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Member Spotlight: Katie Walsh

Name: Katie Walsh

Position: Program Director

Organization: HandsOn Twin Cities

MAVA Member Since: The beginning I think! I provided office support for Minnesota Association of Volunteer Directors (MAVD) before all the volunteer management networks became MAVA.

Please describe your volunteer program:
As the local volunteer center, HandsOn Twin Cities focuses on connecting volunteers to the needs of nonprofits primarily in the Twin Cities metro but we have partnered some of our corporate partners to support volunteerism globally. Through all of our programs, we strive to help volunteers find their passion and get connected to causes important to them. As a nonprofit with a small staff, we leverage volunteers’ time and skills to support our work through office support, prepping supplies for volunteers and event support for many of our signature events. As with most nonprofits, we could not accomplish our work without all of our amazing volunteers! HandsOn also recently completed our Service Enterprise re-certification.

What is your role?
My primary focus at HandsOn Twin Cities is supporting our nonprofit partners and cultivating new partnerships and
relationships with organizations. I manage the nonprofit affiliation program and delivery of services/programs to
ensure we offer services that meet the changing needs. In partnership with the team at MAVA, I assist with the
facilitation of Service Enterprise in MN. I also manage our searchable volunteer opportunity database and provide
website maintenance. A large part of my role includes creating and coordinating our e-newsletter communications
and providing event support at corporate projects and HandsOn signature events.

How did you get involved in Volunteer Management?
After I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Family Social Science from the U of M Twin Cities, I worked for a short time
at Target Headquarters before joining The Volunteer Center of St. Paul in 1998 where I began my career in volunteer
management. After the consolidation of the St. Paul and Mpls volunteer centers to the Volunteer Resource Center
and now HandsOn Twin Cities, I have had the pleasure of working with so many nonprofits. I have seen how some
nonprofits continue to be innovative and nimble to meet the ever changing volunteerism landscape. I’m also seen
how cyclical aspects of volunteer management are. I’m hearing some of the same challenges today that I heard 20
years ago.

What does it mean to you to be a MAVA member?
I value the opportunity to make connections and network with volunteer managers from all types of nonprofit
organizations.

Can you recall a time when being a MAVA member directly impacted your work in your organization? What
were the outcomes of MAVA’s impact?
Earlier in my career, I served on MAVA’s professional development committee and worked with a great team to
develop training and opportunities that were beneficial for other MAVA members. That experience enhanced my own
professional and leadership development.

Do you have any advice for new MAVA members/leaders of volunteers?
Take advantage of opportunities to network with others in the field of volunteer management. Tap into the extensive
expertise of those who are doing similar work that you are!