Describe your volunteer program.
WomenVenture helps women attain economic self-sufficiency through the creation and growth of profitable and sustainable businesses. We do this by empowering entrepreneurial women with the tools, capital and support to lead businesses that create living wage jobs. Our programming is moved forward everyday by the power of our amazing volunteers! All our classes are taught by volunteers and clients are partnered with volunteer mentors and consultants. We also internally utilize the power of volunteers to lead our Board of Directors and committees, and our annual fundraiser Women Mean Business would not be possible without the use of 35+ volunteers each year.
What is your role?
I serve on WomenVenture's Training Team and Loan Team. My role is to recruit, vet, schedule and retain volunteers who help our awesomely motivated clients launch and expand their small businesses!
How did you get involved in volunteer engagement?
While living Milwaukee, I worked for the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee, in their Volunteer Milwaukee program. Nonprofit members of the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee could utilize Volunteer Milwaukee's service including me! I was lent out to nonprofits to help build their capacity to maximize use of volunteers. It was really fun work and I had the opportunity to work with so many different nonprofits working hard to solve different gaps in the community! When I moved to the Twin Cities, I landed this position at WomenVenture!
What does it mean to you to be a MAVA member?
I love being a MAVA member! I've met so many people through MAVA who are committed to helping our community grow stronger through utilizing volunteers. The agency and members have been a great resource.
How has being a MAVA member directly impacted your work?
I loved bringing my coworker to the MAVA Strengthening Service Breakfast. It was a nice way to spend the morning together outside the office and learn how other nonprofits are using volunteers to strengthen their programming!
What advice do you have for new MAVA members?
Attend all the MAVA events you can make it to. I guarantee you're going to meet new people at each event and run into some of your favorite people, and you'll always learn something new!