Menu
Log in


NOVAA hosts a variety of workshops, learning communities, and member meet ups throughout the year. 

If you have any questions regarding cancelling an registration to an event 
please refer to our 
Cancellation Policy and contact admin@novaa.org with any questions. 

Upcoming events

    • October 17, 2023
    • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Zoom
    Register


    Are you a volunteer engagement leader who wants to advance responsible community-building? Join us to increase your awareness and promote action by recognizing the underlying foundations that harm those being served, while also bringing to light the role you play in this work. This training will dive into:

    • An understanding on the historical harm of volunteerism in the nonprofit sector through white saviorism
    • Racial equity in volunteerism and how to create spaces of dignity
    • The concepts of community-centric volunteerism and the ways in which the sector has deviated from that goal and practice 
    • A new path forward to continue the work
    Breauna Dorelus is the Founder and Chief Cause Consultant at Connecting the Cause, a consultancy dedicated to centering Black joy and liberation in volunteerism and dismantling harmful volunteer practices implemented by nonprofits and volunteers towards Black and brown communities. Breauna started her career as an AmeriCorps member and spent 10+ years in various volunteer management roles in humanitarian aid efforts, refugee resettlement and ministry. Breauna believes in community inclusion in all aspects of the volunteer process, and has dedicated her work to ensuring that service is centered around co-dreaming and not harmful charity. She believes that best practices may not be the best for all and that we must look at service through the lens of community-centered support in order to create a more just future.



    We look forward to seeing you at this NOVAA event, however, if you need to cancel, please refer to our Cancellation Policy and contact admin@novaa.org with any questions.


    • November 07, 2023
    • 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
    • Nordic House Conference Room 8800 SW Oleson Rd, Portland, OR 97223
    Register

    It’s that “giving” time of year when the calls to Volunteer Administrators ask for a task a whole family can  help with, one time, preferably around the holidays, but not ON the holiday….and can they bring their 4 year old and a toddler?”  We all get those calls, and for some organizations it’s easy to line up tasks that are short term, easy for the whole family to do, and that actually benefit the community you serve.  For other organizations it isn’t as easy to come up with a meaningful task, a place to do it, and staff to oversee the activity. 

    In this Learning Community, long time volunteer program administrator Marcia Hale, CVA of the Hillsboro Public Library will lead a discussion on project ideas and best practices for family volunteers and then open it up to the group to share what works for you, your ideas, and how you manage this seasonal windfall of potential volunteers. 

    Learning Communities are free for NOVAA Members and just $10 for other guests. 


    • November 08, 2023
    • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Golden Valley Brewery 1520 NW Bethany Blvd Beaverton, OR 97006
    Register


    NOVAA members can join other NOVAA members who are volunteer management professionals for a networking opportunity! Let’s come together to share ideas and resources that may help each other, our organizations and the volunteer management profession.

    Topics we've discussed at past meetups have included developing community partnerships, volunteer management software, and volunteer appreciation/ recruitment.

    *Must be a NOVAA member to register. 

    Hosted by NOVAA Board members, learn more about us here.  Look for the NOVAA sign in the bar area!


    • December 14, 2023
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register


    NOVAA Members can join other NOVAA Members and volunteer management professionals for a virtual networking hour! Let’s come together to share ideas and resources that may help each other, our organizations and the volunteer management profession.

    Topics we've discussed at past meetups have included developing community partnerships, volunteer management software, and volunteer appreciation/ recruitment.

    *Only NOVAA members can register

    Hosted by NOVAA's Membership Committee!


    • January 18, 2024
    • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register


    Volunteers generously donate their time and skills, enriching our teams, expanding services and helping our organizations achieve their missions. Yet, as with any team environment, sometimes misunderstandings, interpersonal conflicts or performance issues arise that can hinder our efforts. Dealing with difficult volunteer situations is not an easy or pleasant task and is one that is often uncomfortable for those leading volunteers. This highly-engaging session will stretch your thinking, empower you to lean into difficult conversations, and give you practical tools for successfully resolving those sticky volunteer situations.

    Betsy McFarland is a strategist and problem-solver who has forged a unique professional niche focused on developing leaders, staff and volunteers committed to tackling challenging societal issues. Betsy is particularly passionate about maximizing the impact of volunteers by helping leaders align volunteer engagement efforts with their mission. 

    With decades of nonprofit experience, Betsy was previously a vice president at The Humane Society of the United States where she led the organization’s legislative, policy and programmatic work with animal shelters and rescues nationwide. She spearheaded the launch of The Humane Society National Volunteer Center—the first broad-scale coordinated volunteer-focused effort in the organization's history, which now engages thousands of volunteers worldwide.

    Betsy is a Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA) and author of Volunteer Management for Animal Care Organizations. 

    We look forward to seeing you at this NOVAA event, however, if you need to cancel, please refer to our Cancellation Policy and contact admin@novaa.org with any questions.

    • February 15, 2024
    • 8:00 AM
    • February 16, 2024
    • 12:00 PM
    • Offered remotely via Zoom
    • 40
    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 organizations 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 3.75 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: Thursday, February 15, 8:00 am - 12:00pm

    • Volunteer Program Development
    • Recruitment
    • Understanding Volunteer Motivations
    • Placement, Orientation, and Training
    Day 2: Friday, February 16, 8:00 am - 12:00pm
    • 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 Emily Coleman


    In her nearly two decades as a volunteer administrator, Jenn Forristal, CVA has managed programs for over 15,000 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.  She served on the NOVAA board of directors for five years, three of which she served as president. Currently, she chairs a committee and serves as a mentor with AL!VE.


    Emily Coleman, CVA, has been working in volunteer and nonprofit administration since 2004 and is very committed to the work of connecting individuals and groups with meaningful, rewarding opportunities to serve and build community.  She is currently the volunteer program supervisor for Transition Projects, an organization supporting the needs of people experiencing homelessness while helping them find and maintain permanent housing. She has also run volunteer programs for youth development organizations, and in healthcare. These varied settings have given Emily insight into how volunteer recruitment, screening and risk management, training and retention need to be adapted to organizational needs.

    An avid volunteer herself, Emily supports several local organizations with her time, experience that further increases her understanding of different styles of volunteer management. She has also served on the NOVAA Board of Directors for four years, as both the fiscal chair and later as the programming chair.

Past events

September 28, 2023 Midday Networking Meetup
September 21, 2023 Virtual Learning Community: Volunteer Databases
September 12, 2023 Volunteer Management 101 Training
June 08, 2023 NOVAA's Annual Meeting
May 24, 2023 In Person Learning Community:Volunteerism in 2023 and Beyond: Checking Our Privilege, Re-framing our Work
May 15, 2023 Networking Happy Hour
May 10, 2023 Foundations for Sharing Space Together: Anti-Racist Practice
April 13, 2023 Board Info Session: Learn about joining the NOVAA Board
April 12, 2023 Volunteer Administrator Happy Hour
April 06, 2023 Board Info Session: Learn about joining the NOVAA Board
March 23, 2023 Virtual Learning Community: Engaging Older Adults as Volunteers
March 14, 2023 Morning Networking Meetup
February 16, 2023 Cultivating a Volunteer Community: Fostering authentic relationships with community members
February 13, 2023 "VOLentines" Day Happy Hour
January 24, 2023 In Person Learning Community: Labor Law Differences between Volunteers, Interns, and Employees
January 18, 2023 Volunteer Management 101 Training
January 11, 2023 Morning Networking Meetup
December 19, 2022 Networking Lunch Hour
December 14, 2022 Charting Your Path Forward: Using Lessons from Volunteer Engagement
November 16, 2022 Networking Happy Hour
October 25, 2022 Coffee with Volunteer Leaders
October 20, 2022 Virtual Learning Community: Resources available to you to help you succeed as a volunteer administrator
September 16, 2022 Corporate Volunteer Partnerships: Building relationships for events and ongoing opportunities
June 23, 2022 Annual Meeting & Celebration
May 17, 2022 Learning Community: Coordinating Volunteers while working within a Union
May 09, 2022 Lunchtime Social Hour
April 26, 2022 Info Session: Learn about joining the NOVAA Board
April 11, 2022 Info Session: Learn about joining the NOVAA Board
April 07, 2022 De-Escalation Practices: Responding with Empathy, Verbally & Non-Verbally
March 30, 2022 Info Session: Learn about joining the NOVAA Board
March 17, 2022 Info Session: Learn about joining the NOVAA Board
March 15, 2022 Networking Happy Hour
March 09, 2022 Learning Community: Reflective Conversation around issues of Equity and Inclusion
February 28, 2022 Volunteer Management 101 Training
February 15, 2022 "VOLentines" Day Social Hour
February 10, 2022 Thank You and You and You: Motivation and Appreciation for All
January 25, 2022 Learning Community: De-Escalating Conflict
January 12, 2022 Lunchtime Social Hour
December 07, 2021 Resilience: A Vital Ingredient In Your DEAI Strategy
December 02, 2021 Morning Social Hour
November 17, 2021 Social Happy Hour
October 28, 2021 Learning Community: Training Volunteers in Customer Service
October 12, 2021 Lunchtime Social Hour
September 08, 2021 8 Strategies for Creating a More Inclusive Volunteer Program and Crafting Inclusive Volunteer Recruitment Messages
June 10, 2021 NOVAA Year-End Celebration & Annual Member Meeting
April 12, 2021 Volunteer Management 201 (Remote Training)
April 06, 2021 Learning Community: Keeping Volunteers Engaged During and After COVID-19
March 30, 2021 Workshop: Creative Expression for Compassion Fatigue
March 24, 2021 Lunchtime Social Hour
February 25, 2021 Happy Hour
February 22, 2021 Volunteer Management 101 (Remote Training)
February 18, 2021 Learning Community: Tips for Job Hunters: Resume Building and Interviewing
February 04, 2021 Lunch Social - Equity Workshop Peer Discussion
January 28, 2021 Creating a More Diverse & Inclusive Environment Through the Mechanisms That Engage Volunteers
December 17, 2020 Lunchtime Social Hour
December 09, 2020 Learning Community: Volunteer Databases
November 17, 2020 Happy Hour
November 10, 2020 Developing Virtual Training for Volunteers: Tools and Best Practices
October 29, 2020 Morning Meet Up
October 13, 2020 Learning Community: Staff and Volunteer Relations
September 29, 2020 Lunchtime Social Hour
September 29, 2020 Starting Fresh with Staff and Volunteer Relations
August 24, 2020 Volunteer Management 201 (Remote Training)
July 27, 2020 Volunteer Management 101 (Remote Training)
June 25, 2020 NOVAA Year-End Celebration & Annual Member Meeting
June 18, 2020 Community Discussion: Volunteer Reintegration Planning – Bringing Back Onsite Volunteers
June 10, 2020 Virtual Morning Meetup for Volunteer Leaders
May 20, 2020 Virtual Happy Hour for Volunteer Leaders
May 18, 2020 Volunteer Management 101 (Remote Training)
May 07, 2020 Community Discussion: Volunteer Management in the time of COVID-19
April 23, 2020 Virtual Morning Meetup for Volunteer Leaders
April 15, 2020 Join the NOVAA Board! (Virtual Info Session)
April 09, 2020 Virtual Happy Hour: Support during COVID-19
April 01, 2020 Nonviolent Communication for Maximum Effectiveness and Connection
March 03, 2020 Morning Meet Up for Leaders of Volunteers
February 19, 2020 Creating Affirming Spaces for LGBTQ+ Individuals with Seth Johnstone
February 04, 2020 Volunteer Management 201
January 09, 2020 Happy Hour for Volunteer Leaders
December 05, 2019 Learning Community: Creating Inclusive Spaces for Trans and Gender Nonconforming Volunteers
November 13, 2019 Morning Meet Up for Leaders of Volunteers
November 07, 2019 Getting to What Matters -- How To Meaningfully Measure Program Impact with Steve Patty
October 29, 2019 Volunteer Management 101
October 15, 2019 Happy Hour for Volunteer Leaders
October 10, 2019 Learning Community: CVA Certification: Process and Tips for Preparing for your CVA Exam
September 18, 2019 Long Distance Management of Volunteers with Rick Lynch
September 18, 2019 2019/20 NOVAA Workshop Package: Four workshops for the price of three!
September 06, 2019 Happy Hour for Volunteer Leaders
July 10, 2019 Happy Hour for Leaders of Volunteers: Connect with Local College/University Engagement Staff
June 06, 2019 NOVAA Year-End Celebration & Annual Member Meeting
May 21, 2019 Training: Volunteer Management 101
May 15, 2019 Morning Meet Up for Leaders of Volunteers
May 02, 2019 Learning Community: Volunteering While Transgender
April 25, 2019 Workshop: Mission-Essential Skills for the 21st Century Leader of Volunteers with Barry Altland
April 16, 2019 Happy Hour for Volunteer Leaders
April 04, 2019 Hors d'oeuvres & Info: Learn about Joining the NOVAA Board or a Committee for the 2019-20 Year
March 22, 2019 Learning Community: Seen & Heard - Getting a Seat at the Executive Table
March 19, 2019 Training: Volunteer Management 301 with Jim Laden (*Note: This training is not included in the workshop package.)
March 14, 2019 Morning Meet Up for Volunteer Leaders
February 19, 2019 Workshop: Building Stronger Staff-Volunteer Relationships with Erin Barnhart
February 12, 2019 Happy Hour for Leaders of Volunteers
January 31, 2019 Training: Volunteer Management 201
January 16, 2019 Morning Meet Up for Leaders of Volunteers
December 06, 2018 Learning Community: Removing Barriers By Thinking Outside the Box
November 13, 2018 Workshop: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with Phu Dao
November 12, 2018 2018-19 NOVAA Workshop Package II: 20% off of three workshops!
October 29, 2018 Training: Volunteer Management 101
October 16, 2018 Morning Meet-Up for Volunteer Leaders
October 04, 2018 Learning Community: Delegation: Empowering Volunteers and Creating Team Leaders
September 18, 2018 Happy Hour for Volunteer Managers
September 12, 2018 Workshop: Carve Your Own Path with Dana Litwin, CVA
September 12, 2018 2018-19 NOVAA Workshop Package: 25% off all four workshops!
June 14, 2018 NOVAA Year-End Celebration & Annual Meeting
June 04, 2018 Training: Volunteer Management 101
May 21, 2018 Workshop: Educating for Change: How You Can Partner with Higher Education (with Stephanie Stokamer)
May 15, 2018 Morning Meet Up For Volunteer Managers
April 25, 2018 Happy Hour For Volunteer Managers
April 05, 2018 Info Session: Get Involved with NOVAA! Learn about Joining the Board or a Committee for the 2018-19 Year
March 15, 2018 Workshop: Volunteer Management 301 with Jim Laden
March 08, 2018 Morning Meet Up For Volunteer Managers
February 27, 2018 Learning Community: ADA & Inclusion
February 06, 2018 Happy Hour For Volunteer Managers
January 29, 2018 Training: Volunteer Management 201
January 19, 2018 Morning Meet Up for Volunteer Managers
December 05, 2017 Learning Community: Embracing Volunteer Turnover
November 16, 2017 Happy Hour For Volunteer Managers
November 13, 2017 Learning Community: Online Volunteer Orientation & Training
November 09, 2017 Training: Volunteer Management 101
October 24, 2017 Morning Meet Up for Volunteer Managers
October 18, 2017 Workshop: Develop Your Leadership, Team-Building, & Coaching Skills w/ Daryl Dixon
October 18, 2017 2017/18 NOVAA Workshop Package II: Buy Two, Get the Third 50% Off
September 26, 2017 Happy Hour For Volunteer Managers
September 08, 2017 Workshop: Conflict Management, Leadership, and Mindfulness with Nancy Alder
September 08, 2017 2017/18 NOVAA Workshop Package: Four workshops for the price of three!
June 13, 2017 Learning Community: Volunteer Recognition Deconstructed
June 06, 2017 NOVAA Year-End Celebration & Annual Meeting
May 23, 2017 Workshop: Volunteer Motivation and the Enneagram
May 18, 2017 Happy Hour for Volunteer Managers
May 01, 2017 Training: Volunteer Management 101
April 27, 2017 Morning Meetup for Volunteer Managers
February 28, 2017 Morning Meet-up for Volunteer Managers
February 24, 2017 Workshop: Cultivating Your Volunteer Base Through Servant Leadership
October 18, 2016 Morning Meetup for Volunteer Managers
August 23, 2016 Morning Meetup for Volunteer Managers
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software