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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! 


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 15, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
    • Offered remotely via Zoom
    Register

    Back by popular demand!

    There are many volunteer management databases on the market, and it can be overwhelming! During this Learning Community, get a sneak peek into the administrative side of a few volunteer management databases from a panel of professionals actively using the products. After the panel, there will be an opportunity for additional questions and round table discussion. Please come prepared with questions about databases you are curious in exploring.

    We'll explore various volunteer CRM Databases so you can make educated decisions about how to best manage your volunteer program! 

    • Volgistics
    • Better Impact
    • Volunteer Hub
    • & More!

    Learning Communities are free for NOVAA Members and only $10 for non-members. 

    We will be offering this Learning Community remotely via Zoom. A link will be sent to registered participants via email one week before the event. 

    • October 29, 2025
    • October 30, 2025
    • 2 sessions
    • Offered remotely via Zoom
    • 39
    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 Engagement 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 has been involved with volunteer engagement and leadership for over 19 years in museums and currently is the Volunteer & Community Relations Specialist for the Blood Bank of Delmarva. She loves to help organizations engage volunteers more effectively and efficiently making a greater impact in their community through her Volunteer Engagement Accelerator consulting. Angela has presented for multiple groups and shared on a variety of podcasts. Angela was the president of DAVA for several years. She was awarded the AL!VE Impact Award in 2022. She volunteers in her local community. She is an instructor for Northwest Oregon Volunteer Administrators Association (NOVAA) 101 courses. 

    • November 13, 2025
    • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Offered remotely via Zoom
    Register


    Narrative Framework for Volunteer Engagement Administrators

    In this 3 hour interactive workshop, Volunteer Administrator Professionals will explore the power of storytelling as a tool for inspiring engagement and demonstrating impact. Participants will learn how to apply a narrative framework- including building a clear story arch- to effectively communicate their organization's mission and showcase the vital role of volunteerism. Through practical exercises and with examples, attendees will leave with strategies to craft compelling stories that resonate with stakeholders, highlight volunteer contributions and strengthen community support. 

    About Jessica Louisa Wallans


    Jessica Louisa Wallans is an accomplished communications strategist, change leader, and storyteller with more than a decade of experience helping organizations bring complex ideas to life. Currently serving in internal communications and change management at Nike, Jessica has led high-visibility initiatives across supply chain, retail, product creation, and partnerships, always with a focus on making strategy resonate with people.


    Her career includes shaping employee experiences at global brands, guiding nonprofits through growth, and serving as the founding communications director for the Raiden Science Foundation where she partnered with entrepreneur Tommy Pham to raise millions for genetic research. She has also built her own internal consulting practice, supporting companies like Bolt Threads.

    Jessica holds a B.A. in Media Studies from the University of Portland and is certified in Change Management through PROSCI. She also earned executive certifications in Change Management and Servant Leadership from Cornell University. A former Division 1 athlete in track and field, she brings the same energy and discipline she once carried into sport into her work today - balancing clarity, creativity and impact.

    As a workshop facilitator, Jessica blends her background in media, storytelling and organizational change to help participants translate ideas into narratives that connect, inspire and drive action. She believes great storytelling is not just about what is said, but how it's experienced.


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