Join us for a fun-filled series - with a festival vibe - built for busy leaders of volunteers like you!
No mud. No porta-potties. No long lines.
Just real talk, fresh ideas, and a lineup of headliners ready to drop some wisdom (some of them you may know!).
Event Line Up
[Workshop] 5 Essential Pillars to Finding (& Keeping) Committed Volunteers with Tobi Johnson, MA, CVA
Option 1: Wednesday, June 3 @ 1pm ET / 10am PT Option 2: Friday, June 5 @ 12pm ET / 9am PT
Live Panel Discussions
[Panel Discussion] The Hidden Opportunities for Volunteer-fueled Organizations Right Now with Dana LItwin, CVA and Megan Vixie, CVA
Wednesday, May 27 @ 11:30am ET / 8:30am PT
[Panel Discussion] What I Wish I Would Have Known When I Started Leading Volunteers with Cortina Sadler, CVA and Kristi Sebald, MA, CVA
Tuesday, June 9 @ 12pm ET / 9am PT
You must register for each session. All sessions will be recorded and replays posted until June 16.
Grab Your Tix HERE >> https://volpro.net/festival/
MAVA Volunteer Engagement Leadership Conference Volunteerism Without Borders
June 11-12, 2026 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Volunteerism isn’t all about formally working with an organization, counting volunteer hours, or only showing up if there’s a sign up form - it’s about people helping each other to make our communities stronger, better, and more vibrant.
The landscape of service is shifting beneath our feet. Today’s volunteers aren't just looking for "roles"—they are looking for meaningful impact. They are moving at the speed of their digital lives, their neighborhoods, and their personal values.
This conference is a space for leaders, disruptors, and community builders who have moved beyond the "traditional" to master the non-traditional. Whether it’s cracking the code on micro-volunteering, scaling a movement through decentralized leadership, or leveraging technology to meet the community in real-time, this is YOUR space.
This year's conference sessions will be geared towards topics like:
The On-Demand Volunteer: Strategies for episodic and task-based service that fits into busy modern schedules.
Leading at Community Speed: How to pivot organizational structures to support rapid-response and informal helping.
The Tech-Enabled Connection: Utilizing AI, mobile platforms, and digital matching to reduce barriers to entry.
Equity & Mutual Aid: Moving from "charity" models to community-led movements and neighbor-to-neighbor support.
We will start out by discussing When Volunteers Challenge You. We will also take the time to see if anyone has any burning questions or issues that the rest of the group will be able to assist with. This COP is great for anyone who works in animal shelters, zoos and aquariums, animal conservation or rescue organizations, or those who are interested in the volunteers who help with the welfare and well being of animals. more info...
Take the next step in your career as a leader of volunteers and become certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA).
Leaders in non-profit organizations and community groups increasingly understand that volunteers can be a critical resource for delivering on a mission. Effective people management and community engagement is imperative – whether they be paid or unpaid. As a result, employers expect that those individuals tasked with mobilizing and coordinating volunteer engagement demonstrate a thorough knowledge of effective practices and an understanding of how to apply that knowledge in support of real-world organizational priorities. more info...
We all encounter ethical dilemmas in our daily work with and for community, but rarely do organizations focus on ethics related to volunteer engagement. This session provides an opportunity for practitioners to understand the difference between personal, organizational and professional ethics. The core values and principles identified by the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA) will be shared. Participants will learn a process for ethical decision-making that can be applied in any situation, and then practice this using real-life scenarios related to volunteers. Finally, several specific strategies will be offered for increasing awareness of ethics within an organization and helping both volunteers and staff become more effective at handling ethical dilemmas. more info...
Attending conferences can be career-changing, but only if you’re intentional about how you show up, engage, and follow through. This interactive AL!VE Academy will equip volunteer engagement professionals with practical strategies to maximize conferences, from local workshops to national gatherings like the Points of Light Conference. Participants will learn how to prepare, network authentically, build visibility, and turn conference moments into long-term career growth, whether in-person or virtual.
Session Presented by David Horwitz, MA, CVA
Director of Community Engagement, WMATA/Metro
AL!VE Board of Directors
Take the next step in your career as a leader of volunteers and become certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA).
Leaders in non-profit organizations and community groups increasingly understand that volunteers can be a critical resource for delivering on a mission. Effective people management and community engagement is imperative – whether they be paid or unpaid. As a result, employers expect that those individuals tasked with mobilizing and coordinating volunteer engagement demonstrate a thorough knowledge of effective practices and an understanding of how to apply that knowledge in support of real-world organizational priorities. more info...
Join us for the third session of Better Impact's series exploring how intentional, incremental investment in volunteer strategy can strengthen volunteer engagement, operations, and long-term impact. more info...
Join us for our next AL!VE Volunteer Information Session. Learn how volunteering with AL!VE supports leaders of volunteers nationwide, builds a stronger sector, and offers you a meaningful way to contribute your expertise. Discover roles that match your interests, meet fellow changemakers, and take the first step toward a more connected and impactful year.
MAKE IT MORE MANAGEABLE: VOLUNTEERING ON A LOCAL ASSOCIATION BOARD OR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Are you dealing with
· Board succession planning
· Board engagement and retention
· Organization membership growth
Join the Local Associations Committee to discuss what barriers to participation might exist; strategies/solutions you might not have considered; and more. This will be followed by discussion among fellow leaders of local associations.
Celebrate the power of community composting and the people who make it happen across Los Angeles!
Join us for a special gathering at our Sepulveda Garden Center Compost Hub as we celebrate the volunteers, neighbors, and community members helping bring compost to life. Past volunteers, future volunteers, and anyone curious about composting are all welcome.
Enjoy light refreshments, bring a clothing item to be repaired, and make your own eco vision board. As a thank you, we’ll be sharing finished compost and other free goodies while supplies last.
Clothing Repair
Bring that favorite piece you've been meaning to fix! Our friends at Circular Fashion LA will be hosting a clothing repair booth where you can get one basic repair done for free (valued at $20).
Basic repairs include:
Button repair & replacement
Drawstring replace, rethread drawstring
Resew fallen hemlines
Resew seams that have come undone
Patch small holes or moth holes
Patch larger rips, tears, or worn-out areas
Patches
Each attendee receives a $20 credit toward clothing repair; additional repairs can be purchased if desired.
More Info:
Crafting materials for the eco vision board will be provided. Attendees are welcome to bring their own additions to personalize their board.
You don't need to be a current volunteer to join us.
Whether you want to move up, leave your current job, switch careers or were recently laid off and looking for your next job, join us to network, vent, share stories and encourage each other along this journey.
Join your peers for discussions for those who manage food banks, hunger organizations, or nutrition programs. This COP will meet Monthly on the first Tuesday @ 3 PM Eastern.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. Email info@volunteeralive.org for a free trial. You can learn more about membership here.
All are welcome to join our monthly networking industry social for anyone involved in Volunteer Engagement.
All Volunteer Engagement Professionals are welcome to attend an industry social event, monthly at 2 PM Eastern for 45 minutes on the fourth Thursday of each month. Feel free to leave early or come late as your schedule allows. Connect and network with your peers for live discussions - ask questions and let us know what's on your mind!
Take the next step in your career as a leader of volunteers and become certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA).
Leaders in non-profit organizations and community groups increasingly understand that volunteers can be a critical resource for delivering on a mission. Effective people management and community engagement is imperative – whether they be paid or unpaid. As a result, employers expect that those individuals tasked with mobilizing and coordinating volunteer engagement demonstrate a thorough knowledge of effective practices and an understanding of how to apply that knowledge in support of real-world organizational priorities. more info...
Discover how Service Enterprise builds organizational capacity through strategic volunteer engagement. Learn how it transforms volunteer engagement into a powerful strategy for mission impact. This proven, research-backed approach helps organizations build capacity, strengthen sustainability, and achieve measurable outcomes by fully leveraging people power. Learn how investing in and adopting Service Enterprise creates stronger organizations, greater return on resources, and lasting community impact.
Take the next step in your career as a leader of volunteers and become certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA).
Leaders in non-profit organizations and community groups increasingly understand that volunteers can be a critical resource for delivering on a mission. Effective people management and community engagement is imperative – whether they be paid or unpaid. As a result, employers expect that those individuals tasked with mobilizing and coordinating volunteer engagement demonstrate a thorough knowledge of effective practices and an understanding of how to apply that knowledge in support of real-world organizational priorities. more info...
Take the next step in your career as a leader of volunteers and become certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA).
Leaders in non-profit organizations and community groups increasingly understand that volunteers can be a critical resource for delivering on a mission. Effective people management and community engagement is imperative – whether they be paid or unpaid. As a result, employers expect that those individuals tasked with mobilizing and coordinating volunteer engagement demonstrate a thorough knowledge of effective practices and an understanding of how to apply that knowledge in support of real-world organizational priorities. more info...
Join fellow volunteer engagement professionals working in urban and rural parks, botanical gardens, recreation programs, and nature preserves. This Community of Practice provides an informal, supportive space to exchange resources, ideas, and best practices. Whether you're seeking advice or sharing insights, you’ll find open discussion and a welcoming community. Bring your lunch, brunch, or favorite beverage and join the conversation! Not sure if this group is the right fit? Come anyway—everyone is welcome.
Facilitators:
Jenny Garver, CVA – Volunteer Coordinator, Macon County Conservation District
Callie Le'Au Courtright, CPM, CVA – Parks & Recreation Supervisor, City of Des Moines
Yvonne Dunphe, CVA – Volunteer Coordinator, Five Rivers MetroParks
2026 Meeting Dates:
January 21, March 25, May 20, July 15, September 16, November 18
Time:
1:00 PM EST | 12:00 PM CST | 11:00 AM MST | 10:00 AM PST
Meetings are held virtually.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. Email info@volunteeralive.org for a free trial. You can learn more about membership here. more info...
We all encounter ethical dilemmas in our daily work with and for community, but rarely do organizations focus on ethics related to volunteer engagement. This session provides an opportunity for practitioners to understand the difference between personal, organizational and professional ethics. The core values and principles identified by the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA) will be shared. Participants will learn a process for ethical decision-making that can be applied in any situation, and then practice this using real-life scenarios related to volunteers. Finally, several specific strategies will be offered for increasing awareness of ethics within an organization and helping both volunteers and staff become more effective at handling ethical dilemmas. more info...
Join us for our next AL!VE Volunteer Information Session. Learn how volunteering with AL!VE supports leaders of volunteers nationwide, builds a stronger sector, and offers you a meaningful way to contribute your expertise. Discover roles that match your interests, meet fellow changemakers, and take the first step toward a more connected and impactful year.
The CVA study group is a member benefit from AL!VE open to all AL!VE members preparing for the Fall 2026 exam. The study group is led by facilitators who have recently earned their CVA certification and includes presenters from a variety of organizations and backgrounds. The group meets virtually for 9 one-hour sessions on Wednesdays at 12pm ET beginning July 22nd and ending on September 23rd. Interested in the study group? Complete this REGISTRATION FORM by July 20th.
If you are not yet an AL!VE member, you are welcome to attend the first session, but you must join as an AL!VE member to attend the study group. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at info@volunteeralive.org. Let's get that CVA! more info...
Whether you want to move up, leave your current job, switch careers or were recently laid off and looking for your next job, join us to network, vent, share stories and encourage each other along this journey.
Join your peers for discussions for those who manage food banks, hunger organizations, or nutrition programs. This COP will meet Monthly on the first Tuesday @ 3 PM Eastern.
Communities of Practice are an AL!VE member benefit; however, anyone is welcome to attend their first meeting with out being a member. Email info@volunteeralive.org for a free trial. You can learn more about membership here.
All are welcome to join our monthly networking industry social for anyone involved in Volunteer Engagement.
All Volunteer Engagement Professionals are welcome to attend an industry social event, monthly at 2 PM Eastern for 45 minutes on the fourth Thursday of each month. Feel free to leave early or come late as your schedule allows. Connect and network with your peers for live discussions - ask questions and let us know what's on your mind!
Take the next step in your career as a leader of volunteers and become certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA).
Leaders in non-profit organizations and community groups increasingly understand that volunteers can be a critical resource for delivering on a mission. Effective people management and community engagement is imperative – whether they be paid or unpaid. As a result, employers expect that those individuals tasked with mobilizing and coordinating volunteer engagement demonstrate a thorough knowledge of effective practices and an understanding of how to apply that knowledge in support of real-world organizational priorities. more info...
Discover how Service Enterprise builds organizational capacity through strategic volunteer engagement. Learn how it transforms volunteer engagement into a powerful strategy for mission impact. This proven, research-backed approach helps organizations build capacity, strengthen sustainability, and achieve measurable outcomes by fully leveraging people power. Learn how investing in and adopting Service Enterprise creates stronger organizations, greater return on resources, and lasting community impact.
Take the next step in your career as a leader of volunteers and become certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA).
Leaders in non-profit organizations and community groups increasingly understand that volunteers can be a critical resource for delivering on a mission. Effective people management and community engagement is imperative – whether they be paid or unpaid. As a result, employers expect that those individuals tasked with mobilizing and coordinating volunteer engagement demonstrate a thorough knowledge of effective practices and an understanding of how to apply that knowledge in support of real-world organizational priorities. more info...
