continue its role serving local children with cancer (other hematological disorders) and their families. Responsibilities: Prioritize funding needs for the organization and develop a clear case for support; Development and execution of a sustainable, long term fundraising plan including: Installing a broad-based annual giving program to sustain and grow operations Maintaining a healthy pipeline of major gift prospects Ensure that the contributed revenues meet or exceed [...]

We will be skipping the October meeting so that we can focus on our October conference on the 22nd. When: October 22nd @ 9AM-4PM What: ‘The Future is Now:  Tech Trends for 2020 and Beyond’ presented by AL!VE, Better Impact, and VMPC (Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada).  Now in its fifth year, this year’s topic will explore how technology impacts our volunteers, programs and agencies, now and in the near and far futures.  Our current streaming event will consist of four 20 minute presentations, followed by a moderated discussion with the other presenters (think Ted talk meets late night tv), including responding to questions from the audience. Where: Habitat for Humanity Tucson (3501 N Mountain Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719)   In addition do not forget to check out our other upcoming events and programs!

‘The Future is Now:  Tech Trends for 2020 and Beyond’ Tuesday, October 22 – 9AM - 4PM MST Habitat for Humanity 3501 N. Mountain Ave. It's like TED Talks meets late night talkshow, streamed right here in Tucson with 1000+ Volunteer Administrators participating from all over North America! 'The Future is Now:  Tech Trends for 2020 and Beyond' is the volunteer management conference presented by AL!VE, Better Impact, and VMPC (Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada).  Now in its fifth year, this year's topic will explore how technology impacts our volunteers, programs and agencies, now and in the near and far futures.  Our current streaming event will consist of four 20 minute presentations, followed by a moderated discussion with the other presenters (think Ted talk meets late night tv), including responding to questions from the audience. The broadcast will be streamed live to more than 50 remote locations in the United States and Canada, with [...]

‘The Future is Now:  Tech Trends for 2020 and Beyond’ Tuesday, October 22 – 9AM - 4PM MST Habitat for Humanity 3501 N. Mountain Ave. It's like TED Talks meets late night talkshow, streamed right here in Tucson with 1000+ Volunteer Administrators participating from all over North America! 'The Future is Now:  Tech Trends for 2020 and Beyond' is the volunteer management conference presented by AL!VE, Better Impact, and VMPC (Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada).  Now in its fifth year, this year's topic will explore how technology impacts our volunteers, programs and agencies, now and in the near and far futures.  Our current streaming event will consist of four 20 minute presentations, followed by a moderated discussion with the other presenters (think Ted talk meets late night tv), including responding to questions from the audience. The broadcast will be streamed live to more than 50 remote locations in the United States and Canada, with [...]

Join Us September 19th from 3:30-5PM for our monthly Program at Habitat for Humanity Presentation:  Your (Often Hidden) Role in the Revenue Pie: Volunteer Cultivation and Stewardship for Fundraising Success This session will showcase the ways that stellar volunteer "management" - mainly placement, retention, and recognition, as well as volunteer satisfaction, impact an organization's bottom line, and how your volunteer manager plays a crucial role in both the short and long-term success of your fundraising program. Professional Learning Objectives: 1. The importance of cultivation and stewardship to volunteer satisfaction and fundraising success. 2. Examples of cultivation and stewardship opportunities. 3. Connections between volunteerism and philanthropic action (especially your planned giving pipeline). 4. Ways you can effectively work with your CEO and fundraising staff (and show your hidden fundraising value). About Our Speaker: Jennifer Tersigni, MA, CFRE Jennifer Tersigni is the principal and lead consultant at Raise the Bar Consulting, specializing [...]

Thank you so much for you nominations. We received a healthy array of nominations from our community. We are looking forward to announcing our winners in the very near future. Stay tuned for more information.

Come learn more on August 8th about getting your organization certified! The final cohort for 2019 will start in mid-September with the cohort's orientation. To join this group of organizations seeking certification by Points of Light Foundation as a Service Enterprise, apply here. Where it says "Please indicate the name of the organization that will be leading your SEI transformation..." click on Arizona Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism. The group will be trained by members of the Southern Arizona Service Enterprise Trainer Corps. They come from Northern Arizona University's Civic Service Institute, Habitat for Humanity Tucson, American Red Cross, Humane Society of Southern Arizona, Interfaith Community Services, and United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. If you'd like to learn more, please attend a brief informational session on August 8 at 3:30pm at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, 330 N. Commerce Park Loop, in the Ironwood Room. If you [...]

Come Learn Why The Census Matters To Your Organization Presentation: Building Capacity Through Good Data: Why The Census Matters To Your Organization The 2020 Census is just around the corner. It will take the participation of our whole community to ensure that every person is counted once, only once, and in the right place. Census data is used to find critical programs used by the people you work with and serve, and will directly impact Arizona's congressional representation. Learn how your volunteers can make a difference, and explore how achieving an accurate count can benefit your community and organization. Professional Learning Objectives: Understand how Census data is used to fund critical services, from education, to healthcare, to infrastructure. Explore how you can leverage Census data to better serve your community. Create a plan for reaching out to those who may be difficult to count. About our Speaker: Havala Schumacher, Partnership [...]

We were so hoping to have our happy hour this July, but unfortunately with all of our travel schedules and work conferences we decided to push it back to a time when we might all find each other in town and able to enjoy a mix and mingle. Please take some time off to rest and recover this summer. Caring for volunteers is such an important role in our organizations and we know you need a little self care too. We will see you in August!  

2019 Arizona Summit on Volunteerism and Civic Engagement Workshop RFP Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family Deadline for Submission: July 26, 2019 Selection Notification: August 14, 2019 Summit Date: November 7, 2019 Request for Proposals Workshop proposals are requested from presenters that will engage volunteers, volunteer managers, civic engagement leaders, service-learning practitioners, public and private educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofits, youth groups, community and faith-based groups, AmeriCorps and Senior Corps Members, Citizen Corps groups, service clubs, corporation and business leaders in preparing for a new age of volunteerism, civic engagement and service-learning in our communities. Summit audiences will include urban and rural participants and will represent various types of organizations and program models. We seek sessions that include beginner, intermediate, and advanced. All presenters should keep in mind the diversity of the expected participants and provide presentations that speak to specific audiences or to all. Criteria for Selection Sessions [...]

The mission of the Governor's Volunteer Service Awards is to promote an ethic of service and volunteerism and to recognize volunteer efforts that strengthen communities and improve quality of life for Arizonans.  Nominations will be accepted through July 1, 2019.  A statewide panel of judges will recommend the award recipients and an announcement will be made in October. The Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism will host a reception to honor the 18th Annual Award recipients in November 2019. Overall Eligibility Criteria for Award: This award recognizes individuals and groups who have dedicated their hearts, hands, and minds to help strengthen communities and solve persistent problems within the state of Arizona.  Hours served for academic credit should not be included.  Please select the category that best applies to the nominee: Lifetime Community Service - Individuals who have exemplified the ideals of service for 25 years or more. Inspired  Adult Leadership - Individuals 18 years of age [...]

July AL!VE Academy: A Recap of the Points of Light Conference and Update on the National Alliance for Volunteer Engagement As a member of ALIVE, SAVMA can register for this webinar for free! We need one member to agree to host and coordinate this program at their site. Details about the Webinar are below! Description: Dana Litwin, CVA will moderate a discussion about the recent Points of Light conference in St. Paul, MN June 18-20.  In addition, Dana will give an update on the progress of the Alliance for Volunteer Engagement. About our presenter:  Dana Litwin, CVA, is a transformational coach, strategic advisor, and public speaker with a background in team building, environmental conservation and sustainability. Since 2002, Dana has guided organizations in the Bay Area, Silicon Valley, and nationwide to produce breakthrough volunteer and community engagement programs, as well as board and advisory committee development. Drawing upon 20+ years in [...]

Local Moderator and SAVMA member, Alexei Marquez,  will facilitate our debrief and activities after we dive into a Special Volunteer Pro streamed presentation! In this 60-minute live recording, you will learn change management and internal marketing tactics you can use to gain better buy-in and support for volunteer services. This webinar was originally presented on November 30, 2016. In this 60-minute live recording, you will learn change management and internal marketing tactics you can use to gain better buy-in and support for volunteer services. Convincing decision makers to provide you with the volunteer resources you need to be successful can feel like an epic battle, but it doesn’t need to be. With a little planning and a clearly mapped strategy, you can educate leaders and change hearts and minds. Have no fear, transformations can take place in how organizations support their volunteer initiatives, but it takes advanced leadership skills to [...]

This October 25 & 26 marks the 20th anniversary of United Way's Days of Caring. Days of Caring pairs local needs with caring residents to improve our community one project at a time. Project Submission is now open through August 9. Submit your project before July 12 to be entered to receive a $500 stipend. Click here to submit your project. *They're excited to announce a new, streamlined project submission process! Please complete the google form and they'll contact you with further information about the new website. Volunteer registration opens to the public August 28. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Sponsorship Opportunities Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to show your passion for our community, inspire teamwork and be a part of building a thriving community.  Sign up to become a Days of Caring sponsor today. Email daysofcaring@unitedwaytucson.org for more information. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Last year, nearly 4300 volunteers rolled up their sleeves to complete [...]

This May 16, 2019 at 3:30, Habitat for Humanity Tucson, join us for our monthly SAVMA professional development program. United Way's Days of Caring is our community's single largest volunteer event and this Fall will the the 20th annual event. In 2018, nearly 4300 volunteers completed more than 100 community projects. Whether your organization has participated every year or never before, this presentation will offer helpful tips to craft a meaningful volunteer experience that will stand out amongst a hundred other opportunities. Days of Caring is a great way to engage potential volunteers or donors and is a great way to collaborate with dozens of other local nonprofits to benefit the community as a whole. Professional Learning Objectives: Understanding how to build a community collaboration Develop and create a group volunteer event Build ongoing ties with community leaders Our Presenter Meredith Bode is the Community Engagement Manager for the United [...]

On April 11th from 5PM-7:30PM join us at the Volunteer SoAZ Fair and Celebration. It will be our largest recruitment and celebration event ever. Learn about organizations doing valuable work in our community and find ways to get involved. More than 30 local organizations. *Enjoy free admission to the Reid Park Zoo *Animal Encounters *Rides *Live Music by “Tonight’s Sunshine” *Cash Bar *Cafe will be open

As volunteer managers you possess a valuable collection of experience and expertise on this topic because your job demands creativity, resourcefulness and overcoming the challenges of working with a diverse group of volunteers. Let us help each other build better strategies for appreciating our volunteers’ efforts. Bring the stories of your successes and duds and we will examine the different ways you each appreciate your volunteers (through recognition, rewards, retention) and we will discover the answers to these questions together” Recognition: How do your volunteers know that you and/or your organization appreciate their time, efforts and talents? Rewards: What do you do to reward the efforts of your volunteers? What types of rewards? Retention: What are your strategies for retaining good volunteers?  How do you work with those who don’t work out? We will explore why some things work well and some not so much…just in time for Volunteer Recognition [...]

Presenter, SAVMA Member, and CVA Tori Carlson-Foscz Tori Carlson, Photo Credit: Carlos Chavez Photography   Professional certification signals a commitment to excellence. It confirms that individuals have the knowledge needed to competently attract, onboard and support volunteers. Certification promotes personal confidence, and helps employers hire, verify and reward relevant expertise. Learn about the CVA and how SAVMA can help support you in your pursuit of a CVA. Tori enjoys serving the volunteer community working as Volunteer Resources Manager for Interfaith Community Services for nearly 5 years.  She is a Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA) through CCVA whose goal is to advance excellence in volunteer administration by delivering professional certification and advocating ethical practice.  In 2018, Tori received an appointment by the Governor’s Office as a Commissioner on Service and Volunteerism. She is also currently in training with United Way as a trainer for the Service Enterprise Initiative, a certification [...]

On January 17, 2019 at 9AM at the Tucson Convention Center we will honor the volunteer service of the award winners below! Volunteer of the Year- Mary Ohrazda Youth Volunteers of the Year- El Rio Teen Reproductive Health Access Project Nonprofit Volunteer Program of the Year- Literacy Connects Corporate Volunteer Program of the Year- Tucson Electric Power Company Volunteer Administrator of the Year- Theresa Ulloa   Southern Arizona Volunteer of the Year: Mary Ohrazda   Mary was nominated by Morgan Wells, for her voluntary service to the Tucson Museum of Art In-School Program. She has been volunteering with TMA for the last 26 years. After serving as a Docent at the TMA for only one year, Mary was asked to create and organize a program to provide art education and activities to students in the Tucson Public School system. Over time, the In-School program expanded to offer five different programs [...]

Join us on 11/15 at 3:30PM at Habitat for Humanity for a Workshop on Best Practices for Training Volunteers As presented at last year's National Center for Families Learning Conference, this workshop brings people together to learn and discuss best practices for training their volunteers. Jessica Olivares Dennes is a former language arts teacher and educational consultant. After moving to Tucson five years ago, she began working at Literacy Connects where she became the Volunteer Manager and Trainer for the Reading Seed program, training and supporting over 500 volunteers annually for almost 5 years. Over the last few years, Jessica has presented workshops at local, national and international conferences on topics related to education, literacy and training practices. She is currently working as a quarter-time volunteer coordinator for The Village Church as she stays home to raise her new baby boy.  She holds a masters in Teaching and Teacher Education [...]

'Leading the Way, Not Managing the Day' Hybrid is the volunteer management conference presented by AL!VE, Better Impact, and VMPC.  Now in its fourth year, this year's topic will explore how leaders of volunteers can move from managing to LEADING.  Our streaming event will consist of a 30 minute presentation followed by a moderated discussion with the other presenters (think Ted talk meets late night tv), including responding to questions from the audience.   This year's presentation team: Dana Litwin, CVA – Host and Moderator Dana is a public speaking and management professional with background in environmental conservation; 13 years’ experience building  volunteer and community engagement programs, as well as developing relevant training and educational materials, and presentations.   She is a Board member representing the (Pacific Region) Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE). Member of National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Government (NAVPLG). Dana is Certified in Volunteer Administration (Council [...]

Media Alert Volunteer Celebration and Recognition Awards return to Southern Arizona. Volunteer Awards Breakfast January 17, 2019 8:30 am Tucson Convention Center 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 five of the award categories. https://www.savma.org/2019-volunteer-recognition-event/   Nominations will be accepted for nominees in any of these southern Arizona counties: Pima, Santa Cruz, Graham, Greenlee, or Cochise County. Southern Arizona Volunteer of the Year Corporate or Group Volunteerism Award Nonprofit Volunteer Program of the Year Youth Volunteer of the Year - Individual or Group Volunteer Administrator of [...]

Please encourage Executive Directors and HR Directors to attend! Join us for our September professional development program presented by local employment attorney, Tim Medcoff. This innovative, useful and free anti-harassment seminar will equip you with the necessary tools and support you’ll need to handle complex sexual harassment issues and complaints. Celebrity accusations have led to the #Metoo movement resulting in increased sexual harassment allegations. The outbreak of allegations and heightened public awareness place renewed importance on reviewing policies and procedures while performing thorough investigations to ensure the workplace is safe and productive. Employers, management, and Human Resources professionals must comply with their fiduciary and legal responsibilities. Geared to owners, executives, managers, and Human Resources professionals – this seminar will provide real-world, hands-on advice. Participants will learn the legal elements of a harassment claim, the components to successfully defend a claim, effective investigation techniques, media strategy planning, and much more. Presenter, Tim Medcoff is an [...]

Join Rachel Cheeseman, August 6, 2018 at 3:30PM for a presentation on the local volunteer matching software used by the Volunteer Center. Rachel is the volunteer engagement manager for the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. She has five years of experience in the nonprofit sector and has worked in refugee resettlement as an AmeriCorps VISTA as well as in the community philanthropy sector in Iowa and Arizona. She has a master's degree in social science from the University of Chicago.   GetConnected is a volunteer engagement platform hosted by United Way to connect local volunteers with agencies in need of helping hands. This presentation will help you discover if your agency is on the platform (or create your own agency profile!), update contact information for your agency, create new needs, and run reports! Learning Objectives: Create and edit agency profiles, create and edit agency needs, run simple reports.

Please join your peers at the annual Fun in the Summer Happy Hour. Back by popular demand, Rachele Peterson, Executive Director, University of Arizona-Banner Health All of Us Research Program will present an overview on using LinkedIn personally and professionally. She will remain on hand to review your LinkedIn profiles and compare to your resumes, so be sure to bring a copy of your resume. One lucky person will be selected for a free Organizational SAVMA membership.

Literacy Connects seeks dedicated people with a passion for literacy, education and community collaboration to join our team. As the largest not-for-profit literacy provider in Arizona, Literacy Connects provides diverse education and arts-integration programs that help people of all ages reach their potential. The Adult Basic Literacy (ABL) program trains and supports volunteers to teach basic reading, writing and problem solving skills to adult learners. The Volunteer Manager and Trainer is responsible for assisting the Basic Literacy Program Director in the day-to-day running of the program, supporting students and volunteers, and providing foundational training and ongoing learning opportunities for volunteer instructors. The employee is also involved in designing and planning the evolution of the ABL program. This includes, but is not limited to, design and implementation for modification and/or growth of the program to meet the needs of our students, as well as data collection and analysis for program improvement. Learn more...

Bring your Executive Directors! We will be learning about an organization wide process to maximize the power of volunteers to better meet our missions. The Service Enterprise Initiative is a national change management program, led by Points of Light, that helps organizations better meet their missions through the power of volunteers. Through a comprehensive assessment, training, coaching and certification model, nonprofits are equipped to engage and manage volunteers more effectively to meet community needs. Research shows that nonprofits that operate as Service Enterprises are equally as effective as their peers but at almost half the median budget, and are significantly more adaptable, sustainable and capable of going to scale. The Service Enterprise program is based on rigorous research, and the process includes an application, diagnostic, training, coaching and certification, and is illustrated by the process wheel below. The time it takes an organization to complete this process can vary between six months [...]

SAVMA Members and Not-Yet-Members are invited to join us as we review our successes and challenges in 2017, vote in our 2018 leadership, and enjoy each other's company with a catered lunch. We have a little gift for our members this year, so please RSVP today. Members are free, but not-yet-members will have a minimal cost of $15.00. Please RSVP now. If you are unable to attend and need to vote by proxy, please submit to the Secretary ASAP.

The most critical volunteers in nonprofit organizations are often the most mysterious. Board Members have big jobs, but what do they really do? How can Volunteer Management help them do it? What does it mean to be a fiduciary? What does it mean to have a rubber stamp boad? Come peek behind the curtain and learn about the board of directors , their jobs, and how Volunteer Management can best support their work in a meaningful way. What you will walk away with: - Understand the 3 Legal Guiding Standars - Understand the 10 basic responsibilities of boards of directors - Understand the Board Building Cycle and how Volunteer Management can help Presented by SAVMA President, Jennifer Lohse Jennifer has served in the nonprofit sector for more than 20 years in a variety of leadership positions. She holds a Certified Nonprofit Professional credential from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (formerly American [...]

The most important audience to engage with as a non-profit are your true believers – your volunteers.  Build and sustain a volunteer communications plan that will bolster internal and external goals. Gain an understanding of and the skills to construct, monitor and measure results from a volunteer communications plan.  This requires a unique combination of professional PR tactics and community building.  Along with learning how to combine these elements, you’ll also learn how to determine the specific, measurable results you want and which will support your choice of strategic tools. Elaine Walsh founded E Comm International, Inc. in 1995. The mission of E Comm International, Inc. is to give customers marketing and sales with accountability and velocity and to do it today. Not someday in the future. Every organization is a story telling organization. You have a unique story to tell. Be in charge of your story to create compelling sales [...]

It's like TED Talks meets late night talk show, a streaming conference on accepting, and managing change! October 24th 9-5PM. SPACE IS LIMITED Register Now!!!!! Hosted by Dana Cory Litwin, CVA Session Topics & Speakers: Barbara Harrington, Sponsorships Plus : Overcoming the Challenges in Change Carol Dixon, Providence Health Care:  Navigating Organizational Change Andy Fryar, OzVPM: Change in Your Professional Career Erin Spink:  The Pending Changes in Society This hybrid conference will be hosted by SAVMA locally while live streaming the presenters. SAVMA Member, Sven Olson of Agape Hospice will facilitate local engagement and will give his famous presentation on Self Care for Mortals. AL!VE will be coordinating the speakers, handouts and content. Register Now!!!!!

Bob Shaff founded his firm, Customers for Life Consulting in 1992. Customers for Life Consulting is a marketing consulting firm, dedicated to helping clients improve customer and employee satisfaction, engagement, and loyalty. Customers for Life Consulting assists clients to get better faster than their competition by engaging their employees and by helping them to provide Remarkable Experiences for their customers. Bob speaks on the topics of customer loyalty and Remarkability at corporate events and to companies seeking to improve customer loyalty and employee engagement. Bob is a member of the National Speakers’ Association. Prior to this, Bob was the Manager of Marketing Operations for IBM Corporation, providing sales and service support for IBM customers throughout Southern Arizona. During Bob’s IBM career he held multiple sales and marketing management positions in the banking, finance, health, and government industry groups for IBM. As an IBM marketing representative, Bob earned selection as IBM’s [...]

At this month's SAVMA meeting, Kevin Marshall, will present Everything You Wanted to Know About Budgeting, But Were Afraid to Ask. Budgeting is not only for the bean counters.  It takes money to manage a volunteer program. Volunteer Managers should be able to forecast expenses and communicate the need for support to decision makers within the organization. Learning Objectives & Participant Outcomes: Learn how to determine your ROVI – Return on Volunteer Investment Be able to measure the true costs of your volunteer program Learn how to advocate for your budget needs Kevin Marshall has been a successful accountant for over 20 years, providing clients throughout Arizona with superior accounting and bookkeeping services. An avid member of the Tucson and Phoenix entrepreneurial communities, Mr. Marshall’s innovative way of doing business has received national recognition from news organizations such as: CNN, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. Renowned in the accounting industry [...]

TEP has generously provided a $1,000 grant to support the work of the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association as SAVMA's 2017 Underwriting Sponsor. TEP has been a long standing supporter of SAVMA and of volunteerism throughout their service area. Funds from the grant will be used to support the professional development needs of the SAVMA membership. TEP’s dedication to service goes beyond providing safe, reliable power. The company’s vision statement is to improve the quality of life in the communities they serve. This philosophy is woven into the employee culture at all levels of the organization, from senior management to field employees, power plant operators, customer service representatives and all others within the organization. From serving on local boards of directors to volunteering with their community partners, TEP employees play a direct role in strengthening the places where they live and play. They strive to do more for their customers, [...]

Please join your peers at the annual Fun in the Summer Happy Hour. This year we will have a brief presentation by a resume expert. She will remain on hand to review your resume and discuss the tips and tricks for landing your next job, so be sure to bring a copy of your resume. There will be a gift card raffle and one lucky person will be selected for a free Organizational SAVMA membership.

NOW ANNOUNCING BETTER IMPACT & ALIVE'S VIRTUAL HYBRID CONFERENCE October 24, 2017 (10AM-5PM) Hosted by Dana Cory Litwin, CVA Session Topics & Speakers: Barbara Harrington, Sponsorships Plus : Overcoming the Challenges in Change Carol Dixon, Providence Health Care:  Navigating Organizational Change Andy Fryar, OzVPM: Change in Your Professional Career Erin Spink:  The Pending Changes in Society This hybrid conference will be hosted by SAVMA locally while live streaming the presenters. AL!VE arranges for the speakers, handouts and content. There will be a cost for the event and SAVMA members will receive a discount.

Oh no, we have a last minute change in speaker. Unfortunately Allison Titcomb will not be able to join us this month to discuss benchmarks and volunteer outcomes. However, your Membership Committee has a plan and we need you to attend! Tori Carlson, Volunteer Manager at Interfaith Community Services, SAVMA Member, and brand new Certified Volunteer Administrator, will host an interactive workshop on identifying metrics. Participants will engage with the CVA Competency Framework to identify Key Performance Indicators that are being used by SAVMA members. You will have a chance to discuss your challenges in setting metrics and to find solutions from your peers. Jennifer Lohse will be on hand to facilitate this work so we can leave the room with a document of sample goals with Key Performance Indicators aligned with the CVA competencies. This tool will be available for SAVMA members only following the meeting or for those [...]

On May 18th, Heather Hiscox a recognized leader and innovator in the startup and nonprofit sectors, presented to more than 20 Volunteer Management Professionals. She introduced Lean Innovation and the concepts of making impact by understanding customer empathy and experimenting with solutions to their problems. A copy of her presentation can be found in the Members Only section of the website. In addition Heather provided a few links for inspiration:  Short video refresher of what Lean Innovation is and its impact within other organizations Podcast with San Diego Food Bank VP of Operations Vanessa Moore sharing their experience using Lean Innovation to reinvent their volunteer program Podcast with the Southern Arizona Family Support Alliance’s Director Cholpon Rosengren about the Alliance’s journey applying Lean Innovation principles to their biggest challenges Blog post about how innovation can come from anywhere in an organization Heather provides services and coaching to the nonprofit sector in the areas of:   [...]

Active members of SAVMA will now receive the following Group Membership Benefits. Quarterly Networking Meetings, held virtually on a variety of topics.  Past topics have included Membership and Marketing, Social Media, and Revitalizing your Organization. Check our calendar for future discussion topics.  Meeting notes, resources, and handouts are posted in the 'file archive' section of our website. Be a part of a national network for advocacy, communication, and action. A resource library on our members only file archive - your group is welcome to contribute!  Find templates for conference budgets, peer recognition, marketing, etc. For new groups, we can create a temporary webpage for your group under AL!VE's website until you can establish your own website. Opportunities to partner with your local conference; a board member may be able to present for low or no cost; help with promotion via our website, calendar,  and social media tools. Free promotion and [...]

A new $25.00 per year membership category has been added for college students. Membership in this category is open to students in a two- or four-year degree granting, certificate, or diploma program at an accredited college or university. The following member benefits apply to this new category. SAVMA can benefit you! Networking with colleagues and access to experts in the field Inspiration for meeting the challenges of today Support for those seeking their Certified Volunteer Administrator Certification Access to Peer Mentor Program Benchmarks for success and future growth Displays your commitment to ethics and accountability in volunteer management Member discounts to trainings and events Association with ALIVE (Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement) and access to their trainings and events Access to Webinars and Member only content Résumé building

The SAVMA Board of Directors is pleased to announce our new Committee structure and we are inviting you to participate. This is a great way to engage with your peers and to take an active role in strengthening volunteerism in our community. Committees meet every other month for one hour, because we know your time is valuable. We are Volunteer Managers after all. An overview of the work of the committees is below, but the charters can be found in the Policy Section of our website. Those interested in working with this enthusiastic team can contact us through the website. Communications Committee: Purpose shall be to communicate with SAVMA’s membership and local media through the integration of the organization’s fundraising, marketing, and service delivery activities. Membership Committee: Purpose shall be to recruit, retain, and support the membership of SAVMA. Programs and Events Committee: Purpose shall be to coordinate monthly professional development and [...]

SAVMA is seeking proposals for 2017 General Membership Meetings (third Thursday of every month at 3:30PM). Meetings are typically held at Habitat for Humanity Tucson 3501 N Mountain Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719. Presentations are one hour with 15 minutes of Q and A. Possible topics all relating to volunteer services (not all inclusive): Developing policies and procedures Risk management planning Setting benchmarks Developing an evaluation plan Budgeting Supporting the work of a Board of Directors Designing, implementing and evaluating a communications plan Cultivating and evaluating stakeholder and partner relationships Developing performance objectives for volunteers Designing recruitment plans Evaluating recruitment strategies Streamlining an onboarding process with Lean Management techniques Coaching for performance improvement Maintaining records Evaluating training Continuous Quality Improvement Advocating for volunteers Corporate Engagement Trends Supporting Fundraising Efforts Time Management Nonprofit Ethics   Please complete the 2017_Request for Proposals for Meeting Presenters and include a resume with at least one reference [...]