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

Day-to-Day Volunteer Management

A good volunteering experience means that the volunteer's expectations are met and the organization benefits by their involvement. This happens because the initial "match" is right and because the organization recognizes that the ongoing management of volunteers is essential in keeping volunteers motivated and committed to staying. This article looks at ways to achieve this. More

Volunteers Just Want to Have Fun

It is common to cast volunteering in a solemn, even spiritual light. Volunteers do serve those in need due to poverty, disease, war, or disaster, which naturally is incredibly serious business. But we do volunteers (and ourselves as leaders of volunteers) a disservice by focusing only on their halos and never the devilish twinkle in their eyes! More

Seven Strategies for Baby Boomer Recruitment

Research suggests that for baby boomers aged 40 to 55 years, there is sufficient similarity in attitudes and characteristics to allow for the provision of a framework designed to encourage volunteerism. But offering attractive volunteering opportunities to the baby boomer generation may require a shift in thinking and organizational restructuring. More

The Five Myths of Customer Service: What You Don’t Know is Hurting Your Business

Retailers usually rely on sales numbers to indicate success: if sales are rising, business must be going well. However, you may be reducing your profits by spending up to four times as much as necessary on marketing and customer acquisition. A wiser approach than just pushing sales is to harness word of mouth and improve customer experience. This lowers customer attrition and can lead to "customers for life." More

Nine Ways to Cut Energy Costs

You changed the light bulbs and lowered the thermostat and for a long time, that was enough. But energy costs have been rising in recent years and new taxes are on the horizon, so every business has a reason to become more efficient. Here's how. More

Choosing a Business Credit Card

As small business lending has dried up, small business owners are increasingly relying on business - and personal - credit cards to finance their operations. The issuance of new credit cards was also down early this year over last year, but if you have established credit cards, make your payments on time, and have a decent personal credit score, you should not have difficulty getting a business credit card. More