Georgia Association for Volunteer Administration upcoming events

Rev Up Your Volunteer Engagement (06/17/2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Description: This interactive workshop is designed to introduce or refresh participants on the essential building blocks of strong volunteer management—recruiting the right volunteers, recognizing their contributions meaningfully, and retaining them for the long term. Together, we’ll walk through the full volunteer cycle, from identification to re-engagement, to understand how each phase connects and contributes to a sustainable program. Based on key strategies, we’ll focus on practical, actionable methods that leaders at any level can apply to strengthen their volunteer efforts.

Bio: Elizabeth Rachchh, CVA, believes that successful volunteer programs are built on strong relationships. She leverages her strengths to foster open communication, build trust, and create meaningful engagement opportunities for volunteers and communities. Most recently, Elizabeth was the Program Manager for Alzheimer's Association, leading volunteer-driven education, awareness, and support initiatives across southern and western Georgia. She is currently on maternity leave and looking forward to returning to leading volunteer engagement and community impact. With five years of experience in volunteer management, Elizabeth has worked with both state and national organizations and is also a lifelong volunteer. She actively serves as Board Secretary for the Georgia Association for Volunteer Administrators (GAVA), where she continues to contribute her leadership skills. In 2024, she was recognized with the Emerging Leader Award from AL!VE. Elizabeth holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the University of Georgia and earned her Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) credential in 2023. She resides in Columbus, Georgia, with her husband, son, their dog, and two cats.

Designing High-Impact Episodic Volunteer Experiences: How to Build One-Time Event Roles That Volunteers Love (07/01/2026)

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Description: Volunteers want meaningful, time-bound opportunities that fit into busy schedules—and organizations want reliable, well-prepared volunteers who can plug in quickly. At Second Harvest Heartland, we support hundreds of volunteers each year across major one-time events. These events rely on episodic volunteers to provide hospitality, logistics support, guest engagement, and technical assistance. This session will share a practical, repeatable framework for designing, recruiting, training, and appreciating episodic volunteers for one-time events. Using real examples from large events, attendees will walk away with strategies they can immediately implement, regardless of event size or resources.

Bio: Bri Quarfoot is a Senior Volunteer Engagement Specialist with six years of nonprofit experience and a focus on volunteer engagement since 2022. When she joined Second Harvest Heartland, event volunteering had been on a long pause due to COVID, and she led the work of rebuilding the event volunteer base from the ground up. Through experimentation, iteration, and close listening to volunteer needs, Bri redesigned the organization’s approach to one-time event volunteer engagement and created a streamlined, adaptable process now used across multiple large events. She specializes in making episodic volunteer roles clear, accessible, and meaningful—ensuring every individual understands how their contribution directly connects to the mission. Bri is passionate about helping volunteers see the impact of their service and fostering experiences that strengthen their connection to the community.

Engaging LatinX Volunteers (09/01/2026)

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Description: As the Latinx population continues to grow, many organizations face the challenge of ensuring their volunteer force reflects the communities they serve. This session explores the intersection of volunteerism and Latinx engagement, beginning with a foundational understanding of identity, language, and the latest census data. Participants will learn how to assess their current volunteer programs through a Latinx lens, identify gaps in representation, and strategize for a more inclusive future. Practical tools and proven approaches will be shared to help organizations attract, recruit, engage, recognize, and retain Latinx volunteers. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to strengthen belonging, build authentic connections, and amplify community impact.

Bio: Monica Jasso, CVA, proudly serves as the El Paso County Volunteer Coordinator, blending decades of nonprofit volunteer management experience. A proud Fronteriza, she attended Texas A&M University and finds purpose in advancing social good by creating genuine volunteer experiences. She is deeply committed to viewing all aspects of her work through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion—a lifelong commitment rather than a professional practice. Monica currently coordinates hundreds of volunteers across 30+ departments, championing inclusive systems rooted in servant leadership. Her career milestones include earning the Certificate in Volunteer Administration (CVA) and receiving AL!VE’s 2022 Impact Award for exemplary leadership in in volunteer engagement. A mother of two, Monica leads with resolve, vision, and inclusiveness, while enjoying nature, travel, Star Trek, and foodie adventures in her free time.

Navigating Difficult Conversations with Volunteers (09/22/2026)

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Description: Having difficult conversations is never easy. Especially when they involve volunteers who are generously giving their time to support your organization. In this session, Liz will share specific volunteer scenarios and resources to support conversations around memory concerns, inappropriate behavior, performance expectations, and boundaries. Gaining the tools to thoughtfully navigate these challenging conversations will build confidence in your approach and delivery. In the words for Brene Brown, "Clear is kind, unclear is unkind."

Bio: Liz Analla brings over a decade of experience to non-profit organizations. She is the Volunteer Services Supervisor and Children's Wisconsin. Liz has worked with volunteers at Heartland Hospice, Travelers Aid Chicago (O'Hare Airport), and AmeriCorps St. Louis. Liz loves to share learned lessons and insights to working with volunteers.

She has her Masters in Nonprofit Management from DePaul University in Chicago, where she worked with the volunteer programs at the Aids Foundation of Chicago and the Chicago Red Cross. Liz obtained her CVA certification in 2021 to remain attuned to best practices for volunteer oversight. In her free time she enjoys checking out a brewery, reading and is an active volunteer.

Leading with Impact: Creating a Positive and Rewarding Volunteer Environment, Even in Challenging Times (11/17/2026)

Tue, 17 Nov 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Description: Even when the political, cultural, or professional climate isn't at its best, we as Volunteer Supervisors can still create a rewarding and meaningful environment for our Volunteers filled with support, consistency, and meaning.

Bio: Tyler Davis, CVA, has been a Volunteer Supervisor at The Lincoln Center in Fort Collins for 7 years and a founding member of the Volunteer Engagement Lead Team. Tyler helped create a 3-year strategic plan, assisted efforts for ALIVE! Service Enterprise reaccreditation, and launched the Volunteer Engagement Summit, now in its 3rd year.

The Boardroom Advantage: How Serving on a Nonprofit Board Can Give You a Leading Edge (12/10/2026)

Thu, 10 Dec 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Description: Many professionals view board service as a way to "give back" once they have reached the pinnacle of their careers. However, serving on a nonprofit board is one of the most powerful—and underutilized—tools for career acceleration and leadership development.

In this session, Jordanya Reeves, CVA, explores how nonprofit board service provides a "leading edge" for professionals at all levels. Attendees will learn how to:

- Acquire Executive-Level Skills: Gain experience in strategic planning, financial oversight, and governance that may not yet be available in your daily job.

- Expand Strategic Networks: Build meaningful connections with diverse community leaders, executives, and influencers outside your immediate industry.

- Drive Mission Impact: Understand the critical role of board-staff relationships in scaling a nonprofit's mission and effectively leveraging volunteer resources.

- Position Yourself for Leadership: Use board experience to enhance your professional brand and demonstrate a commitment to community stewardship.

This workshop provides a roadmap for finding the right board match and maximizing the mutual benefit between the individual leader and the nonprofit organization.

Speaker Bio: Jordanya Reeves, CVA is a recognized leader in the field of volunteer engagement and nonprofit leadership. She holds the Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) credential, the international standard for excellence in the profession. With extensive experience in organizational leadership and strategic volunteerism, Jordanya is an active contributor to AL!VE (Association of Leaders In Volunteer Engagement), where she has served as a volunteer leader and board member. She is known for her advocacy in professionalizing the field of volunteer management and frequently participates as an industry innovator in national forums, such as "The Volunteer Engagement Exchange." Her work focuses on bridging the gap between grassroots volunteerism and high-level nonprofit governance.

Lessons Learned: Success in Empowering Volunteers to Lead (01/12/2027)

Tue, 12 Jan 2027 15:00:00 GMT

Description: Empowering volunteers to lead doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of intentional strategies, trust, and a willingness to learn along the way. In this session, participants will explore real‑world lessons learned from building and supporting volunteer leaders who drive impact. Attendees will gain practical insights into creating leadership pathways, balancing support with autonomy, and fostering a culture where volunteers are confident, capable, and committed to leading others.

Speaker Bio: Tim Suda, CVA is an experienced leader of volunteers and a nationally recognized voice in volunteer engagement and empowerment. Currently serving with the American Red Cross, Tim focuses on building, supporting, and inspiring volunteer leaders who, in turn, lead thousands of volunteers in mission‑critical work, including disaster response. A Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA) and recipient of the 2021 Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE) Impact Award, Tim brings a practical, people‑centered approach to strengthening volunteer systems, leadership pipelines, and organizational culture.