Workshops & Conference VCRI’s workshops and annual conference are cost effective resources for volunteer managers, nonprofit professionals and others working with volunteers or even those that find themselves in volunteer leadership roles to learn valuable skills. Workshops and conference topics focus around best practices for recruiting, screening, honoring & retaining volunteers. There are also sessions on communications, event planning, grant writing and others as needs are identified and trainers become available. Please view our conference information below or go directly to the Professional Development Workshop Series. Annual Conference Our 2008 Annual Conference is entitled "Communication! Cooperate! Collaborate! Successful Connections for a Stronger Community. Positive communication in a cooperative environment fosters collaboration for growth, success and sustainable relationships. This conference for volunteer managers and nonprofit leaders offers fresh perspectives and new ideas for organizations to operate more effectively in today’s competitive environment. Click here to learn more about who should attend this exciting day long event and why! With a key note address by Tony Maione of the United Way of Rhode Island and workshops offered by representatives from the RI Foundation, Social Venture Partners and volunteer management leaders from RI's nonprofit sector, this is a day you won't want to miss. Profesional Development Workshop Series
Click here to view and download a PDF of the full workshop series offerings. All workshops are $40 for members; $50 for non-members 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. Workshop Descriptions Grant Writing I - Basic Grant Writing II - Advanced Participation in Session I or permission of instructor is required for this workshop. The advanced grant writing workshop is customized through a priority setting session at the beginning of the workshop to ensure the emphasis is on topics most relevant to participants. Date: October 11, 2007 from 9:00 am to Noon Location: Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center, Warwick (Directions available upon registration) Ready, Willing and Able! - Engaging People with Disabilities A “How to” guide to being an inclusive organization and engaging people with disabilities to fulfill your volunteer needs. This is an interactive workshop designed to give you hands on exercises, a workbook and resources to bring awareness to your nonprofit, enabling you to benefit from this untapped volunteer resource -the person with a disability. Dates: November 7, 2007 from 9 am to 12:30 pm  March 18, 2008 from 9 am to 12:30 pm Location: Johnston Senior Center, Johnston (Get directions) This workshop is FREE and made possible with funding through the Points of Light Foundation DOORS Initiative! Interviewing and Screening Volunteers One of the easiest ways to avoid problems is to do a thorough job of interviewing and screening your newest recruits before they start working with you. This workshop provides information to help you ask the right kinds of questions and analyze the answers you get. It will also provide hands-on tools that will let you know what type of background checks will be needed for different volunteers positions and how to perform them. Date: October 24, 2007 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Location: West Warwick Senior Center, West Warwick (Get directions) Basic Volunteer Management This interactive workshop will teach the basic steps to managing a successful volunteer program. Training includes an introduction to the development of position descriptions, recruitment, recognition, supervision and volunteer/staff relations. Participants are REQUIRED to bring a current volunteer position description for review. *Limited to 15 participants. Date: October 4, 2007 from 9:00am to Noon Location: Memorial Hospital, Pawtucket (Get directions) Date: April 1, 2008 from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm Location: Newport Hospital, Newport (Get directions) Beyond the Basic This INTERMEDIATE volunteer management workshop is a follow-up to the BASIC workshop (see above), examining in depth those components that require “people” skills: recruiting, retaining, and recognizing volunteers and interacting with staff members. Date: April 8, 2008 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Location: RI Community Food Bank, Providence (Get directions) Using VCRI Recruitment Tools to the Max Learn how to maximize your affiliation with VCRI to RECRUIT, RETAIN & REWARD volunteers by learning how to navigate VCRI.org. Become skilled at posting your Volunteer Opportunities; learn valuable tips to get your opportunities published in our columns; and find out about special features on the web site. *Limit of 10 participants. Date: December 5, 2007 from 9:30 am to Noon May 7, 2008 from 9:30 am to Noon Location: Prov. Public Library - Rochambeau Branch (Get directions) This workshop is FREE! Communications I - First Impressions You KNOW that if you could catch the attention of a certain key person, you could convince them to support your organization. What would you say? How can you get your message across in only a moment? Join us for a lively workshop to help you prepare for that unexpected chance to make your first impression a lasting one! Date: November 15, 2007 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Location: Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center in Warwick (Directions available upon registration) Communications II - Speaking Persuasively Learn how to build and present a short, yet captivating speech that describes your organization, what you do and who you help.During this course you will have the opportunity to practice and receive constructive feedback. This course will teach you how to motivate your listeners to take on your mission like it was their own!! Date: February 26, 2008 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM Location: Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center, Warwick (Directions available upon registration) Volunteer Appreciation and Recognition 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. Date: January 15, 2008 from 9:00 am to Noon Location: Recycling for RI Education, Providence (Get directions) Managing Change the “AI” Way Join volunteer managers, directors, and staff in exploring a unique change methodology, Appreciative Inquiry (AI). Participants learn new techniques for managing and dealing with change (in their agency, organization, and their own career/life); sharpen their skills and intentionality in reframing problems into opportunities; learn strategies for overcoming resistance and being open to new/differing perspectives; and use positive inquiry to generate positive action and rapid results. Date: November 28, 2007 from 9:00 am to Noon Location: RI Community Food Bank, Providence (Get directions) Leading Teams the “AI” Way
 
"The workshops provided by the Volunteer Center of RI target the real needs of volunteer managers AND are a great value! I always left with something concrete to help my work." - Mary Anne Roll, Cumberland School Volunteers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
