The Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference
A Stronger Maine Through Volunteerism Online October 12, 2021 -- 9:00 am - 4:45 pm
Organized by the Volunteer Maine
For full conference program and presenter info, use this LINK.--------------------------------------
Registration Closes: Oct. 8, 2021 @ 5 PM Eastern. Registration Fees• Individual: $40Covers all sessions and conference materials.• Watch Party*: $100Registration must be paid in full before the conference. Payment can be made using credit cards or procurement cards as part of this process.
How you will get the links to attend your sessions. During the week of October 4-8, registrants will receive an email with a link to each session on their schedule. Be sure to have the email accessible on the device you will use on October 12.
*What is a “Watch Party”? It is a small gathering of volunteer leaders who use large screen technology in a training or conference area to attend the Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference. The group abides by all CDC health guidelines (masking, social distancing, hand sanitizing, no more than 50 people if a university lecture hall is used) and attends the conference together in order to overcome issues of internet connectivity in rural areas.
The site host submits one registration for the group and the $100 fee is shared among the participants. (E.g., 10 participants pay the host $10 each to cover the fee, 4 participants pay $25 each, etc.) The site host is the point person who will receive one set of the instructions for connecting to each session. The host should be prepared to download and distribute any documents for activities that a presenter sends during a session.
Why host a Watch Party? It provides an opportunity for volunteer program staff, leaders, sponsors, and supporters to discuss the information and ideas presented. It supports participation of leaders who may not have conquered the world of online meetings and learning yet. It offers local volunteer program leaders an opportunity to celebrate and re-energize by being with peers for just a day.
Note that “Watch Party” locations will not be listed or promoted. All organizing and monitoring of health and safety requirements is the responsibility of the host and group members.
Site hosts will be asked to submit an attendance list with emails after the conference. The attendance will be used to send participants an email link to the conference evaluation.
Greatness is within youTJ Holloway, The Holloway Group LLC
SESSION BLOCK A -- select 1 option
Presenter: Michael Ashmore, Volunteer MaineDo you have a project that you think would be a great AmeriCorps program? Or maybe you need a small group of dedicated volunteers to help with a body of work. This session will help you figure out if you should look into AmeriCorps or lean into a Service Enterprise Model.
Presenter: Jared McCannellIf you are new to volunteer management, or have suddenly found yourself in charge of a group of volunteers in your organization, this session will help you get the cornerstones to managing volunteers and the start of creating a great volunteer program.
SESSION BLOCK B -- Select 1 option
Presenter: Elisabeth Donovan, Galaxy DigitalThis session will provide Real World nonprofit examples of how Virtual Volunteerism can be added to any nonprofit's program, bring measurable value, and be promoted to re-engage current supporters and new. The presentation will draw in real world client experiences from 2020. Discussion will also include setting structured action steps and identifying data points specific to their organization's initiatives targeted towards growth and impact accountability.
Sue Hawthorne, SweetserMental Health First Aid trains people on how to identify and respond to mental illness and substance abuse. This session will help you understand Mental Health First Aid and what it might look like to have staff and volunteers trained in this area.
SESSION BLOCK C (select 1 option)
Presenter: Margaret Brownlee, Maine College of ArtAttracting diverse talent to your volunteer programs will only make your program stronger and more accessible to everyone in your community. Learn and have discussions about what diversity is and how you can make your programs a welcoming place for everyone.
Two 45 minute sessions will be running during this time.Give Youth Engagement a BoostPresenters: Jessica Friedlander & Charles Curtis, Volunteer New York!Youth who are more engaged contribute to stronger and more engaged communities, and volunteerism is crucial for building the skills and relationships needed to make that positive impact. The challenge, of course, is offering programs that resonate! In this presentation, we'll explore the reasons why youth of all ages are motivated to volunteer, and innovative programs—from a youth-exclusive mobile app to virtual camp to career-prep workshops—that will inspire them to make their mark on the world.Mobilizing older residents as community change-makers and volunteersPresenter: Patricia Oh & Sarah GrantOlder people in Maine's communities have a wealth of experience, wisdom, and life experience. Many also have time to volunteer and want to use that time to make a difference in their community or focusing on an area that has been a lifelong passion. During this session, you will learn how to recruit, nurture, and retain older volunteers.
SESSION BLOCK D - Select 1 option
Presenter: Tracy Harkins, Harkins Consulting LLCService Learning is more than community service, it’s putting youth in charge of what they want to change in their communities. Learn more about what is, what it isn't, and a teaser of how you can implement Service Learning and empower the youth in your community.
Presenter: Alina Wright, Maine Emergency Management AgencyCOVID-19 has made us painfully aware of the need to be prepared for things to change at the drop of a hat. This session will help you understand how you can prepare your organization to continue operations and still be an effective steward in your community when disasters happen.
SESSION BLOCK E - Select 1 option
Presenter: Rachel Puckett, Michigan State UniversityBurnt out on planning trainings? Tired of PowerPoint slides and silent members? Join us for an interactive session on spicing up your virtual trainings and team-building efforts! You will leave with easy-to-implement activities and engagement strategies.
Presenter: Cairn Reich, Soul of CairnDo you remember the viral video “Linda, Listen”? Have you ever felt like you were in one of those conversations that would just never end? In this session, I will share how to get started having these difficult conversations and provide templates/worksheets for planning and documenting.
Final information, any questions you may have - thank you for joining us!
Covers all sessions and conference materials.
Host registering for group of attendees (see description of a Watch Party at top of page)
Check here to receive Certificate of Attendance to add to professional development portfolio.
Please follow these instructions to ensure a non-credit card payment is processed correctly.1. PRINT a copy of the receipt from this site and SEND with your payment. Link to print is on Confirmation page under Actions.2. Make checks payable to: MAINE VOLUNTEER FOUNDATION3. Mail payment to: MAINE VOLUNTEER FOUNDATION Attn: Treasurer 19 Elkins Lane, 105 SHS Augusta, ME 04333-0105
