2021 Forum on Nonprofit Effectiveness

April 28, 2021,10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Access the recording

Virtual | $29 No charge thanks to our sponsors Thunderbirds Charities, Tucson Foundations and Mutual of America

Volunteers make up the largest human resource in the nonprofit/philanthropic sector. In Arizona, nearly a quarter of residents volunteer, contributing $4.5 billion in service. As such it could be argued that volunteers are truly “essential workers” who make possible the mission and programs of countless nonprofit organization serving the public good. This is especially so for volunteers who serve the most vulnerable of our citizens during this time of ongoing disruption caused by the pandemic and other social conditions.

Join your colleagues (volunteers, donors, staff, board members and interested community stakeholders) for a virtual Forum that reveals the role and promise of skills-based volunteers, the essential nonprofit “workforce” for the “now and the next” in advancing community well-being. Also, learn about the Service Enterprise Initiative as an essential framework for assuring exemplary volunteer management practices.

Opportunities will exist for a virtual volunteer recognition during the Forum to showcase your appreciation of your “essential workers!”

It is fitting that this Forum occurs during Global Volunteer Month. Come learn, engage and celebrate volunteerism in Arizona and beyond.

Communication partners:

Logo for Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association.

Logo for Greater Tucson Leadership.

Logo for Experience Matters.

Logo for Valley Leadership.

Agenda

9:45 am	Forum opens for networking
10:00 am - 10:10 am	Welcome and Setting the Context
10:10 am - 10:40 am	Panel #1: Maximize Your Mission with Skills-based Volunteering Our panel of experts discusses how the engagement of skills-based volunteers can expand your staffing model, helping you to expand programs and raise money while increasing efficiency. Javier Alaniz (facilitator), National Site Consultant and Training Manager, Public Allies National Office Melinda Gulick, Interim Executive Director, Experience Matters Lori Singleton, President & CEO, Arizona Forward Donna Martin, Volunteer Services Manager, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ) Q&A will follow.
10:45 am - 11:15 am	Panel #2: Building Capacity for Success Building on the emphasis of volunteers as essential workers, this conversation will widen your lens to the organizational level and outline specific action areas used by certified Service Enterprise organizations to out-perform their peers and achieve greater social impact. Jacky Alling (facilitator), Senior Fellow for Philanthropy, ASU Lodestar Center Emily Litchfield, Director of AmeriCorps/Service & Volunteerism, Arizona Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family Jesús Love, Executive Director, Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa County Gina Hansen, Volunteer Resource Manager for Habitat for Humanity Tucson and President of the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA) Q&A will follow.
11:20 am - 11:30 am	Wrap-up and Closing
11:30 am - 11:45 am	Networking and Celebrating Volunteers

Panel #1: Maximize Your Mission with Skills-based Volunteering

Our panel of experts discusses how the engagement of skills-based volunteers can expand your staffing model, helping you to expand programs and raise money while increasing efficiency.

Javier Alaniz (facilitator)

Javier Alaniz (he/him) is a two-term AmeriCorps Alum (2004-2006) and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Vanuatu (2007-2009). Since 2014, Javier has worked with the Public Allies National Office where he supports the work of hundreds of staff, AmeriCorps Members, alumni and nonprofit partners each year. In his work at Public Allies, Javier is currently focused on building partnerships with national and regional organizations that are aligned with Public Allies' mission to create a just and equitable society and the diverse leadership to sustain it.

Melinda Morrison Gulick

Melinda Morrison Gulick currently serves as the Interim Executive Director for Experience Matters, Inc. in Phoenix. She has her own management consulting firm focused on strategic planning, governance, communications and sustainable business planning primarily for nonprofit organizations and periodically serves in Interim CEO and Executive Director roles. She is an active contributor to community and business organizations, including serving on the boards of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, the Arizona Humane Society, the Phoenix Women’s Board of the Steele Children’s Research Center, Arizona Town Hall, the Scottsdale Charros Foundation and the Desert Foundation Auxiliary.

Donna Martin

Donna Martin is the Volunteer Service Manager for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, and a refugee from corporate America where she worked in the financial services sector. Donna has 25+ years in the nonprofit sector, holds the Certification in Volunteer Administration (CVA), a Masters of Arts in Adult Education and Training, and a Bachelor of Arts in Nonprofit Management. A firm believer in “walking the talk,” Donna serves on the Arizona Commission on Service and Volunteering, is a certified Service Enterprise trainer, and volunteers with various organizations across Arizona.

Lori Singleton

Lori Singleton is the president and CEO for Arizona Forward, a nonprofit sustainability organization driving major initiatives in the state as it relates to quality of life and economic vitality. Singleton was also an Arizona Forward board member for many years, which gave her an in-depth perspective of statewide sustainability needs and opportunities. As the new leader of Arizona Forward and a seasoned business executive, Singleton is leading an aggressive effort to make large-scale, tangible progress in areas that matter most to Arizona such as water supplies, clean air, smart transportation, forest health, urban waterways and healthy communities.

Panel #2: Building Capacity for Success

Building on the emphasis of volunteers as essential workers, this conversation will widen your lens to the organizational level and outline specific action areas used by certified Service Enterprise organizations to out-perform their peers and achieve greater social impact.

Jacky Alling (facilitator)

Jacky Alling is the first-ever Sr. Fellow for Philanthropy for the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. In that capacity she focuses on the expansion of the Center’s PhilanthropyMatters programming; serves as a resource to the staff team, Leadership Council and university on how to add value to the philanthropic culture of Arizona and beyond. Alling previously worked for the Arizona Community Foundation for 17 years where she most recently served as Chief Philanthropy Officer.

Gina Hansen

Gina Hansen is a Tucson native who has been involved in volunteer engagement for the past 11 years overseeing various volunteer programs, implementing new programs, outreach, event planning, public speaking, and training. Gina is a Service Enterprise Trainer and Coach, active on two nonprofit boards, one of them serving as the Board President for the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA). Gina has been through the SEI certification process and is excited to share her knowledge and benefits of the program with everyone!

Emily Litchfield

Emily Litchfield is the AmeriCorps & Volunteerism Director at the Arizona Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family. With 15 years in the field, Emily has advanced to National Service grant management of state funding, including compliance monitoring and providing technical assistance to a portfolio of nearly 30 programs. For six years, Emily also participated in the Service Enterprise Initiative in the state of Arizona, working with four HUB Partners to train and certify organizations to better leverage volunteers in achieving their social mission.

Jesús Love

Jesús Love is the Executive Director of Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa County (LVMC), a community-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides free educational services to adults who desire to learn to read, obtain the High School Equivalency diploma by preparing them for the GED®, or communicate in English. LVMC strives to empower adults to become better candidates for sustainable employment, participate in higher education or job training, and improve their quality of life. Jesús has always held a deep sense of service and volunteerism. Throughout his life, he has continuously been involved in educational and philanthropic organizations.

Global Volunteer Month

April is Global Volunteer Month. Get involved in your own community with virtual and in-person volunteer opportunities and recognize the impact of volunteers worldwide.

Contact us

For more information about this event, please contact Phil Bencomo at phil.bencomo@asu.edu or call (602) 496-0500.