2025 Workshops

Workshop Session I: 10:40–11:50 am

Ahead of the Curve: How to Use Volunteer Data to Work Smarter (Not Harder) – Gina Edwards, Strategic Engagement Specialist

Data isn't just for reports—it’s a goldmine for engagement. Learn how to uncover what your volunteers really want, streamline your recruitment funnel, and make better decisions that increase turnout, retention, and satisfaction. Simple systems, big results.

Overcoming Volunteer Barriers in Rural Communities – Jason Powell, Rural Volunteer Advocate

Think recruiting in rural areas is hopeless? Think again. This session flips the script, showing you how to turn geographic and cultural obstacles into powerful engagement opportunities. Discover the untapped potential hiding in your own backyard. You’ll walk away with proven tactics to grow volunteer programs in small communities.

The Staff-Volunteer Connection: The Fastest Way to Build a Thriving, Inclusive Team – Jenny Garver, Macon County Conservation District

Miscommunication and misalignment are the #1 reasons volunteers quit. In this eye-opening session, you’ll learn how to build bridges between staff and volunteers, boost morale, and create a culture where everyone feels valued—and wants to come back.

Workshop Session II: 1:10 – 2:20 pm

Belonging in Action: How to Build a Culture People Never Want to Leave – Jill Hawkins-Wright, University of Illinois Springfield

If you want your volunteers to show up fully, they need to feel like they belong. This session shows you exactly how to create an inclusive, magnetic environment where people feel seen, heard, and committed. Walk away with a plan to transform your culture—fast.

How to Turn Your Social Media Followers into Raving Fans – Kelly Gagnon Hernandez, Social Engagement Specialist

If you're posting but not seeing action, you’re doing it wrong. Learn how to turn scrolling into signups by using powerful emotional triggers, community-building tactics, and platform-specific strategies that convert your audience into your most vocal ambassadors.

The Parent Mentor Program: How to Transform Your School with One Simple Framework – Lavonna Garner & Tanya Abbey, Lake County ROE / Woodland Consolidated School District 50

Want to boost parent involvement, shift school culture, and solve staffing shortages—all without stretching your budget? This proven framework recruits and empowers parent volunteers to become your school’s secret weapon. Walk away with a full blueprint for creating a welcoming, inclusive environment that fuels academic success and community impact.

Workshop Session III: 2:30 PM – 3:40 PM

When Skies Are Blue: How to Proactively Manage Disaster Volunteers – Gina Edwards

If you're waiting until disaster strikes to organize your volunteers, it's already too late. Learn how to build a disaster-ready volunteer force that’s trained, trusted, and strategically aligned before the next crisis. This session gives you the tools to turn goodwill into action—without chaos—by engaging the right partners, prepping your people, and creating a volunteer plan as dependable as any emergency response system.

Future-Proofing Volunteer Recruitment: Secrets to Building a Pipeline That Lasts – Kelly Gagnon Hernandez, Volunteer Engagement Expert

Tired of people ghosting after one shift? Discover why traditional recruiting no longer works—and what to do instead. You’ll learn the 2025-tested strategies that attract high-quality volunteers who stick around, bring their friends, and actually want to come back.

Passion with Purpose: How to Attract Loyal Volunteers Who Drive Real Change – Tiffany Holmes, IL Commission on Community Service

When people connect their passion to your mission, magic happens. This session reveals the psychology behind lasting volunteer engagement—and how you can use it to create stronger teams, deeper impact, and a more vibrant organization, including real-world tactics that anyone can implement immediately.