GAVA News

Lara Tillery is the Manager of Volunteer Relations at NCCPA. A native of Atlanta, Lara received her Bachelor of Arts at Kennesaw State University. She has worked in the volunteer administration field for over 16 years. Prior to NCCPA, Lara was the Volunteer and Marketing Manager at CVI (Center for the Visually Impaired) where she worked with volunteers for over ten years. She transitioned to NCCPA and has been working there for six years.

A longtime goal of Lara's was to get her Certification in Volunteer Administration. In 2021 she achieved this goal. When Lara isn't working with volunteers, she enjoys making sterling silver jewelry, watching movies, spending time with family and friends and traveling.

Do you have a topic you're passionate about? Are you interested in sharing your expertise with a vibrant community? GAVA is seeking dynamic presenters and fresh topics for our upcoming virtual events. Whether it's innovative volunteer management techniques, leadership strategies, or community engagement, we want to hear from you! Presenters receive a free one year membership to GAVA.

Interested? Email programming@mygava.org and be a part of our mission to elevate volunteer administration in Georgia. Let's learn and grow together!

Learn the top challenges for leaders of volunteers, how volunteer services operate in different organizations, the sector's progress toward diversity and inclusion goals, how the pandemic impacted volunteer participation levels and where they're at now, and more!

Download the report here.

Congratulations to GAVA member, Carrie Jones, CVA, for recently earning the Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) credential from the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration.

Carrie is a Senior Recruitment Specialist at American Red Cross of Georgia.

 Learn more about CVA. 

Darlene is the driving force behind Habitat for Humanity International's Skilled Volunteer Strategy and Engagement initiatives, specializing in crafting dynamic resources, trainings, and best practices for the Habitat for Humanity affiliated network.

Darlene loves working with volunteers because of their passion and steadfast commitment to the mission. She oversees the administration of her organization’s skilled volunteer programs, including the RV Care-A-Vanner program, which has approximately 2,000 volunteers who travel around the country in their motorhomes to support local Habitat for Humanity affiliates. If you own an RV, consider making Habitat part of your journey, or even your destination! For more information about this program, visit: https://www.habitat.org/volunteer/travel-and-build/rv-care-a-vanners

Darlene currently serves as President Elect for the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE) and is dedicated to advancing the field and instigating positive change within the sector. Her leadership and passion for driving meaningful impact position her as an industry leader, inspiring others to join the movement towards building stronger, more engaged communities through the power of volunteers.

Thank you for all the amazing work you do each and every day in support of the amazing volunteers across the state of Georgia! In addition to celebrating volunteerism this month, be sure to join us for our April training coming up on Thursday! Look forward to virtually gathering with you then!

Cheers,
Your GAVA  Board of Directors

• Nessa Griffin, Gwinnett County Public Library

• Terry Preston, Gwinnett County Public Library

• Miranda Shealy, Fernbank Museum

• Jenifer Wright, Athens Area Humane Society

Thank you for your membership and engagement with GAVA!

We are excited for these new and renewing members of GAVA!

• Becca Barnes, Tellus Science Museum
• Cassie Erman, McKenna Farms Therapy Services
• Marianne Mills, Southeast Region, National Park Service
• Erika Mims, United Way of Greater Atlanta
• Dani Pierce, Golden Rule Hospice
• Lori Pupp, CASA

With the start of the new year, we are so excited about the year ahead and all the opportunities we have to mobilize volunteers across Georgia. Join us at our first event of the year on January 17 and kick off your new year with fellow volunteerism professionals.

Cheers,
Your GAVA  Board of Directors