2020 Session Descriptions (1)
Volunteer NH hosts the annual Governor’s Conference on Volunteerism in partnership with the Governor’s office. The purpose of the conference is to educate, enhance skills, and provide professional development that will support and strengthen New Hampshire’s volunteer programs and organizations.
The 2020 Governor’s Conference on Volunteerism has passed. Thank you to everyone who attended, led a session, or helped plan the event!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW SESSION RECORDINGS.
Cost: Sessions were FREE of cost to all who attended (online)
When: Virtual sessions took place throughout the day on Tuesday, June 23 – Thursday, June 25
Where: Due to safety restrictions related to COVID-19, this event was 100% virtual in 2020
Who: This conference featured sessions appealing to:
- Volunteer managers
- Leaders/staff of nonprofits and public agencies
- Board members
- National service members and staff (AmeriCorps & Senior Corps)
- Business professionals interested in corporate social responsibility
What: Attendees learned alongside a diverse group of people, exploring exciting and up-to date best practices in:
- Volunteer management
- Nonprofit management and operations
- Business/Nonprofit partnership models
- Diversity & inclusion
- Other relevant topics for those involved in the volunteer sector
What Can I Do?

View the Event Program
View the Session Descriptions
Sessions: Tuesday, June 23
- 9:45 AM – 11:00 AM: Welcome & Keynote: “The Power of Giving Power Away: Finding fit to maximize volunteer and organization impact”
- Bryan Bessette, President & Executive Director, The Freedom Cafe
- 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM: Self-Care in the Technological Age
- Linda Douglas, Trauma Informed Services Specialist, NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
- 1:45 PM – 3:00 PM: Solve and Serve: Using Human-Centered Design*
- Juliana Good, Lead Changemaker Coach, University of New Hampshire Changemaker Education
- 3:45 PM – 5:00 PM: Best Practices for Virtual Services to Children, Youth, and Families*
- Susan Linn, President & CEO, Epilepsy Foundation New England
- Chanda Gunn, Director of Youth Services, Epilepsy Foundation New England
- Sarah Specht, Camp Coordinator, Epilepsy Foundation New England
Wednesday, June 24
- 9:45 AM – 11:00 AM: Organizations Preparing for Emergency Needs, “OPEN”*
- Sara Varela, Regional Preparedness Liaison Contractor, FEMA Region I
- Arlene Magoon, Emergency Preparedness Specialist, FEMA Region I
- 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM: Motivating Volunteers with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
- Michele Lapierre, Program Manager, Senior Companion Program, Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc.
- Kathleen Stuart, Program Coordinator, Senior Companion Program, Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc.
- 1:45 PM – 3:00 PM: It’s Not as Hard as You Think: Grant Writing for Small Shops and Beginners
- Katie Collins, Director of Development, Capitol Center for the Arts
- 3:45 PM – 5:00 PM: Civics 101: How Does Policy Change Happen, and What Can You Do About It?*
- Stephen Pimpare, Principal Lecturer, US Politics & Public Policy, University of New Hampshire
Thursday, June 25
- 9:45 AM – 11:00 AM: Assessing and Improving Organizational Health: Pathways to Effective Partnerships*
- Susan Linn, President & CEO, Epilepsy Foundation New England
- 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM: Preparing for Your Next Career Move*
- Kathy DesRoches, Director, MS Leadership, Granite State College
- Carina Self, Dean of Graduate Studies, Granite State College
- 1:45 PM – 3:00 PM: Engaging Youth in Meaningful Ways*
- Maura McGowan, Program Director, NH Teen Institute
Please fill out the post-session survey for the sessions you’ve viewed.
Click here to view all session descriptions and presenter biographies.
Please contact Mikayla at Mikayla@VolunteerNH.org with any questions.
Sponsors: Thanks to generous contributions from our sponsors and grant funders, all sessions were completely free of cost for all attendees!
Benefactor Sponsor: Tufts Health Plan Foundation
Visionary Sponsors: Bangor Savings Bank; Cigna; Eastern Bank; Normandeau Associates / Visionary Grantor: NH Charitable Foundation
Change Maker Sponsors: C&S Wholesale Grocers; Davis & Towle Insurance Group; Northeast Delta Dental