The purpose of the Effective Volunteer Strategies course is to provide faith formation leaders with strategies for building sustainable and effective volunteer teams, with a particular focus on: recruiting, equipping and training, and supporting volunteers in their ministry context.
This course will critically consider ways to engage volunteers in meaningful and transformative work and highlight the importance of considering context and culture when developing volunteer teams. Additionally, this course will emphasize the importance of matching gifts of volunteers with specific ministry tasks and provide tools for planning and establishing an effective volunteer ministry.
This course will also include a Q&A panel session with a variety of ministry/non-profit leaders and it will conclude with a strategic planning session, for implementing effective volunteer strategies within one’s particular ministry context.
We are excited to offer a team-taught course from two instructors who have significant personal and professional experience in volunteer management.
Synchronous instruction times:
Thursdays, 6:30-8pm CST
August 26 & September 2, 9 & 16
Like our other courses, this course includes 6 hours of synchronous instruction time, but it is divided into 4 sessions that are 1.5 hours each. The first two sessions will cover the bulk of the content, while the third session will be a panel discussion and the fourth session will include a workshop.
Participants working towards certification will join with others in a monthly cohort, led by an experienced facilitator.
These 60-minute cohort gatherings will provide guided reflection on current ministry as well as time for prayer and support.
Registration and Scholarships
Single course: $100
1 Year of Certification: $550/year
Includes 4 courses + monthly cohort + retreat
3 Year certification: $1,500 (if paid up front)
Includes 4 courses/year + monthly cohort + annual retreat
Questions about certification? Learn more here.
The scholarship application period for this course has closed. Please contact us if you have a significant financial need.
Registration will close on August 20, 2021.
Questions? Contact us.
Instructors:
Dr. Kandyce Fernandez and
Dr. Robbie Waters Robichau
Dr. Kandyce Fernandez is an Assistant Professor of Public Administration in the College for Health, Community and Policy at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Since joining the faculty in 2014, her teaching in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program includes core courses like public policy process, program evaluation, and research design as well as introduction to nonprofits and management and leadership of nonprofits in the Nonprofit Administration certificate program. Dr. Fernandez’s research addresses emerging organizational structures and the interactions that take place between organizations across sectors. She has a particular interest in community-based nonprofit organizations, government-supporting nonprofits, and the promotion of civic health within communities. She is currently researching the role of police foundations as they support police-community relations, and how member-serving professional associations co-create expertise and professionalism with members. Outside of her professional life, she has volunteered as a CASA and other roles in working with youth in foster care.
Dr. Robbie Waters Robichau is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Service and Administration at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.
Dr. Robichau has a vast experience in teaching nonprofit courses including: nonprofit management, human resources and volunteer management, social innovation and entrepreneurship, program evaluation, grant writing, and strategic planning, amongst other courses. Her research examines issues of nonprofit management and accountability, capacity and evaluation, marketization practices, and meaningfulness in public service work.
Recognizing how her expertise informs practice, Dr. Robichau has broadened her scholarly impact through pursuing opportunities to network, train, and learn with practitioners in multiple settings. She helped co-found and organize Georgia’s first Teen Reach Adventure Camp (TRAC) for foster teens working with local nonprofits and managing volunteers (serving approximately 200+ youth; recruiting, training, and managing 250 different volunteers; raising $40,000/year). She has also been a speaker and panelist for the Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy nonprofit capacity-building sessions during Covid-19 and worked as a consultant for Georgia Southern University’s Library Staff and Office of Student Affairs Office.