Blog

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 [...]

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 [...]

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) [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

'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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Join Us on May 17th at Habitat for Humanity Overview: Alexei Marquez, Coordinate at the University of Arizona (ASUA) will present will review what VolunteerUA tells our students about engaging with community partners and what community partners can anticipate will occur when they have UA students working with them. Who: Alexei Marquez is a native Tucsonan and full-time Coordinator of Service for the Student Governance and Programs department at the University of [...]

Please note the early time! Location is still Habitat for Humanity.  A Brief Welcome from a Very Special Guest joining us all the way from Oregon: Gretchen Jordan, CVA Gretchen Jordan, CVA, is the AL!VE Association Manager.  She will give a short presentation on what's happening on the national level on Volunteer Engagement issues and share her Top Ten Tips for Advocating for yourself, your professional development, and your program. As [...]

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 [...]

You won't want to miss this topic! Tapping Into the Power of an Effective Volunteer 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. What you will walk away with: Gain an understanding of and the skills to construct, monitor and measure results from a volunteer communications plan.  [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Effectively capturing and sharing the stories of your volunteers, service recipients, organization history, etc., can make the difference between just plugging along and the ability to build strong, dynamic and passionate relationships to support your mission.  Whether you are looking to build volunteer engagement, enhance your outreach to donors, build a creative stewardship program, or just make your case more effectively, this process marries evocative photography techniques with effective writing [...]

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 [...]

Tell us how you plan to thank your volunteers! Come out to our March meeting to learn different ways to appreciate and recognize your volunteers, even on a shoestring budget! When: March 16, 2017 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm. Where: Habitat for Humanity 3501 North Mountain Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719. We will have a round table discussion to get those creative juices going! There will be a "best of display," so please bring [...]

If you're feeling time strapped and want to know which online tools can help you the most, I encourage you to look at this list of 199 online tools for nonprofits. Organized them into categories like: Event management Social Media Accounting/Billing Fundraising Volunteer management and much more. So consider where you're feeling the most pain and check out which tools match up. You'll also find expert advice to help you make the [...]

If your organization is looking to learn about proven solutions for increasing nonprofit effectiveness including, the ability to collaborate, drive innovation, utilize technology and activate skills-based volunteers, this track is for you. With 20 workshops for all levels of experience, attendees can explore frameworks for capacity building supported by skills-based and pro bono programs that engage corporate volunteers' talents and skills. The sessions in this track are selling out fast [...]

Workshop Presenter RFP deadline for submission - June 10, 2016 Are you an expert in the field of Volunteerism, Civic Engagement or Service-Learning willing to share your talent and expertise with our field? Best and/or promising practices? Great tools and resources? Tracking of volunteer/student outputs and outcomes? Program administration or development? Conducting outreach to sustain ongoing engagement? Is your program adept at cultivating program advocates? Matching volunteers/students to the right positions and providing effective [...]

Good business has always been about building good relationships with customers, but far too often these days businesses ‘launch’ without any regard for the person that matters most to them. They design their logo and website, create their Instagram page, and just… launch. But they do it without any attempt to actually connect with the people they’re asking to follow them and buy from them. If you’re just launching on social, or [...]

generationOn is teaming up with Hasbro to celebrate kids and teens between 5 and 18 years of age who are making an impact in their local or global communities. The Hasbro Community Action Hero Award recognizes outstanding young volunteers whose service achievements have demonstrated the qualities of a hero – kindness, courage and leadership. Young people can be nominated by an adult or applythemselves by going to www.generationon.org/HCAH. Nominations and [...]

Designed by best selling author and co-founder of Take the Lead, Gloria Feldt is bringing 50 Women Can Change the World to Phoenix. Application deadline is June 17, 2016 www/taketheleadwomen.com/arizona

Note: NEW TIME & DAY of monthly meetings As of June 2016, the SAVMA monthly meetings will be on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 3:30-5:00 pm When: Thursday, June 16, 2016, from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Where: Habitat For Humanity, 3501 N. Mountain Ave., Tucson 85719

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS November 3-4, 2016 ASU West Campus, Glendale Workshop Presenter Request for Proposal Proposals are sought that will engage volunteers, volunteer managers, service-learning practitioners, public and private educational institutions, civic education groups, youth groups, government agencies, non-profits, youth groups, community and faith-based groups, National Service Members, citizen corps groups, service clubs, corporation and business leaders in preparing for a new age of volunteerism, civic engagement and service-learning in [...]

The purpose of this workshop is to share Six Secrets to increase engagement during presentations and training activities. These are quick and easy ways to deliver information in more effective ways. When they are combined with tools designed to help people reflect and apply what they’ve learned, there is a dramatic increase in engagement and effectiveness. Who: Everyone!! Bring new people in your office or even your boss to see [...]

Upcoming Best Skills in Nonprofit Management courses/certificate-by ASU Lodestar Center Resolving Conflict to Advance Your Goals and is scheduled for May 6th from 8:00 am to Noon.  The cost is $95.00. Registration Link: https://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1815731 The course will be held at the Habitat for Humanity in Tucson.  I hope to see you all in the Resolving Conflict course.  If you have any questions, give me a call at 602-496-1061. Cynthia Thiede, [...]

Emerging leaders, take note of the American Express Leadership Academy-apply now! A marquis training program that includes hands-on activities in a feedback-intensive learning environment.American Express Leadership AcademyIn conjunction with the 2016 Conference on Volunteering and Service in Detroit, Points of Light is pleased to offer the American Express Leadership Academy, which is developed and delivered by the Center for Creative Leadership. WWW.POINTSOFLIGHT.ORG 

Great workshop for those who coordinate or manage volunteers in their organization. Friday, April 22 1-3pm at the Joyner Green Valley Branch Library, 601 N La Canada Drive, Green Valley, AZ 85614

How do you determine your ‘true’ value in the marketplace? Join Don Zavis, National Sales Trainer, International Keynote Speaker and an Award-Winning Sales Coach as he shares with us the tips, skills and techniques on how to have your true value “come shining thru.” Remember this is your raise, establishing your value in the marketplace is in your best interest. Upcoming event information: Location: Encantada apartments--theater--11177 N. Oracle Road, Oro [...]

  How to Turn Millennials into Members   By Sarah Sladek, CEO of XYZ University   Learn: All about the Generation Y/Millennial mindset to get them interested in your organization How recent economic shifts are reshaping the membership value proposition How to create your own unique strategy and marketing tactics to target this elusive generation Today, April 7, 2016 Time: 3:00 - 4:00 PM (ET)     *Can't make the live [...]

The 2016 Conference on Volunteering and Service, which provides the singular opportunity for thousands from around the world to come together to shape the future of volunteerism. Service does truly unite us. As the 2016 Host City, Detroit is a shining example of how social innovation, cross-sector collaboration and citizen engagement can drive change. We need to learn from the experts, connect with each other and get inspired along the [...]

For everyone needing a refresher from our February Meeting on Volunteer Appreciation just in time: Click HERE to access our power point from February's membership meeting. 

Thank you Ken Charvoz for our wonderful presentation on using technology to our advantage and showing us first hand how simple and quick making a mission based video for our agencies can really be, often times with our very own cell phones and free resources.

How to Increase Members with Facebook Ads By Shiv Narayanan, Head of Marketing at Wild Apricot How much you should spend on your ads How to target your existing members on Facebook to increase event attendance How to find new members and create your own ads Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET) 1 hour away! How to Be a Google Ads Super Hero - for Charities & Nonprofits By Jason Shim [...]

Team RWB Tucson would like to invite you all to our 5th annual Run As One event on April 16 at 0800 at Brandi Fenton Park. It is a free event (unless you'd like to buy a t-shirt or donate) where we have three different organizations coming together as one in celebration of our partnership. To register click here Here's the history behind Run As One: It is in honor of Marine veteran Clay [...]

Would you like to engage University of Arizona students with your Non-profit for a "higher level thinking activity" that is at least 45 hours? Is your agency interested in connecting through the 100% Engagement Initiative at UA, then this is the perfect opportunity for you. If yes then please contact  Megan Forecki at mforecki@email.arizona.edu

Support a great cause: Run As One event on April 16 at 0800 at Brandi Fenton Park. Register Here: https://www.crowdrise.com/aztucson1/fundraiser/aztucson Here's the history behind Run As One: It is in honor of Marine veteran Clay Hunt, an original member of Team Rubicon who took his own life after battling PTSD. Team Rubicon, Team Red, White and Blue, and The Mission Continues will partner on April 16th for the 5th annual event and [...]

Volunteerism is increasingly becoming the core around which companies build employee engagement strategies and programs. But many nonprofits feel challenged when it comes to offering meaningful volunteer opportunities. To avoid harming valued corporate relationships, nonprofits feel obligated to use corporate volunteers – even if that means having them paint the same wall a seventh time. In this webinar, attendees will learn how to move corporate-nonprofit relationships from transactional to strategically focused partnerships that better serve the [...]

Help Shape the Future of Volunteerism Early bird registration is officially open. The Points of Light 2016 Conference on Volunteering and Service will take place June 27 – 29 at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.  As the world’s largest service-related convening of nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders. This Conference is the greatest annual opportunity for thousands from around the world to help shape the future of volunteerism. Attendees [...]

You are invited to attend the Learning from Conflict Workshop for Professionals who work with Volunteers on Feb. 26th When: Feb 26, 2016 from 1-3:00 pm Where: Joyner Green Valley Library, 601 N La Canada Drive (southwest corner of La Canada & Desert Bell), Green Valley, AZ 85614 "Volunteer management is all about working with people and when people work together conflict is inevitable. This workshop addresses strategies for how [...]

Expert Webinar Series-Wild Apricot Sometimes getting members to step up to the "next level" of involvement is a real challenge.  So what can you do to change that?  Sign up today to reserve your spot? http://www.wildapricot.com/academy/expert-webinar-series In this FREE EXPERT webinar, you will: Discover the difference between traditional “recruitment” strategies and volunteer “attraction” Learn how to make volunteering irresistible to new and existing members Find out how to create the perfect [...]

Invest in Your Professional Growth!   MONTHLY SAVMA MEETING 2016 The next SAVMA meeting is on Wednesday, January 13th from 11:30 am-1:00 pm at Habitat for Humanity (3501 N. Mountain Ave (85719). Join us as our own, Diane Haeger, brings us into the New Year with her wise and knowing ways! New Year, New Ideas: Creating a Vision for Your Program and Yourself. Come start the New Year with your [...]