Education Day Retreat 2021
Each year, DOVIA-LA hosts Education Day, which is the premier West Coast conference for the field of volunteer engagement. Education Day is an opportunity for professional development and networking for those working with volunteers in California and beyond. This day is designed for all levels of the organization.
This year, the retreat will be hosted virtually to address current issues in our field. What’s new this year is it will be a collaboration and special partnership with Cal Nonprofits, California Volunteers, DOVIA Sacramento and LAWorks, this conference will focus on California issues, but workshops will be applicable to anyone regardless of geographic location.
Get your EarlyBird price while they last! This is a chance to save between $5 – $15. EarlyBird ends August 17, 2021.

Please email doviala@gmail.com with any questions and share this with your network(s). We look forward to seeing you there! – DOVIA-LA Team

President of DOVIA-LA: Kate A. Ekman, CVA (she/they)
Passionate about leading volunteers in projects for positive social and environmental impacts, Kate is proudly helping volunteer engagement professionals connect, learn and develop professionally. She joined DOVIA-LA in 2015 and first served as the Vice President of Publicity before being elected President. Her primary role is engaging the Beach Cities Health District community in volunteerism. Kate also supports the National Wildlife Federation’s efforts to #SaveLACougars as a consultant organizing event volunteers. Kate began nurturing her career while seeking an Environmental Studies degree at Northeastern Illinois University, where she successfully organized the planting of seventy native species trees on campus. In her free time, Kate continues to volunteer and serves as a Legislative Liaison and on the Advocacy Committee for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. Kate won the AL!VE Impact Award for Emerging Leaders in 2020. She and her family are proud members of the LGBTQI+ community.
Presenters + Workshops:
Hosts for the Day
DOVIA-LA Board of Directors:

VP of Education & Programs of DOVIA-LA: Meghan Maloney, CVA
Meghan has a passion for the nonprofit sector and public service. She spent three years working as an AmeriCorps volunteer at agencies such as City Year, the Los Angeles Superior Courts, and L.A. Works. Currently, she is the Volunteer and Programs Manager at Executive Service Corps of Southern California, where she plays a key role in volunteer onboarding, matching, and engagement. Meghan is an active volunteer as well – she serves as the Vice President of Education and Programs at DOVIA-LA, and facilitates monthly discussions for millennials navigating through grief and loss with The Dinner Party. Meghan received her Credential in Volunteer Administration in Fall 2020. She believes that volunteering can change the world, and is a big advocate for intergenerational connections. She is an alumna of UCLA, graduating with a B.A. double major in American Literature and History with a minor in LGBT Studies. She is a proud Angeleno, and has lived in Los Angeles her entire life. She’s an ENFJ, a Leo, and a 2w3. Behind the scenes, Meghan enjoys spending time with her senior cat, reading memoirs, and exploring LA’s food scene.
Brian Rosenbaum, MSSW, CVA
Workshop: “Building Strategic Partnerships – Virtually or Not!”
- Description (volunteering partnerships focus): Strategic partnerships with corporate, civic, and faith groups can play an important role in meeting your volunteer needs, and so much more. Join Brian Rosenbaum, MSSW, CVA, to learn about the many ways community partners can impact your organization, strategies for identifying and qualifying potential partners, how to get a foot in the door, and what dialogue and action look like.
- Learning objectives (volunteering partnerships focus): The ingredients of a strategic volunteering partnership, Identifying potential strategic partners, Engaging potential partners and starting the relationship, Cultivating the relationship and stewarding champions
Rebecca Hand, MPA, CVA
Workshop: The Transformational Role of Volunteer Engagement Professionals
It come as no surprise to you that volunteer engagement professionals wear many hats. So many of the roles we play in our organizations require a high level of emotional intelligence and the soft skills needed to effectively engage and manage volunteers. After the past 18 months of uncertainty, our most loyal partners are reassessing how service fits into their lives. What affect has COVID-19 had on our volunteers and how does that impact our roles as their connection to the organizations they serve? In this session, we’ll be looking at the social and emotional needs our volunteers have developed as a result of quarantine and isolation and how we can transform our opportunities for engagement to meet their present day needs and build stronger connections with our organizations.
Meghan Maloney, CVA
Workshop: Along for the Ride: How to Engage Volunteers Through Every Step of the Organization Life Cycle
Much like humans, organizations go through key developmental milestones as they grow and reach maturity. Throughout its evolution, the need for volunteers and how they will interact with the organization will also change. The nonprofit lifecycle is a great way to better understand where your organization is so you can create a steady rate of growth and alignment for sustainability. Have you ever felt the squeeze of growing pains at your organization? Curious why your organization still feels like it’s in a start-up phase even after twenty years? Did COVID-19 affect your growth? This 30 minute presentation will go through the 5 stages of the organizational life cycle: idea, start up, growth, maturity, and decline/crisis. We will spend time identifying where your organization is in its lifecycle and how you can best engage volunteers through every step of the way.
Joan Cardellino, Chair of DOVIA Sacramento
Workshop: Commitment + Systems = Effective Volunteer Programs
Join us as we discuss ways to direct the energy, focus the effort, and maximize the role volunteers play in helping your organization reach its goals. This presentation will include a basic overview of practical systems, tools, technology, and resources needed to build, maintain and grow successful volunteer programs. Special features will review the reasons why volunteers are still the best-equipped method to address social problems.
FAQ
How can I learn more about past Education Days while waiting for this year’s details to be released?
Please visit these pages in order to learn more about recent Education Days
How much does Education Day cost?
- $65.00 Guests
- $50.00 DOVIA-LA Members
- $105.00 Annual Membership & Ticket Bundle: Become a member or renew your membership with DOVIA-LA while registering for Education Day. Membership includes free entry into our five annual workshops, the AL!VE/Better Impact Conference, a discount to Education Day, access to member resources and directory, member voting rights, and ability to serve in a leadership role.
Who can attend?
This event welcomes volunteer engagement and non-profit professionals interested in the material located in any geographic location.
What is the schedule?
The schedule for the day is currently in development and will be released as soon as it is determined as well as sessions and presenter information.
Will there be a recording?
All sessions will be recorded and provided to registrants the week after the conference. So if you can’t attend on the day, or can’t attend all sessions, you’ll still get access! General discussions, breakout rooms and other networking opportunities will not be recorded.
How can I contact the organizer with questions?
Please email us at doviala@gmail.com with any questions.