2024 Iowa Nonprofit Summit

Training Track: Volunteer Engagement

Topic of Workshop: Engaging youth (ages 5-18) in authentic and meaningful service opportunities. Discussing common barriers to youth service and best practices for engaging youth voice in your nonprofit work & mission.

Title of Workshop: Empowering Youth Service

Workshop Description: Want to increase your volunteer recruitment and create lifelong advocates for your mission? Discover tips and tricks for engaging young people (ages 5 through 18) in volunteer opportunities with your organization! We will discuss the top barriers youth face to volunteering and provide solutions for overcoming them. Additionally, we’ll cover the importance of youth voice and brainstorm ways to implement it in your organization’s existing volunteer opportunities, new service pathways, and overall mission. In addition to the training, this is a chance to hear directly from youth leaders on their service experiences.

List 3 learning objectives:

• Identify common barriers to youth volunteering
• Discover the importance of youth voice in volunteer experiences & your work
• Create authentic youth volunteer opportunities with youth feedback from session

Training Track: Volunteer Engagement

Topic of Workshop: Introduction to Training Staff to Engage and Support Volunteers

Title of Workshop: Engaging Staff in Volunteer Engagement

Workshop Description: 
Equipping all staff to engage with volunteers unlocks your organization's full potential! This dynamic session provides strategies and practical tools that you can use to help staff inspire, motivate, and effectively collaborate with volunteers.
The success of volunteer engagement no longer hinges on a volunteer program. It needs to be a human capital strategy that the whole organization engages with. Attend this interactive workshop where you'll explore:

• Building Meaningful Connections: Learn techniques for engaging staff in the volunteer engagement process and creating initial buy-in.
• Effective Communication: Discover how staff can convey your organization’s mission and goals in a way that resonates with volunteers.
• Motivation and Retention: Explore tools to help staff recognize and reward volunteers, cultivating commitment and enthusiasm.
• Leveraging Feedback: Discuss ways to solicit and utilize feedback from staff and volunteers to enhance the experiences of all involved.

You’ll leave this session with actionable insights, resources, and renewed confidence to engage your whole organization in volunteer engagement efforts. Transform your approach to volunteer engagement and drive your organization toward greater impact.

Learning objectives:

• Know how to help staff make the ask and invite the community to volunteer with your organization
• Gain tools to help facilitate exploring how volunteers can support staff and programs and create buy-in beyond the volunteer engagement team
• Learn about tools and resources in Iowa to support your ongoing efforts

Training Track: Volunteer Engagement
Title of Workshop: Maximizing Impact: Engaging Skills-Based Volunteers for Nonprofit Success

Workshop Description: In today's dynamic nonprofit landscape, leveraging the unique talents and expertise of skills-based volunteers can significantly enhance your organization's capacity and impact. This breakout session is designed for nonprofit leaders looking to harness the full potential of skills-based volunteering.
Join us for an interactive and informative session where we will explore effective strategies for identifying, recruiting, and retaining skills-based volunteers. Learn how to match the right skills with the right projects, ensuring that both volunteers and organizations benefit mutually. Discover innovative approaches to volunteer engagement that can drive your mission forward and create lasting community change.
Who Should Attend:

• Nonprofit Executive Directors
• Volunteer Engagement Professionals
• Program Managers
• Board Members
• Anyone interested in enhancing volunteer engagement and impact within their organization

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Skills-Based Volunteering: Gain insights into what skills-based volunteering entails and how it differs from traditional volunteer roles.
2. Strategic Recruitment: Learn best practices for attracting and selecting volunteers with specific skill sets that align with your organization's needs and goals.
3. Effective Onboarding and Training: Explore methods for effectively integrating skills-based volunteers into your organization, including orientation and ongoing support.
4. Project Matching and Management: Discover techniques for matching volunteer skills with appropriate projects, ensuring maximum impact and satisfaction for both parties.
5. Retention and Recognition: Develop strategies for retaining skills-based volunteers and recognizing their contributions to foster long-term engagement and loyalty.

Case Studies and Success Stories: Hear examples of successfully implemented skills-based volunteer opportunities and learn from their experiences.