The past few years have been challenging because of COVID. And, they have been hard because of challenges to faith-based service programs and the field as a whole. This has taken emotional, spiritual, and practical tolls on communities and organizations seeking to promote service – and on individual staff striving to lead, learn, and adapt.  

We must take care of each other in these times. As we reckon with realities and changes, we should honor challenges to both person and program. Space is needed to name, listen, and trust how God moves among us.  

“Re-Imagine Together” will focus on: 

• Re-connecting in person after challenging years. 
• Being together with a focus on learning and supporting.   
• Being guided by facilitators to explore 1) program challenges and transition and 2) personal health and leadership. 
• Celebrating faith-based service, visionary and creative leadership, and the desire to move well into the future. 
• Slowing down to experience one another, be refreshed, and honor what you need to lead and serve well.     

Our space and spirit will also promote relaxing in the sun, dancing, and more! All without pressure or expectation! 

Centering our time will be two tracks led by experts on transition, growth, and self-care in the nonprofit sector. Each track will have four different sessions (see schedule for days and times). Both leaders have worked with CVN members in recent years and understand many of your goals and needs.  

There will be some similarities in their sessions – but these leaders come from different places with different perspectives. One move in a world focused more on faith-based organizations and spirituality; other leaders come with professional clinical backgrounds in psychology and social work. Stay tuned for more information that can help you decide where to show up these days. You’ll be able to choose which sessions and framework speaks to your world now.  

Organizational Transition and Change  

Led by Kelli Nelson, From Mission To Mission  

Transition can be an exciting time in a person’s life. Endings and change can also be painful and exhausting. Transitions in organizations, groups or communities can be particularly difficult for those who have given so much of themselves to them, have had no or little say in big changes being made, and/or are no longer able to be involved in the same way while also accompanying and considering how the transition impacts those being served by the organization.   

The goal of these workshop-like sessions is to help program leaders honor their own and the organization’s legacy, embrace the opportunities of transition, and to dream a new path forward with the tools to bring this work to their teams, colleagues and boards. Some of the themes covered during the sessions: Understanding Transition and Grief, Caring for Yourself and Team, Honoring the Journey, Holding the Hurts, Celebrating the Gifts, Integrating the Values and Wisdom Learned, and Living Your Mission  

Session One - Navigating Transitions: Finding Home While we Journey Through 

Transition can be an exciting time and also painful and exhausting. Transitions within organizations, groups or communities can be particularly difficult as the transitions of many are woven together and in need of care and attention. In this session we will look at different models for understanding transition and work to give language to our experience of transition as individuals and organizations. There will be space for personal reflection and sharing, as well as meaningful and practical advice for moving through our transitions as intentional stewards of our own and collective journeys. 

Session Two - Telling Our Sacred Stories 

Our stories are powerful tools for understanding ourselves and everything around us. They can heal, foster connections, guide our futures and transform those around us, especially when shared and fueled collectively. We have found that many don’t get the opportunity or invitation to share the unfiltered version of their stories related to unique experiences of transition like that of mission, a change in ministry, or within an organization. We invite you to this session to do just that, share your story. In this session, we will provide some guides for sharing your stories, the space and time to share, as well as some tips for creating spaces for sharing and sharing with different audiences. 

Session Three - Honoring the Journey: A Look at the Challenges and Gifts of Our Experiences 

Transitions require a lot from us as they invite us to hold what was, what is and what is to come at the same time. This is often a tension of both hard and joyful experiences and all of the accompanying emotional and psychological energy. In this session we will look at and discuss the difficult parts of the organizational transitions, including conflict and trauma, and look at how to move forward in a healthy way. This will include practical steps to consider, personal reflection time and ritual, as well as time to reflect on the good, rich gifts of our experiences, and the values and life lessons gained. 

Session Four - Integration: Remaining Faithful to Who we Have Become and are Becoming 

Our experiences, the people and places that make them who and what they are essential to our learning and growth and people and leaders. Pausing to reflect on who they are and what they mean to us is part of living intentionally and the spirituality of mission and ministry. In this session we will reflect on, make some choices and strategize how to integrate what we’ve learned during this time of transition to be better stewards for us and our organizations as we consider the present and lean into the future. 

Kelli Nelson currently serves as the Executive Director of From Mission to Mission, and accompanies individuals, communities, programs and organizations through transitions via workshops and retreats. She holds a Masters degree in organizational management and cares deeply about organizational stewardship and its personal and social implications. Kelli’s professional background has been primarily in the nonprofit social enterprise sector which has allowed her intimate experience at the intersection of social services and business development and the transitions at every level. She believes strongly in personal power to help guide and shape the legacies of organizations for good.  

Leadership and Health in Nonprofit Work  

 Dr. Daniela Domínguez and Cindy Berríos, On The Margins  

This track will help attendees focus on personal health and self-care and the critical role those play for leaders in the nonprofit sector pursuing changes that can better honor the communities in which they serve. Leaders will help participants explore realities such as secondary trauma, burn-out, work/life balance, institutional challenges and constraints, and more. These sessions will assist attendees in understanding the challenges to personal health of working in the nonprofit sector and how they can think about professional goals, opportunities, and pathways.  

Session One – A Trauma Sensitive Approach to Leadership 

Recognizing, naming and responding to secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue and burnout is an important element of leadership.  Understanding the impacts of stressors makes us more effective and compassionate managers and practitioners.  This session will provide opportunities for self-reflection and will promote self-care strategies. 

Session Two – Understanding and Responding to Organizational Trauma  

We often think of trauma as an event that happens at an individual level. However, organizations can experience trauma as well and, typically, the traumatic events are slow and pervasive, lasting for months or even years.  These events can create a work environment that chips away at workers’ sense of security, self-worth, health, and well-being and, ultimately, their engagement.  This session will explore the various forms of organizational trauma and offer tools and tactics to move traumatized organizations toward healing.   

Session Three – Naming Our Collective Grief  

The global pandemic, multiple natural disasters, a rise in community violence, systemic racism and a widening in economic disparities has led to compounded and collective grief.  Additionally, traditional forms of grieving have been disrupted leading to a sense of unresolved loss.  This session will honor and name our collective grief and offer rituals to help us move through the grief and loss process.   

Session Four – Freedom Dreaming 

Freedom dreaming is rooted in Black liberation movements and seeks to “imagine a new community that nurtures relationships, health, and antiracist environments” (Dominguez et al., 2022).  Freedom dreaming encourages community members to create the world they dream of by first radically imagining the future they want to live in, and second determining the actions that will lead them there.  In this session participants will explore how they can they and their organizations can move from “where we are” to “where we want to be.” 

Dr. Daniela Domínguez is an Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco and the Chief Executive Officer at On the Margins. She is a licensed psychologist and professional clinical counselor with a special interest in liberation psychology, anti-racism, migrant justice, and gender and sexuality matters. Her program of research has focused on understanding how Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) cope with stress and use specific strategies to draw upon resiliencies to achieve positive health. In 2020, the Society of Counseling Psychologists honored her with the “Early Career Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Counseling Psychology.” In 2021, the Society of Counseling Psychologists honored her with the “Social Justice Award” for her demonstrated evidence of achieving community change that supports disenfranchised or oppressed groups.  

Cindy Berríos is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with almost 20 years’ experience in the social services, non-profit sector. She has extensive experience providing therapy services, as well as program creation and implementation, budget management, and staff development. Her areas of interest and study are trauma, intimate partner, family and community violence, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse. She believes that healing from trauma happens in the community and through collective care. She is trained in Levell II EMDR and is a graduate of the Center for Mind Body Medicine. She also completed a post-graduate certificate program and fellowship at the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in French and Political Science from Gettysburg College and a Master of Social Work with a specialization in cross-cultural children, youth, and families from Temple University. She also serves as Adjunct Faculty for the University of San Francisco’s Counseling Psychology Department.  

Shared Wisdom

Liz Buckley and Valarie Amica
Catholic Volunteers in Florida and Sisters in Solidarity (SIS)
Nov. 15 at 5:30 pm

In recent years, the leaders of Catholic Volunteers in Florida have intentionally engaged new ideas about service, how to diversify their pool of volunteers, and how to speak to core needs and opportunities in communities. They have implemented creative changes and discerned CVIF’s best form and focus. That leadership and journey have led them to a major transition. They are currently launching a new entity – SIS – that will allow them to act on their convictions about the call to serve in this moment. Liz and Valarie will share the visionary, spiritual, and practical aspects of this journey.

Sr. Ann Kendrick, SND
Founder of Hope CommUnity Center (Apopka, Florida)
Nov. 16 at 5:30 pm

Hope CommUnity Center fosters diverse, empowered, learning communities engaged in personal and societal transformation. Through service and advocacy, they stand together with immigrants and others who are tenacious and courageous in the face of all systems of oppression. In partnering with residents and local groups over past decades, Hope CommUnity Center has spearheaded the creation of six separate nonprofits. Sr. Ann will share about Hope CommUnity Center’s journey of community listening, learning about wants and needs, and catalyzing social change. She will also share some of her personal story, including the role of calling, discernment, transition, and self-care in ministry and leadership.   

Sisters INSPIRE

In addition, a REPORT from Sisters INSPIRE, our two-year project intended to disrupt the white dominant cultural narrative embedded in community service and uplift models of faith-based service that better support volunteers from diverse backgrounds and promote community partnership. Sisters INSPIRE is convening a Sisters Leadership Cohort comprised of three Sisters-sponsored CVN member programs who are piloting innovative strategies to practice their commitment to racial justice and diversity.  

The first phase of the project focused on performing Culture and Climate assessments for each participant organization. Phase two’s work is identifying specific interventions that could point to possibilities for evolving the field of faith-based service. A major of goal of this project is to share learnings with other CVN programs to help them on their journeys of honoring diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice.   

Programs comprising the cohort are: Loretto Volunteer Program, St. Joseph Worker – St. Paul, and Vincentian Mission Corps. The Cohort’s work is led by consultants Dr. Jane Bleasdale, primary researcher at Bleasdale Educational Research & Consulting (BERC) (Phase I), and Kate Racine, M.Div of MLC Group (Phase II).   Staff from each program and consultants will share about the project. 

 More information HERE.  

 The session takes place on Nov. 14 at 4:00 pm. 

Speaker

Rev. Kenya M. Lovell
University Chaplain & Director of Religious Life, Bethune-Cookman University
Nov. 16 at 5:30 pm

Rev. Kenya M. Lovell is an ordained elder in the United American Freewill Baptist Church and serves as the Director of Religious Life/University Chaplain at Bethune-Cookman University.

Rev. Lovell is actively involved in the community as a mentor, counselor, orator, and teacher.  She has a passion to help people live into their purpose and strives to be an impetus for positive change and the furthering of God's kingdom.

Rev. Lovell served as the Minister of the Central Eleuthera Region of the Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church for almost three years.  This assignment included "one church in five locations" and three community outreach ministries.

Rev. Lovell graduated from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology with a Master’s of Divinity.  Her concentration was Religion and Race, and she earned two certificates in Black Church Studies and Baptist Church Studies. She also holds a B.S. from Howard University in Radiation Therapy.  She is from Crescent City, Florida.

Sponsors will have the opportunity to support our vital, groundbreaking conversations about transition and leadership while also promoting the importance of self-care for hardworking faith-based service leaders. For CVN members, there is a special sponsorship tier with unique benefits just for service programs! Sponsorship is now open!

This schedule will be updated and may change some as we continue to develop this event.

Monday, Nov. 14  

7:00 pm Centering: Why We Are Here (led by CVN staff, Board, and track leaders)

8:00 pm Welcome Reception   

 Dinner is not provided*

Tuesday, Nov. 15  

7:30 am Breakfast  

9:00 am Organizational Transition & Change Track or Leadership and Health in Non-Profit Track (Session 1) 

10:30 am BREAK  

11:00 am Organizational Transition & Change Track or Leadership and Health in Non-Profit Track (Session 2)  

12:30 pm Lunch on own*  

FREE TIME  

4:00 pm Sisters INSPIRE Cohort: Helping More CVN Members Explore 

5:30 pm Shared Wisdom: Liz Buckley and Valarie Amica, Catholic Volunteers in Florida and Sisters in Solidarity  

6:30 pm Dinner and Member Meeting

8:00 pm Fun and Fellowship  

Wednesday, Nov. 16  

7:30 am Breakfast  

9:00 am Organizational Transition & Change Track or Leadership and Health in Non-Profit Track (Session 3)   

10:30 am BREAK  

11:00 am Organizational Transition & Change Track or Leadership and Health in Non-Profit Track (Session 4)   

12:30 pm Lunch on own*  

FREE TIME  

4:00 pm Mass   

5:30 pm Shared Wisdom: Sr. Ann Kendrick, SND, Hope CommUnity Center

6:30 pm Dinner and Speaker: Rev. Kenya Lovell, Director of Religious Life/Chaplain at Bethune-Cookman University

8:00 pm Fun and Fellowship  

Thursday, Nov. 17  

8:00 am Breakfast  

9:30 am Re-Imagining Together: Processing Our Time, Exploring Ideas, Next Steps 

12:00 pm Closing 

* The hotel has a takeout restaurant with sandwiches, snacks, drinks, etc. It also has a full restaurant. Nearby Disney Springs offers a range of food options. It is a 25-minute walk and parking is available.  

This year's conference will be held at the beautiful B Resort and Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Florida! Wave hello to Mickey Mouse!

About B Resort & Spa

Catholic Volunteer Network is committed to making the National Conference on Faith-Based Service as accessible as possible and is excited to provide an experience that offers many meals included in the cost. We recognize that this year's location can be costly for travel and urge you to book travel options as soon as possible.

Registration includes full access to the conference, several meals throughout the event, and more.

The registration fee for CVN Members is $400. The fee for non-members is $450.

Register early to save! All registrations before September 14, 2022 will have an automatic $25 discount applied.

Register now!

B Resort & Spa is located 18 miles away from the Orlando International Airport and 15 miles away from Amtrak Orlando.

Renting a car or planning a road trip? Self-parking is available on-site at a discounted cost of $11 per night, plus tax. Valet parking is also available at an increased cost.

Catholic Volunteer Network encourages attendees of the conference to coordinate travel from and to the airport with other conference guests to help save on costs for rented vehicles or rideshares. Complete this short form to let us know what you need/are able to contribute!

To save on gas and time, Catholic Volunteer Network has secured a block rate of rooms premium at the B Hotel and Spa so you can stay right on site. As part of the block rate, guests will have their resort fees waived and have access to discounted self-parking.

Block rates begin at $129.00 and are available the Monday-Thursday of the conference, as well as three days before and after the conference for those extending this travels. Blocked rooms are limited so we encourage you to book early. Visit this special booking link to reserve your room now. This link must be used to receive the discounted rate when booking online.

Wanting to book by phone? Call 1-866-990-6850 and mention "Catholic Volunteer Network National Conference" when completing your booking.

Guests who do not book through the link or phone number above will be responsible for covering their own resort fees and full-priced self-parking.

Looking to coordinate a room share with another visiting guest? Let us know how we can help you coordinate your efforts by completing this short form.

Catholic Volunteer Network is happy to provide breakfast and dinner on the Tuesday and Wednesday of the conference, as well as breakfast on the Thursday of the conference, to make costs as affordable as possible. When registering, please let us know of any dietary needs or concerns so we may accommodate you.

For lunch, you can find dining options on-site at a sit-down restaurant or a grab-and-go counter with sandwiches, salads, chips, and more. Wanting to venture off-site for a meal elsewhere? Coordinate plans with fellow guests to carpool or share the cost of rideshares. We continue to assess ways in which to make meals not included in the registration cost more affordable and may have updates later

We know that a number of conference attendees may extend their trip to Orlando to enjoy vacationing in the area. Though Catholic Volunteer Network is unable to assist with securing discounts to Orlando theme parks and attractions, we encourage you to let us know if you have plans to stay in the area to check out the parks in case anyone wants to arrange a park gathering.

Slowing the Spread of Covid-19 

Exposure to Covid-19 is an inherent risk in any public venue. We are encouraging wearing masks every time we gather indoors and when we are not able to socially distance ourselves outdoors. CVN is not requiring verification of vaccination or recent negative lab result. 

Below are responses to Frequently Asked Questions. Please note that all guidelines are subject to change. 

What do I do if I test positive for Covid-19? 

Before you travel. Stay home. We will give you a full refund of your conference registration fee. 

Once you arrive. Quarantine for the length of the conference. Consider remaining in quarantine for up to 5 days before returning back home. 

Within 5 days of the conference ending. Please inform CVN by emailing Jocelyn so that health and wellness notifications can be shared with any close contacts. 

What is CVN’s Refund Policy? 

If you are unable to attend because you test positive for Covid-19 before you arrive, your registration fee will be fully refunded. If you would like to transfer your registration at the rate you purchased it to a colleague, you are encouraged to do so. 

If CVN cancels or postpones this in-person gathering, CVN will refund the cost of registration.  

If our hotel (B Resort and Spa) cancels, CVN will refund the cost of registration.  

Although, as noted just above, there are situations in which CVN would refund registration fees, CVN cannot offer financial assistance to cover travel expenses or hotel room costs incurred if a registrant cannot attend. Please be aware of hotel room cancellation policies.  

Will we be required to wear a mask for the entire conference? 

In an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19, we are in alignment with CDC guidelines: CVN supports the need for indoor masking, especially as this action helps us care for those most in need of protection and care in our community.  

Is proof of vaccination required to attend the Re-Imagine Together? 

No. Although proof of vaccination is not required, CVN strongly encourages the safest practices in community. We encourage masking in public indoor spaces as well as social distancing when possible. 

Will the conference sessions be held in indoor or outdoor venues? 

Our morning sessions will be offered indoors. We are hoping to enjoy great weather in the afternoons and evenings and MAY be able to utilize more outdoors spaces when we convene. Meals will be served indoors, potentially buffet style, and there may be an option to take food outside. Check back at the Conference Schedule for specific information.  

What is being done to ensure the safest experience of community when we are indoor with one another? 

Face-Coverings. Masks are needed indoors (especially if you are unvaccinated) and when unable to keep socially distanced outdoors. 

No Contact Policy
To assist in minimizing potential physical contact, elbow bumps are a great alternative to handshakes. 

Will First Aid and other medical assistance be available? 

In-room medical services are available. Simply touch “Front Desk” from your in-room phone for assistance, 24 hours a day. 

First Aid centers can also store medications which require refrigeration. For your safety, special containers can be provided for disposal of hypodermic needles. 

Offsite Urgent Care is available. AdventHealth Centra Care Walk-in Urgent Care Center at Lake Buena Vista is open 24-hours a day, 7 days per week. All other locations are open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

Complimentary transportation for health emergencies is available by the hotel, and many insurance plans are accepted. Call (407) 934-2273 for more info. 

This information and CVN’s plans for promoting health and safety may be adjusted leading up to the event based on factors such as the spread of COVID, CDC recommendations, etc.  

For more information or general questions or concerns, please contact Jocelyn A. Sideco, Associate Executive Director at jsideco@catholicvolunteernetowrk.org.