2024 TVMC Schedule

Thursday, October 10

Welcome by Hillman Evans

9 am – 10 am

Breakout Session #1

Session A – 10:15 am – 11:15 am

• Boosting Volunteer Recruitment, Engagement and Retention by Ash Staines

Ash is the founder and CEO of Volunteero, the UK’s only volunteer management AND recruitment platform. Using proprietary data from the platform combined with the learnings from thousands of hours of conversations with non-profit professionals, we bring together a series of ideas and tangible suggestions on how to boost volunteer recruitment, engagement and retention.

Session B – 10:15 am – 11:15 am

• The Power of Letting Go – Foster More Robust and Self-Sustaining Programs by Christine Mompoint

This Gen Z-led workshop highlights the Houston Food Bank’s student-led program to show effective volunteer empowerment. Learn about leadership, clear roles, and incentives, and address accountability, reassignment, and selection issues to strengthen your volunteer programs.

Fireside Chat

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

We are thrilled to announce our fireside chat. We have prepared a group of phenomenal individuals at the top levels when it comes to discussing the latest trends, challenges, and strategies regarding volunteerism. These interactive sessions, designed to develop engagement and participation, are being held to provide attendees with valuable insight into effective volunteer engagement, retention, and new innovations in volunteer programs.

The panelists will share their first-hand experiences in various areas of occupation such as corporate, education, nonprofit, and government. We look forward to engaging with you all, answering questions, and learning new strategies. Come ready to learn something new from the TVMC fireside chat!

Breakout Session #2

Session A – 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm

• Unleash Impact: The Power of the 3Rs by Lindsey Payne

The 3Rs of volunteer management—Recruitment, Retention, and Recognition—are crucial for a strong volunteer network. This session covers strategies for attracting dedicated volunteers, creating fulfilling experiences, and using recognition to boost morale. With real-world examples and interactive discussions, you’ll gain actionable insights to build and sustain a vibrant volunteer community.

Session B – 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm

• Volunteer Recruitment at Fairs, Festivals and Other Community Events by Susan Sanow, CVA

Recruiting volunteers at community events can be hit or miss. Sometimes you strike gold, other times it’s a waste. To succeed, approach with a clear strategy, goals, and measurable outcomes. This webinar covers effective exhibit setups, essential materials, team preparation, and balancing investment with results.

Breakout Session #3

Session A – 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

• The Art and Science of Recruiting Volunteers by Jennifer Flynn

In this session we will explore the trends in Volunteer Recruitment, what a Volunteer Recruitment Plan is and how to implement it, many different recruitment strategies, and the importance of following up with new interested volunteers.

Session B – 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

• Gaining Greater Influence by Wendy Biro-Pollard, CVA

Volunteer managers often spend their time recruiting and supporting volunteers in roles that require minimal skills and responsibility. While, at the same time, their organization’s leadership may be struggling with how to fill board and committee positions. This session will focus on how volunteer managers can provide dynamic support and gain greater influence by lending their experience and know-how to a comprehensive and strategic volunteer engagement process. Wendy will bring her expertise as a Certified Volunteer Administrator and BoardSource Consultant to this session. Participants will come away with tips, tools and resources that will enhance their organization’s capacity building efforts.

Wrap Up by Jamila Thomas

3:45 pm – 4:15 pm

Friday, October 11

Welcome by Hillman Evans

9 am – 10 am

Breakout Session #1

Session A – 10:15 am – 11:15 am

• Delegate Don’t Dump: If You Want to Grow, You Gotta Let Go by Angela Williamson, CVA and Nicole R. Smith, CVA

Never enough time? Need help with your to-do list? We know delegation is a great idea, and yet we still don’t do it. Why? FEAR of delegation due to botched past experiences, perception of job performance and even success can be holding us back from immeasurable growth of our teams, volunteer programs and professional growth. Join Angela and Nicole for practical ways to “get over the fear” of delegation. Come away with tips, methods, resources, and ways to let go and wisely delegate – not dump on to volunteers. You’ll have a better understanding of what delegation is and is not, overcome fear, and also understand how to respond when delegated to yourself. Here’s a secret: If you want to grow, you gotta let go!

Keynote – Amber Melanie Smith

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Amber Melanie Smith is a speaker, award-winning nonprofit founder, and social entrepreneur. Through a growing online community of change makers, speaking, and educational content, Amber helps people create their roadmap to a life and career that creates positive social change.

Breakout Session #2

Session A – 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm

• Leading Off the Page by Dr. Amy Britton and Dr. Taylor Bunn

Do you have board members that just won’t get on board? Or, a challenging volunteer that is difficult to manage? These challenging leadership scenarios are something every volunteer manager experiences. With volumes of books on leadership and countless self-proclaimed leadership experts, it is difficult to know where to start and how to address these challenges. This highly interactive workshop takes leadership theory and methods off the page and applies theoretical principles to real-life scenarios that volunteer managers experience in the workplace.

Session B – 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm

• Enhancing Volunteer Engagement Metrics: Moving Beyond Headcount and Hours by Jordanya Reeves, CVA

  Volunteer engagement is a vital aspect of any organization’s success, and measuring the impact of volunteers goes beyond just counting the number of individuals and hours served. In this workshop, we will explore innovative ways to enhance volunteer engagement metrics to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the value that volunteers bring to an organization. By broadening the scope of volunteer engagement metrics beyond headcount and hours, organizations can gain a more holistic understanding of their volunteers’ contributions and the overall impact on their mission. This workshop aims to inspire attendees to rethink their approach to measuring volunteer engagement, to equip them with the tools and knowledge needed to elevate their volunteer engagement practices, and empower them to report on the full spectrum of volunteer value through real life examples. Let’s move beyond the surface level and uncover the true essence of volunteerism through comprehensive metrics.

Breakout Session #3

Session A – 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

• Recognizing and Retaining Volunteers on a Limited Budget by Betsy McFarland, CVA

Volunteers provide critical support to programs and clients that wouldn’t be possible without their efforts. Too often, organizations view recognition simply as a one-time annual event rather than part of the daily culture. A volunteer’s “paycheck” is seeing the impact they make and being recognized for their unique service contributions. This session will explore volunteer motivation and how to structure recognition on a limited budget, nurture talented volunteers, avoid volunteer burnout, and keep volunteers motivated, committed, and coming back!

Session B – 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

• Equipping Staff for Success: Training Colleagues to Engage Volunteers by Beth Steinhorn

With staff turnover at an all-time high, you likely have colleagues who are new to engaging and supporting volunteers. How can you provide training and inspiration so they can effectively support volunteers? Hear how successful organizations have implemented strategies to train operational staff to engage volunteers, support them, and provide feedback to volunteers. Then, map out your own training plan, whether for formal workshops, mini sessions during department meetings, or in-the-moment coaching to address issues as they emerge. Build your training skills and coaching competence and become an effective influencer as well.

Wrap Up by Jamila Thomas

3:45 pm – 4:15 pm