Volunteer Engagement Professionals Network (VEPN)

HandsOn San Diego's Volunteer Engagement Professionals Network (VEPN) is a new space for anyone who manages and supports volunteers across San Diego County. Through roundtable discussions, VEPN offers a chance to share challenges, celebrate wins, and learn from peers who “get it.”

VEPN is being established to host roundtable discussions about volunteer engagement with organizations across San Diego County. These gatherings are:

• Conversation-based

• Peer-to-peer instead of a formal workshop

• Focused on real issues from recruitment and retention to recognition, equity, and more

The goal is to build a supportive community where volunteer engagement professionals can connect, problem-solve together, and share practical ideas.

Who Can Join?

Any volunteer engagement professional within San Diego County is welcome, including:

• Volunteer managers and coordinators

• Program and outreach staff who oversee volunteers

• Nonprofit, government, school and community-based staff who work with volunteers in any capacity

No membership fee, no formal application. If you work with volunteers, you belong here.

What Are the Roundtable Events Like?

Our roundtables are discussion-based meetings where you can:

• Bring current challenges (no-shows, retention, communication issues, etc.)

• Share wins and success stories 

• Ask questions and get feedback from peers

• Talk through specific scenarios and brainstorm solutions together

These are not trainings, workshops, or presentations. There won’t be a single “expert” at the front of the room. Instead, everyone contributes experience and insight, creating a collaborative space to support each other.

How Can I Join?

The easiest way to get involved is to join our newsletter:

• Receive announcements about upcoming roundtables

• Get reminders and registration links

• Stay in the loop on resources, tools, and opportunities

Once you’re on the list, you’ll be among the first to know when new meetings and opportunities are posted.

Additional Resources for Volunteer Engagement Professionals

VEPN is one piece of the support ecosystem for volunteer engagement professionals. We encourage members to explore and connect with other resources as well:

• Volunteer Essentials Workshop Series - Volunteer Essentials is a series of six (6) workshops hosted by Nonprofit Solutions that meet Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CVA) Competencies. CVA status is NOT required, but you can earn CE credits for it.
   
• Volunteer Manager Working Group - This six-week program hosted by Nonprofit Solutions provides time and space to examine the changes in the nonprofit sector affecting volunteerism, challenges in creating an organizational culture that supports and maximizes the value of volunteers, and the skills you need to effect change. 
   
• Council for Certification on Volunteer Administration - A professional credential for leaders in volunteer engagement called the Certification in Volunteer Administration (CVA).
   
• AL!VE (Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement) - A national membership organization supporting volunteer engagement professionals across the U.S.
   
• National Association of Volunteer Program Leaders in Government (NAVPLG) - A national member organization focusing on the unique needs of volunteer programs within government structures.