Volunteer Engagement Training with Volunteer Alexandria - Fall 2026 Session

Volunteer Alexandria is pleased to offer our Volunteer Engagement Training, developed in collaboration with the Points of Light Network. 

Designed for nonprofit professionals who manage volunteers, this four-session program covers the full volunteer engagement cycle, from planning and recruitment to onboarding, support, reflection, and evaluation. Gain practical tools, fresh perspectives, and strategies you can apply directly to your organization. Participants who attend all four sessions will receive a Volunteer Engagement Training Certificate of Completion.  * You can also register for individual sessions. *

Cost: $115 for the four-session series, or $35 per session if you select individually. 

Dates: Thursdays from 1 pm - 5 pm, October 8, 15, 22, and 29th. 

Location: Del Pepper Community Resource Center (Department of Community & Human Services)

*** TO REGISTER - Click on "Express Interest" below and follow the prompts to select your sessions and provide payment. ***

October 8th: Session 1  Establishing Your Goals and Planning for Volunteer Engagement  Start with a strong foundation for volunteer engagement. What motivates volunteers today? How has the volunteer landscape changed, and what opportunities does that create for your organization? Explore the Five Elements of Volunteer Engagement and learn how to assess your current volunteer program. Participants will complete a Volunteer Engagement Assessment and identify opportunities to strengthen their approach.  

October 15th: Session 2  Creating Opportunities, Initiating Outreach, and Navigating Equity & Bias  Effective recruitment starts with creating opportunities that are meaningful, aligned with your mission and accessible. Learn strategies for developing engaging volunteer roles and reaching a broader range of potential volunteers. Consider how you engage both skilled and unskilled volunteers, and receive a review of Volunteer Alexandria’s Skills Connect program. This session will also explore inclusive recruitment practices, working with diverse populations, and navigating equity and bias in volunteer engagement. Finally, it will cover strategies for engaging Workforce Volunteers (individuals completing volunteer requirements to maintain SNAP or Medicaid benefits).  

October 22th: Session 3 The Volunteer Experience: Intake & Onboarding, Supervision & Support  Once volunteers sign up, how do you create an experience that keeps them engaged? Explore practical strategies for welcoming and onboarding volunteers, managing projects, supervising effectively, and setting volunteers up for success. We will also cover background check systems. Participants will consider how to equip volunteers with the information, skills, and support they need to serve effectively—and ensure that their volunteers understand the community they are serving.  

October 29th: Session 4  Bringing It All Together: Building a Reflection and Evaluation Process  How do you know whether your volunteer program is working for both your organization and your volunteers? Learn how to create a feedback loop that captures volunteer experiences, identifies opportunities for improvement, and turns feedback into action. We’ll explore what data and stories are worth capturing, how to evaluate the volunteer experience, and how to create an environment where volunteers feel valued, inspired, and motivated to return -- and bring others with them. 

*** TO REGISTER - Click on "Express Interest" below and follow the prompts to select your sessions and provide payment. ***