Dear VAN Members,

Last week’s hybrid AL!VE conference was inspiring and it was great to spend the day with fellow volunteer administration professionals. For those who were able to attend, I hope you have had time to reflect on a few key takeaways that resonated with you.

 

For me, it was Sarah Mackey’s presentation on aligning your volunteer program with organizational priorities. She shared five key things you need to strategically share the impact of your volunteer program in order to cultivate champions of volunteers within your organization. I found them so valuable, I wanted to share them with you!

 

1. Organizational Goals: Connect your volunteer program to strategic priorities/goals.

2. Volunteer Action: Describe what volunteers do - use specific examples.

3. Tangible Outcome: Share the story, provide results and use DATA! This shows that the volunteer’s actions/time lead to results.

4. Leadership Insights: Get quotes from leaders in your organization who recognize the impact of your volunteer program. This adds credibility.

5. Strategic Takeaway: Close your story with the bigger picture of the strategic connection volunteers have to real outcomes.

 

If you couldn’t make it last month, or if you are just looking for more learning and development takeaways like these - there are still opportunities with VAN in 2025 and we hope to see you at one them (details below).

 

Shannon Maurer

VAN Board Vice President

 

 

Attorney General's Office Board Training:

**This training was sent out by the AG’s office before we had a chance to share the details and is over-filled. If you are interested in the joining, please go ahead and register to be put on a waitlist.

 

WHEN:Monday, November 10 | 3 - 6 p.m.

 

 

LOCATION:Shine Bright Center | 4590 E. Broad St. | Columbus,OH43213

 

Charitable University

 

Charities make a huge impact in our lives. Charitable board members, staff and volunteers need to have an understanding of some of the legal obligations that are intended to protect charitable assets and those who rely on the critical services provided by the sector. Charitable University is a new program from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office that provides training in some of the most important areas such as board governance, governmental filings and recordkeeping, financial activities, and fundraising. The curriculum from the online Charitable University program will be presented to area charitable leaders who will receive completion credit for the program and their names listed on the Attorney General’s web page as acknowledgement of their commitment to learning about their important roles as sector leaders.

 

Beth Short,Director of Charitable Outreach and Educationfor the Ohio Attorney General's Charitable Law Section, has spent her career working for and with nonprofit organizations. Her passion for the nonprofit sector is evidenced by her professional and volunteer background working with charities as a staff member, board member, consultant and volunteer for large and small organizations. She brings a background in journalism, legislative and public affairs and training, complemented by a master’s in business that focused on nonprofit management issues. Her work in the Charitable Law Section focuses on the development of strategies aimed at strengthening the nonprofit sector. She is a graduate of the Ohio State University and Ohio University and serves as president of the National Association of State Charity Officials.

 

Volunteer Administrators’ Network of Central Ohio is hosting a live training session and has invited all local charitable organizations to take advantage of this free training opportunity. The free training will be heldNovember 10, 2025 3-6pm.

 

Advanced Registration is required

EmailLynette.Santoro-Au@ohioago.govto register/join the waitlist

 

 

November PD Session:

Topic:Successful Volunteer Engagement Strategies for Events

Presented by the City of Dublin

Christine Nardecchia, Director, Outreach & Engagement

Alison Leroy, Director, Community Events

Shannon Maurer, Volunteer Coordinator

 

 

Volunteer management strategies for one-time special events present specific challenges when working with a short time frame of onsite service. There are countless issues that can arise including risk mitigation, successful onboarding, onsite management, show up rates, and working to support special events staff. The City of Dublin, Ohio is a three-time World Festival and Events honoree, and successful volunteer management is a component of that success. Learn tactics on how to turn one-time event volunteers into all-time ambassadors, and how preparation, communication and follow up work together to make safe and memorable events for all. This interactive session will provide example handbooks, assignment descriptions, recognition examples and will also challenge participants to outline strategic thought into their own tailored volunteer-supported events.

 

When:Thursday, November, 20 2025| 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Location:Dublin Development Building | 5200 Emerald Parkway | Dublin, Ohio 43017 | Large Conference Room

Details:Coffee, a light breakfast, networking & professional development for volunteer administrators in Central, Ohio.

 

VAN Board Opportunities:

Join the VAN Board – Make a Meaningful Impact While Growing Professionally

Are you passionate about volunteer administration and driven to make a meaningful impact?
Ready to take the next step in your leadership journey while expanding your professional network and sharpening your skills?

 

TheVolunteer Administrators Network (VAN)is seeking dynamic, forward-thinking leaders to join our Board in the roles ofPR/SecretaryandProfessional Development Co-Chair.

 

Serving on the VAN Board is a rewarding opportunity for professionals who valuecollaboration, innovation, service, and growth—both personally and professionally. As a Board member, you’ll help shape the future of professional development within the volunteer administration field, championing initiatives that strengthen and empower volunteer leaders from various organizations across Central Ohio.

 

If you’re ready to share your expertise, grow your leadership skills, and be part of a passionate network dedicated to making a difference in the communities we serve—we want to hear from you!

 

📩 Please send your resume and expression of interest to Galen Roth,groth@furniturebankcoh.org.

 

 

SAVE THE DATE:

That’s {almost} a wrap on 2025. One last VAN member favorite ahead where we volunteer for one of our member organizations, this year, it’s Columbus Rec & Park’s annual holiday gift sort!

• VAN Gives Back:Fri. Dec. 5| 9 a.m. - noon | Volunteer with us at Columbus Rec & Parks for their annual holiday gift sort

 

OTHER UPDATES & HAPPENINGS:

• ServeOhio MLK Grants Available!Apply by November 14 for a chance at an MLK Day of Service grant of $250-$1,000. Learn more and applyHERE.

• NEW AmeriCorps Positions!ServeOhio has announced a new program that focuses on the growing youth mental health crisis. Learn moreHERE.

• Annual Report Help:Are you working on your organization’s annual report and feeling stuck? Check outTHISarticle for some great tips.

 

 

JOB POSTINGS:
Our website is full of joblistings in central Ohio! If you're a VAN Central Ohio memberlooking for a position working with volunteers, you canclick here to access the page.There are many local openingsincluding positions atHabitat for Humanity, CAPAand MORE!Postings are updated throughout the month, so log in and check back often!

 

Need to renew your VAN Membership orknow someone who might be interested in joining VAN? Visit us online at vancentralohio.org!