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, Aug. 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, Ariz.

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 Aug. 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

Does Liability for Negligent Hiring Apply to Volunteers?

There is authority in the common law - the body of law derived from usage, custom, and tradition - supporting the argument that the concept of negligent hiring can be applied even when the wrongdoer is an unpaid staff person. "A person conducting an activity through servants or other agents is subject to liability for harm resulting from his conduct if he is negligent or reckless...in the employment of improper persons or instrumentalities in work involving risk of harm to others." More

Defining Volunteers' Roles in Preparation for Disaster Response

National service participants are increasingly being asked to support disaster response and relief, a role that is separate from the positions they originally signed up for. Before being expected to handle these new responsibilities, participants must be prepared for situations that they would not regularly encounter in their non-disaster assignments. This effective practice, submitted by the Points of Light Institute, offers essential tips to fully engage participants in these new roles. More

Why Do People Volunteer?

People volunteer for many reasons, sometimes altruism, sometimes personal, but always for a purpose. We need to understand that purpose in order to attract and retain the volunteer. For many it's a way of giving back. You will hear volunteers say, "My mother received excellent care in this hospital and I want to repay some of that kindness." Another volunteer will say, "When I was growing up, there was a Boy Scout leader who made a difference in my life, and I want to be one of those who makes a difference to a young boy." The concept of giving back is strong in most volunteers' minds. More

Top Ten 2009 Email Marketing Services Review

You don't need to be a graphic designer to create an attractive email or newsletter. A good service has various email development features to help you every step of the way. You can import an HTML page or use one of the many email templates provided by the service. Add attachments, pictures, sound files, background images and more. Based on these features and more, iContact finishes first, followed by Benchmark at No. 2, and Constant Contact comes in at No. 3. More

Six Lessons From the Best Marketing Campaign Ever

Last month an unlikely underdog stunned the marketing world at the International Cannes Advertising Festival. At the show, a single marketing campaign took home a Grand Prix award in three categories simultaneously, something that had never happened before. The unanimous winner was not a Fortune 500 brand with an advertising budget of millions, but a small tourism board promoting a little known island off the Great Barrier Reef. And while tourism and the travel industry may seem far removed from your business, a big part of the reason for the amazing success of this campaign was not what they were marketing, but how they used social media to do it. In that, there are some lessons anyone trying to promote a product or service could use. More

Ten Common Pricing Mistakes

These authors have seen examples of good - and really bad - pricing policies. The following is a list of ten of the most common mistakes companies make when pricing their products and services. More