April 2020
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The 2020 Virginia Volunteerism Conference Has Been Cancelled
The Office on Volunteerism & Community Services, along with the Virginia Service Foundation, has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Virginia Volunteerism Conference. We will miss the opportunity to be together this year for networking and learning, but our individual and collective health comes first.

We look forward to setting a date for our 2021 conference. We’ll notify you so you can save the date! We do hope all of you can stay engaged with us and attend our next conference! Thank you for all you are doing to help your communities through these challenging times. Our best wishes for good health. More


How Can You (Safely) Make a Difference During this
National Health Emergency?
As Virginia faces the next few weeks or months dealing with the current COVID-19 health crisis, we would like to offer some helpful resources for our communities. There are many ways you can safely serve during this time -- from donating blood to volunteering at school feeding centers. Visit VirginiaService.virginia.gov regularly for the latest information on how you can help during this challenging time. Please also check out the resources listed below for additional opportunities, guidance, and points of contact to help and get help during this crisis.

COVID-19 Nonprofit Toolbox
This month we're dedicating this feature to share valuable resources for your organization during this current national health crisis. If you would like to share additional resources with us, please pass them along to us via email at [email protected] .







  • 2-1-1 Virginia is a one-stop resource for finding human service needs across Virginia. Visit the website or call 2-1-1 toll free.
Virginia's AmeriCorps Members Step Up to Help During COVID-19 Crisis
AmeriCorps members serving across Virginia have quickly shifted gears due to the growing COVID-19 pandemic. Previously providing tutoring, job readiness assistance, and other vital services in communities, members have jumped into action helping to serve meals to students, sort donations, and much more. One example of this dedication to service is in Danville, where members with Dan River Year AmeriCorps have been serving at God’s Storehouse to pack children’s food bags for distribution. Some members also assisted in stuffing “Stimulus Care Packages” for nursing homes to stimulate their minds during the shutdown. Thank you to all of our amazing AmeriCorps members who, separated from their families and loved ones, are continuing to serve others during this challenging time.
Hurricane Prep Disaster Preparedness
Training Coming Soon!
Are you ready? Although it is difficult to think ahead of the current emergency, hurricane season is coming soon and the need to be prepared for potential weather-related disasters still exists. The Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Services will be offering free training sessions in your area as soon as it is safe to do so. These sessions will cover a variety of hurricane preparedness-related topics including what to do with spontaneous volunteers if they arrive to help and how to operate a Volunteer Reception Center.

Please contact Vickie Johnson-Scott, [email protected] , for additional information.
Remember to Thank Your Volunteers During National Volunteer Week!  
April 19-25, National Volunteer Week, is your chance to recognize your volunteers. Even though staff at your organization may be working from home during this time, you should consider thinking outside the box for ways you can celebrate volunteerism during this week.
 
  • Host a Virtual Volunteer Recognition Day event on Zoom or other web conferencing platform
  • Send thank you notes to your volunteers
  • Post a "Thank You Volunteers" banner on your organization website
  • Share your volunteer stories on social media and tag us! (Facebook @VirginiaService, Twitter @VAservice, Instagram servevirginia)
  • Share your stories on VirginiaService.virginia.gov and we may post them on our homepage!
Upcoming Opportunities
Important Dates and Online Training Opportunities
Loungewear Learning When You're Stuck at Home
is a book club for nonprofit professionals to explore professional development titles together virtually. This is a brand new offering from Nonprofit Hub which is also know for webinars and podcasts.
offers a wide variety of virtual training topics (for a fee) during this time to help offset in-person training you may have had cancelled recently. Sign up for updates.
is a chance to listen and learn from nonprofit professionals on a wide variety of topics, including fundraising, social media trends, reporting impact, continuity planning and much more!
Virginia AmeriCorps Members Assistance Program
FREE Upcoming Webinars
As part of the ASC AmeriCorps Member Assistance Program, Virginia's AmeriCorps State program members are eligible to take part in the many upcoming FREE webinars offered for their personal development! Topics include Mindfulness, Coping for Front Line Responders, Managing Financial Anxiety, Caregiving and Parenting in Turbulent Times, and Resilience and Self Care.


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Virginia Office on Volunteerism & Community Services
 804-726-7065 |   [email protected]