Something for everyone…at AHVRP conference in August!

Whether you are dealing with cutbacks in budgeting because of current economic times, creating new programs using out of the box thinking, or continuing the pursuit of excellence in gift shop management, there is an educational experience awaiting you at the AHVRP conference in Phoenix, August 26-30. A few of the session titles say it all: "Volunteer Services Raises the Bar, Lifts Spirits and Expands Services;" "The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Volunteer Management;" "Retail Math for Your Gift Shop;" and "Take Your Best Shot, Marketing your Volunteer Program through Photography." What an impressive array of valuable educational experiences available in one place!The theme of this year’s conference, "Distinguishing Our Profession, Discovering Our Spirit" will become a reality in Phoenix during August. Join your fellow volunteer administrators as we work and learn together to bring value and a renewed spirit to our health care organizations. To explore the conference in detail and register, go to our site today! You'll be glad you did!More

Discover Your Spirit in Old Town Scottsdale

Take a break from education and enjoy a night on the town networking with old and new friends! During the 2009 AHVRP Annual Conference, AHVRP has arranged for a Dine Around Bus Trip to show attendees more of Phoenix, including opportunities for dining and shopping 'til you drop. More

You are Invited to be a Part of an Extraordinary Silent Auction

This year's AHVRP Annual Conference is almost here. In less than two months we will be in Phoenix at the beautiful Biltmore Resort & Spa. We are counting on you to help support our Silent Auction!Suggested Auction Items include, but are not limited to: Gift Baskets, Software, Wine, Gift Certificates, Weekend Getaways, Airfare, Housewares, Jewelry, Artwork, Time SharesSend Donations & Procurement Form To: Kriss Proctor, Director Volunteer Services Department Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center 1111 E. McDowell Road Phoenix, AZ 85006 Phone: 602.239.4380 E-mail: kristina.proctor@bannerhealth.comDonations will be accepted at this address from August 1-20. Afterward you may bring items with you to the conference. Everyone is encouraged to participate by donating or bidding. Click here for more information and to download the procurement form. More

Recruiting Volunteers for Hard to Fill Positions

We've all been there. We've inherited a program with a ragtag collection of volunteer positions, some based on old expectations of volunteers, some poorly thought out, some created to address a single need that no longer presses, some simply unpleasant no matter when, where or who. If we've kept up on trends in volunteerism or simply have a gift of empathy, chances are we know precisely why the position is so unattractive. Even if we do know the cause, a relative few of us know the solution. To arrive at this we must be sure we have looked at every aspect of the problem recruiting. More

Are You Awash With Volunteers?

While the heat is cranking up with the summer sun, so are the volunteer applications and requests for individuals to be a part of your organization. With the new Serve America Act, many department and some of my colleagues report that the volume of volunteer application requests, interviews, and orientations are skyrocketing. While this is encouraging, is our field prepared to handle the number of volunteers coming in to our organization? More

Going Green With a Paperless Program Manager's Handbook

Programs looking for handy ways to disseminate important information in an environmentally responsible fashion might consider exchanging the traditional program management handbook for a newer streamlined version made available on a flash/thumb drive. Dee Wilder of Volunteer Florida submitted this effective practice. More

Beware of Fees For Nothing

As a merchant, every time you accept a customer's credit, PIN debit or signature debit card, you pay a "Merchant Discount Rate" and various fees, that are distributed to the credit card, the respective association, the third party processors, and your merchant services provider. The average cost to you for a $100 transaction can be as high as $3 or more in fees. You might argue that some of these rates and fees are too high, but at least most of them are associated with an actual service necessary to accept credit card payments. Any other fees or surcharges that show up - or don't show up - on your monthly statement are fees for nothing. More

Embrace Cross Channel Retailing

Cross channel retailing is not a buzzword, but rather a priority you cannot ignore. Indeed, the third annual U.S. consumer survey conducted in January by retail enterprise solutions provider Sterling Commerce focused on how consumers want to interact with retailers across channels. The survey found that consumers’ cross channel expectations continue to escalate, even in tough economic times. More

Eight Low Cost Perks: Staffing Incentives for Retailers

In order to provide the "above and beyond" type of customer service a retail store should deliver to be successful, it must begin by creating happy employees. Retailers that develop long-term incentives, perks, and rewards for its staff often see benefits like less employee turn-over and better customer service. A combination which can lead to an increase in sales. Motivational speakers, extra staff development and monetary incentives like paid health coverage are typical for corporations, but what about retailers? What perks can a brick and mortar retailer offer employees? More