Volunteers give so much of their time and talent to nonprofit organizations and giving them a positive experience increases the chance they return. Going the extra mile to show genuine appreciation to your volunteers deepens their commitment to your mission, and, in turn, strengthens the impact your organization makes in the community. Nikki Eliason, CVA, from Make-A-Wish Gulf Coast and Louisiana and their Volunteer of the Year, Kelly Pitts leads us in conversation.
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Setting expectations with volunteers to understand what motivates them
Impact on organization programs and return on investment
Hosting appreciation events
Budgeting for volunteer appreciation
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Volunteer Managers and Coordinators
Resale Store Managers
Food Pantry Managers
Program Directors
CEOS/Executive Leadership
Participation is free for ACAM Network Partner organizations and 2025 All-Access Pass holders. For all other attendees, the cost to participate is $35.
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Nikki Eliason, CVA - Volunteer Manager at Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana
As a transplant to Texas in 2008 from central Indiana, I found myself longing to join the Houston community. I naturally gravitated toward meaningful engagement that was familiar to me as a previous volunteer with Make-A-Wish in my hometown and attended wish granter volunteer training in 2009. Little did I know that I would soon have the opportunity to take on a full-time staff position, and 14 years later have the joy of continuing to serve and learn in new ways each day while sharing in the transformational power of a wish. I'm an active wish-granting volunteer, have served in staff roles within our mission delivery, fundraising and development teams, and now serve as Volunteer Manager. I truly believe that wishes are not just nice but necessary. For a wish child, the opportunity to step outside of their current limitations and experience the hope, strength, and joy that only a wish can provide is integral to their journey of battling a critical illness.
The CVA is the only internationally recognized credential in the profession of volunteer administration and is valid for a 5-year period before renewal. To earn this designation, applicants demonstrate the achievement of 80 points in the areas of education, professional experience and the application of core competencies. Successful applicants become candidates for the CVA who then complete a two-hour examination testing knowledge, application and analysis of skills in six competencies related to the mobilization and leadership of volunteer engagement. Successful CVAs also pledge to work within the professional code of ethics. They join a select group of over 1100 professionals worldwide who currently hold this credential as of November 2024.
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You can register for this training with the following link: Volunteer Appreciation and Why It Matters