Dear VAN Members,
May is a season of momentum, growth and renewed energy, and nowhere is that more evident than in the incredible work of volunteer administrators. During this busy season, I am continually inspired by the passion, creativity and dedication each of you brings to your organizations and communities every single day.
May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, offering an important reminder of the powerful connection between service, belonging and well-being. Volunteerism not only strengthens communities, it also strengthens individuals. Giving time to others can reduce feelings of isolation, build meaningful connections, create purpose and encourage healthy habits that positively impact mental wellness. Through your leadership, you help create opportunities for people to connect, contribute and thrive.
Volunteer engagement is about so much more than filling shifts or coordinating programs. It is about building connections, creating belonging and empowering people to make a meaningful difference. Because of your leadership, volunteers feel valued, missions move forward and communities grow stronger.
Thank you for the time, heart and vision you invest in this profession. Together, we are shaping stronger organizations, stronger volunteers and stronger communities.
We hope you can join us for our upcoming PD session, Coffee & Calamities on May 21 in Dublin.
With gratitude,
Shannon Maurer
VAN Board President
Professional Development:
Last month we had an amazing session where we got to meet at Schiller Park and learn all about the park and the “Friends of Schiller Park”. We were lucky to have a beautiful sunny day where we could walk around the park and learn about its history, art, community, and volunteer efforts.
Together as a group we saw what it takes to lead big city initiatives like creating beautiful flower beds, hosting plays in the park, and the play structures and permanent fixtures that make the park what it is. Our hearts were warmed to hear about the history of the fountain and the joy it sparks to the people in that area. Things like this remind us why it’s important to find volunteers to build up our social circles and bring people together through our different missions.
If you missed this session, you can learn more here
May Professional Development:
WHEN: Thursday May 21st – 9:00am – 11:00am
LOCATION: Dublin Community Recreation Center - 5600 Post Road Dublin, OH 43017 - Room, Talla 1
DETAILS: Join VANS and the board as we host a “Coffee and Calamity” day. We will bring questions and discussion topics that we can dissect as a group of volunteer administrators. This is your chance to bring those burning questions you have or those challenge spots you have that you want to strengthen. We will dive into some great topics and hope that everyone leaves with some new notches in their tool belt and feels ready to tackle their toughest challenges.
Welcome Aboard:
Please join me in welcoming our newest member to the group, Janara Alfano. Janara is representing Central Community House. Please give them a warm welcome and introduce yourself next time you see them!
Walking around in your VANS:
*A section dedicated to news and announcements that are happening in the volunteer world and your local area. *
Incremental Investment in Volunteer Strategy: Identifying Opportunities + Advocating for Growth
Wednesday, May 13th 2:00 - 3:00 pm
The second session in Better Impact's ongoing series on building stronger volunteer programs through intentional, strategic investment. Featuring Beth Steinhorn, CVA, President of VQ Volunteer Strategies & Houston Goodwin, CEO of Better Impact.
REGISTER HERE
Am I Making the Right Decision? The Role of Ethics in Volunteer Engagement
Thursday June 11th, 2026, 7:00pm
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.
REGISTER HERE
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. Postings are updated throughout the month, so log in and check back often!
Newsletter Dessert:
Q: Want to hear a joke about a roof? The first ones on the house…🥁🥁
New Year, Fresh Membership Renewal! Check to see if your membership is up-to-date by logging in online at vancentralohio.org!
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