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On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the Southern Arizona Volunteer Managers Association (SAVMA) hosted its 5th Annual SAVMA Fair—a vibrant celebration of community spirit, connection, and volunteerism—set against the lush backdrop of Reid Park Zoo. This year’s event was made possible by the generous sponsorship of TMC Health, whose support helped bring this unique evening to life. If you attended the SAVMA Volunteer Fair on April 24th, you would know that 2025 saw Volunteer Fair growth. This is a sign that volunteerism has increased since the pandemic. With 726 attendees filling the zoo’s paths, the SAVMA Fair was more than just a volunteer fair—it was a festive, purposeful gathering. Over 40 local nonprofits set up booths, ready to engage the community and share their missions, needs, and upcoming opportunities. Whether guests were new to volunteering or already deeply involved, the fair offered a one-of-a-kind chance to connect with causes close to [...]

Q&A with Jessica Jessica O'Donnell is the Volunteer Coordinator at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest. She was born and raised in a small town outside of Yuma Arizona called Wellton and graduated from NAU with a dual degree in Public Relations and Photography. Jessica O'Donnell     Ask a Volunteer Manager Series To be featured in this series, email SavmaTucson@gmail.com with your request. We would love to hear from you! How did you get started in this field? I have always had a passion for nonprofit work and volunteering. When I graduate from NAU I had several non profit jobs in different areas (such as communication, outreach, program and development.) When I moved to Tucson I got my first volunteer coordinator position and the pieces fell into place. I find joy in helping volunteers find their perfect [...]

The Southern Arizona Virtual Volunteer Fair SAVMA partnered with United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona and the Green Valley/Sahuarita Volunteer Clearinghouse to bring you the Southern Arizona Virtual Volunteer Fair! Eleven organizations had the chance to create short videos that showed the various volunteer opportunities that are safely available. To learn more, watch the video and visit: https://www.unitedwaytucson.org/virtual_volunteer_fair

Q&A with Graciela Graciela Jauregui is the Volunteer Program Coordinator at Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse. She has been in the field for nearly two years. Originally from Yuma, Arizona, Graciela moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona between 2008 and 2017 and earned four different degrees. Graciela Jauregui, Volunteer Program Coordinator at Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse Graciela's dog is named Mr. Fluffs. Ask a Volunteer Manager Series To be featured in this series, email SavmaTucson@gmail.com with your request. We would love to hear from you! How did you get started in this field? I never thought about being a Volunteer Coordinator, it just kind of happened. After finishing school, I was looking for jobs in the nonprofit and public health sector and was introduced to Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse by a friend of mine. [...]

We appreciated our community of Volunteer Managers participating in a special Brainstorm Chat around virtual volunteering on August 5th. Fellow Volunteer Managers had a few great ideas to share with you about how to safely continue your work with volunteers. See the recap below! Many organizations have paid staff working and meeting remotely right now. Organizations have also expressed a need to create virtual volunteer opportunities, as in-person possibilities shift. Opportunities for people to volunteer from home Sew items like masks Virtual mentoring or tutoring, either one-on-one or in small groups Make cards for clients. One organization posted this need on VolunteerMatch and received cards from volunteers in Hawaii! Reid Park Zoo has volunteers virtually monitor web cameras of the animals NAMI sponsors virtual family support groups, school groups, and texting with students Socially distanced volunteer opportunities Volunteer drivers bringing clients to appointments while clients wear masks in the back [...]

Like many organizations, the board members of the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association began asking big questions about how to move forward once COVID-19 changed the nature of our work. Here is a look at a few changes that we have made that will be in effect through the end of the year. Virtual Programming to Continue We work hard to ensure that we provide our members with quality professional development workshops and programs each month. Starting in April, we began offering our programs virtually to members and guests and will continue to offer virtual programming throughout the rest of the year. We were pleased to see that more people could take advantage of virtual offerings as driving time was no longer a barrier and hope that more people can continue to benefit from our monthly programs. The SAVMA Awards 2021 Sadly, due to the uncertainty surrounding health and safety [...]

#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.      

Community Service Recognition: Cindy Robertson In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Cindy Robertson: Founder of HeArt Works "Cindy volunteers each week at the Boys & Girls Club to teach youth about art and self-expression. What started as an hour a week has now turned into 10-20 hours volunteering with our youth. The young people love “Miss Cindy” and turn to her for advice, support and love. She knows them each by name and they trust her. “Many things change in these kids’ lives, but the constant of having ‘Miss Cindy’ [...]

Community Service Recognition: Howard Stewart In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Howard Stewart: CEO, AGM Container Controls "Howard has been serving as the Tocqueville Society Chair for the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona Campaign Cabinet since 2015. He is a member of the Board of Directors, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona through 2021. He has also served as a Member of the Board of Directors for the Tucson Metro Chamber, as well as a member of the President's Council for San Miguel High School. Howard was [...]

Community Service Recognition: Nichole Burke In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Nichole Burke: Troop 210 Leader, Area Team Manager Southwest Area "Thank you for your commitment to building girls of courage, confidence, and character! At Girl Scouts, our mission is driven by the dedicated volunteers who put a generous amount of time, effort and love into Girl Scouting in our community. It is our honor and privilege to recognize Nichole Burke for all that she has done, and continues to do, for our organization. It is because of volunteers like [...]

Community Service Recognition: Judy Dare In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Judy Dare: Volunteer at Habitat for Humanity "Judy Dare has been volunteering with Habitat Tucson for the past 20 years, and has worked behind the scenes in every imaginable way. Working retail at the HabiStore. Hammering away on the build site. Supporting staff at the office. Serving on the Habitat Board. But partnering with families—walking them through sweat equity, financial classwork, and mortgage payments—was hands-down her favorite part. To this day, she's still good friends with a family she [...]

Community Service Recognition: Jack McDuff In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Jack McDuff: Volunteer Extraordinaire at the YMCA "At 93, Jack McDuff is still full of vigor and energy. His late wife, Eileen once said of Jack, “He’s proactive. He’s dynamic. He’s a ‘can do’ kind of guy.” She said his attitude and spirit are fueled by his “warm heart and compassion for others.” That leadership and nonstop effort typifies Jack as he lets most anyone he meets know that supporting the mission of the YMCA is critical to our [...]

Community Service Recognition: Dana Smith In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH!   Dana Smith: Women's Empowerment Lead Volunteer Dana is the lead volunteer with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW) in the Refugee Women’s Empowerment Program. Weekly, for over a year, she has planned and led free sewing classes for refugee women in Tucson, AZ. Through these classes, she teaches them valuable skills, and works on building community and confidence for women who have lived through unspeakable traumas. Although they do not speak the same languages, she communicates through [...]

Community Service Recognition: Shari Murphy In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Shari Murphy: Warehouse Volunteer at the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona "Shari Murphy is a volunteer extraordinaire. She has been a volunteer for the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona for over a year, and regularly volunteers at other organizations such as WomanKraft, TIHAN and Valley of the Moon, to name a few. You may have seen her bopping around town in her famous purple VW bug. She always comes to the Diaper Bank with a smile on her face [...]

Community Service Recognition: Maureen McCarthy In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Maureen McCarthy: Advisory Board Member and Past Chair of Green Valley Sahuarita Volunteer Clearinghouse "Maureen McCarthy, CVA, just retired after 13 years as Senior Recreation Supervisor at Green Valley Recreation where she managed over 2,000 volunteers. She still manages their volunteer program as an independent contractor. She has presented workshops at the Arizona Parks and Recreation conference, Volunteer Administrators’ Academy at the Arizona Summit on Volunteerism and Service Learning and at SAVMA. Maureen has a history of over thirty [...]

Community Service Recognition: Michelle Carnes In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Michelle Carnes: Board Chairperson, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona "Michelle Carnes has been a dedicated supporter and volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona for decades. As a former Big Sister Michelle mentored her Little Sister Crystal through her formative years, encouraging Crystal's creative talents while planning fun and educational outings. After 25 years their relationship is still strong, remaining family and friends who share everything from motherhood to being business owners. Michelle's compassion and [...]

Community Service Recognition: Lois Weimuth In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH!   Lois Weimuth: Shelter Volunteer "Lois has volunteered with the Humane Society of Southern Arizona for 16+ years. She is one of the most amazing volunteers we have. Everyday when she comes in, often she is the first person here, she assesses what needs to be done and how she can help meet those needs. Lois is a doer. She spends her time walking dogs, mentoring other volunteers, working with difficult dogs (5 to 10 per day) following their [...]

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 [...]

Community Service Recognition: Jon and Rosemary Beck In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Jon and Rosemary Beck: Resource Volunteers "People often share that they feel something extraordinary when they walk into Literacy Connects. They describe feelings of joy, inclusivity, and love of learning. What they don't realize is that our space is not extraordinary; our volunteers are. Since 2016, Jon and Rosemary have shared close to 900 hours of their skilled time with Literacy Connects. What makes this husband and wife duo so extraordinary is their willingness to say ""YES."" [...]

Community Service Recognition: Chris & Jeff Goldberg In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Chris & Jeff Goldberg: Champion Volunteers at Easterseals Blake Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Goldberg devote most of their time to volunteering throughout our community. We feel honored to have them on our team. They spend a lot of time at Aviva Children's Services, our foster care programs, sorting through huge amounts of donations so we can provide children in foster care with much needed clothing, backpacks, school supplies, shoes, coats, and much more. When needed, they are [...]

Community Service Recognition: Edward (Jim) Nicewander In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Edward (Jim) Nicewander: Transportation and Transportation Scheduler for Interfaith Community Services Edward (Jim) Nicewander is a dedicated transportation volunteer for many isolated seniors that rely on Interfaith Community Services for essential rides to medical and other life-needs appointments. Jim’s dedication and compassion is evident in his commitment to help meet the transportation needs of ICS recipients. Jim not only drives hundreds of miles a year on a regular basis, but also responds to last minute driving needs that [...]

Community Service Recognition: Linda Koral In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Linda Koral: President, CASA Support Council of Pima County Inc. "Linda was elected as a board member on the CASA Support Council for Pima County, Inc. in 2010, after being a CASA in Pima County for 5 years. As a CASA she became aware that foster children are generally behind in their educational progress, primarily lacking fundamental skills in Reading and Math. Many have missed a lot of school, due to factors beyond their control. The initial goal for [...]

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 [...]

Announcement: The University of Arizona is hosting an event called "Internship Best Practices" on March 17th for organizations interested in learning more about building their internship programs for university students. Visit the following website to register: https://www.mpace.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1337112&group= ****** As Volunteer Managers, you likely understand the needs of your organization and how involving university students in your organization’s mission could make a positive impact. This semester, I joined the University of Arizona as the Internship Coordinator for the School of Sociology and so far, I have enjoyed learning about how students’ skills are being utilized in positive ways. While I have spoken to many at SAVMA about the new role and how the program works, I wanted to share this information with the rest of SAVMA. The University of Arizona’s School of Sociology Internship Program provides opportunities for juniors and seniors to gain real-world experience in their fields while supporting organizations [...]

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

      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jessica Dennes, SAVMATucson@gmail.com  For more information: icstucson.org, savma.org Interfaith Community Services wins top volunteer awards Tucson, Nov. 4— Interfaith Community Services is Southern Arizona’s Nonprofit Volunteer Program of the Year and one of its board members also earned top honors from the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association. ICS — which aims to help people in need achieve stable, healthy and independent lives — and longtime volunteer Scott Summerford will be honored Jan. 16 at the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association Awards, which recognize all levels of volunteerism including individuals, nonprofits and corporations. “Winning these awards for ICS is just an honor,” said Chief Executive Office Tom McKinney. “They come to us because of the work of so many different volunteers throughout our community that serve those that are in the most need. It really just reaffirms how people can come together and actually serve those that [...]

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 [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jessica Dennes, savmatucson@gmail.com  For more information: pimacountycasa.org, savma.org Court Appointed Special Advocate Volunteer wins top volunteer award Tucson, Oct. 24— Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer, Steve Johnson, is being awarded the Southern Arizona Volunteer of the Year from the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association. Steve Johnson, a CASA Volunteer and Peer Coordinator with the CASA of Pima County Program will be honored Jan. 16, 2020 at the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association Awards, which recognize all levels of volunteerism including individuals, nonprofits and corporations. According to Jill LaBrie, CASA Coordinator for Johnson, “All of our staff are very excited for Steve and believe he is well deserving of the recognition. Steve has shared that he does this because he, himself grew up in foster care, before CASA’s existence, and wants to pay it forward and give children in foster care what he didn’t have”. SAVMA [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jessica Dennes, savmatucson@gmail.com  For more information: swgas.com, savma.org Southwest Gas wins volunteer award Tucson, Oct. 21 — Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association awarded Southwest Gas Corporation with its Corporate Volunteerism Award. The company’s community outreach efforts will be honored Jan. 16 at the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association Awards, which recognize all levels of volunteerism including individuals, nonprofits and corporations. “We are so excited to have been nominated for the Corporate Volunteerism Award by the Diaper Bank this year and really pleased and proud just to even be nominated,” said Lorraine Morgan, public information officer for Southwest Gas. “It’s a big thrill for our employees.” The Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona nominated Southwest for the award because of its dedicated efforts over the years to support the bank, which distributes more than 70,000 diapers a month and relies heavily on volunteers to bundle diapers for distribution. Most recently, [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jessica Dennes, savmatucson@gmail.com  For more information: reidparkzoo.org, savma.org Reid Park Zoo’s ‘crew’ wins volunteer honor Tucson, Nov. 4 — Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association named Reid Park Zoo’s teen volunteer program its top Youth Volunteer Group of the Year. Known as the Zoo Crew, the teens work on zoo grounds and handle different duties, but their primary purpose is to help guests connect with wildlife and learn about the zoo while encouraging a commitment to conservation of biological diversity. “We are so excited to get this award from SAVMA,” said Sierra Horsey, Volunteer Program Coordinator of Reid Park Zoo. “Our teens have worked really hard. Last year they talked to over 30,000 people, and it’s so great to have them recognized for what they are doing in our community.” Reid Park Zoo’s Zoo Crew will be honored Jan. 16 at the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association Awards, which recognize [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jessica Dennes,  savmatucson@gmail.com For more information: Habitattucson.org, savma.org Gina Hansen wins top volunteer administrator award Tucson, Nov. 4— Volunteer Resources Manager, Gina Hansen, is being awarded the Volunteer Administrator of the Year award from the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association. Gina Hansen, the Volunteer Resource Manager for Habitat for Humanity Tucson will be honored Jan. 16, 2020 at the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association Awards, which recognize all levels of volunteerism including individuals, nonprofits and corporations. Gina has worked with volunteers for over 10 years. According to Patty Peth, a community volunteer who volunteered under Gina and nominated her for this award, “Gina’s commitment to volunteerism and engagement shines through in many ways. From recruiting, training, retention and recognition, Gina really cares for the volunteers she works alongside of and takes great pride in the success of her programs.” “It is an honor to share this [...]

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 [...]

Six Award Winners Who Make a Difference in Southern Arizona! Thousands of volunteers weekly share their skills, time and enthusiasm to hundreds of nonprofits, schools, churches and governments across Southern Arizona. Publicly celebrating them and recognizing the work they do to make our communities happier and healthier is a win-win for all. The Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association, a professional association promoting excellence in the field of volunteer program management, is pleased to announce six major awards presented to individuals, organizations and groups whose volunteerism or service improve the quality of life in our community. The winners are: Program Volunteer of the Year – Steve Johnson (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Corporate Volunteerism Award – Southwest Gas Corporation Nonprofit Volunteer Program of the Year – Interfaith Community Services Youth Volunteer Group of the Year - Zoo Crew (Reid Park Zoo) Board Member of the Year – Scott Summerford (Interfaith Community Services) [...]

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.

The deadline to submit nominations for SAVMA Awards in August 16th at 5pm. Don't miss the opportunity to honor and celebrate those who make Southern Arizona shine! 2020 SAVMA Awards celebrate the impact and inspiration of volunteerism across Southern Arizona. Honorees will be recognized on January 16, 2020 at a celebration held at the Grand Ballroom of the Tucson Convention Center. Nominations for the 6 award categories are open from July 1 to August 16, 2019 at 5:00 pm (deadline is absolute!) in the following categories: 1. Program Volunteer of the Year 2. Corporate or Group Volunteerism Award 3. Nonprofit Volunteer Program of the Year 4. Youth Volunteer of the Year - Individual or Group 5. Volunteer Administrator of the Year 6. Board Member of the Year Visit our page to submit your nomination today: https://www.savma.org/2020awardcriteria/  

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 [...]

Please register for our annual SAVMA Holiday Luncheon on Thursday, December 13th from 11:30-1pm at Habitat for Humanity 3501 N Mountain Ave 85719. We will have a wonderful lunch (vegetarian/gluten free options available) provided by Roma Imports; Vote in our 2019 Board; Networking Opportunities; and more! We encourage you to invite others whether they are members or non-members and we want to hear from you about what you'd like to learn more about in 2019! Raffle Prizes, Desserts and good Company!

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...