VANtage: September 2024
Alaina Reimer | Published on 9/6/2024
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:
Dear VAN Members,
I hope you had a restful Labor Day! We had a great discussion on Days of Service last month! One thing I forgot to mention was the greater context around the timing of volunteer group events. Namely that they tend to fall on weekends and holidays. Labor Day isn’t one of those Days of Service that I found.
So I hope you use the day as intended and REST! A great lesson I learned in college was from an advisor who was concerned that I was working too much. The gist of that conversation was, one way or another, there should be one day of rest every seven days. Whether people were made that way or evolved that way or are conditioned that way. Most of us aren’t wired to hustle and grind 24/7/365. I’m not, at least.
The takeaway here is that sometimes it is okay to tell a group that you don’t have the capacity to host them. The calendar can be full if you have a day of rest scheduled!
Be sure to arrange your calendars to join us this month! We will be joined by Joe Ingram III from The Ohio State University’s LiFEsports program.
Galen Roth, CVA
Volunteers Manager at the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio
VAN President
SEPTEMBER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
Topic: Enhancing Community Partnerships with Joe Ingram III from the OSU LiFEsports Program. Join us to learn how this positive youth development program leverages community partners, volunteers, and sponsors to make a big impact in the lives of vulnerable youth.
Date: Thursday, September 19, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Columbus Metro Library - 96 S. Grant Street Meeting Room 1A
Details: The morning session starts at 9 a.m. with a light breakfast, coffee, and an interactive professional development presentation. The PD session wraps up by 10:15/10:30 a.m., with the last portion of the meeting set aside for networking and questions.
- Bring a friend, co-worker or colleague - the first meeting is always free!
- We meet monthly, on the third Thursday
- Meetings are typically located at the main branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library unless otherwise indicated
NOTE: VAN is hosting the hybrid AL!VE Conference on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 for all current VAN Members - this will be in place of our regular monthly PD session for Oct. There will be NO PD SESSION ON OCT. 17.
JOB POSTINGS:
Our website is full of job listings in central Ohio! If you're a VAN Central Ohio member looking for a position working with volunteers, you can click here to access the page. There are many local openings including positions at Canine Companions, BESA, Ronald McDonald House, and MORE! Postings are updated throughout the month, so log in and check back often!
VAN BOARD OPPORTUNITIES:
Are you passionate about volunteer administration? Are you looking to give back in a big way while learning and growing professionally? Then joining the VAN Board may be the right fit for you! We are currently seeking value-added members to join our team in the following opening: Professional Development Co-Chair. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to take that next step in leadership and professional growth. If interested, please email groth@furniturebankcoh.org with a copy of your resume.
OTHER UPDATES & HAPPENINGS:
- Emergency Management Training Course: Are you responsible for emergency planning and response within your organization? Many volunteer management teams are and could likely benefit from state emergency response training such as THIS one coming up on Sept. 23 & 24.
- Presenter Opportunity! The ServeOhio conference is scheduled for March 7, 2025 and they are looking for workshop presenters! This is a great chance to share your successes and help others in our profession learn and grow in their roles. Learn more and submit your workshop proposal HERE.
- AL!VE, Better Impact and Hybrid Conference 2024. We think this year’s topic should be a fantastic one for all our members, no matter what your experience level is in managing volunteers. Come learn with us as we watch the virtual sessions together and have topical discussions throughout the day. Every currently active VAN Member is invited to join!
- Topic: “Creating Influence in Your Organization: Thinking Beyond ‘A Seat at the Table’”
- When: Wednesday, October 23, 2024 - this is an all-day conference, plan for 8 am - 4 pm *light breakfast & lunch included
- Where: Virtually hosted at the Columbus Main Library
- FREE for VAN members to attend! More details to come as we get closer to the date!
- Texas Volunteer Management Conference, Oct. 10-11, 2024: This 2024 conference looks to offer an excellent learning line-up! Can't make it to Dallas? No worries, the virtual option looks just as great as being in-person and for a fraction of the cost. Virtual: $120. Americorp/Student Rate: $50. Details HERE.
Need to renew your VAN Membership or know someone who might be interested in joining VAN? Visit us online at vancentralohio.org!