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• Narrative Framework for Volunteer Engagement Administrators

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

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  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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• Happy Hour Game Night!

  • When
    November 18, 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Cartside Food Carts 1825 N Williams Portland, OR 97227

  Register

  Join us for Happy Hour Game Night! 

  This was a blast last year, and we are so excited to host again! 

  Hues and Cues, Catchphrase, Apples to Apples, bring your favorite game and we are excited to play with you! 

  So excited to have fun with you!

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• Let's Do Lunch!

  • When
    December 17, 2025
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • Location
    Zoom

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  Networking is a big deal right now considering how things look! Lets meet up and find out how everyone is doing and how we can help support one another and our communities! 

  If you have any wins, we want to hear them, if you have any questions or struggles, we want to hear them. 

  We need one another!

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• Cozy Coffee Chat

  • When
    January 22, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Zoom

  Register

  Happy New Year!! (Kinda)

  Now that you have had a couple of weeks to sort your life out in this new quarter, new year, new me, we want to hear about it! 

  Do you have any fun new goals? Are you looking for an accountability buddy? Are you excited to make it happen or drudging yourself through it all? 

  We're excited to see you on the screen! 

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• Volunteer Management 101 Training

  • Start
    February 18, 2026
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • End
    February 19, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    Offered remotely via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    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: Wednesday February 18th, 8 a.m. - Noon

  • Volunteer Program Development

  • Recruitment

  • Understanding Volunteer Motivations

  • Placement, Orientation, and Training

  Day 2: Thursday February 19th, 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: Emily Coleman and Angela Williamson

  

  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.

  

  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. 
  

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• Volunteer Management 201 Training

  • Start
    April 01, 2026
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • End
    April 02, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom

  Register

  

  This training is for you! Take the next step into the amazing field of volunteer management and join us for Volunteer Management 201!

  This advanced training prepares volunteer managers to tackle the challenging and complex issues of volunteer engagement and program sustainability, to help you build the skills you will need to lead the volunteers.

  This 2-day training is designed for volunteer managers who have completed Volunteer Management 101 or those who are seeking advanced training in the field.  Facilitated by Emily Coleman and Jenn Forristal, both of whom have been working in the field of nonprofit and volunteer management for 20 years. This interactive workshop will focus on next-level topics, including: 

  • Equipping Staff to Engage Volunteers
  • Organizational Culture & Communication
  • Cultivating Leadership Volunteers
  • Volunteer Program Evaluation
  • …and more!

  Volunteer Management 201 builds on the basics of Volunteer Management 101. Volunteer Management 101 is not required in order to take 201, but we do recommend it.

  
  

  Day 1: Wednesday,  April 1st, 8 a.m. - Noon

  Day 2: Thursday,  April 2nd, 8 a.m. - Noon

  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: Emily Coleman and Jenn Forristal 

  
  

  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.

  

  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. 

  
  

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