Leadership Month 2020
We can't gather in person and have you wear silly costumes this year, but...
Join us for a multitude of online gatherings, where you'll connect with other chapter leaders, dive into many aspects of program and volunteer management, and gain new skills and understanding!
Overview
What?
Online Workshops via Zoom to help you be more effective as a VMN chapter leader and board.
Who?
All VMN chapter advisors, chapter board members, and committee chairs. Prospective or upcoming board members and committee members are welcome too!
When and Where?
We have re-imagined our normal regional Leadership Days as a series of shorter online Zoom sessions spread throughout the month. These sessions are statewide, not divided regionally. You can choose to attend as many or as few as you like, but we do hope to see at least one person from every chapter in most sessions. While we encourage you to participate live if you can, most sessions will be recorded, so that you can watch them later.
Registrations
You need to register for each Zoom session separately. When you register, you will get an automated email with a personalized link to join the session.
If possible, please register at least 3 days before the session, because we may be sorting you into breakout rooms for discussions, sending out pre-session materials, etc.
Most sessions will be recorded, and we will share the links so that you can view them later. However, we cannot post the videos until the captions are edited, so it may be a few weeks after the events that the videos become available to you. Sessions or parts of sessions that are primarily conversations amongst chapter leaders may not be recorded, because we want participants to feel they can speak freely.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Michelle Prysby, VMN Program Director at 434-872-4571/TDD* during business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event.
*TDD number is (800) 828-1120.
What?
Online Workshops via Zoom to help you be more effective as a VMN chapter leader and board.
Who?
All VMN chapter advisors, chapter board members, and committee chairs. Prospective or upcoming board members and committee members are welcome too!
When and Where?
We have re-imagined our normal regional Leadership Days as a series of shorter online Zoom sessions spread throughout the month. These sessions are statewide, not divided regionally. You can choose to attend as many or as few as you like, but we do hope to see at least one person from every chapter in most sessions. While we encourage you to participate live if you can, most sessions will be recorded, so that you can watch them later.
Registrations
You need to register for each Zoom session separately. When you register, you will get an automated email with a personalized link to join the session.
If possible, please register at least 3 days before the session, because we may be sorting you into breakout rooms for discussions, sending out pre-session materials, etc.
Most sessions will be recorded, and we will share the links so that you can view them later. However, we cannot post the videos until the captions are edited, so it may be a few weeks after the events that the videos become available to you. Sessions or parts of sessions that are primarily conversations amongst chapter leaders may not be recorded, because we want participants to feel they can speak freely.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Michelle Prysby, VMN Program Director at 434-872-4571/TDD* during business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event.
*TDD number is (800) 828-1120.
Schedule of Events and Registration Links
Monday, November 2, 7:00 - 8:00 pm: Leadership Month Kickoff
Description: Join us for this opening session to our month of events for VMN chapter leaders. We’ll provide an update on the program and current activities, hear from our sponsoring agencies, and help you get to know one another. Come prepared to share something great that has happened in your chapter in 2020.
Recording: https://video.vt.edu/media/t/1_x7rofvbc
Friday, November 6, 12:00 - 1:00 pm: So Am I a VMN or Not? And What's Up with the New VMS? (A brief update)
Description: We want to address surprising confusion we’ve observed about what it means to be a currently enrolled VMN and other questions about membership such as members who are about to be or have been transferred. You will likely learn important things that you didn’t know! We’ll also update you on the new VMS and what to expect. Important for all Board members/Advisors but Membership Chairs/VMS Admins are especially encouraged to attend!
Documents and presentation files:
NOTE: The polls and their results that were a part of this presentation, along with the chat box suggestions, did not show up on the recording. The overall message of the presentation should be unaffected. Thank you for your understanding.
Tuesday, November 10, 7:00 - 8:00 pm: Meet Your Peers and Swap Ideas
This is a networking session that will give you a chance to meet and interact with other chapter leaders across the state. You’ll spend half the time in breakout rooms based on leadership roles and half the time in breakout rooms based on geographical region. We’ll provide discussion prompts to get you going, but feel free to take the discussion in any direction!
Recording: This session was not recorded, because it was primarily peer-to-peer discussions in breakout rooms.
Friday, November 13, 12:00 - 1:30 pm: Racial Understanding Dialogues
We welcome Virginia Cooperative Extension's Coming Together for Racial Understanding Team (Maurice Smith, Thomas Woodson, and Crystal Tyler-Mackey) as they lead discussions on this timely and important subject. We are offering this session to provide a productive platform for dialogue about race within the Virginia Master Naturalist program and the work our volunteers do.
Recording: This session was not recorded, because it was primarily dialogues in breakout rooms. If you would like to watch a video that provides similar information to what our presenters shared as they introduced the dialogues, here are two recorded webinars with some of those same presenters:
Saturday, November 14, 10:30 - 11:30 am: Getting More Out of Continuing Education
We will review continuing education guidelines, with a focus on what makes ideal CE and how chapters can best organize and approve CE opportunities.
Recording: https://video.vt.edu/media/t/1_aeioe8kx
Saturday, November 14, 12:00 - 1:00 pm: Risk Management
We will demo new risk management training materials that will be available for you to use in your basic training courses and with your members. In addition, we’ll review current COVID-related procedures for in-person events. This session can also count as a refresher of your own risk management training.
Recording: https://video.vt.edu/media/t/1_u5wxp5or
Documents: Please visit our Risk Management page, where you will find all the new risk management training materials.
Tuesday, November 17, 7:00 - 7:50 pm: Communicating with Your Chapter Members
We’ll highlight chapters’ best communication products, including newsletters, blogs, weekly emails, VMS home pages, social media, and chapter meetings. Join in to get new ideas on how to use communications to keep your chapter members informed and engaged.
Recording: https://video.vt.edu/media/Communicating+with+Your+Chapter+Members/1_56ccmuyj
Tuesday, November 17, 8:00 - 9:00 pm: Basic Training During COVID
What does your basic training need to look like under COVID? What tips are there for high-quality Zoom classes that are interactive? How can you adapt your field trips? We’ll discuss updated training guidelines that include online learning.
Recording: https://video.vt.edu/media/1_4ohux4kh
Document: VMN Basic Training Considerations for COVID and Beyond (pdf). This document includes general training guidelines, tips for online trainings, and a sample syllabus.
Thursday, November 19, 7:00 - 7:45 pm: VMN Open Office Hours
Drop in at any point to ask a question of Michelle, Tiffany, or Terri from the VMN state program office.
Registration Link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpcOqoqT0tEtU5aFEU_qLq2kvsKN5ounce
Recording: This session was not recorded.
Thursday, November 19, 7:45 - 8:30 pm: Wrapping Up Leadership Month
We will recap highlights and important points from all the sessions, remind you of where to find additional resources, and show our appreciation to all our chapter leaders!
Registration Link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsduCuqz0iE9xsEf92d-k8d0bdJJieU5oT
Recording: https://video.vt.edu/media/t/1_l9b0ssn2
Monday, November 2, 7:00 - 8:00 pm: Leadership Month Kickoff
Description: Join us for this opening session to our month of events for VMN chapter leaders. We’ll provide an update on the program and current activities, hear from our sponsoring agencies, and help you get to know one another. Come prepared to share something great that has happened in your chapter in 2020.
Recording: https://video.vt.edu/media/t/1_x7rofvbc
Friday, November 6, 12:00 - 1:00 pm: So Am I a VMN or Not? And What's Up with the New VMS? (A brief update)
Description: We want to address surprising confusion we’ve observed about what it means to be a currently enrolled VMN and other questions about membership such as members who are about to be or have been transferred. You will likely learn important things that you didn’t know! We’ll also update you on the new VMS and what to expect. Important for all Board members/Advisors but Membership Chairs/VMS Admins are especially encouraged to attend!
Documents and presentation files:
- Powerpoint presentation with speaker notes (ppt)
- Powerpoint presentation with speaker notes (pdf)
- So Am I a VMN or Not? A Brief Summary with Action Items (pdf, 2 page summary)
NOTE: The polls and their results that were a part of this presentation, along with the chat box suggestions, did not show up on the recording. The overall message of the presentation should be unaffected. Thank you for your understanding.
Tuesday, November 10, 7:00 - 8:00 pm: Meet Your Peers and Swap Ideas
This is a networking session that will give you a chance to meet and interact with other chapter leaders across the state. You’ll spend half the time in breakout rooms based on leadership roles and half the time in breakout rooms based on geographical region. We’ll provide discussion prompts to get you going, but feel free to take the discussion in any direction!
Recording: This session was not recorded, because it was primarily peer-to-peer discussions in breakout rooms.
Friday, November 13, 12:00 - 1:30 pm: Racial Understanding Dialogues
We welcome Virginia Cooperative Extension's Coming Together for Racial Understanding Team (Maurice Smith, Thomas Woodson, and Crystal Tyler-Mackey) as they lead discussions on this timely and important subject. We are offering this session to provide a productive platform for dialogue about race within the Virginia Master Naturalist program and the work our volunteers do.
Recording: This session was not recorded, because it was primarily dialogues in breakout rooms. If you would like to watch a video that provides similar information to what our presenters shared as they introduced the dialogues, here are two recorded webinars with some of those same presenters:
- Balancing Life: Tips for Healthy Conversations About Racial Healing
- Balancing Life: Listening Skills to Support Racial Understanding
- Implicit bias: Peanut butter, jelly, and racism
- Clint Smith TED talk: How to raise a black son in America
Saturday, November 14, 10:30 - 11:30 am: Getting More Out of Continuing Education
We will review continuing education guidelines, with a focus on what makes ideal CE and how chapters can best organize and approve CE opportunities.
Recording: https://video.vt.edu/media/t/1_aeioe8kx
Saturday, November 14, 12:00 - 1:00 pm: Risk Management
We will demo new risk management training materials that will be available for you to use in your basic training courses and with your members. In addition, we’ll review current COVID-related procedures for in-person events. This session can also count as a refresher of your own risk management training.
Recording: https://video.vt.edu/media/t/1_u5wxp5or
Documents: Please visit our Risk Management page, where you will find all the new risk management training materials.
Tuesday, November 17, 7:00 - 7:50 pm: Communicating with Your Chapter Members
We’ll highlight chapters’ best communication products, including newsletters, blogs, weekly emails, VMS home pages, social media, and chapter meetings. Join in to get new ideas on how to use communications to keep your chapter members informed and engaged.
Recording: https://video.vt.edu/media/Communicating+with+Your+Chapter+Members/1_56ccmuyj
Tuesday, November 17, 8:00 - 9:00 pm: Basic Training During COVID
What does your basic training need to look like under COVID? What tips are there for high-quality Zoom classes that are interactive? How can you adapt your field trips? We’ll discuss updated training guidelines that include online learning.
Recording: https://video.vt.edu/media/1_4ohux4kh
Document: VMN Basic Training Considerations for COVID and Beyond (pdf). This document includes general training guidelines, tips for online trainings, and a sample syllabus.
Thursday, November 19, 7:00 - 7:45 pm: VMN Open Office Hours
Drop in at any point to ask a question of Michelle, Tiffany, or Terri from the VMN state program office.
Registration Link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpcOqoqT0tEtU5aFEU_qLq2kvsKN5ounce
Recording: This session was not recorded.
Thursday, November 19, 7:45 - 8:30 pm: Wrapping Up Leadership Month
We will recap highlights and important points from all the sessions, remind you of where to find additional resources, and show our appreciation to all our chapter leaders!
Registration Link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsduCuqz0iE9xsEf92d-k8d0bdJJieU5oT
Recording: https://video.vt.edu/media/t/1_l9b0ssn2
Expected Outcomes
Do you need further convincing to participate in our Leadership Month sessions?
Do you need further convincing to participate in our Leadership Month sessions?
- Each year, more than 90% of VMN Leadership Day evaluation respondents rate the workshops as "Excellent" or "Very Good".
- More than 88% report increasing their skills, knowledge, and/or abilities related to their effectiveness as a VMN chapter board member.
- 97% say that participating made them feel more supported in their chapter leadership role.
- More than 95% report they got new ideas they planned to implement in their chapters.
- And, with this year's format, you can attend a few, many, or all of the sessions from the comfort of your home!