Monday, July 30, 2012  -  10:30am – 12:00pm ET

Opening Plenary: The New Breed of Volunteer

Join Tom McKee, a leading volunteer management consultant, for the opening plenary session of NHPCO’s Volunteer Leadership Virtual Conference “Ignite the Future!”  From Tom’s perspective: “Volunteerism is hot. From American Idol, Disneyland, Glee, Lady Gaga, President Obama to Wells Fargo, Intel and Wal-Mart, giving back is the rage.” He poses two critical questions to frame his presentation:

• How do we take advantage of this trend?
• How do we mobilize the passion and power of a whole new breed of volunteers?                                                                        

To answer these important questions, Tom believes we need a 21st Century leadership strategy that responds to six tectonic shifts that are changing volunteerism, including:

• Twitch Speed: How nimble is your organization in responding to today’s volunteers?
• Generations:  Gen Y and retiring boomers present a new frontier of volunteers.
• Technology:  Social networks provide important leadership tools.
• Empowerment:  The knowledge worker demands to be led, not managed.
• Slacktivism: You can get involved with the click of a mouse.
• Episodic Volunteering:  Today’s volunteers Short-term projects or only when not engaged in work.

Tom will identify and explain six 21^st century leadership strategies that will enable volunteer leaders and managers to impact the new volunteer culture so that they can recruit and empower a whole new breed of volunteers.  You’ll learn how to awaken volunteers’ passion, help them develop, increase their loyalty and impact your program in new and exciting ways.

Objectives:

• Identify trends in volunteerism
• Discuss volunteer leadership strategies to engage and empower today’s volunteers
• Apply strategies to your own programs to improve volunteers’ experiences and your program

Tuesday, July 31, 2012  -  12:30pm – 2:00pm ET

General Plenary II: Regulatory Matters for Volunteer Leaders

The role of hospice volunteers is so important to the delivery of quality care to patients and families that federal legislation requires hospice programs to provide volunteer services, the only area where volunteer services are mandated. Along with this strong commitment to volunteer services come requirements to which hospice programs are expected to adhere to ensure that the care and services to patients and families are of the highest quality. Volunteer leaders and managers are expected to be knowledgeable about the requirements and develop systems and processes to ensure they are met (or, better yet, exceeded).

This plenary will dive into the Medicare Conditions of Participation that apply to volunteers and volunteer managers, detailing the requirements to which programs must adhere and offering tips and suggestions about how to ensure your program is compliant with them. Of particular interest will be information to enable you to accurately determine and report (as required) the cost savings of volunteer services to your organization.

Objectives: 

• Detail the Medicare Condition of Participation that apply to volunteers and volunteer leaders/managers
• Highlight additional regulations, such as criminal background checks, that apply to volunteers working in hospices
• Discuss the legislative intent in requiring volunteers to provide cost savings to Medicare
• Explain the cost savings formula and how to apply to an individual hospice

Wednesday, August 1, 2012  -  12:30pm – 2:00pm ET

General Plenary III: Ignite Your Leadership Potential

Your inspiration will be ignited during this plenary session, as you are challenged and encouraged to look at your role as the leader of volunteers in a whole new light. Volunteer leaders need many of the same leadership skills that executives must demonstrate: vision, strategic planning and direction, growing the depth and breadth of programs and services, aligning services with mission and values and developing the potential of others. Do you see your role in this way? Are you at the "leadership table"? Are your volunteer program and the services volunteers provide highly visible and valued? This presentation will help you create a new vision and more central role for yourself and your volunteers; it will reframe your current experience and encourage you to capitalize on your strengths, using them to move you and your organization forward. It will challenge you to take your program to the next level, to assert the importance of the work you do and to garner recognition and support for the amazing work volunteers do under your leadership.

Objectives:

• Discuss key leadership skills needed by volunteer leaders
• Identify strategies to increase your leadership potential
• Identify new opportunities for volunteer program impact

Thursday, August 2, 2012  -  10:30am – 12:00pm ET

General Plenary IV: Volunteers – The Heart of Hospice

Volunteers started the hospice movement in the US and they help keep it going through their commitment, dedication and skills in promoting dignity, providing support and extending companionship to those facing serious and life-limiting illness.  Hospice volunteers help people live every moment of life to the fullest and enable the organizations they work with to achieve their mission in the community; they may work at the bedside, provide a listening ear to bereaved family members, assist with fundraising, keep things organized and flowing in the office or perform a myriad of other important tasks, all with the same goal of providing exceptional care to patients and families facing life’s end. 

The dedication and commitment of volunteers is just as paramount to the success of hospice today as it was in its early days.   Join NHPCO President and CEO Don Schumacher as he reinforces the importance of hospice volunteers to the movement throughout our history and as we move into the future. 

Objectives:

• Describe the “volunteer spirit” that undergirds the hospice movement in the US
• Review the challenges faced by hospice programs today
• Outline the importance of volunteers to the continued

Volunteers: Exceptionalism in Care and Practice

We often say that volunteers are the “heart” of end-of-life care but now, more than ever, we need them to be the “brain” as well. We need to rely on volunteers to assist in defining and expanding exceptionalism in care and practice. This session will challenge volunteers…to challenge us back.  By utilizing volunteers as community advocates for exceptionalism in end-of-life care, we can apply their insights, experiences and observations to improve program designs and bedside care. In addition, we will discuss the “assertiveness model” for volunteers as well as apply key concepts and skills to case examples.

Objectives:

• Define "volunteer" as it applies to an expanded use of the term in end-of-life care
• Describe the "assertiveness model" for volunteers
• Apply key concepts and skills to case examples
• Discuss the role of volunteers as advocates for the future of volunteerism in end-of-life care

Gary is a frequent presenter and keynote speaker at state and national conferences providing workshops and retreats known to be both motivating and challenging. His commitment to focusing on skills development, coaching for noticeable and positive change and exceptional customer service have placed him among the most requested presenters in our field.

Danae Delman, Volunteer

Capitol Caring, Falls Church, Virginia

Friday, August 3, 2012  -  2:30pm – 4:00pm ET

Closing Plenary: Volunteers – Do It Well.  Make It Fun.  The Key to Success in Volunteer Management

Good enough is not really that good.  

Success, whether in a paid job or through volunteerism, comes from showing up and doing an excellent job. But most people do just enough to get by and then miss the opportunities that come from doing a great job with a great attitude.

This hilarious presentation addresses the common sense philosophy of Do it Well, Make it Fun.  Ron shows volunteers and volunteer leaders how to become successful in their roles by seeking excellence, while at the same time making their work and volunteer experiences more enjoyable.  By creating a volunteer culture in which excellence and fun coexist, you will attract great volunteers, develop excellent volunteer leaders and deliver extraordinary service.

Objectives:

• Describe the concept of Do it Well, Make it Fun
• Identify what motivates people to donate time for fun and profit
• Manage stress:  “it’s all in your head …sort of”
• Discuss communication: “say what?”
• Increase enjoyment in work: “take life fun day at a time”

Ron Culberson, MSW, CSP

Do it Well. Make it Fun.®

In 2001, Ron received the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, the highest earned designation from the National Speakers Association. The CSP is the speaking profession’s international measure of professional platform excellence. In 2009, Ron cofounded Funner Speeches, LLC, a humor writing service for speakers, executives, and politicians. Ron and his partner help their clients make a greater impact with their presentations by making them funnier.

Ron’s business model also includes dedicating a significant portion of his time to volunteer service. He is currently the President of the National Speakers Association (NSA). In 2010, he received the NSA President’s Distinguished Service Award. He is Past President of the Washington, DC chapter of NSA where he received the Chapter Member of the Year Award, the Capital Outstanding Speaker Award and the John J. Daly Founder’s Award. He has also served on numerous boards and committees for Capital Hospice, the Art Gliner Center for Humor Studies and the Herndon Rotary club where he chaired two of their largest fundraisers. Ron has received the Rotarian of the Year and the Four Avenues of Service Awards, two of the highest Rotary awards given.