One of the many things I love about being a volunteer engagement professional is how supportive the volunteer engagement community is, and the many resources available to help ensure success in the profession. Resources can be found locally, nationally, and internationally.
International Resources
Internationally, I first think of the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA). As a CVA myself, I found the experience of getting my certification life-changing and one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. The CCVA provides resources to CVAs and non-CVAs alike. Their website is my go-to for professional ethics guidance. They also offer a great speaker series addressing current topics in the profession.
Better Impact is another helpful resource. As a subscriber, I utilize their system daily. I have been thrilled by the support they offer both to subscribers and to those generally in the field. Their blog articles are timely and engaging, and their webinar offerings are top-notch. I regularly check their upcoming sessions and sign up for any I can attend.
No matter where in the world I happen to connect with volunteer engagement professionals, they share the same challenges while their approaches vary. That’s why I enjoy connecting with those outside of my field and across the world. Some wonderful organizations include Volunteer Ireland, PAVRO in Ontario, Canada, Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada (VMPC), and Volunteer Canada. All these organizations have websites jam-packed with useful information.
National Resources (United States)
Nationally in the US, Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE) is unparalleled in their support of the profession. Resources on their site are limited for non-members, but their low membership fee is more than worth it. They provide everything from regular AL!VE Academy presentations to communities of practice that drill down on selected topics and fields of engagement. I can’t recommend enough their personalized mentorship program and their presenter boot camp for those looking to get to the next level. They also provide support for local organizations to help them grow their membership base and are home to Service Enterprise, which is designed to strategically leverage volunteers to reach operational efficiency.
AL!VE works closely with Better Impact and VMPC every year to present the Hybrid Conference in October. During the conference, they present the Impact Awards to new and seasoned professionals. I’m also looking forward to AL!VE’s in-person Summit coming in 2026. The summit will be filled with top professionals providing guidance and support as well as addressing the most current trends in the industry.
Although I don’t work for a service commission, I do regularly check America’s Service Commissions (ASC) for additional resources and upcoming conferences that offer volunteer engagement sessions. Like ASC, Points of Light is another helpful organization with useful resources, along with a highly attended yearly conference. They are home to the President’s Volunteer Service Awards, which is a wonderful way to recognize volunteers for their support.
VolunteerPro is a terrific organization led by Tobi Johnson that houses a wealth of information. Tobi’s vast experience in the field and her wonderful ability to design easy-to-use templates for support is impressive. There is a significant cost to membership, but if you are new to the field or looking to dive deeply into subject material, VolunteerPro is exceptional.
VolunteerMatch is well known for connecting volunteers to opportunities, but they should also be on the top of the list for resources. They have an extensive resource library and frequently provide virtual training. I can’t recommend enough their Equity in Action Toolkit as a comprehensive guide.
Local Associations and Social Media
In addition to my local association, I sign up for updates from other organizations across the country that offer useful webinars. I particularly enjoy the selections from the Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement (MAVA)—their website is like a candy store for a volunteer engagement professional—DOVIA Sacramento, and Volunteer Fairfax. AL!VE maintains a list of local associations to find one in your area or connect with others.
Finally, I take advantage of social media and frequent pages on both Facebook and LinkedIn of volunteer associations. I recommend Dana Litwin’s Tuesday Tips and Tobi Johnson’s podcast.
