Click here to download a PDF of the 2007 Spring/Summer Professional Development Workshop Series brochure.

Volunteer Appreciation & Recognition

January 24, from 9:00 am - Noon
     Location: RI Community Food Bank - Providence, RI

No one works for free - not even your volunteers!  Volunteering is an individual choice with many possible motivations. Recognizing and appreciating those motivations are part of the "payment" that keeps volunteers as engaged, dynamic contributors. This program will discuss ways to develop behaviors and programs to recognize and reward those individuals who extend our reach. 

Basic Volunteer Management

• February  7, from 9:00 am - Noon
      Location: RI Blood Center, Providence, RI

• April 3, from 1:00 pm - 4:00pm
      Location: Care New England Center, South Kingstown, RI

Learn the basic steps to managing a successful volunteer program: plan, organize, staff, direct, and assess. Includes an introduction to the development of position descriptions, recruitment, recognition, supervision and volunteer/staff relations. This is an interactive workshop!

Participants are REQUIRED to bring a current volunteer position description for review.

*Limited to 15 participants.

SPECIAL WORKSHOP OFFERING

Strategic Planning – Creating Your Organization’s Strength-based Roadmap to Success

Jen Hetzel Silbert, MSOD & Tony Silbert, MSOD
www.innovationpartners.com

February 13,  Time: 9am - 1pm  
     Location:  Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center, Warwick, RI

This workshop costs $45 for members and $55 for non-members.

Change happens fast and it can come from any direction.  Successful organizations built to last are those that anticipate change – taking on proactive, participatory approaches to planning their future in a manner that lifts up their core purpose and mission, aligns organizational strengths with available opportunities, and seeks out and embraces ideas for innovation across the entire system.

This interactive seminar will provide you with the tools necessary to engage in a strategic planning process in your own organization using a strength-based, collaborative approach to planning that honors what is working well, leverages internal and external best practices, and engages diverse stakeholders—recognizing that people commit to what they help to create.  Come learn the must-have ingredients for successful strategic planning using techniques that generate whole system enthusiasm and commitment to the action plans ahead.

**** Participants from all levels of nonprofit work are encouraged to attend.  Teams of 3-4 participants from the same organization are encouraged to attend this session for maximum benefit to your agency.  Discount available - email or speak to Barbara Slover for details.  

Engaging People with Disabilities

March 20, from 9:00 am - Noon
     Location:  RI Community Food Bank - Providence, RI

This workshop is to help build essential skills and knowledge of non-profit organizations to engage volunteers with disabilities in volunteering. The workshop will include hands on activities that build on a simple premise: Diversity is an Asset. Individuals with disabilities can add value and leadership to community services.

Screening & Selecting Volunteers

May 1, from 9:00 am - Noon
     Location: RI Community Food Bank - Providence, RI

Wonder if police checks are necessary or what should you do in your setting? Screening volunteers is an important part of a good volunteer program and screening standards must match the demands of each volunteer position. This workshop provides information and tools to help you assess your volunteer program and build effective screening policies.  Special guest speaker from the RI Attorney General's office.

Beyond the Basic

May 23, from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
      Location: RI Community Food Bank - Providence, RI

This is an INTERMEDIATE volunteer management workshop that is a follow-up to the BASIC workshop. The BASIC workshop focuses on all of the components of a successfully managed volunteer program. Beyond the Basic examines in depth those components that require “people” skills: recruiting, retaining, and recognizing volunteers as well as interacting with staff members.

Reservations
Please call the Volunteer Center at (401) 421-6547 or 1-800-VOLUNTEER in advance to reserve a seat for any of the events listed in the calendar, or click here to register and pay online.  Workshop Fees: $35 for VCRI Members & $45 for Non-members, unless otherwise noted. Call if unsure of membership status. Pre-payment & registration is required.

Can't make the scheduled workshop date? Did you know that VCRI can bring these valuable trainings directly to your ageny and even customize them to address the specific needs and challenges of your staff and volunteers. The fee for this direct service is only $75 per hour for nonprofit organizations with no minimum attendee requirements. These personalized trainings include all workshop materials.