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NOVAA is a nonprofit association for volunteer management professionals, founded in 1982.

Volunteer-led, NOVAA offers a variety of programming designed to support the professional development of leaders of volunteers with all levels of expertise. Whether you are just starting out or have been in the field for many years, NOVAA has something to offer everyone become a member today!

We remain committed to providing support and resources for leaders in volunteer management. We strive to offer both in person and virtual professional development opportunities. 

We look forward to seeing you soon! 


Programming is paused for summer break for the month of July. Please check back in August when programs will resume.

Upcoming events

    • September 18, 2025
    • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Offered remotely via Zoom
    Register

    Influencing without Authority as a Leader of Volunteers

    Are you in a volunteer engagement role where securing buy-in from colleagues is essential to achieving your goals? Do you often feel frustrated because your contributions—and the value of strategic volunteer engagement—aren’t fully recognized?

    In this 3-hour interactive session, we’ll explore how deeply rooted "standard practices" in the nonprofit sector can hinder your ability to influence. You’ll be encouraged to challenge traditional thinking and step outside your comfort zone. You’ll learn new internal communication strategies that are adaptable and designed to inspire colleagues, no matter your formal title.

    About Jessica Pang-Parks


    Jessica is a volunteer engagement thought leader who helps organizations build trust, create impact, and inspire belonging. She is the recipient of the 2021 Alison Caird Young Leader Award in recognition of her leadership and excellence in volunteer engagement and the recipient of the 2023 VMPC Exemplary Leader Impact Award in recognition of her contributions to the field as a mentor, leader, trainer, and advocate.

    Jessica earned her CVA credential in April 2023 and has facilitated Fleming College’s Volunteer Management: Spectrum of Engagement course since May 2022. She has held professional volunteer and community engagement roles at Crohn's and Colitis Canada, https://crohnsandcolitis.ca/, Pathways to Education Canada, https://www.pathwaystoeducation.ca/, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, https://www.heartandstroke.ca/ Volunteer Toronto, https://www.volunteertoronto.ca/ and WWF-Canada, https://wwf.ca/

    Jessica has the privilege to work on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Learn more about Jessica at https://www.learnwithjpp.com.


    • October 29, 2025
    • October 30, 2025
    • 2 sessions
    • Offered remotely via Zoom
    • 45
    Register


    Are you new to the field? Did "volunteer manager" just get added to your job description? Looking to learn best practices to support your organization's volunteer program?

    This training is for you! Our Volunteer Management 101 Training will help you maintain a thriving volunteer base that gets more work done, builds community support, and increases your organization's effectiveness. Specifically designed to assist anyone new to volunteer management, this typical one-day training has been modified for our remote reality and will take place via Zoom in two 4-hour morning sessions, offering a mix of content presentation, activities, and small group discussions in breakout rooms. The training will cover the following topics:

    Day 1: Wenesday October 29th, 8 a.m. - Noon

    • Volunteer Program Development
    • Recruitment
    • Understanding Volunteer Motivations
    • Placement, Orientation, and Training

    Day 2: Thursday October 30th, 8 a.m. - Noon

    • Risk Management
    • Supervision
    • Volunteer Recognition
    • Breakout Group topics


    Registration for this event will sign you up for both sessions. Zoom links to join this training remotely will be sent out the week before the event to those who have registered, along with a workbook to be used throughout the training. 

    Trainers: Jenn Forristal and Angela Williamson

    In her nearly two decades as a volunteer administrator, Jenn Forristal, CVA has managed programs for thousands of volunteers serving in diverse fields including social services, animal welfare, public media, national service, political campaigns, and professional associations. Currently, she is the Volunteer Resources Manager at OPB (Oregon Public Broadcasting).

    Jenn earned her Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) credential in 2016 and is committed to her own professional development and continued learning, averaging over 50 hours of training annually in topics related to volunteer program management. Additionally, she has training in equity in volunteer program and workplace implementation, and advanced training in equity facilitation. 

    Jenn is past board president and a current trainer for the Northwest Oregon Volunteer Administrators Association. Also, she serves as Equity Leader on the board of directors for the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement.


    Angela Williamson began volunteering in grade school picking up litter at the State Fair with her family, earning a free concert ticket! She continued her volunteering in different capacities and didn't realize there could be a career in leading volunteers until 2007 when she was chosen to be the Volunteer Coordinator at a museum, after being in an education department of a public garden.  Angela has gained experience in the volunteer field in the museum and now in a blood bank.  She has grown the volunteer engagement exponentially in both places.  She has been very involved with the Delaware Association of Volunteer Administrators DAVA (education chair, president, support, etc.) and began a healthcare COP with ALIVE!, participated in the ALIVE! Presenter Bootcamp, and attends webinars and learning sessions regularly. She also presents for DAVA and ALIVE!

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