Volunteer Connections

Meet me on Facebook – Understanding the new world of online social networking

Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 9:30 am – 11:30 am (9:15 am check in)
REI - Community Center 1789 28th St. Boulder
Presenter: Pat Dimond – Director, Volunteer Services, Boulder Community Hospital
Fee: $30 members; $40 non-members (register & pay)

Audience
Anyone interested in learning about Facebook

Description
How do we connect with younger volunteers in the new cyber-world where they “live”? Do we promote our programs and volunteer needs using this tool? Could we? Should we? Anyone who wants to know more about Facebook and social networking tools and techniques would benefit from this workshop.

Learn
- Facebook terminology
- Facebook etiquette
- Facebook safety and privacy issues
- Applications for volunteer programs and fundraising promotions

Court-Ordered Community Service

Wednesday, February 24, 2010, 9:30 am – 11:30 am (9:15 am check in)
REI - Community Center, 1789 28th St. Boulder
Presenter: Cecilia Wilson – Court Services Supervisor, Boulder Community Service Unit
Fee: $30 members; $40 non-members (register & pay)

Audience
Any agency interested in utilizing offenders ordered to complete community service as part of their sentencing.

Description
Review the requirements of the Boulder County/20th Judicial District’s community service program. Answer questions related to the program. Will provide handouts that describe the program.

Learn
- How agencies get placed on the Community Justice Service’s Site List
- What kind of clients we serve
- What liabilities agencies have and don’t have
- What types of duties agencies may request
- What is required of the agencies
- What to do if there are problems with the client

Volunteer Appreciation

Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 9:00 am – 11:00 am (8:45 am check in)
Longmont Police Dept. - Community Room, 225 Kimbark Ave. Longmont
Presenter: Brian Leftwich – Manager, Corporate Engagement & Communications, HandsOn Network
Fee: $30 members; $40 non-members (register & pay)

Audience
Volunteer Managers and Coordinators

Description
This workshop will focus on all aspects of volunteer appreciation. Participants will learn about tried and true as well as new approaches to recognizing the work of volunteers every day. Volunteer appreciation is an ongoing process and you will learn how it starts the moment you meet them and finishes when they complete their volunteer experience. Participants will be given resources and ideas to further their volunteer programs. Participants can also expect to participate in interactive exercises designed to collaboratively strengthen their current programs.

Learn
- How to effectively recognize the work of a volunteer
- How to engage your entire staff in recognition
- Utilizing volunteers in the recognition process
- Being creative in a down economy
- Completing the cycle of volunteering

Front Desk Safety & Security

Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 9:30 am – 11:30 am (9:15 am check in)
REI - Community Center, 1789 28th St. Boulder
Presenter: Merrie Harper
Fee: $30 members; $40 non-members

Audience
Front desk professionals, receptionists, office assistants, facility managers,
operations managers, security personnel, or any employee responsible for implementing safety and security procedures are encouraged to attend.

Description
The presentation will be on Front Desk Safety & Security. Participants will
learn how front desk personnel should respond to a variety of emergency
situations, from phone threats to fire to medical emergencies. The workshop will include information about how to assess a front desk area to identify
potential risks and hazards, and participants will work through some potential scenarios to apply the lessons presented.

Learn
- How to recognize potential risks and hazards and have an opportunity to practice responses to various scenarios. Information that will help you create safety procedures and a renewed confidence to take action in an emergency.

Dealing with Difficult Volunteer Situations

Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 9:30 am – 12:00 pm (9:15 am check in)
Longmont Police Dept. - Community Room, 225 Kimbark St., Longmont
Presenter: Jackie Norris – Jackie Norris Consulting – Board Development and Volunteerism
Fee: $30 members; $40 non-members

Audience
Anyone who works with volunteers

Description
No individual starts out to be a difficult volunteer, but a variety of factors can impact volunteer programs, resulting in challenging volunteer interactions. This workshop will address proactive methods of preventing difficult situations from occurring, and will also provide participants with ideas for dealing with difficult volunteer challenges once they arise. Attendees at this workshop should plan to actively participate in a lively and interactive problem-solving session.

Learn
- A solid foundation for the volunteer program can prevent difficult volunteer situations from occurring
- How to fire a volunteer
- Alternatives to firing volunteers
- Retiring volunteers gracefully
- Communication is a critical tool in working effectively with volunteers
- Dealing with change in volunteer programs

Building on the Energy of Senior Volunteers “Will You Still Need Me, Will You Still Feed Me…When I’m 64?”

Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 9:30 am – 11:30 am (9:15 am check in)
REI - Community Center, 1789 28th St. Boulder
Presenter: Maggie Shearon – Volunteer Coordinator, RSVP of Boulder County
Fee: $30 members; $40 non-members

Audience
Volunteer Coordinators, Program Directors, Volunteers, Board Members

Description
In this hand on workshop we will explore our definition of “Senior” volunteer. We’ll define what senior means today and look at the special qualities and culture Baby Boomer and older volunteers bring to our organizations. We’ll identify the ways we include senior volunteers now, and brainstorm how these volunteers can be more effective in our programs. We’ll look at specific recruitment, recognition and retention strategies.

Learn
- Baby Boomers and senior volunteers bring a lot to the table.
- Boomers and senior volunteers are looking for meaningful volunteer experience
- Older volunteers have high expectations of themselves and their agencies
- Programs can meet Boomers expectations and build strong relationships
- We need to rethink “senior” to make the volunteer partnership work.

Technology and the Future of Volunteerism

Wednesday, May 12, 2010, Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Presenter: Tom Grant & David Lampe – Principals of Blue Ray Media, Inc.
Fee: $30 members; $40 non-members

Audience
Volunteer Coordinators and Recruiters, Executive Directors, Technology Managers

Description
Learn how to manage volunteers with technology and how to use technology to provide more opportunities to volunteers. We’ll show you a variety of tools you can use to manage volunteer information, keep your name in front of volunteers and ??? We’ll introduce you to the new concept of “virtual volunteerism”, where volunteers complete tasks using the Internet. We’ll help you determine whether virtual volunteerism is right for your organization and, if so, how to start a successful program.Learn Discover free online tools that will help you communicate with volunteers and keep your name in front of them.

Learn
- About how to use databases and other tools to manage volunteer information and keep volunteers up-to-date about volunteer opportunities within your organization.
- Volunteers are now completing tasks using the Internet, without coming to your location.
- Find out how this “virtual volunteerism” is changing the face of volunteerism.
- Determine whether your organization is ready to set up virtual volunteerism.
- Learn how to implement a successful virtual volunteer program.

Examples of past workshops include:
Basics of Volunteer Recruitment
Building a Volunteer Program from the Ground Up
Delegation and Project Management
Court-Ordered Volunteers can be your new BFFs!
Front Desk Safety & Security
Volunteerism & Philanthropy – Growing Together

Register and pay for one of our upcoming workshops. Payment can also be made by check (made out to Volunteer Connection). Call (303) 444 4904 or email services@volunteerconnection.net for more information.