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Published On 9/18/2024
The Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement (MAVA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Niila Hebert as its Executive Director.
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Published On 7/8/2024
This article was a collaboration between MAVA Volunteers, Jennie Vang and Annie Bettin. Annie is in her sophomore year as a Marketing major at the University of St. Thomas. Jennie is in her senior year, double majoring in Business Communications and Marketing Management at the University of St. Thomas.
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Published On 5/23/2024
Greater MN Organizations Awarded Grants From Landmark Volunteerism Bill.
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Published On 5/22/2024
Updates about MAVA's 2024 Executive Director Search
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Published On 5/10/2024
See what members and volunteer engagement groups are up to!
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Published On 4/1/2024
On April 1st, 2024 Governor Walz proclaimed April 2024 Volunteer Month highlighting the impact of volunteers, volunteer engagement professionals and MAVA.
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Published On 2/28/2024
MAVA's Executive Director, Karmit Bulman will be departing the organization on June 14, 2024.
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Published On 2/7/2024
MAVA invites Greater Minnesota non-profit organizations, working with under-served or vulnerable populations, to apply for a grant to support increased volunteerism for greater impact! The grants, made possible through funds allocated to MAVA by the Minnesota legislature, provide funds to support innovations in engaging volunteers to address or minimize disparities in access to human services.
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Published On 9/12/2023
MAVA invites Greater Minnesota volunteer connector organizations and community-based collaborations to apply for a $15,000 grant to develop innovations that expand the number of volunteers connected. and better recruit and retain volunteers. This year, eligibility for Volunteer Connector Grants has been expanded to include community collaborations in rural Minnesota developing volunteer-sharing partnerships. Grants are provided by the AmeriCorps Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF), in partnership with ServeMinnesota. Learn more.
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Published On 5/3/2023
Over the past couple of years, organizations of all kinds have been implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices. They are taking steps to ensure that their internal operations and the ways they interact with the community support the changes they want to see in the world. Centering equity in volunteering is key. We looked at the work being done on equity and inclusivity in the nonprofit space and have ideas on how you can make an even greater impact.
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Published On 5/2/2023
The Volunteerism Bill is in the final stages of consideration by a different group of lawmakers.
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Published On 5/1/2023
MAVA's Executive Director Karmit Bulman was quoted in a recent article from The Chronicle of Philanthropy, titled "Nonprofits Scramble for Help Amid Dearth of Volunteers"
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Published On 2/1/2023
On January 25th, AmeriCorps released its latest Volunteering and Civic Life in America research, providing comprehensive data on volunteering through organizations and informal helping, as well as charitable giving and other civic behaviors. The findings are based on a survey conducted by AmeriCorps and the US Census Bureau every other year; this year’s report covers volunteerism and civic engagement during the height of the COVID pandemic, from September 2020-2021.
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Published On 2/1/2023
What We're Reading - January/February 2023
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Published On 2/1/2023
MAVA Member Renee Hartwig Wins Lifetime Achievement Award
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Published On 1/20/2023
In MAVA's Volunteer Impact Leadership Training Series, volunteer managers learn the difference between a program output and a program outcome.

So often our evaluation efforts stop with a basic accounting of the things we have accomplished (outputs). Harder to demonstrate are program outcomes; this is the “so what” of our work.
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Published On 1/20/2023
A community-based approach to volunteerism is gaining momentum in Perham, Minnesota. Maggie Fresonke and Mindi Larson will share more about their program, Elevate, in person at a MAVA event on March 2nd.
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Published On 12/29/2022
Service Enterprise in 2022
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Published On 12/29/2022
MAVA Membership & Fund Development in 2022
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Published On 12/29/2022
What We're Reading - December 2022
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Published On 12/29/2022
Welcome, new members! December 2022
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Published On 12/28/2022
From the perspective of the Greater Minnesota program, 2022 was the year of people poking their heads out of their shells and wanting connection. We've seen a big interest in connection at our District Council meetings, more asks for in-person trainings around the state, and the awakening of long-dormant volunteer networks.
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Published On 12/28/2022
Message from MAVA Board Chair, Joshua Windham
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Published On 12/28/2022
Message from Executive Director, Karmit Bulman
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Published On 12/28/2022
MAVA VISTA Program in 2022
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Published On 12/14/2022
MAVA Awarded $975,360 from AmeriCorps Volunteer Generation Fund
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Published On 11/1/2022
The MAVA VISTA Newsletter for November 2022 is here! Check it out
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Published On 10/4/2022
Find the October MAVA VISTA Newsletter here and keep up with the MAVA VISTAs.
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Published On 9/23/2022
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota
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Published On 9/22/2022
Treehouse: Ending Hopelessness Among Teens
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Published On 9/21/2022
Check out what MAVA staff are reading in the month of September!
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Published On 9/21/2022
Welcome, new members! September 2022
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Published On 9/21/2022
The Power of Volunteers for Student Success
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Published On 9/21/2022
Autism Mentorship Program (AMP)
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Published On 9/21/2022
REACH Program: Youth-Adult Partnerships
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Published On 9/21/2022
Mentor North: A One-to-One Community Based Mentoring Program Throughout the Twin Ports
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Published On 9/21/2022
Erasing the Graduation Gap for Minnesota Latinx Students with CLUES YA!
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Published On 9/21/2022
#BiggerTogether: One Story of a Powerful Big Sister and Little Sister Match
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Published On 9/21/2022
Kids 'n Kinship Mentoring Program
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Published On 9/6/2022
Find the September MAVA VISTA Newsletter here and keep up with the MAVA VISTA Program!
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Published On 8/18/2022
Words by Rob Jackson of Rob Jackson Consulting LTD in Peterborough, United Kingdom
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Published On 8/18/2022
Welcome, new members! August 2022
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Published On 8/17/2022
Meet this month's featured member, Dan Bohnker, Volunteer Resources and Respite Coordinator at FamilyMeans in Stillwater, MN
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Published On 8/17/2022
Check out what MAVA staff are reading this month!
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Published On 8/17/2022
“The main goal of our recruitment events is to show a small sample of what mentoring could look like and that there is no one size fits all when it comes to mentoring relationships.”
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Published On 8/17/2022
"When you recruit volunteers, are you considering one of our deepest human needs – to connect?"
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Published On 8/1/2022
Take a look at the MAVA VISTA Newsletter for the month of August, 2022.
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Published On 7/26/2022
Self-Care Resources for You and Your Volunteers
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Published On 7/26/2022
Check out what MAVA staff are reading in July 2022!
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Published On 7/26/2022
Welcome our new and renewing members in July 2022
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Published On 7/21/2022
Learn about this month's spotlight member!
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Published On 7/21/2022
Self-Care: Practicing Curiosity
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Published On 7/18/2022
You're invited to attend MAVA's Appreciation Celebration focused on self care!
Bring your family, colleagues, and friends! All are invited so bring the children in your life. We're focusing on self-care this year (and always), and with relaxing and playful activities.

MAVA will provide bottled water & snacks. Please feel free to BYOP - bring your own picnic.
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Published On 7/15/2022
Connect and Discuss All Things Volunteer Engagement Related
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Published On 7/1/2022
Find the MAVA VISTA Newsletter for the month of July here. It is the People Issue
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Published On 6/29/2022
What We Think: Conversations From the MAVA Conference June 2022
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Published On 6/15/2022
Welcome, new members! June 2022
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Published On 6/15/2022
What We're Reading - June 2022
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Published On 6/15/2022
Meet this month's featured member, Erica Busta, Volunteer & Auxiliary Coordinator, Essentia Health in Duluth.
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Published On 6/15/2022
MAVA VISTA June Conference Recap
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Published On 6/15/2022
Helping More Organizations
Serve Minnesota Communities
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Published On 6/1/2022
Check out the MAVA VISTA Newsletter for June, 2022.
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Published On 5/26/2022
Learn about the MAVA VISTA Cohort June Conference Presentation!
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Published On 5/11/2022
Adaptive leadership principles can help us acknowledge the full story about volunteerism and move into a healthier relationship with both its shadow and its light
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Published On 5/11/2022
What We're Reading - May 2022
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Published On 5/11/2022
Welcome, new members! May 2022
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Published On 5/10/2022
The MAVA VISTA Newsletter for May 2022. Volume 1 Issue 1
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Published On 4/27/2022
Cat Holl is a MAVA VISTA in her second year of service at The Family Partnership (TFP). This VISTA View comes from a blog post by TFP.
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Published On 4/27/2022
The Bipartisan Nonprofit Sector Strength and Partnership Act Will Enable Nonprofits to Better Serve Their Communities
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Published On 4/20/2022
National Volunteer Appreciation Week (which always falls on the third week of April) can be a helpful reminder to get intentional about thanking volunteers. But it’s never too late to appreciate them in a meaningful way! If recognizing volunteers is the key to retaining volunteers, how can we make them feel noticed and honored all year long?
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Published On 4/7/2022
What We're Reading - April 2022
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Published On 4/7/2022
Welcome to our new and renewing members for April, 2022
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Published On 4/7/2022
MAVA Monthly Membership Spotlight:
Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging
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Published On 4/6/2022
MAVA Membership Inspires Change
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Published On 4/6/2022
Membership Benefits of MAVA
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Published On 4/6/2022
Being a Part of MAVA
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Published On 3/31/2022
MAVA VISTA Lindsey Noyed has worked to create an open, virtual, monthly introduction for her site, the Foundation for Essential Needs.
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Published On 3/2/2022
March's MAVA Membership Spotlight
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Published On 3/2/2022
What We're Reading - March 2022
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Published On 3/2/2022
March new members
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Published On 3/2/2022
Holly Daniels, MAVA's Greater MN Program Manager, recently interviewed Dana Thewis, the Volunteer Coordinator at Community Partners in Two Harbors, MN.
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Published On 3/2/2022
How to Make Volunteers Family
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Published On 3/2/2022
Letting Volunteers Guide Your Program
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Published On 3/2/2022
The Value of Social Connections in Buffalo
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Published On 2/2/2022
What we're reading in February 2022
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Published On 2/2/2022
Welcoming our new members in February 2022
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Published On 2/2/2022
“Democracy isn’t something to be studied.  Democracy is something to do.  Democracy is a collective call to action”, Danielle Allen, scholar at Harvard declared this past June.  As practitioners and advocates for volunteerism, working for policies that support and encourage volunteerism is something we must do in 2022.
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Published On 2/2/2022
Have you ever stopped someone in a lobby and said, “I just wanted to talk to you about…?”  According to Britannica, lobbying originally referred to groups trying to convince legislators to vote a certain way; often this happened in the lobby of the legislative chamber.  Now, lobbying includes communicating with someone within a governing body, more general than just “legislators,” about legislation that is being currently discussed, as well as, asking them to vote for or against the proposed piece.  Lobbying is one type of advocacy.
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Published On 2/2/2022
Why is MAVA fighting so hard for funding to support nonprofit’s volunteer efforts in Minnesota?  I like to think they are fighting for those of us in Greater Minnesota that don’t have access to the same resources that are available in larger communities.  While I know that MAVA supports all nonprofits in Minnesota, I am in awe at the level of care they provide, regardless of your size.
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Published On 2/2/2022
On January 15, 2022, the Star Tribune ran an article titled “Twin Cities nonprofits face critical shortages of volunteers amid omicron surge.”

At MAVA, the Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement, when we talk to volunteer engagement organizations all over the state, we’re hearing about a shortage of volunteers. Because of our statewide lens, we want to provide some nuance behind the shortage and offer a potential way forward.
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Published On 1/13/2022
What else is possible if we expand our understanding?

I’ve been busy learning since I became MAVA’s new Greater Minnesota Program Manager, in October. And I’m noticing ways we put volunteer engagement inside a box.
In 2022, there are four boxes I want to talk to people about, so others can notice them too, break out, and serve people and communities more effectively.
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Published On 1/12/2022
A message from MAVA Executive Director, Karmit Bulman
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Published On 1/12/2022
Professional Development at MAVA
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Published On 1/12/2022
Thriving through change with Service Enterprise
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Published On 1/12/2022
What We're Reading - January 2022
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Published On 1/12/2022
New members in January 2022
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Published On 1/12/2022
What We Created and Accomplished in 2021
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Published On 1/12/2022
2021 and Beyond
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Published On 11/4/2021
New members in November 2021
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Published On 11/4/2021
What We're Reading - November 2021
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Published On 11/4/2021
MAVA was founded in 2001 in response to a vision that leaders of volunteers could greatly impact Minnesota’s volunteer community through one strong statewide alliance capable of creating visibility and credibility, and of impacting volunteers' ability to have a meaningful impact.  Several associations and networks of leaders merged to form the organization known as MAVA today. Until 2001, Minnesota had somewhere between fifteen and forty associations for volunteer managers. The formation of MAVA allowed those professionals to speak with a common, unified voice, and to connect with one another for education, leadership, and networking.

MAVA came to fruition with a kickoff ceremony of approximately 200 volunteer managers from around Minnesota on November 14, 2001. On November 15, the Association’s executive director began serving. MAVA has faced many hurdles this first year, perhaps the most challenging one being the closing of the Minnesota Office of Citizenship and Volunteer Service,
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Published On 10/6/2021
In Greater Minnesota the District Councils have met or are soon meeting in all of our districts. These provide an opportunity for Volunteer Engagement Professionals to get to know each other, network and to share with MAVA their issues and concerns – one such example is recruiting volunteer drivers in rural areas seems to be an issue across all of the districts. We are working on developing a session to explore this issue further and share strategies across the districts. Contact Ellie if you are interested in working on this session.

In Central MN the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Cohort continues to explore how volunteer leaders, programs and volunteers can be more inclusive and welcoming to people from diverse backgrounds. The cohort has been reviewing resources and holding discussions to deepen understanding and gain greater agency to address issues as they arise.  

Through a grant from the Duluth Superior Foundation, Volunteer Engagement Professionals working in organizations
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Published On 10/6/2021
What We’re Reading - October 2021
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Published On 10/6/2021
MAVA Monthly Member Spotlight: Mikaela Wolf
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Published On 9/9/2021
September new members
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Published On 9/8/2021
Your Voice Matters! MAVA Membership Satisfaction Survey 2020 Results
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Published On 9/8/2021
Title: 2021 Shifting Environment Survey: We need to hear from you
Author: Polly Roach
Tagline: Help MAVA map the changing landscape of volunteerism
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Published On 9/8/2021
Voices of Greater Minnesota - MAVA’s District Councils
The Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement (MAVA) is interested in what volunteer engagement leaders have to say. Six District Councils have been created throughout Greater Minnesota to provide the structure for volunteer leaders to speak candidly and confidentially about challenges they are facing in Volunteer Management and to learn from each other about how to manage these challenges as well as share new ideas. The District Councils provide networking opportunities as well as serve to advise MAVA on program and training needs for Greater Minnesota. =
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Published On 9/8/2021
What We’re Reading - September 2021
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Published On 9/7/2021
Meet this month's featured member, Angelica Vannatta, the Senior Manager of Volunteer Engagement for the United Way of East Central Iowa
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Published On 9/7/2021
By: Jenna Egan 

In this September Issue of the MAVA Monthly you’ll learn how your voice has been activated as a MAVA member and Volunteer Engagement Professional following COVID. This issue also focuses on ways in which you can continue to elevate your voice to create meaningful and positive changes in your organization, as a volunteer engagement leader, and as a MAVA member.
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Published On 9/7/2021
The MN Volunteer Driver Coalition, which MAVA is member of, had a win in the recent legislative session with the passage of a definition for a volunteer driver and  a volunteer mileage reimbursement bill. As a result of this legislation, the burden on volunteers for paying state taxes on the difference between the mileage reimbursement rate for volunteers (14 cents a mile) and the standard IRS mileage reimbursement rate will be dropped. Guidance on this change will be available in a  few months. The Volunteer Driver Coalition is hopeful that passage of the definition of a volunteer as different from a for-hire driver will result in insurance companies no longer increasing insurance rates on individuals solely because they volunteer as drivers. A Fact Sheet is currently being developed by the Minnesota Council on Transportation Access (MCOTA) to help organizations understand these legislative changes. MAVA will make this Fact Sheet available to members as soon as we receive it.
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Published On 9/7/2021
Raise your voice and be heard as a MAVA Member!

A member organization thrives on member input and involvement. As a member of the long-standing, but newly-renamed, Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement, you have several options for allying with your peers and contributing to MAVA’s future advancement. Some ways to be heard are:
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Published On 8/5/2021
First and foremost, a quick introduction – Hi! I’m Ryan Fahrmann and I currently serve as a board member at-large with MAVA, and have been recently appointed to serve as a co-chair for MAVA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Governance committee. My day job is as a Sr. Manager at Target, leading a Target.com team. Nice to meet you!
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Published On 8/5/2021
Over the last 18 months, the way U.S. Bank has seen its community engagement model change dramatically. The events of 2020 and now 2021 forced the Minneapolis-based lender to refocus on its two most important commitments.
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Published On 8/5/2021
For many nonprofits, community partnerships are an essential part of carrying out their mission-driven work. Community partnerships should reflect the diversity of the communities an organization serves and bring value to all sides. Community partnerships create collaborative relationships and allies who help organizations to stay vital and effective. At the ACLU of Minnesota, where I work, we defend and promote civil liberties through litigation, legislation, and community engagement.
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Published On 8/5/2021
One of the challenges we face as volunteer engagement professionals is figuring out how we can effectively collaborate with community partners. For those of us who are newer to volunteer engagement, it can seem that we are alone in the struggles that we encounter in our work and in many cases it’s just one staff or a small group of staff within the volunteer department. It is important for us to realize that now, more than ever, we need to be willing to reach out to other nonprofits and community organizations that can help us grow, learn, and improve in our work.
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Published On 7/8/2021
For a limited time, you can view the conference session recordings at a reduced rate! Get access to 3 keynote speakers and 35 concurrent sessions for 90 days to watch at your own convenience.
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Published On 7/8/2021
There are many strong communities in Greater Minnesota with people who are passionate about helping one another, and are looking for local volunteer opportunities.
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Published On 7/8/2021
The past 14 months have been anything, but ordinary. Being in the nonprofit sector where funders want to see goals met, has been tough.
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Published On 7/8/2021
District Council Meetings are scheduled through the end of the year for all of Greater Minnesota Volunteer Engagement Professionals.
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Published On 6/3/2021
In Understanding the Motivations of Baby Boomer Volunteers, the national volunteerism organization AmeriCorps argues that volunteer opportunities “must be expanded and diversified in order to appeal to the 35 million people who are already over 65 and the 79 million baby boomers who are transitioning from primary careers and family building.”
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Published On 6/3/2021
Central and Northeastern MN District Councils met in June . People shared about where they are at with reinstating volunteers and how the landscape is changing for volunteer engagement professionals, volunteer programs and volunteers.
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Published On 6/3/2021
Meet this month's featured member, Bob Figlock, the Volunteer Engagement Manager for The Marine Mammal Center
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Published On 6/3/2021
During the Pandemic, many organizations chose to furlough volunteers. Many of those furloughed volunteers were over the age of 55. Many of these volunteers would have preferred to be given a choice of whether or not to volunteer. This point of view led to some research. This may be an area worth exploring. What rights do “older” volunteers have with regard to preventing age discrimination? Following are some links to coverage of this question:
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Published On 6/3/2021
As a Volunteer Engagement Professional, I believe success is often measured not only by the impact on the person receiving services from Jewish Family Service (JFS) volunteers, but also on the person providing help and support. In fact, my favorite part of this job is being able to satisfy the needs of individuals on BOTH sides on a volunteer match!
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Published On 5/6/2021
Language in volunteerism consistently goes unchecked. Although we create change with our hands, it's also equally important that we understand the ways in which language can be used to mentally damage and as a tool for perpetuating harm.
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Published On 4/13/2021
In the midst of the Chauvin trial, which is adding trauma to communities still mourning the death of George Floyd, our hearts break once again at the news of another police killing of a Black man.
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Published On 4/1/2021
Meet this month's featured member, Kathleen Cannon, the Program Director for Girls on the Run Twin Cities
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Published On 3/18/2021
We at MAVA are devastated by the murders in Atlanta, Georgia on March 16, which resulted in the deaths of eight people, including six women of Asian descent.
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Published On 2/5/2021
We have often encouraged leaders of volunteers to replace the traditional “3 Rs of volunteer management” (recruitment, retention, and recognition) with what we like to call the “3 Cs of volunteer engagement” (cultivation, collaboration, and communicating impact). But as 2021 begins and the hope for the end of the Coronavirus pandemic is dawning, we see organizations around the world ready to tackle a completely different “3 Rs” – namely:

Recovery, Reopening, and Return.
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Published On 1/7/2021
Dear MAVA Community:
Regardless of your own political outlook, yesterday was a hard day. While we at MAVA believe that political and social movements and even protests are an essential form of volunteerism, the violence and obstruction that took place yesterday challenges our democracy. These actions are an affront to our ability to co-exist and to respect those with different viewpoints.
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Published On 10/28/2020
The idea of “best practices” is a key part of nonprofit lingo and a concept touted by volunteer engagement leaders as we work to build our profession.

It can be a helpful term, and a helpful concept. But it can also be harmful.
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Published On 10/1/2020
Meet MAVA's members who joined or renewed their membership in the past month.
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Published On 10/1/2020
Check out what MAVA staff have been reading this month!
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Published On 6/19/2020
Today, June Nineteenth, we commemorate the end of official slavery in the U.S. On this day, we recognize how racial injustices are still deeply rooted into the fabric of our society. In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, followed by protests and riots across the nation calling for racial justice, many people are experiencing discomfort. Discomfort at the unfairness and injustice experienced in the Black community. Discomfort in our own actions, or lack thereof. Discomfort regarding how to move forward.
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Published On 5/20/2020
MAVA staff and board wish to provide support to each of you as we address challenges we face as a result of COVID-19. We are balancing health concerns with the importance of providing our members with support, connection, and resources.
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Published On 3/23/2020
MAVA in the news to discuss volunteerism and volunteer leadership during COVID-19.
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Published On 3/16/2020
Dear MAVA Community:

These are hard times. The uncertainty can produce anxiety and it is difficult to know how to do our jobs and how to navigate the constantly changing environment. MAVA staff are working remotely and will continue to provide services and support to each of you virtually where possible.
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Published On 3/12/2020
Dear MAVA Community,

MAVA staff and board wish to provide support to each of you as we address challenges we face as a result of COVID-19. We are balancing health concerns with the importance of providing our members with support, connection, and resources.
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Published On 3/11/2020
As COVID-19 spreads through the US, there are many unknowns as to the level and depth of response needed from nonprofit organizations. Managing volunteers through this pandemic will be an important part of continuing essential service delivery in our communities. While we acknowledge this is uncharted territory, we want to offer some tips for nonprofits and volunteer engagement leaders as you prepare your organization’s volunteers for COVID-19.
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Published On 1/9/2020
MAVA is excited to announce the release of several new inclusive volunteerism resources for volunteer engagement leaders, along with a first-time cohort learning opportunity around racial equity in volunteerism in 2020.
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Published On 1/9/2020
Learn about Abdurrahman Mahmud who made a website focused on connecting immigrants to jobs and volunteer opportunities
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Published On 1/9/2020
There are many opportunities to advance your own professional development through events focused
on diversity, equity and inclusion. Take a look at some of the organizations providing DEI training and
what they’re offering in 2020.
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Stories from the Field

Published On 1/19/2023
Listen in on stories from the field, told at MAVA's District Council meetings. Recently, we heard about how the American Red Cross used the power of feedback to put themselves in the shoes of the student volunteers they wanted to attract. Read about their approachable process for reimagining volunteer roles!
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Published On 9/2/2022
Listen in on stories from the field, told at MAVA's District Council meetings. One recent question about how to keep younger volunteers coming back spawned so many flavors of good ideas!
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Published On 8/12/2022
Listen in on stories from the field, told at MAVA's District Council meetings. We shared about the kind of experiences that can turn volunteers off from our organizations, or win their loyalty for life.
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Published On 7/27/2022
Listen in on stories from the field, shared at MAVA's 7.13.22 District Council meeting. We wondered together if flexibility and power-sharing are the keys to retaining volunteers.
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Published On 7/13/2022
Listen in on stories from the fiend, shared at MAVA's last District Council meeting. Our rich conversation yielded takeaways on the value or stories and our need to check our assumptions about which people in our community might want to engage with us!
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