Virtual Learning Community: The World of Volunteer Management Databases (October 29, 2026)

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Back by popular demand!

There are many volunteer management databases on the market, and it can be overwhelming! During this Learning Community, get a sneak peek into the administrative side of a few volunteer management databases from a panel of professionals actively using the products. After the panel, there will be an opportunity for additional questions and round table discussion. Please come prepared with questions about databases you are curious in exploring.

We'll explore various volunteer CRM Databases so you can make educated decisions about how to best manage your volunteer program! Some topics will include:

GetConnected Amplify by Galaxy Digital and Bloomerang: A comparison of two volunteer management systems, including the pros and cons of each, key features, usability, and lessons learned from transitioning from one platform to another.

Benefits and Challenges of Better Impact: An overview of Better Impact’s strengths and challenges, including its features, usability, and effectiveness in supporting volunteer engagement and program management.

Volunteer Matrix: A system that does a little bit of everything reasonably well at an affordable price. This presentation will also explore what volunteer management looks like without a dedicated system and how to make the case to leadership that investing in a volunteer management platform can save more money in staff time and administrative work than it costs.

Learning Communities are free for NOVAA Members and only $10 for non-members. We will be offering this Learning Community remotely via Zoom. A link will be sent to registered participants. A recording and materials will be sent out post event for later viewing.

Welcome Home, Volunteers: Strategically Building Belonging (November 10, 2026)

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Welcome Home, Volunteers: Strategically Building Belonging

Workshop Summary:

As you plan your strategy, make space for a workshop that will elevate not only how you engage volunteers, but how to strategically design their entire experience.

Join us on November 10th for a dynamic, hands-on session led by Angela Williamson: “Welcome Home, Volunteers: Strategically Building Belonging.” This workshop invites you to think both like an architect and a strategist by intentionally building a volunteer engagement structure that is welcoming, effective, and aligned with your mission, and inspires, supports, and sustains your volunteers, and you.

Because thriving volunteer programs aren’t accidental, they’re built through thoughtful planning and design, and volunteer engagement works best when people feel welcomed, prepared, and clear on their impact.

In this interactive session, you’ll move beyond theory and into action. You’ll assess your current volunteer engagement approach, identify strengths and gaps, and begin creating a strategic plan to strengthen your program from the ground up. From establishing a strong foundation of clarity to designing systems that foster belonging and retention, you’ll walk away with both insight and direction.

Participants will be able to:

Identify strengths and gaps in current engagement
Understand how clarity and belonging support retention
Apply practical ideas immediately

This isn’t a sit-and-listen session, it’s a hands-on opportunity to think critically, plan intentionally, and build something sustainable that you can take back to your organization right away. Bring your laptop, your questions, and your creativity.

About Angela Williamson

Angela Williamson, CVA, is a volunteer engagement leader and consultant with nearly 20 years of experience supporting nonprofits, museums, and community organizations. Through Volunteer Engagement Accelerator, she helps organizations strengthen the systems behind recruitment, engagement, retention, leadership support, and long-term sustainability. Angela also serves as the Volunteer & Community Relations Specialist at the Blood Bank of Delmarva. She is a NOVAA 101 instructor, past president of DAVA, recipient of the 2022 AL!VE Impact Award, and a frequent speaker known for practical, encouraging guidance leaders can put into action.

Northwest Oregon Volunteer Administrators Association upcoming events

Virtual Learning Community: The World of Volunteer Management Databases (October 29, 2026)

Welcome Home, Volunteers: Strategically Building Belonging (November 10, 2026)