Making the Most of Your First Conference

First Time Attendee Session

12:15 p.m. April 7, 2013

Rob Herndon, Jr., CAVS

SHVL President Elect/VP Long-Range Planning

Director, VolunteerServices

Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center

8260 Atlee Road, Room 1109A

Mechanicsville, VA 23116

(804) 764-6017

Southeastern Healthcare Volunteer Leaders (SHVL)

Founded in 1993 following the closure of the Southeastern Hospital Conference.

Purpose:

  • To increase the knowledge and improve the skills of individual members
  • To emphasize the value of qualified Directors of Volunteer Services by establishing and maintaining professional standards and ethics
  • To be a resource of support and information to Directors of Volunteer Services in the Southeast
  • To attract new persons and retain skilled persons in the field of Volunteer Services Administration
  • To promote Directors of Volunteer Services as integral members of the health care team.
  • To be a resource of support and information to gift shop managers in the southeast.

Board Structure:

  • Nine Elected Officers President, VP LRP, VP Membership, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, VP Education, Assistant VP Education, Web Master
  • Immediate Past President
  • Parliamentarian, Committee Chairs, State Representatives and Gift Shop Representative appointed by President
  • One Auxiliary representative serve as members of Education Committee

Membership:

Membership is available to all individuals recognized and employed by a healthcare facility and having primary or secondary responsibilities for the management of Volunteer Services or retail (Volunteer Leaders & Gift Shop Managers). Emeritus membership is provided for retired Volunteer Leaders.

Membership benefits includes News Briefs, electronic networking opportunities, audio conference calls, membership & vendor directory, members only forums to share ideas and make pick the brains of your colleagues; and reduced conference fees.

For membership information contact Carol Biagini, South Carolina. (see website)

Certification:

Certification for DVSs is open to members who are interested in reaching and maintaining greater educational competence and a higher level of professional standards.

Educational Leadership Conferences:

Held annually in conjunction with Auxilians/Volunteers/Gift Shop Managers.

1993Atlanta, GA 2003 Orlando, FL

1994Charleston, SC2004Little Rock, AR

1995Charlotte, NC2005Covington, KY

1996Biloxi, MS2006Orlando, FL

1997Norfolk, VA2007Charlotte, NC

1998Lexington, KY2008Williamsburg, VA

1999Savannah, GA2009 Mobile, AL

2000Chattanooga TN2010Atlanta, GA

2001 Birmingham, AL2011 Louisville, KY

2002 Biloxi, MS2012 Myrtle Beach, SC

2013Baltimore, MD

2014Gaylord Opryland, Nashville, TN

2015Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC

Making the Most of Your First Conference

What do you hope to get out of this conference?

Here’s how you can make it happen!

S

  • Scour the Conference Brochure and Daily Sheets!
  • Sketch out an action plan indicating which sessions you plan to attend; consider the target audience(s) and note which sessions will be repeated.
  • Search for sessions that will help you learn new skills or understand research and trends.
  • Seek out speakers that will help you discover ways to be more effective.
  • Schedule your time so as not to miss any events or speakers; arrive at sessions early.
  • Seek New Contacts and New Ideas!
  • Sit with people you don’t know in sessions and at meal functions.
  • Share your ideas at the Focus Group and networking sessions.
  • Soak up ideas from the best practice sessions.
  • Speak to Board members, State Auxiliary Leaders (SALs), and state DVS leaders.
  • Save the attendee list and use it to maintain new relationships when you return home.

H

  • Have fun!
  • Hop in line for the morning walks.
  • Hear fabulous new ideas for your Gift Shop
  • Hug a new friend that you’ve made. Then stay in touch.

V

  • Visit the Vendor Show!
  • View new products and learn about new services.
  • Visualize your hospital’s Gift Shop filled with new fast-selling merchandise.
  • Volunteer to share the latest fundraising ideas with your Auxiliary Board.
  • Vow to get a head start on your holiday shopping or take a gift home to your child or grandchild.

L

  • Look for the Bloodhound App online for the schedule on the go.
  • List your thoughts and suggestions in the Conference Survey.
  • LIKE us on Facebook to stay connected with SHVL.
  • Show our vendors and sponsors some LOVE—express your appreciation for their attendance.

Welcome! We are excited that you are here and hope that you will plan to attend the SDVSHO Conference for many years to come!