TCVSL Workshop Descriptions

Judith Rautine - Are You Using the Right Road Map? Using Evaluations & Outcomes to Inform Program Design
Room: Appaloosa
This workshop highlights the importance of program evaluation in demonstrating and improving impact. Participants will learn to use evaluation tools to assess activities, outcomes, and overall effectiveness. Key takeaways include leveraging data to identify best practices, foster stakeholder engagement, and ensure continuous improvement. The session emphasizes using evaluation to address gaps, align programs with objectives, and adapt for long-term sustainability. Reflection and adaptation are essential for maintaining program relevance and success.

Dee Wolters - How to be the Volunteer Your Organization Really Wants
Room: Highland
Being a good volunteer is more than just showing up. In this workshop, you will learn how to be an excellent volunteer! At the heart of every volunteer is the desire to assist the organization in succeeding. To this end, each of us has the ability to influence the experience of each person involved in the event. In this workshop, Dee will share ways to be a better volunteer and suggestions for working with your supervisor.

Madison Woods - Fundamentals of Creating an Effective Volunteer Program
Room: Morgan
This session explores tools and strategies for designing effective volunteer programs. Using a case study, participants will learn to align volunteer efforts with organizational needs, covering program design, recruitment, and retention. Through interactive discussions, attendees will gain practical skills to build or enhance their programs, whether starting new initiatives or improving existing ones. This workshop offers valuable resources and tips for creating impactful, sustainable volunteering experiences.

Megan Bennett – Once a Member, Always a Member: Engaging and Mobilizing Alumni for Program Success
Room: Saddlebred
Alumni are among the best, untapped resources for recruitment, member opportunities, and program support. This session will explore methods to intentionally engage and mobilize alumni for member development and foster long-term supporters of your program. Attendees will participate in interactive sessions, uncover best practices for alumni engagement, and map out their own engagement plan.

Bailey Hufstetler – How to Effectively Recruit & Maintain Volunteers
Room: Highland
This workshop is designed to help non-profit leaders recruit and maintain volunteers for their organizations.

Ryan Johnson - Increase Donation Revenue with Volunteer-led Fundraising: Monetizing Volunteer Events and Volunteer Program Performance
Room: Saddlebred
Participants explore volunteer-led fundraising strategies, including structuring programs to attract corporate grants and sponsorships. The workshop includes interactive exercises, such as estimating volunteer program costs and identifying high-revenue potential events. Attendees also review effective practices, case studies (e.g., Relay for Life), and trends in volunteer-driven fundraising, along with strategies for leveraging volunteer data to secure corporate support.

Janet McCormick, Jim Rost, & Carol Swayze - Student Success and Graduation Rates Associated with Enrollment in Multiple Experiential Learning High-Impact Courses
Room: Franklin
This session presents research on the impact of experiential learning (EXL) courses on graduation rates, examining whether rates improve with each course completed and the influence of race or sex. Faculty from Middle Tennessee State University will discuss how EXL pedagogy, including service-learning and community engagement, fosters student success and graduation. Attendees will learn how these courses create meaningful learning experiences and contribute to improved academic outcomes.

Dr. Barbara Lancaster & Elaine Covington - Caring for Community...A Discovery of Service-Learning
Room: Appaloosa
The workshop will utilize lecture/presentation, group activity, PowerPoint, and handouts. The audience will hear from community partners about the impact student service-learning has had on their organization from a student perspective and the value service-learning has had on their education.

Vickye Ford - How to Keep Your Volunteers Excited, Fulfilled, & Coming Back for More
Room: Highland
This workshop shares strategies for using lived experience and motivation as a tool for volunteer recruitment, engagement, and retention. Attendees will learn how to match their volunteers' motivations to aligned service projects, resulting in greater interest and participation. The workshop will offer some reflective activities in addition to the presentation format.

Natalie Patric - Strategies to Engage Teens in Volunteerism
Room: Morgan
We are all familiar with the benefits of volunteering, but how impactful would you say volunteering would be if you had the opportunity to start as a teenager? What if your organization could offer that opportunity to the youth of your community? What barriers may you face? How could you overcome them? What partnerships could be created to assist in overcoming such barriers?

Geng Wang - 5 Ways to Leverage Video & Storytelling Along the Volunteer Journey
Room: Saddlebred
Join Geng, from Civic Champs, to learn valuable insights and actionable takeaways to elevate your volunteer program. This session explores practical strategies for creating videos and compelling stories to attract, recruit, encourage, and retain volunteers. Participants will learn how to utilize the emotional appeal of storytelling and the dynamic nature of video to enhance recruitment efforts, deepen connections, and highlight the impact of volunteer work.

Jamie Cyphers - Developing Online Courses with Virtual Service-Learning Opportunities
Room: Franklin
The session will cover the core concepts of service learning, its benefits, and how to establish partnerships with various organizations. Attendees will learn to design, implement, and assess online service-learning projects. Through real-world examples, participants will gain insights into incorporating virtual service-learning opportunities into their own course offerings.

Laura Knight, Jessica Jeffers & Dr. Betsy Chestnutt - Increasing the Emphasis on Service-Learning in Future STEM Graduates: A Workshop on Building Cross-Campus Partnerships
Room: Appaloosa
This workshop explores integrating service-learning, reflection, and community engagement into higher ed STEM courses. Highlighting a University of Tennessee, Knoxville initiative between the Tickle College of Engineering and the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, the session emphasizes cross-campus partnerships addressing real-world challenges. Participants will engage in discussions and activities, gaining insights into incorporating service-learning, reflection, and collaboration into their own institutions to enhance STEM education and community impact.

Necole Jones & Andrea Hill - Empowering Change: Innovating Volunteerism and Civic Leadership for a Bold Future
Room: Saddlebred
This workshop explores innovative strategies for creating meaningful social impact, addressing community challenges, and driving positive change. Participants will learn about emerging volunteerism trends, inclusive leadership, and building collaborative networks. Through interactive activities, attendees will enhance their volunteerism, service-learning, and leadership roles, leaving them with actionable insights to improve their programs. Join us to foster leadership growth, strengthen community engagement, and shape a bold future of service and civic impact.

Bailey Guy - Goal Setting to Launch Your Community Service Initiative: Creating an Actionable Plan for Change
Room: Morgan
In this workshop, speaker, author, and podcast host Bailey Guy will guide students through interactive exercises to foster creativity, self-reflection, and collaboration. Attendees will develop skills like vision-setting, overcoming obstacles, cultivating growth-oriented habits, and creating actionable plans for positive change. With a focus on service-based goals, students will leave inspired, equipped with life skills, and ready to make meaningful impacts in their lives and communities.

Velvet Hernandez-Johnson - How to Service Latinos/Hispanos and Engage Them as Volunteers
Room: Saddlebred
Organizations face challenges in engaging Latino/Hispanic communities in volunteerism despite their growing presence in Tennessee, where 6% of the population is Hispanic/Latino. Many reside in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and surrounding areas. The Latino culture emphasizes informal volunteerism, helping friends and neighbors, creating a unique opportunity for organizations to integrate intentional outreach strategies. By offering opportunities to serve their communities, organizations can foster inclusivity, build connections, and empower Latino migrants to feel welcomed and engaged.

Teresa Taylor- Building Effective Community Partnerships for Successful Community-Based Learning & Career Readiness
Room: Appaloosa
Explore the importance of experiential education in fostering student and community success. This workshop will cover core principles such as aligning service activities with academic goals, ensuring mutual benefits, and building strong partnerships. Learn about the challenges of unstructured experiential education and best practices for creating impactful community relationships. Discuss employer expectations and the value of community engagement in enhancing employability. Join an interactive discussion to share experiences and strategies for integrating community connections into educational practices. Suitable for educators, community leaders, and employers.

Madison Staggs & Amy Atchinson - Beyond the Blood Drives: Youth Engagement with the American Red Cross
Room: Franklin
This workshop introduces the American Red Cross Youth Action Campaign (YAC), a program for youth (13-24) to learn about international humanitarian law (IHL) and promote it through peer-to-peer campaigns. Ideal for schools, JROTC, and community groups, YAC fosters youth volunteering, civic engagement, and service learning. Participants will learn about YAC, IHL’s importance, and partnering with the Red Cross, with hands-on activities to bring engaging campaigns to their communities.

Taylor Wilder - Recruiting and Managing Skilled Volunteers
Room: Morgan
It’s no secret that the long-term, skilled volunteer is instrumental to your organizational impact. Engaging community members’ skills and tailoring them to your mission can provide be both an excellent organizational resource and meaningful volunteer experience. In this session, we’ll discuss ways to develop and maintain a skilled volunteerism program for your organization.

Alexia Georghiou - Building Organizational Capacity with the V.A.L.U.E. Framework
Room: Appaloosa
This interactive workshop introduces the V.A.L.U.E. framework—Vision, Action, Leadership, Unity, Engagement—as a practical tool for enhancing organizational capacity. Participants will engage in real-world examples, group discussions, and hands-on activities to develop actionable strategies for increasing engagement, fostering leadership, and unifying teams.

Meagan Potts – Leveraging Technology to Elevate Volunteering: Strategies for Modern Engagement and Impact
Room: Saddlebred
This session will explore the use of volunteer management software, mobile apps, and communication platforms that enhance coordination and engagement. Attendees will learn through live demonstrations, real-life case studies, and interactive discussions, equipping them with actionable strategies to modernize their volunteer programs and maximize community impact. Whether you're a seasoned volunteer manager or new to leading initiatives, this workshop will empower you to integrate technology seamlessly into your service programs.

Kayla Smith-Hardy - Leadership in Action: Bridging Civic Engagement and Service Learning
Room: Morgan
This workshop explores how civic engagement through service-learning fosters leadership development among volunteers while creating meaningful community impact. Participants will engage in hands-on activities and reflection exercises designed to highlight leadership-building opportunities in their service projects. The session equips attendees with tools to integrate civic leadership principles into service-learning initiatives, fostering growth in individuals and communities alike.

Andrea Hill & April Carter - Balcony and Basement: Strengthening Leadership and Engagement in Volunteerism
Room: Appaloosa
Effective volunteerism and service-learning depend on strong, adaptable leadership from both volunteers and leaders. In this engaging workshop, participants will dive into the “Balcony” (positive) and “Basement” (challenging) behaviors present in leadership at all levels, exploring how these dynamics shape volunteer engagement, team morale, and effective leadership. Through interactive exercises, reflective discussions, and real-world scenarios, both volunteers and leaders will assess their strengths and areas for growth. Participants will leave with practical strategies to elevate their contributions, build supportive team environments, and drive meaningful change in their communities.

Penny Willis - Service Learning-Elevating Voices, Shaping Values, and Driving Engagement
Room: Saddlebred
This session will explore the power of youth agency in shaping communities, influencing change, and fostering a culture of engagement. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, participants will learn strategies to elevate youth voices, empower decision-making, and create meaningful opportunities for young leaders to drive impact.has context menu