Session Content
October 8, 2020
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Sustaining and Adapting Volunteer Engagement: Lessons from COVID-19
Presenter: Beth Steinhorn
2020 has been a year of challenge and change – especially regarding engaging volunteers. Yet, such tests also present an opportunity for learning. This session will explore lessons that we can glean from organizations that are thriving despite these circumstances and from those who haven’t been so nimble. Hear case studies of organizations adapting their engagement practices (including virtual volunteering, recruiting new volunteers, and developing new roles entirely) and research and tips to help make the case for sustaining engagement as a strategy to sustain your organization through these challenging times.
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October 15, 2020
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Strengthening Relationships and Community in a Virtual World
Presenter: Beth Steinhorn
Whether volunteers serve on-site, off-site, or from their living rooms, ensuring that volunteers feel a part of something bigger than just themselves can transform one- time volunteers into truly engaged and committed volunteers. Nowhere is that more important than when volunteers are serving virtually. In this session, discover tactics to nurture your community of volunteers by structuring virtual roles, leveraging social media, strategically designing communications, checking-in regularly, and celebrating together – even if virtually. Remember, individuals often start volunteering to make a difference, but they stay when they develop relationships and feel a part of a team. So, building those relationships and nurturing community among virtual volunteers today will serve your future well.
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October 22, 2020
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Strategies to Identify and Overcome Implicit Bias
Presenter: Sierra Austin
This session is designed for those who seek to learn where their ‘blind spots' are. Implicit bias can be described as the automatic and unconscious associations we make about social groups, often rooted in stereotypes and other harmful ideologies. In many cases, these unconscious associations can influence our behavior, causing us to act/respond in ways that are unintentionally harmful. In fact, research demonstrates that implicit biases exist even in the absence of overt bigotry. Biases shape our social interactions and decision-making processes despite good intentions - even in spaces where nondiscriminatory policies, practices, and standards are embraced. After learning how to assess our blind spots, we will work to begin the journey to continuous self-reflection and disruption.
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October 29, 2020
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Creating a More Diverse & Inclusive Environment Through the Mechanisms that Engage Volunteers
Presenter: Jerome Tennille
Injecting practices of diversity, equity and inclusion is a must for the long-term sustainability of any institution engaging volunteers. Participants will learn how to more purposefully design volunteer engagement mechanisms within the formalized institutes where they work and support. Participants will understand a foundational level of the following:
- The historical background of formalized volunteerism through the institutions supported.
- The practices that can be implemented to increase inclusion of diverse communities you seek for support.
- Identifying and acknowledging the policies and guidelines within the institutions supported that may adversely affect the diversity of the volunteer populations engaged.