DOVA and the MIT Public Service Center are pleased to host Australian volunteer engagement expert Martin J. Cowling from People First-Total Solutions for interactive workshops for volunteer leaders on "Creating a Pro-Volunteer Culture" and "Fundamentals-The Essentials of a Volunteer Program" in MIT's Bush Room (10-105) on Thursday, March 15, 2012.

To increase overall organizational support for volunteerism, the morning session (9am-12noon) on "Creating a Pro-Volunteer Culture" is for broad audiences (volunteer leaders and organizers, executive directors, managers, board members) including leaders at college associations, clubs, and living groups who will learn about and discuss

• The impact and value of a pro-volunteer culture
• Why culture is important to an agency/group
• The elements of an agency/group culture
• What an ideal pro-volunteer is
• Specific actions everyone working with volunteers can  take to strengthen pro-volunteer culture at his/her agency/group

So that our volunteer programs function most effectively, "Fundamentals-The Essentials of a Volunteer Program"  will be the afternoon session (1-5pm) . Participants take inventory of the specific strengths and weaknesses of their volunteer programs in the context of key characteristics of an effective service enterprise that focuses volunteers on performing critical work, and then they will identify and plan what is needed to improve their situations.

We are pleased to offer a heavily-discounted auditing option to the MIT Community (undergraduate and graduate students, post-docs, visiting scholars, fFaculty/instructors, support and administrative staff, spouses/partners, and alumni/ae), but if you wish to participate fully in the meals and networking hours preceding each session for $100-$150pp, do NOT audit, register at http://dovaboston031512.eventbrite.com by 2/29.

To audit, register here by 2/29 for $15 per person for the full day OR for just$10 per person for a half day.

Day-of/Walk-in auditor registration on 3/15 will be $25pp per half-day IF space is still available.

No refunds to auditors can be made. You may assign a replacement to take your place if you contact Lori Tsuruda '89 (Lori@pmd.org) with the replacement's full name and email address by 2/29/12.

If MIT closes due to a snow emergency on 3/15/12, then DOVA will refund registration fees less Eventbrite and credit card processing fees. Check MIT snow emergency status at http://emergency.mit.net/emergency/ or call 617-253-SNOW (617-253-7669)