MVMA: Connecting Professionals in Greater St. Louis MVMA: Connecting Professionals in Greater St. Louis MVMA: Connecting Professionals in Greater St. Louis MVMA: Connecting Professionals in Greater St. Louis MVMA: Connecting Professionals in Greater St. Louis
History
Because of the insights of MVMA’s founders and the dedication of members, the volunteer management profession has become well established in the community. Throughout the organization’s history, the MVMA continues to be a responsive resource for its members who value MVMA networking and educational opportunities. Members of the profession continue to be non-competitive and generous to each other – people who like to share what they know and support their peers – especially those new to the field. MVMA looks forward to continued growth for our organization and for the field of volunteer management.

1962 The Metropolitan Volunteer Management Association began as the Directors of Hospital Volunteer Council with its first meeting held on May 10, 1962. Lil Brown served as the first president, and the original members included Dee Cenoweth of St. Louis State School and Hospital, Mrs. R. K. Irwin of St. Luke’s Hospital, Dorothy Kelly of Barnes Hospital, Mrs. Kistner of St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, Marjorie McAtee and Bea Perez, both of St. Louis State Hospital, Gertrude Miketta of Deaconess Hospital, Billie Stokes of Missouri Baptist Hospital, Margaret Walker of Cochran Veteran’s Hospital, and Lucy Weeks of Children’s Hospital.
1963, September Dorothy Kelly gave what was considered the first training session for the Council. She discussed information shared by other volunteer directors during a visit to Cornell Medical Institute. Topics discussed included placing volunteers, on-the-job training for volunteers and how the volunteer department relates to the auxiliary.
1963, November The first official bylaws for the organization were adopted by a unanimous vote. The purpose of the Council was stated as: "To advance the sound principles and practices for the administration of Volunteer Services in hospitals in the St. Louis area."
1965, January The Treasurer’s Report included a balance of $13.40. Seven members paid dues of $3 each. Expenditures included 23 stamped post cards at 4 cents each and 15 cents for a thank you card.
1966, September The Council voted to change its name to "St. Louis Council of Directors of Volunteer Services" on September 9 to allow for the inclusion of nursing home personnel.
1970, January Formal educational programs were planned for each meeting. The same year, the Council secured tax-exempt status.
1974 The bylaws were modified to include the organization’s name change to "St. Louis Council of Directors of Volunteer Services" and allowed volunteer directors who worked for organizations outside of the St. Louis city and county area to become full members.
1975 Membership count grew to 50 total members.
1977, November Council membership became open to all volunteer directors in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Ceal Andre of the United Way of Greater St. Louis and Jaclyn Meyer of Cardinal Ritter Institute were the first non-hospital directors to join the Council.
1979 The Council’s logo was created by artists from Missouri Baptist Hospital.
1980 The Program Committee was formed and included volunteer-related trainings and educational workshops at monthly meetings.
1988 The Council became informally known as the Council of Volunteer Directors (CVD).
1980s The Council experiences significant growth and accomplishments; practices established by the Council during the 1980s included:
  • The opportunity for members to meet with fellow professionals
  • Establishing a channel for communication between members
  • Establishing professional guidelines
1992 The "Volunteer Director of the Year" award was established.
1994 The "Rookie Volunteer Director of the Year" award was added to the awards programs. Awards were announced at the annual meeting each May.
1990s Cooperation among complimentary organizations became evident. Changes and accomplishments were many during this decade, including:
  • A CVD Board Member began serving as a liaison with the Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC). This liaison role is currently a responsibility of the CVD President
  • The Director of the United Way of Greater St. Louis Volunteer Center became an Ex-Officio member to the CVD Board of Directors
  • Council membership became more diverse with directors of volunteer services representing an increasingly wide range of organization types including hospitals, health and human services, animal care, cultural institutions and other charitable organizations
  • Non-traditional volunteers became more involved: families serving together, children and teens participating in service-learning, active retirees volunteering more and employed individuals serving on evenings and weekends. Groups from congregations, clubs, fraternities and sororities began volunteering more often. Full-time volunteer placements were also increasing within agencies
2000 CVDetails, a newsletter for members, was formalized.
2008 The CVD Board of Directors voted to change the name of the organization to the Metropolitan Volunteer Management Association (MVMA) to more accurately represent the scope of its membership.
2009, November 5 MVMA hosted its first formal recruitment event at the Kirkwood Train Station in honor or National Volunteer Managers’ Day. The theme was All Aboard MVMA and several new members were recruited at this event.
2009, September A new three-year strategic plan was established and put into action by the Board of Directors
2009, November An all-new website was unveiled by MVMA in partnership with The Miller Group.
Designed and hosted by The Miller Group™