Principles & Practices
Volunteer Engagement Strategies
THURSDAYS – MAY 8, 15, 22 & 29
9:30AM to 1:00PM on Zoom
2025 DATES:
NYAVA's signature seminar Principles and Practices, first offered in 1994, has laid the groundwork for many successfully administered volunteer programs throughout the city. It had a major update in 2012, transitioned to virtual learning in 2021 and underwent a review and update in 2025.
The four half-day morning sessions will be an interactive learning opportunity. Each of the 12 modules/topics addressed will involve a lecture (including real-life examples); group exercises with colleagues, individual exercises; a Participant’s Guide (including the worksheets that will be used during the course and more); etc.
During the course, participants will learn how to:
Design practical volunteer roles and draft comprehensive position descriptions
Recruit the right people for the right opportunity
Interview, assign, and place volunteers successfully
Retain volunteers
Advocate for their volunteer program within their organization
Evaluate and continue to improve their program
Ensure your volunteering program is accessible and equitable for volunteers from diverse backgrounds
Address ethical considerations and leadership challenges within a variety of organizational cultures
The following modules will be covered:
Organizational Culture
Needs Assessment
Position Description Design
Recruitment & Marketing
Screening & Interviewing
Orientation & Training
Retention
Supervision
Volunteer Performance Evaluation
Recognition
Program Evaluation
Developing as a Leader
Registration options:
NYAVA Member Registration - $260.00
Registration and New NYAVA Membership - $310.00
NYAVA Partner Registration (GNYADVS) - $285.00
Non-member Registration - $315.00
Refund policy:
If you cancel 3 weeks before the course start, we will refund you 75% of your payment.
If you cancel 2 weeks before the course start, we will refund you 50% of your payment.
If you cancel 1 week before the course start, we will refund you 25% of your payment.
Meet the Instructors
Arlette Cunningham
Jerry Pannozzo, CVA
Julianne Rich
Arlette Cunningham
NYAVA Board Chair, and Officer Liaison to the Continuous Learning Committee – Network Assistant Director, Volunteer Services and Clinical Student Internships, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
Arlette Cunningham is the Network Assistant Director, Volunteer Services and Clinical Student Internships, at the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. She has been in volunteer management for 30 years. She collaborates with departments to create and implement volunteer programs that help to enhance the patient experience, such as the Ambulatory Surgery Waiting Room Ambassador Program. She serves on various hospital committees.
Arlette was previously a member of the Association for Volunteer Administration-(AVA). She became a member of NYAVA in 2019 and eventually served on the Board as Secretary. Currently, she serves as Board Chair. In 2021 Arlette served on the Principles and Practices Volunteer Program Management, Curriculum Review Sub-Committee. During 2022, she served a co-instructor for P&P VPM.
Arlette is also member of the Greater New York Association of Director of Volunteer Services (GNYADVS), the New York State Association of Volunteer Services Administrators (NYSAVSA) and the Society for Healthcare Volunteer Leaders (SHVL). She held various leadership roles while serving on the Boards of several Associations, including the President, State Chapter Representative, Strategic Planning Committee Chair, and a member of the Conference Committee. Arlette is committed to her role in volunteer administration. Recently, she was granted the Lynnis Hornsby Leadership award by the Society for Healthcare Volunteer Leaders.
Gerald (Jerry) Pannozzo, CVA
NYAVA President - Presenter and Blogger
Gerald (Jerry) Pannozzo, CVA, has been a co-instructor for the course since 2012. During 2020 and 2021, he was co-chair of the P&P VPM Ad Hoc Committee that completed a major reboot of the course and transitioned it to a virtual learning experience. Thanks to the six members on the Ad Hoc Committee and three members on the Curriculum Review Sub-Committee, NYAVA introduced the revised course in 2021. During 2024 the Board approved a name change to Principles & Practices of Volunteer Engagement Strategies and a 2025 ad-hoc committee conducted another review and update of course materials.
Jerry made an intentional career change to volunteer resources management in 1993. He has worked at a HIV/AIDS community-based organization, HIV/AIDS residential healthcare facility (licensed nursing home), volunteer center, and local hospitals. Starting in 2005 he has presented at local, state and national conferences. For several years Jerry has served on the AL!VE Local Associations Committee and presented during their community of practice quarterly webinars.
Over the years, Jerry has volunteered with the Board and served on the following committees: Membership, Professional Development, Nominating, and Social Media. From 2022 - 2024 Jerry served as NYAVA President. He’s proud of the work he and the current Board have accomplished regarding implementing the strategic plans over the term of his Presidency.
Julianne Rich
NYAVA Treasurer, and Officer Liaison to the Membership Committee - Director, Volunteer Services, NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health
Julianne Rich is the Director of Volunteer Services at NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health. She has worked in volunteer resource management for 20 years, in both healthcare and not for profit organizations. In her current role Julianne oversees the volunteer cycle at South Brooklyn Health and seeks to merge the needs of patients, staff and prospective volunteers to result in an optimal patient experience. Additionally, Julianne is responsible for staff training compliance and facilitates New Employee Orientation sessions.
Julianne has served on the NYAVA Membership Committee and has been on the NYAVA board since 2022, when she served as Secretary. From 2023-2024 Julianne served as NYAVA Treasurer and she is currently President. Julianne is also a member of Greater New York Association of Directors of Volunteer Services (GNYADVS). In her free time Julianne volunteers with her sons Boy Scout Troop and the Floyd Bennett Field Community Gardens. She has learned so much as a NYAVA member and Board member and is very excited to assist the next generation of amazing volunteer administrators.
Principles & Practices of Volunteer Engagement Strategies Scholarship
NYAVA held a very successful Giving Tuesday fundraising effort in late 2024. Therefore NYAVA is able to offer a scholarship for Principles & Practices of Volunteer Engagement Strategies this coming May. This course will take place on four Thursday mornings. Dates are May 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 9:30 am – 1 pm. Three co-instructors will address 12 modules/building blocks, and this will include interactive activities, individual exercises, group discussions and lectures. You’ll take away plans from the 12 modules/topics prepared during the course specific to each participant's agency and volunteer needs that can be incorporated into their work immediately. The course is designed for those fairly new to the field, or those more experienced who would benefit from a fresh look at today’s challenges.
