​Whether you’re new to volunteer programming or a seasoned veteran there is always something for everyone at the Illinois Conference on Volunteer Administration (ICOVA). Conducted In partnership with the Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (Serve Illinois) and the Corporation for National and Community Service, ICOVA is intended to promote good volunteer engagement practices in Illinois. The day-long conference offers a general session and fifteen workshops exploring a variety of issues relevant to program and agency management  The conference begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. Registration which includes breakfast snacks, boxed lunch and conference materials is $25.  The event is in a federal building, so in arriving allow enough to clear security and still make it on time for the 9:00 start.  Click here to register.

Thank you to everyone who submtited workshop proposals. The Program Committee is currently reviewing them and will be back in touch with everyone who submitted one by June 14th.  We expect to have the full conference program in place short.ly thereafter and are anticipating opening up registration the thrid week of June.

In the meantime, we are pleased to announce our Keynote Speake - Eric Weinheimer, President and CEO, Forefront  (formerly known as the Donors Forum).  Eric will address the conference at the Opening Session.   

Remember to keep in mind that the conference is in a federal building and everyone entering needs to pass through security.  Allow yourself enought time to clear secruity and make it on time for the 9:00 a.m. start. 

The Illinois Conference on Volunteer Administration (ICOVA) planning committee is accepting Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for speakers at our August 15th event.
 
Our attendees represent various social service and public agencies that count on volunteer support to be able to achieve great things in their communities. The conference seeks to feature presentations and discussions on a broad number of topics including:
 

• Fundamentals of Volunteer Management
• Applied Research and Innovative Tools in Volunteerism
• Using Technology to Engage Volunteers
• General and Financial Management
• Board Development and Maintenance
• Budgeting, Accounting and Auditing, Risk Management
• Resource Development and Funding Diversification
• Partnerships and Collaborations (team presentations encouraged)
• Personal and Professional Growth and Development or
• Identify a relevant and timely area concerning volunteer engagement that you would like to address with ICOVA participants. 

 
Proposals can be submitted online.. Please submit a picture and a bio with your proposal so that we have that information to post on our web site.  Questions ?  E-mail us - illinoiscova@gmail.com

As we draw close to the conference date, we're excited to let you know that we've hit our maximum capacity for the facility, but saddened to say that has caused us to close off registration.

To those who have registered, we look forward to seeing you on Wednesday. If you missed us this year, hope to see you in 2018 !

If you have any questions, just drop us a note through the Contact Us link.

Look for the Conference Registration to open in the next couple of weeks. Meanwhile, see the Conference information page for information about schedule and cost for the conference. The web site, with information about Sessions and Speakers will be live next week. 

​Serve Illinois and the Illinois Conference on Volunteer Administration (ICOVA) are seeking dynamic presenters for our conference to be held August 16, 2017 in downtown Chicago.  
 
Our attendees represent various social service and public agencies that count on volunteer support to be able to achieve great things in their communities. 
 
If you believe you have exciting new ideas that would benefit this discussion or know someone who would be a good presenter, please visit icova.info for further information.
 
Please note that workshop proposals will only be accepted online.  Email questions to: illinoiscova@gmail.com
 
Call for presentations is open now and closes April 18, 2017. In appreciation of your time and efforts, all lead presenters will receive free registration to the ICOVA Conference.

Save the Date! The theme for this year's conference is Focus on the Future. The conference will be held on Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at the Metcalfe Center in downtown Chicago.  It is shaping up to be a great time of learning and networking. Information about registration will be available in early June. We can't  wait to see you at #2017ICOVA in August!

Online Registration is closed now, but we still have room -- Please register at the door.