2014 Virginia Volunteerism and Service Conference
Workshop Session Descriptions
September 11, 2014
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Pre-Conference Session: National Service Pipeline (NCCC, VISTA, AmeriCorps State)
This workshop will provide insight into the National Service Programs available in Virginia. The session will
highlight opportunities for community solutions using National Service Programs. You will hear from
representatives of AmeriCorps State, AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) and AmeriCorps
VISTA and Senior Corps.
Panelists: Stephanie Gittinger, Assistant Program Director, AmeriCorps NCCC; Patrice Dempsey, State Program
Director, Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS); Amanda Healy, Program Manager, Office on
Volunteerism and Community Service, Virginia Department of Social Services
Stephanie Gittinger
Stephanie Gittinger is the Assistant Program Director (APD) for AmeriCorps NCCC in the state of Virginia. Prior to
that, she served as a VISTA Leader with Kentucky Division of Emergency Management and the non-profit Christian
Appalachian Project in Kentucky and Southern West Virginia where she worked with volunteer management,
disaster response including pet sheltering, and technology integration. Ms. Gittinger has experience working with
non-profit organizations, state agencies and individual communities as they coordinate large scale community
service projects. She also has an M.S. from Lindsey Wilson College in Counseling and Human Development.
Patrice Dempsey
Patrice M. Dempsey has been the State Program Director (SPD) for the VA Office of the Corporation for National
and Community Service (CNCS) for the past 4 years. Prior to that, she was the SPD for the Puerto Rico/US Virgin
Islands Office of CNCS for 5 years. Ms. Dempsey has over 30 years’ experience working with non-profit
organizations, state agencies and universities in Strategic Planning and Institutional Development. She has an M.S.
from the University of the Sacred Heart, San Juan, Puerto Rico in Non-Profit Organization Administration and a B.A
from Shippensburg University, PA in Social Work.
Amanda Healy
Amanda Healy is the Program Manager of Virginia’s portfolio of AmeriCorps*State Programs. Based in the Virginia
Department of Social Services, she is a member of the AmeriCorps Team that supports an array of national service
programming across the Commonwealth. Prior to this position, Amanda served in both the public and private
non-profit sectors, including many years at DHCD working with both the Community Development Block Grant and
the Indoor Plumbing Programs. Amanda received a BA in Geography and Planning from the University of Hawaii at
Hilo, and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University.
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September 11, 2014
12:45 – 1:45 p.m.
A1 - We have a Community Problem: Could service be the answer? Targeting service for community
impact.
This workshop will answer the question: What is service? It will offer ways to use community data to develop a
program to address a particular community problem. This session will discuss the theory of change and the
importance of clear data on the back end (not just development), and logic models for development.
The panel will also address who we need to include and what resources are available.
Panelists: Sharen Gromling, Executive Director of Our Health, Inc. of Shenandoah University; Kathy Johnson,
Executive Director, Alternatives, Inc.
Sharen Gromling
Ms. Gromling currently serves as the Executive Director for Our Health, a local non-profit dedicated to helping
serve the community’s health and human services needs. Her specific responsibilities include managing the 60,000
square foot Kendall Community Campus buildings and grounds which includes office space for sixteen area nonprofits; writing and administering grants for our non-profit partners; training and technical assistance; and
connecting volunteers through our Volunteer Action Center. She retired from public administration following
nearly three decades of service to the City of Winchester municipal government. Ms. Gromling continues to serve
as a lecturer and trainer in human resource management. She conducts numerous workshops and retreats on
topics such as Valuing Diversity, Ethics, Strategic Planning, Customer Service, Teambuilding, and Leadership Skills
Assessment, to name a few. Her training passion is working with teams to help them build a foundation of trust,
achieve commitment to the team’s purpose and goals, and hold members accountable, all leading to the
achievement of collective results. She received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Psychology from the
University of Richmond, and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Sharen is married to
Tom Gromling, a dentist, and the couple has two grown children.
Kathy Johnson
Ms. Johnson has been employed with Alternatives since 1991, has served in a variety of leadership roles and
currently serves as Executive Director. She champions the development of strategic partnerships that will further
the vision of Alternatives and oversees fund development and financial management. She is naturally gifted in
group process and has been a Certified Professional Facilitator since 2003, using her skills to benefit not only
Alternatives but other nonprofits and local government. In addition to her leadership role at Alternatives, she
provides local, state, national, and international training on the principles of youth development and prevention;
as well as serving as a contributor to nationally recognized prevention curricula. She also serves on the Leadership
Council for the Virginia Partnership on Out of School Time and the Leadership Council for Smart Beginnings
Virginia Peninsula. Deeply spiritual, she considers working in the field of positive youth development to be her
life’s vocation in inspiring the potential of all children and youth.
A2 - Volunteerism in Local Government – Serving Citizens and Community
Come learn from the best practices of several local governments in Virginia that are successfully partnering with
other community based organizations to provide many needed services while saving taxpayer dollars. Be
prepared to share your own successes as we learn from each other.
Facilitator: Nikki Nicholau, Consultant
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Panelists: Lisa Adkins, Administrator, Hanover Department of Community Resources; Angie Carrera, Partnership
Developer, Office of Public Private Partnerships, Fairfax County Government
Lisa Adkins
Ms. Adkins holds a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She has 30 years of
experience in case management, program administration and volunteer resources management. She has been
with the Hanover County Department of Community Resources for 15 years and has served as Administrator since
January 2013. She is the first recipient of the Volunteer Administrator of the Year Award which was presented in
2006 by the Greater Richmond Association for Volunteer Administration (GRAVA). In addition to her membership
in GRAVA, Lisa is a member of the Virginia Volunteer Center Association and the National Association of Volunteer
Programs in Local Government (NAVPLG). She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Senior Connections,
The Capital Area Agency on Aging and Quin Rivers Inc., as well as serving on advisory for Senior Connections Foster
Grandparents Program.
Angie Carrera
As Partnership Developer specializing in volunteer resources, Ms. Carrera identifies and cultivates partnerships
with public and private entities that result in savings, increased capacity and/or leverage resources to address
community issues and improved quality of life in Fairfax County. She also serves as volunteer resource coordinator
working with County government agencies to maximize volunteer opportunities and resources, with an emphasis
on expanding the participation of the Hispanic community.
B1 – Community Collaborations: Working with community partners to foster collaborative relationships
Can collaboration enhance the sustainability of your organization? There is a general understanding around nonprofits that collaborating regarding certain issues can make a difference for the clients and communities they
serve. However questions linger on how to collaborate. This workshop should answer some of those questions
and point you in the right direction.
Panelists: Candice Driskell, MS, RN, CCM, CPC, Executive Director, Access Partnership, Inc.; Fatima Smith,
RHART Coordinator, YWCA Richmond; Tom Wagstaff, CAPUP – Capital Area Partnership Uplifting People; Dottie
Avalon, Program Specialist, VDSS, OVCS
Candice Driskell
Candie Driskell has served as Executive Director since April 2005. Prior to joining Access Partnership, she held
positions as Manager of the Appeals Department at Optima Health, Case Manager at Norfolk General Hospital and
Emergency Department Nurse at Sentara Leigh Hospital. Additionally, Ms. Driskell taught Emergency Medical
Technology at Tidewater Community College and serves as a Community Health Educator. Candie received her
Master’s degree in Community Health from Old Dominion University. She holds a Bachelors degree in Liberal Arts
Management from Virginia Wesleyan College and an Associate in Applied Science (Nursing) from Tidewater
Community College. Candie is certified in Case Management and Professional Coding and received a certificate in
Nonprofit Management in 2010. She was the recipient of Hampton Roads Case Management Society’s Case
Manager of the Year Award in 2012. Candie leads the health ministry team at her church and is an avid
spokesperson for Health Literacy and Advance Directives. She resides with her husband in Chesapeake, VA.
Fatima Smith
Fatima M. Smith is the Regional Hospital Accompaniment Response Team (R-HART) Coordinator at the YWCA of
Richmond where she trains volunteers, nurses, and police to respond to survivors of domestic and sexual violence
at Central Virginia’s emergency rooms. In addition, she provides educational workshops on domestic and sexual
violence, healthy relationships, teen dating violence, and stalking. She is a graduate of George Mason University
where she received a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice and went on to receive her Master of Social
Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.
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Tom Wagstaff
Tom has a BS in Business Management from ODU and a Master of Public Administration from VCU. He joined
CAPUP in 1989 as the Finance Manager, became Director of Finance and Administration and President/CEO in
2005. Working with CAPUP, Tom knows firsthand the importance of community partners and how effective
partnerships help to make both parties better organizations. He is a Certified Community Action Professional, a
member the National Community Action Partnership’s Excellent Commission (1 of 9 Commissioners nationally)
and a peer reviewer for National Pathways to Excellence program, where partnerships are one of the standards of
the program. Tom has served on numerous nonprofit boards, governmental boards and commission including
Richmond’s Anti-Poverty Commission, City of Hopewell’s Economic Development Authority and is active in the
Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Dottie Avalon
Ms. Dottie Avalon, CPA is currently employed by the Virginia Department of Social Services; Office on
Volunteerism and Community Services as a Program Specialist. Her primary duties include monitoring and
providing training and technical assistance to the Community Action Agencies in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Before becoming employed by VDSS she served for 12 years as Vice President/CFO for Total Action for Progress;
one of the largest Community Action Agencies in Virginia. Prior to her work in the non-profit sector, Ms. Avalon
spent more than twenty years in corporate accounting.
B2 – Using Service and Volunteerism as a Pathway to Employment
Discover how volunteer experience and service can increase your employability. Gain insight on showcasing your
personal development and skills to meet your employment and career and goals!
Facilitators: Nina Hollins and Dana Yarbrough
Panelists: Sarah Kinderknecht, Virginia State Program Specialist, Corporation for National and Community Service;
Samantha Lukasiewicz, Director of Civic Engagement, The Advancement Foundation; Stephen Vicoli, Transitional
Coordinator, CARITAS; Charles Fitzgerald, AmeriCorps Alum, CARITAS; Brooke Yarbrough, Brooke's Happy Tails
Dog Boarding
Sarah Kinderknecht
Sarah Kinderknecht is the Virginia State Program Specialist at the Corporation for National and Community Service
(CNCS). Prior to joining CNCS, Sarah worked as a Human Resources Director in the private sector, as a parks
foundation Grants Administrator, and as a university advancement Corporate and Foundation Relations
Coordinator. She holds Bachelors' degree in French and International Studies, and a certificate in Global Cultures
from the University of Wisconsin and a Master's Degree in Public Administration with a Certificate in Fundraising
from Portland State University. She has lived and worked abroad in France, Scotland, and Ireland and has served
as a VISTA member in Alaska and as an AmeriCorps State member in Washington. Her favorite quote of the
moment is: "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing" by Helen Keller.
Samantha Lukasiewicz
Samantha Lukasiewicz is currently the Director of Civic Engagement at The Advancement Foundation in Vinton,
VA. In this position she serves as the Program Director for the AmeriCorps*State program at TAF. Prior to joining
The Advancement Foundation staff, she served 4 years in the AmeriCorps*VISTA program. Her first term of service
was through the Appalachian Coal County Team in Lee County, VA at the Daniel Boone Soil and Water
Conservation District office. Her second and third terms of service were as a VISTA Leader at The Advancement
Foundation. Samantha holds a B.S. in Environmental Chemistry from Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA.
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Stephen Vicoli
Stephen Vicoli has spent the last 2 years volunteering his services to The Healing Place, a substance abuse
recovery program of CARITAS located here in Richmond. As a follow up to that service, he served three
AmeriCorps terms with CARITAS. Stephen was recently hired into a staff position as Transitional Coordinator. His
career path is a direct reflection on the value of service and how skills and personal development obtained
through service can directly impact the path to employment.
Charles Fitzgerald
Charles Fitzgerald is an AmeriCorps Alum with CARITAS AmeriCorps. He is also the 2010 Wone Award recipient.
While serving as a peer mentor at the Healing Place, Charles realized that he had a gift for helping other addicts
find freedom from addiction. He has since completed his certificate in substance abuse counseling During his
second year of service Charles was instrumental in helping to launch an aftercare team for homeless men and
served as a mentor to these men and helped them successfully transition out of homelessness. Because of his
own history, Charles is able to earn trust and respect from those seeking recovery from addiction. He is currently
working for Atlee Community Church and Embrace Richmond doing community outreach. He operates three
houses for people with troubled backgrounds and low or no income. I encourage people to continue their
education and work towards better employment. Don't just settle for less.
Brooke Yarbrough
Brooke Yarbrough is a 20 year old young woman with significant support needs for her physical, intellectual and
sensory disabilities. A recent graduate of Varina High School in Henrico County, Brooke opened her own business
in 2012 - Brooke's Happy Tails Dog Boarding. She currently has nine 4-legged clients.
C1 - Beyond Volunteering: Converting your volunteers to donors, ambassadors and fundraisers
Your best donors might be right in front of you. It is a proven fact that people who volunteer are more likely to
donate money to your organization than those who don’t. This workshop will cover the corporate perspective of
community support and volunteering, how to turn a “one timer” into a lifelong volunteer and supporter and finally
we will touch on Fundraising Challenges and Resources.
Panelists: Dr. Sharon Campbell Waters, Director of Development, The Up Center; Monica Martin, Director of
Licensing and Commissions Service Teams, Genworth Financial; Kris Shabestar, Executive Director, Meals on
Wheels of Central Virginia
Dr. Sharon Campbell Waters
Dr. Waters has 30 years of experience in the field of communications and development, primarily as proposal
manager and writer for the Departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, National Science
Foundation (NSF), NASA, government contractors, corporations and foundations, elementary, secondary and
higher education, and public and commercial radio and television stations serving both the non-profit and industry
sectors. She has successfully written major grant projects in excess of $45 million specifically related to science
and engineering, information technology and the media arts, and has participated on NSF panels in exploring
evaluation communication and dissemination issues and best practices for communicating scientific content to the
general public. Dr. Waters is a Mass Media Arts/Journalism graduate of Hampton University (1972), and has
advanced degrees in cinema (MFA, 1975) and communication (PhD, 2005) from the University of Southern
California and Regent University, respectively. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals,
National Communication Association, American Society of Engineering Education, the National Grants
Management Association, and the American Evaluation Association.
Monica Martin
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Monica has been in the insurance industry for the past 22 years, serving in what was originally First Colony, then
GE Financial Assurance and today Genworth where she leads a team of 120 associates. And she has given back to
her community for over 31 years, serving in her church, non-profit organizations and as a sponsor to industry
forums that provide volunteer services. Monica has held various organization leadership roles that include Board
Chair for Genworth Volunteers, Women’s Forum President, Christian Education Chair, and Boys and Girls Club
Board President. She was awarded the Bobby Taylor Volunteer Services Award, the Jack Welch Elfun Volunteer of
the Year and Genworth Outstanding Performance for Volunteer Coordination. Her passions are about children at
risk, individual development and Christian missions. And she spends her leisure time gardening, vacationing or
boating on the river with her husband, son and daughter.
Kris Shabestar
Kris Shabestar joined Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg as Executive Director in May of 2011. Kris has a
master’s degree in nonprofit management and a certificate in project management from Regis University. She
also holds a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant administration with an emphasis on business and
institutional administration from Oklahoma State University. Previously, Kris established an independent
consulting practice focusing on the design, development and evaluation of nonprofit organizations. Kris has
worked extensively for nonprofit organizations as a staff member and volunteer and owned two small businesses.
As a young girl, one of Kris’ first nonprofit volunteer jobs was helping her mother deliver Meals on Wheels during
school breaks. Kris is married and has three children, ages 14-22.
C2 - Working With Boards to Strengthen an Organization & Community
This workshop will discuss how to work with boards to strengthen an organization and community.
Panelists: Amy Nisenson, Consultant and Executive Director, Mary Morton Parsons Foundation; Lee Householder,
CEO, Project Homes; Julie Bilodeau, Executive Director, Crossover Ministry
Amy Nisenson
Nisenson is a senior philanthropy professional with a 25 year proven track record of success across corporate,
foundation and nonprofit sectors. Amy currently serves as Executive Director of the Mary Morton Parsons
Foundation and in a consultative role to small and emerging nonprofits in the Richmond area. In her consultation
business, Amy provides expertise in a variety of service businesses including strategic planning, group and meeting
facilitation, board development, and resource development and fundraising. Amy recently became a Certified
Governance Trainer with BoardSource and has also completed the BoardSource Certificate of Nonprofit Board
Education. Amy teaches classes in nonprofit management including grant writing, navigating support from
corporations and foundations, and board development. Prior to her position at The Mary Morton Parsons
Foundation, Amy served as Vice President and Community Affairs Manager for Wachovia Corporation from 2005
to 2008. Amy is a graduate of the University of Virginia and has been honored by the Virginia Center for Inclusive
Communities with the 2013 Humanitarian Award and the Richmond YWCA as the 2004 Outstanding Women of the
Year in Volunteerism. She is a graduate of the 2001 class of Leadership Metro Richmond and the 2006 class of
Lead Virginia. Amy currently serves on many local, statewide, and national nonprofit boards. Amy is married to
David, her husband of 30 years and they have 2 adult children, Daniel and Stacey. Amy is from the Hampton Roads
area where she was born and lived until college.
Lee Householder
Lee Householder is the Chief Executive Officer at the ElderHomes Corporation. As CEO, he manages regional
programs in home repair and weatherization, a volunteer wheelchair construction, infill home construction, and
senior tax credit apartments. Lee has fifteen years of experience in urban planning and community development
in the Richmond region. Prior joining ElderHomes he was Deputy Executive Director for the Richmond
Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) and a County Planner with the County of Henrico. He is also an
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adjunct faculty member at L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs and member of the LEAD
Virginia Class of 2013 and LMR Class of 2012.
Julie Bilodeau
Julie Bilodeau joined CrossOver Health Care Ministry in 2003 after working for over ten years at Circuit City Stores.
During this period, CrossOver has opened a clinic on Quioccasin Road in Henrico County, established an in-house
licensed pharmacy, and has implemented electronic health records. Patients served by CrossOver increased to
over 7,000 patients. Ms. Bilodeau has a Bachelors in Economics from the College of William and Mary and an MBA
from the Darden School of Business. She is a member of the LMR class of 2012 and serves on the Income Action
Council at United Way of Greater Richmond.
D1 - AmeriCorps 101: Stop, Collaborate and Listen (AmeriCorps Track)
Find the AmeriCorps program that makes the most sense for you or your organization. This workshop is great for
(1) organizations looking to learn what program best fits their needs, and (2) interested potential AmeriCorps
members wanting to find the right program to enhance their skills and goals. Through this presentation,
participants will hear about:
 AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, AmeriCorps State/National and SeniorCorps programs
 What makes a successful partnership for an AmeriCorps member and the organization they are serving
with
 Tips for being prepared and enjoying the service term as a member and an organization
 How AmeriCorps involvement will change my organization
 How the AmeriCorps experience can help my career path to the non-profit world
Panelist: Whitney Guthrie, Volunteer Talent Manager, Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity
Whitney Guthrie
Ms. Guthrie joined Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity in February 2012 as the Volunteer Talent
Manager. In this role she works to coordinate the daily volunteer operations, Youth Programs, and manage special
events and projects. Prior to joining Richmond Habitat, she served as the Community Engagement Coordinator,
AmeriCorps VISTA* (Volunteer in Service to America) at United Way of York County in Maine and as a member of
the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps.
D2 - Budgeting / Personal Finance (AmeriCorps Track)
This workshop explores a taboo subject - money. National Service Members, like many of the citizens they serve,
must live on a fixed income. At the same time many AmeriCorps members help meet the Corporation for National
Service’s economic opportunity goal by teaching financial literacy. AmeriCorps members will leave this workshop
with personal finance resources and tools that will assist them during their service year.
Panelist: Eric L. Bucey, Executive Director, Beans and Rice, Inc.
Eric L. Bucey
Mr. Bucey is an experienced community development professional, social entrepreneur, and community-based
nonprofit leader who helps volunteers, donors, faith communities, foundations, K-12 education providers, and
government agencies participate in local solutions to economic and social problems. During his career with Beans
and Rice, Inc., he has designed and implemented Individual Development Account, Micro Enterprise Development,
and financial literacy training programs for low-to-moderate income families and children. Mr. Bucey completed
financial literacy trainings alongside participants and integrated the principles into his personal financial life. He is
an experienced Quicken user, avid personal finance reader, first-time homeowner through the VHDA SPARC
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program, obsessive saver, and beginning retail investor. Mr. Bucey believes that the first step for organizations
interested in delivering financial literacy is empowering staff and volunteers to become more financially literate.
E1 - Just In Time Leadership (AmeriCorps Track)
This workshop will provide participants with tools and techniques to cope well during high intensity environments
and provide key leadership to lead their groups.
Panelist: Tejas Patel, Sr. Associate Logistics Resource Management, AmeriCan Red Cross
Tejas Patel
Mr. Patel currently serves as the Senior Associate for Logistics Resource Management, Disaster Field Logistics, and
Disaster Cycle Services at the American Red Cross National Headquarters. He is responsible for the procedures,
policies, guidance, and training of volunteers that work in the Supply and Warehousing Activities during disaster
relief operations. His most recent deployment was to NY for Hurricane Sandy. Mr. Patel also served as a Marine
Corps Officer for 11 years to include postings as an Instructor of Leadership at the Marine Corps Command and
Staff College and the Expeditionary Warfare School.
E2 - Networking Café (AmeriCorps Track) (Repeat)
This interactive café format will encourage creative thinking in a comfortable, café-style environment. AmeriCorps
Members will be presented with an overarching issue and then spend time discussing an aspect or question
related to the issue at designated tables. The peer led discussions will be based on interest/ program type.
Topics will include:
* Tutoring
* AmeriCorps Alums
* Leadership Development
* Resources for Members
Facilitator: The AmeriCorps Launch Committee
September 12, 2014
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
A3 - National Service Part 1: Past, Present and Future
This workshop include a ‘retrospective’ of The Civilian Conservation Corps as a forerunner of modern national
service programs; a snapshot of national service in Virginia, including the direction of the Virginia Service
Commission; and an introduction to The Franklin Project, which promotes improving citizenship by giving every
young person in America the opportunity to spend a year providing full time, fully paid service.
Panelists: Joan Sharpe, President and Executive Director, CCC Legacy; Fran Inge, Executive Director, Virginia
Service Commission, MacKenzie Mortiz, Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships, The Franklin Project, at the
Aspen Institute
Joan Sharpe
After many years as a military family, Sharpe settled in the Shenandoah Valley in 1996 after her husband’s
retirement from the Army. Looking for ways to get involved in the community, Sharpe became involved in the
Chamber of Commerce and eventually became President. This connection introduced her to the USDA George
Washington National Forest and the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps. In an effort to promote the history
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and heritage of the CCC in our community, Sharpe and a group of advocates established the CCC Legacy
organization to further the history of the CCC and support economic development and tourism in the small rural
community of Edinburg in Shenandoah County. The unintended consequences of studying the history of the CCC
were realizing its great value to the young men who served and how the Corps experience changed the lives of the
CCC Boys and America. Educating young Americans about the profound effect of the CCC became an
organizational goal. The alumni of the CCC program were determined to share their experiences and advocate for
similar experiences for today’s young people. Originally from rural South Dakota, Sharpe grew up in an
atmosphere where she learned that the goodness of a community came from its volunteers. Volunteers keep
communities alive. I am a volunteer.
Fran Inge
Fran Inge serves as the Director of Office of Volunteerism and Community Services with the Virginia Department
of Social Services. The office serves organizations that strengthen their communities through volunteerism and
service. Working with the Volunteer Center Network of Virginia and the Governor's Advisory Board on
Volunteerism and National Service, the Office of Volunteerism and Community Services promotes a sustainable,
collaborative statewide system of volunteer service. Mrs. Inge also oversees the Department's Faith-Based and
Community Initiative, the operations of 2-1-1 Virginia, Community Services Block Grant, Neighborhood Assistance,
Earned Income Tax Credits and the AmeriCorps State grant program. Prior to her current position, she served as
the Executive Director to the Family and Children’s Trust Fund of Virginia which provides for the support and
development of services for the prevention and treatment of family violence. She previously served as the
Director of CASA of Central Virginia where she was administered volunteer-driven court advocacy services to over
2,000 abused and/or neglected children. Fran is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and holds her Institute
for Organizational Management (IOM) certificate from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She is a graduate of the
Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Lead Virginia Program. She is Past-President of the Piedmont Chapter of the
Association of Fundraising Professionals where in 2009 she was named the Outstanding Executive Fundraising
Professional of the year.
MacKenzie Moritz
MacKenzie Moritz serves as the Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships for the Franklin Project. After
graduating from college, MacKenzie served as a 2006 Teach For America corps member where he taught 9th grade
world history in southwest Philadelphia. He subsequently joined Teach For America’s recruitment team where he
spent five years working to grow the scale and diversity of TFA’s corps in various roles, most recently as the
managing director of Teach For America’s national recruitment strategy & technology team. He graduated with
B.A. in Economics and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida in 2006 and earned a M.Ed in
Secondary Education from the University of Pennsylvania in 2008. MacKenzie lives in Washington, D.C., with his
wife Melissa.
A4 - Volunteer Retention
Volunteers are essential to the operations of nonprofit organizations. Volunteers play critical roles in organizing
events, soliciting donors and ensuring the missions of organizations are met. Attend this workshop to learn the
best practices for understanding volunteer motivation, designing volunteer positions, supervising volunteers and
recognizing volunteers. The panel will include information from Volunteer Coordinators at two successful
Richmond nonprofits, as well as a dedicated volunteer from each organization. This session will offer tips and
techniques to keep volunteers coming back.
Panelists: Sharon Drennan, Director of Community Engagement, CARITAS; Krista Boucher, CARITAS Volunteer;
Sarah Dovel, Volunteer Coordinator, Community Kitchen at FeedMore; Tara Richardson; FeedMore Volunteer;
Tom Weir, FeedMore Volunteer
Sharon Drennan
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Ms. Drennan is the Director of Community Engagement for CARITAS, the largest provider of homeless services in
the Richmond area. In her current role, Sharon integrates the lessons she learned from 25 successful years in the
corporate world with a deep commitment to those in need – the homeless, those burdened by addiction and the
disadvantaged. Sharon is motivated by her belief that developing and maintaining relationships can better
communities and transform the lives of volunteers and clients alike. Her passion extends beyond empowering
thousands of CARITAS volunteers who contribute tens of thousands of hours annually. Sharon, a devoted mother,
was also instrumental in building the first wheelchair lacrosse team on the east coast with her son, who has a
spinal cord injury. Together, they encourage others to follow their dreams regardless of physical obstacles or
emotional hurdles. For Sharon, transforming lives and restoring dignity is much more than a job. It’s her life.
Krista Boucher
Krista is a longtime Furniture bank volunteer and just recently joined us as an AmeriCorps Vista volunteer. She
was a former prosecutor in Alexandria Virginia who recently relocated to Richmond. Krista started as one of our
client shoppers; escorting clients through the Furniture Bank and helping them pick out items.
Sarah Dovel
Since 2011, Sarah has been the Volunteer Coordinator for the Community Kitchen at FeedMore, recruiting and
scheduling a daily roster of 40 volunteers of corporate/civic teams and individuals, helping to prepare and
assemble meals for a senior and children’s feeding program. Before coming to FeedMore, she worked in Roanoke,
Virginia as an AmeriCorps member with the New River Community Action organization, developing the SHARE
(Self Help and Resource Exchange) program. She has also spent time in Peru, South America, where she was
involved with food procurement and sustainable farming practices for local people. Sarah received her Bachelor of
Science in Environmental Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University and resides in Richmond, VA.
Tara Richardson
Tara Richardson has over 15 years of experience implementing volunteer projects on behalf of two Fortune 500
Corporations. Currently, she is the Volunteer Coordinator for Dominion and serves on the Volunteer Council Board
at FeedMore. She has a special talent for bringing corporations and non-profit organizations together to plan
projects that have lasting and meaningful impacts to the clients and community. She was raised in Stockton, CA
and has resided in Richmond, VA for over 20 years. She is passionate about improving her community by
increasing access to healthy food through Urban Farming and increasing access to quality education in
impoverished neighborhoods. She is also passionate about conserving energy and preserving the environment so
that it is available for future generations to enjoy.
Tom Weir
Tom Weir started volunteering during his 15 year career in leadership positions at Genworth Financial. As part of a
corporate team he volunteered for many non-profit organizations and events prior to retiring in 2009. Meals on
Wheels, the Community Kitchen and the Central Virginia Food Bank (now FeedMore) are part of his volunteer
activities that he has continued and expanded in retirement. In addition to volunteering as an individual he also
organizes and leads a team of 20 retiree volunteers.
B3 - Interviewing Volunteers – How Volunteer Interviews Can Help You Secure The Right Volunteer For
Your Agency, and Make Them Happy, Too.
This interactive and dynamic workshop will focus on the importance of interviewing volunteers, no matter how
small the task for the volunteer, and learning how to identify questions that need to be asked. Participants will
learn that there is a way to form the right types of questions to ask individuals in order to get the answers needed
to effectively screen volunteers. There will be opportunities for participants to practice identifying key questions
needed for your agency, along with the opportunity to practice crafting effective questions. Participants will begin
to learn and work on developing skills to ask the right questions to ensure that the volunteer is a good fit for your
agency, and that the volunteer is also fulfilled in their capacity.
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Panelist: Jeanine Panzera, Program Manager, Henrico Casa
Jeanine Panzera
Ms. Panzera is the Program Manager at Henrico County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a nonprofit
agency that advocates for children who have been abused and neglected in the Henrico County Juvenile and
Domestic Relations Court. Jeannine graduated with her Juris Doctorate from the University of Richmond, T.C.
Williams School of Law. Prior to law school, she was the recipient of the Chancellor’s Scholarship and graduated
magna cum laude from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science. Ms. Panzera
has stayed active in the community, volunteering her time tutoring children from low-income neighborhoods,
teaching the legal consequences of drug use, and coaching children in sports.
B4 - Collaboration is a Two-Way Street: Working with Faith and Community Partners
This interactive workshop explores the history of faith efforts in human service and what it means to have “faith
partners.” Respecting the integrity of the faith tradition of a faith-base partner is a key to collaboration. You will
gain valuable strategies for understanding the value and unique nature of faith partners and how to maximize
collaborations with faith partners. Dialog and discussion with audience members will be welcome.
Facilitator: Reverend Joseph Henderson, Co-Founder, Owner and Pastor, Bragg Hill Family Life Center,
Fredericksburg, VA
Panelists: Reverend Jonathan M. Barton, Senior Pastor, Virginia Council of Churches; Makita Lewis, Program
Manager, Fatherhood Initiative, Division of Family Services, Department of Social Services; Leslie Van Horn,
Executive Director, Federation of Virginia Food Banks
Rev. Joseph Henderson
Bishop Joseph Daniel Henderson was born in Richmond, VA. He brings a lifetime of experience to the table and has
served in virtually every area of the church work and ministry development. He has spent his life building
relationships between people of difference denominational, racial and economic backgrounds. Currently he is
Bishop and Senior Pastor of Tower of Deliverance Church located in Fredericksburg, VA. He is also the Visionary
and Executive Director of the Bragg Hill Family Life Center which was established in 1997 and addresses the needs
of the local community through partnerships with various organizations. Under his leadership this non-profit
agency serves as a model for many other agencies. His creative program designs and skillful use of resources has
yielded tremendous success. As a result of his efforts, the center serves over 1,500 clients each year with
technology training, food baskets, clothes, toys, medical and dental care. He has spent over 30 years of his life
dealing with issues involving the family, especially youth development. He is a highly respected teacher and
preacher.
Rev. Jonathan Barton
Jonathan Barton was trained in psychology at Kean College in Union, NJ ('74), received a Master of Divinity degree
from Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, NJ ('78), and currently completed his Doctor of Ministry at Samuel
Dewitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University. The Elizabeth Presbytery, of the Presbyterian Church
USA in 1981, ordained him. In 1979, Reverend Barton was part of an Education/Mission tour, with CWS, to Central
America. He visited several rural and urban areas in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Honduras (an account of this
experience was published in an article "Revelations to a Hunger Action Enabler"). Mr. Barton began work with
Church World Service in 1983 as Associate Regional Director. Rev. Barton served as the CWS Regional Director for
Virginia from 1985 to 2000. On June 1, 2000, he became the General Minister for the Virginia Council of Churches.
Jonathan is the sixth person to serve in this position during the Council 70 year history. In March of 2005 Rev
Barton was part of the U.S. delegation to the 12th General Assembly of the Christian Conference of Asia in Chiang
Mai, Thailand, where he also traveled to areas devastated by the 2004 tsunami. Rev. Barton served in
Washington, DC as the Assistant Coordinator for the National Committee for World Food Day, a United Nations
program begun October 16, 1981. Rev. Barton has served on the Board of VA VOAD and the Virginia Interfaith
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Center for Public Policy board. He currently serves on the OPO advisory board for LifeNet Health. Jonathan is
married to Elizabeth Wood Stark, he has one daughter, Katie (October 1, 1985 – June 20, 2003), and two step
daughters Liza and Archer. Rev Barton is listed in the 13th Edition of “Who’s Who in the World” (1996) and the
24th Edition of “Who’s Who in the South and Southwest” (1995/96). Strathmore’s Who’s Who (2003)
Makita Lewis
Mrs. Lewis is a Project Manager in the Family Services Division at the Virginia Department of Social Services. She
has 20 years of experience in program and project management, program development, policy development and
implementation, fiscal management and budget development. Lewis has worked in the areas of child welfare,
prisoner reentry, homelessness solutions, family drug courts, and fatherhood. Lewis has served as a Virginia
Commonwealth University Field Instructor for social work students. Mrs. Lewis is a graduate of Virginia Tech
University with a B.A. in Public Relations and Communication Studies and a minor in Sociology (1985) and Virginia
Commonwealth University with a Master of Social Work and a specialty in Child Welfare (2003).
Leslie Van Horn
Leslie Van Horn, Executive Director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, has a 30-year career in management,
including general management, accounting and Human Resources. For the past 14 years, Ms. Van Horn has
worked with non profit organizations in the Hampton Roads area. In her current position as Executive Director,
Ms. Van Horn has worked with the Virginia Department of Social Services to increase participation in Food Stamps
(SNAP) and joined efforts with the State Attorney General’s office and the Virginia Bar Association on the yearly
Legal Food Frenzy Campaign, which has brought in the equivalent of over 11.4 million pounds of food for the
state’s food banks since 2007. Ms. Van Horn created the “Fresh Food for Virginians” program in 2010 to help the
seven Federation food banks acquire and distribute fresh produce to their clientele. Since its inception, this
program has helped distribute almost 3 million pounds of fresh food to food-insecure Virginians. In 2013, she
served on a task force to develop Virginia’s first Food Desert & Food Insecurity report. In 2009, Ms. Van Horn
worked closely with the Governor’s office and the Department of Health and Human Resources to secure $1
million for emergency food purchase – the first funding the state has provided to food banks. In 2010, the
Federation of Virginia Food Banks received another $1 million to provide over 2 million pounds of food across the
Commonwealth of Virginia. Ms. Van Horn served on a task force for Feeding America where she worked on a pilot
program with the state of Iowa. In December 2008, Ms. Van Horn received a Women in Business Achievement
Award from Hampton Roads’ “Inside Business” publication. In 2012, Ms. Van Horn was honored to become a Seal
of Approval Recipient from Virginia’s First Lady’s FLITE Foundation. Ms. Van Horn currently serves on the Feeding
America Policy Engagement and Advocacy Committee and was recently reappointed to serve on the Governor’s
Advisory Board on Volunteering and National and Community Service. The Federation of Virginia Food Banks is a
state association composed of seven regional Virginia and Washington, DC food banks. With its mission of
“Building collective power within our network to create a hunger-free region,” the Federation of Virginia Food
Banks network distributed over 142 million pounds of product to over 1 million individuals last year through its
1,900+ member agencies that directly serve those in need.
C3 - Legal Tips for Inclusion of People with Disabilities
This session will provide an overview of important disability laws that support the inclusion of people with
disabilities in all facets of community life, and will offer tips on making your volunteer site or employment
environment disability friendly.
Facilitator: Dana Yarbrough, Partnership for People with Disabilities, VCU
Panelists: Deb Ruh, Owner, Ruh Global, LLC; Steve Traubert, Senior Staff Attorney, disAbility Law Center of
Virginia
Deb Ruh
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In addition to starting three businesses, Debra Ruh is a global disability inclusion strategist and ICT accessibility
training and social media thought leader on disabilities. She focuses on disability inclusion, employAbility,
corporate social responsibilities, ICT accessibility, corporate social responsibility and social entrepreneurs. Ms.
Ruh is honored to have provided global leadership to governments and disability organizations all over the world
supporting research, outreach, policy and standards initiatives with public- and private-sector including work with
the United Nations Convention of Rights for People with Disabilities (CRPD), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
Section 503, 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, W3C, WCAG and ISO – ICT Accessibility, and work with
countries such as Australia, Bahamas, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Ireland, Kenya, Oman, Qatar, Singapore,
Spain, and the UK.
Steve Traubert
Steven M. Traubert has been practicing law since 1992 and has been an attorney with the disAbility Law Center of
Virginia, specializing in employment law for people with disabilities, since 2003. A graduate of the University of
Notre Dame and the West Virginia University College of Law, Mr. Traubert has worked in diverse areas of law, and
served as a staff attorney and consultant for a firm representing numerous small businesses throughout the state,
as well as practicing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, Social Security, employment, family law, housing,
and other areas of law, so he has seen the impact of the law on people with disabilities from many different
perspectives.
C4 - Telling Your Nonprofit Story through Social Media
Get the tips and tricks you need to make your organization shine on social media. In this fun session, a panel will
discuss how to tell your story through pictures and video using tools like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and others.
Specifically, how to collect volunteer project ideas, especially for DIY volunteering, and how to share it with
partners as a resource. The panel will also discuss how to turn content into captivating video and social
experiences worth sharing. Great information for people just starting out using social media or the seasoned social
strategist!
Panelists: Laura Binz, Online Communications Specialist for the City of Falls Church, VA; Holly Gordon, Programs
and Operations Manager, HandsOn Greater Richmond; Patrice Hagan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and
Communications, Public Affairs Division of Virginia Department of Social Services
Laura Binz
Ms. Binz is the former Communications Manager at YSA (Youth Service America) and is the current Online
Communications Specialist for the City of Falls Church, Virginia. She graduated in 2011 from Georgetown
University's Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications program. For her
graduate thesis, she worked with Conservation International and developed a Strategic Communications Plan. In
her spare time, she loves to cook, volunteer and work with children.
Holly Gordon
Ms. Gordon manages programming for civic engagement and volunteer initiatives, which includes developing
community partnerships with organizations to develop projects and training on volunteer management and
technology. She oversees operations, including reporting and communications and maintains HandsOn’s website
and online volunteer database software. Holly’s background is in non profit programming, event planning, higher
education, and writing and editing. She is a 2012 graduate of the Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Program. She has a
B.A. in Sociology and Business from the University of Richmond.
D3 - Life After AmeriCorps: Get the Real Scoop from Our Alumni! (AmeriCorps Track)
AmeriCorps Alums represent almost 1 million individuals in the United States. Alums have the opportunity to
encourage others to serve their country, expand their own civic engagement activities, and provide leadership by
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contributing their time, talent, and treasure towards community improvement. Come listen to AmeriCorps
Alumni describe their experiences with life after AmeriCorps.
Facilitator: The AmeriCorps Launch Committee
Panelists: AmeriCorps Alumni
D4 - Minute to Win It Teambuilding (AmeriCorps Track)
Forming a team out of a group of strangers can seem like a daunting job, especially when you have a limited
amount of time. Yet, AmeriCorps members and Supervisors are often called upon to organize people in order to
accomplish a task or bring a group of individuals together. In this highly experiential workshop, you will learn the
fundamental concepts of team formation, experience short exercises and activities you can use to help join people
together and learn to effectively facilitate them to maximize their results.
Panelist: Allyson Graul, Director of Youth Civic Engagement for Alternative’s Inc
Allyson Graul
Ms. Graul is the Director of Youth Civic Engagement for Alternative’s Inc, Program Manager and Trainer for
Alternative’s PASS AmeriCorps Program, and a member of Alternatives Executive Team. Throughout her 30 years
of experience with the agency, she has produced, facilitated, and managed a variety of youth leadership and civic
involvement curricula and programs for schools, neighborhoods, and city government on the Virginia Peninsula.
In addition to helping create and actualize a comprehensive youth civic engagement initiative in the City of
Hampton, Allyson has served as a national trainer and consultant for the Community Foundation of New Jersey,
the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and for the City of Buffalo, New York, where she facilitated a community
process called “Building a City’s Capacity For Youth And Adult Partnerships.
E3 - Networking Café (AmeriCorps Track)
This interactive café format will encourage creative thinking in a comfortable, café-style environment. AmeriCorps
Members will be presented with an overarching issue and then spend time discussing an aspect or question
related to the issue at designated tables. The peer led discussions will be based on interest/ program type.
Topics will include:
* Tutoring
* AmeriCorps Alums
* Leadership Development
* Resources for Members
Facilitator: The AmeriCorps Launch Committee
E4 - Disaster Preparedness: “Are You Ready? Are You REALLY Ready?” (AmeriCorps Track)
Learn how to prepare yourself and your family for emergencies in Virginia through a three- step process: Get a Kit,
Make a Plan and Stay Informed. Many free materials and a free mobile app are available from Ready Virginia, a
public education program managed by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
www.ReadyVirginia.gov
Panelist: Laura Southard, Public Outreach Coordinator, Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Laura Southard
Laura Southard joined the Virginia Department of Emergency Management in 2008 after a 17-year career with the
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Virginia Department of Transportation as public affairs manager. At VDEM, Laura manages the Ready Virginia
program to help people prepare for emergencies. During emergencies, she is deputy external affairs chief in the
Virginia Emergency Operations Center, where she manages the Joint Information Center that provides emergency
information to the media and the public. She was worked numerous disasters, including the shootings at Virginia
Tech in 2007, Suffolk tornadoes in 2008, H1N1 Flu outbreak in 2009, November Nor’easter in 2009, severe winter
storms in 2009 and 2010, April tornados in 2011, Hurricane Irene in 2011, Mineral earthquake in 2011, Tropical
Storm Lee in 2011, the derecho wind storm in 2012 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. In 2002, Laura was named
Virginia Government Communicator of the Year by her peers in state and local government.
September, 12 2014
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
A5 - National Service Part 2: What's the Magic? Connecting with the High School and College Service
Spirit!
Learn how to work with and leverage volunteer opportunities from local colleges and universities. You will hear
from both students and staff members from Virginia High Schools and Universities.
Facilitator: Karen Schultz, Director, The Center for Public Service and Scholarship, Shenandoah University
Panelists: Brianna Buch, Senior, College of William and Mary; Julia Kogut, Faculty Advisor of the Interact Club,
Handly High School Service Program; Ellie Matthews, Vice President of the Interact Club, Handly High School
Senior, Surika Absar, President of the Interact Club, Handly High School Senior
Brianna Buch
Brianna Buch is a rising Senior at the College of William and Mary double-majoring in Public Health and Economics.
A Sharpe Scholar for Community Engagement, she came to the college with a passion for integrating research,
academic study and community service. Through the program, she was awarded an academic research grant to
study maternal efficacy in rural Ghana and served as a Teaching Fellow for the Civic Engagement in Higher
Education honors seminar, supporting selected freshman students in integrating academic studies and community
engagement. The past two years, she co-led SPIMA, a student-led group that travels to Ghana each summer to
conduct community-based participatory research. For this work, she received grants from the Sharpe Program, the
Office of Community Engagement and The Clinton Global Initiative. She also served as William and Mary’s 20132014 Junior Class President, where she led and co-founded the BIKE initiative on campus, and continues to serve
on Student Assembly as a BIKE Ambassador. She is the recipient of the Sally Ives Gore Merit Based Scholarship, a
Student-Faculty economics research grant, studying the ability of free clinics to serve as a safety net for the
uninsured, and is a member of Mortar Board.
Julia Kogut
Ms. Kogut is a biology teacher at John Handley High School in Winchester, VA. She has also been the Interact Club
sponsor for past six years. Interact is a community service fraternity sponsored by the Rotary Club of Winchester,
VA. Under her direction, it has grown to almost 200 members, a student officer board of eighteen, and six
teachers who volunteer as assistant sponsors. Interact partners with many local and international organizations
such as the Winchester Rotary, the United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley, Our Health, Healthy Families of
NSV, Winchester Public Schools, the American Cancer Society, Stop Hunger Now, SPCA, Opequon Watershed, Our
Children’s Closet, NSV Master Gardeners Association, Blandy Farms, Salvation Army, and many more. Beyond the
multiple events Interact completes each week adding up to over 5000 hours of community service every year,
there are two separate committees that do additional fundraising events. Lastly, we are in our third year of having
a third committee where elected students run an anti-bullying program at the local middle school.
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Ellie Matthews
Ellie Matthews is a senior at John Handley High School in Winchester, VA. She has completed more than 375
hours of community service as a member in the Interact Club for the past four years and has been an officer the
last three years. Interact is a community service fraternity sponsored by the Rotary Club of Winchester, VA. She
currently holds the position of Vice President and serves on the Relay for Life and RVCL committees. In addition,
she is a member of National Honor Society, Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor society, and National Science
Honor Society, as well as a member of the Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, and Cross Country
teams the past four years.
Surika Absar
Surika Absar is a senior at John Handley High School in Winchester, VA. She has completed more than 300 hours of
community service as a member in the Interact Club for the past four years and has been an officer the last three
years. Interact is a community service fraternity sponsored by the Rotary Club of Winchester, VA. She currently
holds the position of President and serves on the Relay for Life and RVCL committees. She was elected the past
two years and continues to serve as a Holder’s Hero where she, along with five other students, runs an antibullying program at our local middle school. In addition, she is a member of National Honor Society, Rho Kappa
National Social Studies Honor society, and National Science Honor Society. Outside of school, she has volunteered
her summers at the local hospital for the past two years.
Karen Schultz
Dr. Schultz is Professor and Director of The Center for Public Service and Scholarship at Shenandoah University,
Winchester, Virginia. Karen has been a lifelong advocate of community and civic engagement. Karen has received
university-wide Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for her Service to Community. Her teaching has won national
recognition for innovations in teaching. She was recognized as Teacher of the Year within the School of Pharmacy
and has twice been recognized by the Student Government Association for outstanding teaching. She received
her BA from The College of William and Mary, her MBA from Shenandoah University, and her Ph.D. from Virginia
Polytechnic Institute.
A6 - Engaging Veterans in Service to Strengthen Your Community
This panel discussion will help participants understand current veteran issues, benefits of and to veterans serving
in your organization, recruitment strategies, strengths for training veteran volunteers, and using veterans as a
force multiplier for your organization.
Panelists: Laura Haygood, Community Support Coordinator North Carolina & Virginia Serco, Inc., Army OneSource
(AOS); Brandi Jancaitis, Executive Director, Virginia Wounded Warrior Program; Lt. Nicholas Jancaitis, 2nd Lt.
Platoon Leader, U.S. Army, Fort Lee
Laura Haygood
Ms. Haygood currently serves as the Community Support Coordinator for Army OneSource for the states of North
Carolina and Virginia. She began her journey with Army OneSource in October 2013. She is excited about getting
involved with the community and emerging systems that support Service members, Veterans and Families. As an
Army OneSource, Community Support Coordinator, she is responsible for developing partnerships with essential
military and community stakeholders in order to organize and sustain statewide Alliances in the key focus areas of
Behavioral Health, Finance, Legal and Faith Based to address the needs of the North Carolina and Virginia Military
and Veteran communities. She is a graduate of Fayetteville State University where she received a Bachelor’s of
Arts in Sociology. Prior to joining the Army OneSource team, her professional experience was in the Community
College and University setting. She has worked with Service members, Veterans, and military spouses providing
support for VA Education benefits, tuition assistance, and MyCAA. Ms. Haygood is a proud military wife and
mother of two.
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Brandi Jancaitis
As Executive Director of the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program, Brandi Jancaitis leads a statewide team that
monitors and coordinates behavioral health, rehabilitative, and support services for veterans and families. The
VWWP is operated by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services in cooperation with the Virginia Department
of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative
Services and numerous community partners including the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Brandi has worked
in multiple capacities with VWWP since 2010. Brandi is an Active Duty Army spouse and mother to two boys and
she understands firsthand the sacrifices felt by military families. Brandi is a Southwest Virginia native and is a
graduate of Virginia Tech where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in 2005. Brandi earned her Master’s in
Public Health degree in 2008 from Virginia Commonwealth University.
1Lt. Nicholas Jancaitis
1LT Jancaitis grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He then attended Virginia Polytechnic and State University
(Virginia Tech), graduating in 2005 with a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture. In 2007, 1LT Jancaitis became a
Licensed Landscape Architect in the state of Virginia. He entered the Army in November 2010. He attended Basic
Training and Officer’s Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He received his commission as a 2LT in May 2011
as a Quartermaster Officer. 1LT Jancaitis’ assignments include Platoon Leader, 111th Quartermaster Company
(Mortuary Affairs), 530th CSSB Fort Lee, Virginia. Platoon Leader 108th Quartermaster Company (Petroleum),
530th CSSB Fort Lee, Virginia. Executive Officer, Foxtrot Company, 16th Ordnance Battalion, Fort Lee, Virginia. In
his military endeavors, Nicholas works to engage active duty in community improvement efforts. 1LT Jancaitis’
awards include the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service
Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.
B5 - Using Motivational Theory to Maximize Joy in your Volunteer Program
From the moment your volunteers cross the threshold of your organization, motivation plays a fundamental role
in the quality of their experience. So the more time we invest in examining those motivations and ensuring that
their placements satisfy the needs they are seeking to fulfill, the more we make joy possible – for them AND for
us! This workshop will explore the different aspects of motivational theory and examine how to apply these
concepts at all stages of the volunteer life cycle.
Panelist: Alison Nasir-Jones, Manager of Volunteer Resources, Virginia Supportive Housing
Alison Nasir-Jones
Alison’s professional volunteer management experience includes more than four years as manager of volunteer
resources for Virginia Supportive Housing, and prior to that, 2.5 years as volunteer coordinator for the Children’s
Museum of Richmond. Alison served for two terms as secretary for the Greater Richmond Association for
Volunteer Administration (GRAVA) and assumed the role of GRAVA board president as of March 2013. In May of
2010, Alison was awarded GRAVA’s Volunteer Administrator of the Year award. In February 2011 she earned her
Certificate in Volunteer Administration (CVA), an internationally recognized competency-based credential. Alison
also completed the Emerging Nonprofit Leaders program and graduated with the Class of 2011.. She is currently
being considered for adjunct faculty status with VCU’s Nonprofit Learning Point.
B6 - Effective Volunteer Management & Leadership
We all have busy lives. Volunteers are essential to our organizational missions. How do we become one of our
volunteers' priorities with all of the things competing for their time? In what ways can we support volunteers,
build their leadership skills, and manage volunteers in the organization for the greatest impact? How can
volunteer coordinators lead volunteers into meaningful service? This workshop will examine ways to effectively
manage and lead volunteers within your organization.
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Panelists: Robert Rogers, Director of Volunteer Services, Feeding America Southwest Virginia; Sarah Stephens,
Volunteer Coordinator, Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, Roanoke; Jeanine Panzera, Program Manager, Henrico
Casa
Robert Rogers
A Roanoke City resident, Robert Rogers, studied Art History at The College of Charleston and New York University.
Brought up in an environment with a strong sense of civic responsibility, Robert began volunteering at an early
age. His commitment to community service followed him throughout his career in the arts. After working as an
organizer for the 1996 Summer Olympics, he was handed the reins of the volunteer program with AIDS Walk
Atlanta in 1997. It was a natural transition...and the rest is history.In his current role as Director of Volunteer
Services with Feeding America Southwest Virginia, he manages all aspects of their community outreach efforts and
a pool of over 3000 generous volunteers.
Sarah Stephens
Sarah Stephens is originally from Concord, NC. She studied Religion and Spanish at Centre College and has an MA
in International Development from American University and a Master of Theological Studies from Wesley
Theological Seminary. She previously worked with volunteers at Hands On Charlotte and has been the Volunteer
Coordinator at Goodwill Industries of the Valleys in Roanoke for three years.
Jeanine Panzera
Ms. Panzera is the Program Manager at Henrico County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a nonprofit
agency that advocates for children who have been abused and neglected in the Henrico County Juvenile and
Domestic Relations Court. Jeannine graduated with her Juris Doctorate from the University of Richmond, T.C.
Williams School of Law. Prior to law school, she was the recipient of the Chancellor’s Scholarship and graduated
magna cum laude from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science. Ms. Panzera
has stayed active in the community, volunteering her time tutoring children from low-income neighborhoods,
teaching the legal consequences of drug use, and coaching children in sports.
C5 - Special Events: How to get started and make them profitable
You have the cause, the idea, and enthusiasm to run an event to raise money for your nonprofit but no matter
how big or small the function is, there’s one thing that can be attributed with success. Proper planning, of course!
Not everyone can devise a plan or has all the steps figured out. This workshop will offer insight into the planning
of special events and discuss how to make them profitable.
Facilitator: Whitney Guthrie, Volunteer Talent Manager, Richmond Habitat for Humanity
Panelists: Devan MacConnell, Director of Development, The Up Center; Sharon Harrup, President/CEO, STEPS, Inc;
Jamie Seagraves, Corporate and Special Events Manager, HandsOn GreaterRVA
Sharon Harrup
Ms. Harrup has been the President and CEO of STEPS, Inc., a not for profit organization, since 1990. STEPS is
committed to increasing employment opportunities and access to quality multi-faceted comprehensive services to
meet the needs of its neighbors in an eleven county, very rural service area in the Heart of Virginia. Ms.
Harrup serves on Centra Health System Board of Directors and has served on numerous regional economic
development boards and local Chambers of Commerce. She has been a chair and active participant of special
events ranging from black tie festivities, wine festivals, golf tournaments and holiday shopping events. These
events have been very successful for STEPS, both financially and through increased public awareness. She feels
strongly that volunteers are crucial in the success of such events. Ms. Harrup holds a Bachelor’s Degree in
Therapeutic Recreation and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Longwood University. She is a native of
Courtland, VA in Southampton County and currently resides in Blackstone, VA.
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Devan MacConnell
As Director of development at The Up Center, Ms. MacConnell is responsible for increasing fundraising efforts
through major gifts, planned giving and corporate sponsorship. She is also the Program Co-Chair for the
Association of Fundraising Professionals - Hampton Roads Chapter. She started her career in fundraising working
for the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities or ALSAC, which is the fundraising arm of St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital in Memphis. Ms. MacConnell’s previous position was with Seton Youth Shelters in Hampton
Roads as Director of special events and marketing.
Jamie Seagraves
Mr. Seagraves manages and develops events for corporate stakeholders, creating recruitment strategies to engage
volunteers, and plan volunteer projects in the Greater Richmond region to build and support corporate and
business community engagement. His main focus is to manage the HandsOn@Work program as well as the
community–wide days of service. His background provides deep knowledge in event planning, focused process,
and recruitment strategies. After graduating from Christopher Newport University with a Bachelor of Arts in
Sociology, Mr. Seagraves committed a year to the AmeriCorps NCCC program, where his true passion for
volunteerism was sparked.
C6 - Engaging Business Partners and the Corporate Community
Corporate Partners - the new volunteer workforce. What do corporate volunteers want from non-profits? How
can non-profits benefit from this new wave of retiring baby boomers and energetic young people? Join the
conversation!
Panelist: Sharon Drennan, Director of Community Engagement, CARITAS
Sharon Drennan
Ms. Drennan is the Director of Community Engagement for CARITAS, the largest provider of homeless services in
the Richmond area. In her current role, Sharon integrates the lessons she learned from 25 successful years in the
corporate world with a deep commitment to those in need – the homeless, those burdened by addiction and the
disadvantaged. Sharon is motivated by her belief that developing and maintaining relationships can better
communities and transform the lives of volunteers and clients alike. Her passion extends beyond empowering
thousands of CARITAS volunteers who contribute tens of thousands of hours annually. Sharon, a devoted mother,
was also instrumental in building the first wheelchair lacrosse team on the east coast with her son, who has a
spinal cord injury. Together, they encourage others to follow their dreams regardless of physical obstacles or
emotional hurdles. For Sharon, transforming lives and restoring dignity is much more than a job. It’s her life.
D5 - Life After AmeriCorps: Get the Real Scoop from Our Alumni! (AmeriCorps Track) (Repeat)
AmeriCorps Alums represent almost 1 million individuals in the United States. Alums have the opportunity to
encourage others to serve their country, expand their own civic engagement activities, and provide leadership by
contributing their time, talent, and treasure towards community improvement. Come listen to AmeriCorps
Alumni describe their experiences with life after AmeriCorps.
Facilitator: The AmeriCorps Launch Committee
Panelists: AmeriCorps Alumni
D6 - Healthy Eating On A Budget (AmeriCorps Track)
This workshop will give you tips for making meals and snacks that are both healthy and allow you to stay within
your budget. You will receive an overview of MyPlate and learn three easy steps for healthy eating on a budget—
planning, purchasing, and preparing. You will receive resources including a meal planner and recipes to take
home. The workshop content is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010.
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Presenter: Kimberly Edmonds, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension
Kimberly Edmonds
Kimberly has been a Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) in
Henrico County since 2001. As an extension agent, she conducts educational programs in a variety of areas
including, nutrition and wellness, financial management, and human development. VCE’s nutrition programs
encourage participants to be wise shoppers, handle food safely, and make healthy choices. Kimberly is a graduate
of Virginia Tech and Old Dominion University.
E5 - Self Defense: How to protect yourself with situational awareness and physical strategies
(AmeriCorps Track)
Many people today tend to overlook the importance of self defense training. The truth is there are people out
there who may seek to hurt you at any given time for no justifiable reason, and you want to be able to protect
yourself if such a situation should arise. It is for this very reason why self defense training is very important both
for males and females. Self defense techniques are not designed for fighting; there primary focus is to provide you
with the requisite skills, knowledge and composure to defend yourself in the event of an attack. Self defense
training should be combined with your natural intuition to sense dangerous situations. Once you are capable of
doing this then it will become second nature for you to avoid situations that increase your risk of being attacked.
Session activities focus on awareness, body mechanics & language, and practicing verbal & physical strategies. The
presenter has been trained in martial arts and self-defense for several years.
Panelist: Derrick Lewis, Martial Arts Trainer, Elite Martial Arts
Derrick Lewis
Mr. Lewis started his Martial Arts Training as a teenager at the neighborhood recreation center. He was just
amazed by how the instructor, a big man in stature, could move so quickly and effortlessly. He grew a love for the
arts, so much that he began studying different styles. Through his journey, he earned black belts in three different
disciplines. For Mr. Lewis, Martial Arts has become a way of life. It has taught him patience and humbleness. Now
he tries to pass on his knowledge and these principles to his students at the Bensley Recreation Center, under the
instruction of Grand Master Randy Jones.
E6 - (Whole) Community Service: 13 Tips for Creating Inclusive Service Contexts for People with
Disabilities (AmeriCorps Track)
What does it mean to create an inclusive environment within the context of community service? This interactive
session provides service leaders and providers with a framework and 13 practical tips for creating inclusive service
environments that maximize the independence of people with disabilities. Multiple examples of inclusive service
contexts will be provided. Topics addressed include effective communication, recruitment and outreach,
etiquette, and accessibility.
Panelist: Kevin Koziol, disAbility Resource Center of the Rappahannock, Inc.
Kevin Koziol
Kevin Koziol is the Independent Living Coordinator at the disAbility Resource Center of the Rappahannock, Inc., a
Center for Independent Living in Fredericksburg, VA. He supervises several of the Center’s direct (core) services
and is involved in policy and advocacy efforts in the areas of housing and transportation. A former public school
administrator and university lecturer, Mr. Koziol is also a trainer in the Americans with Disabilities Act Leadership
Network and a member of the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of Education.
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