Volunteer Management Learning Opportunities

October - November 2026

Join us for upcoming webinar discussions that spark fresh ideas, meaningful service, and stronger connections across our community.

Working with Volunteers of Every Generation

New Date

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. EDT

Whether you are Generation X, Y, Z , Greatest Generation to Boomer or anything in between, you may be leading volunteers at every age. At this webinar, we will talk about recruiting, retaining and recognizing volunteers with the lens of leading the different age groups…no matter where YOU fall in the generational breakdown. Each group has its special characteristics and challenges. Join us to discuss how to get the most out of your volunteers of every generation.

Do Volunteers Who Ghost Scare You the Most?

Thursday, October 8

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EDT

Few things unsettle volunteer directors, managers, and coordinators more than watching enthusiastic new volunteers complete training, follow every step of your onboarding process — and then disappear without a word. This growing challenge, often called “ghosting,” can disrupt momentum, drain staff energy, and stall program goals. This session explores the real reasons volunteers ghost, the early warning signs that help you spot disengagement before it happens, and practical approaches for reconnecting with volunteers who have gone silent. We’ll also discuss how to move forward constructively when re‑engagement isn’t possible. Join us to learn strategies that strengthen volunteer commitment, increase adaptability, and help your program maintain steady progress — even when the unexpected happens.

Volunteer Management Roundtable: How Will HR1 Change the Volunteer Landscape?

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EDT

With new federal requirements linking Medicaid and SNAP eligibility to “community engagement” activities—including volunteering—organizations may see a surge in individuals seeking volunteer placements to meet compliance standards. Join us to discuss how HR1 could reshape the volunteer ecosystem and how to best prepare for these new volunteers. During this roundtable discussion, we will examine how HR1 could shift volunteer motivations, increase administrative and documentation demands, and introduce new considerations for handling volunteers facing challenges to meet required hours. We will discuss our roles as leaders of volunteers to design appropriate volunteer opportunities, maintain a healthy volunteer culture, and support staff who may suddenly find themselves navigating new compliance questions. This information should help anticipate operational impacts, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and begin planning for a volunteer landscape where nonprofits and government organizations play an additional role in the social safety net. We hope that participants will leave with clearer expectations, shared insights, and actionable next steps for preparing their programs for an HR1‑driven future.

Secrets to Leading Successful Meetings

Thursday, October 29

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EDT

Great meetings don’t just “happen” by accident — they’re designed with clarity and purpose. With the right preparation, facilitation, and follow‑through, any meeting can become a catalyst with vision, momentum, and strong governance. Whether you’re leading a board, coordinating volunteers or managing staff, you can transform your meetings into high‑impact conversations that move your mission forward. This workshop gives you the tools to lead meetings that work. You’ll learn what to do before, during, and after each gathering to keep people engaged and aligned. Plus, we’ll tackle the real‑world challenges leaders face — derailed agendas, side conversations, virtual fatigue — and show you how to navigate them with ease. Perfect for volunteer leaders, executive directors, board and committee chairs, and anyone ready to elevate their meeting leadership.

Protect or Exclude? The Ethics and Real Risk of Over-Screening Volunteers

Thursday, November 19

2:00 - 3:00 p.m. EST



Our next book club pick is not a book, but an article from Engage Journal [https://engagejournal.org/]. Protect or Exclude? The Ethics and Real Risk of Over-Screening Volunteers is a thought‑provoking ethics article that looks at the volunteer program requirement: screening volunteers in the name of safety. The article exposes how excessive screening creates barriers, shrinks your volunteer pool, and undermines the very culture of belonging organizations claim to champion. It pushes us to rethink risk, challenge “the way we’ve always done it,” and embrace fair, role‑aligned screening that protects people without excluding them. This article will spark conversation about ethics, equity, and the future of volunteer engagement. Joining us for the conversation is article author Sammy Feilchenfeld, CVA, Senior Manager, Learning (He/Him) of Volunteer Toronto.  

The article is available here at no-cost, courtesy of the Engage Journal. We appreciate their support.

Trainings offered by Volunteer Fairfax may be used to meet the requirements for applying for or renewing the Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) credential. One Professional Development Unit (PDU) is awarded for each 60-minute session in topics related to volunteer resources management. For more details about the CVA program and renewal requirements, visit CVAcert.org or email info@CVAcert.org

VOLUNTEER FAIRFAX

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