MVMA upcoming events

MVMA Case Study Chat: Redesigning a Volunteer Program for Stronger Participation (9 Jun 2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

MVMA Case Study Chat: Redesigning a Volunteer Program for Stronger Participation

Note: This event is virtual only.

Volunteers can be a powerful way to grow your organization’s capacity. Volunteers can help increase awareness efforts, help you host more events, and can even provide programming with the right amount of support. However, if you recruit faster than you can engage, or if your onboarding and offboarding don’t take into consideration where volunteers lose momentum, you could end up with a large roster and a lot of uncertainty. The outcome? A growing volunteer base but participation that remains flat or even declines over time.

Join Jovany from Great Rivers Greenway, as he discusses one of his first priorities as a new Volunteer Coordinator: redesigning an Ambassador program that was growing in roster size but declining in participation. In this MVMA Case Study Chat, Jovany will discuss:

Recruitment that incorporates helpful decision points for volunteers for better self-selection
Onboarding that sets expectations and maintains momentum
An easier offboarding ramp that doubles as an opportunity to re-engage volunteers

About Case Study Chats: MVMA Case Study Chats are virtual only opportunities to learn from fellow MVMA members and special guests about specific challenges they have overcome in their roles as volunteer professionals. These chats may not follow standard workshop structures, instead aiming to provide membership with insight into the thought process behind different decisions.

This event will be recorded and available to view online for MVMA Members and paid attendees.

Coffee Hour with MVMA (23 Jun 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Coffee Hour with MVMA

Join MVMA for its bi-monthly social & networking event. Every other month MVMA will plan social gatherings for members & non-members to network and get to know each other.

Please note that individual purchases will be the responsibility of each attendee.

Navigating Change and Difficult Conversations With Volunteers (16 Jul 2026)

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:15:00 GMT

Navigating Change and Difficult Conversations with Volunteers

Let's face it: change can be hard and no one enjoys having a difficult conversation with anyone, let alone someone volunteering their time and expertise to your organization. Learn how to foster a growth mindset while navigating changes in volunteer programming. Walk away with tried-and-true strategies and lessons learned for maintaining positive relationships with your volunteer team.

About Grace Teofilo Hilker:

Grace Teofilo Hilker is the Volunteer Manager at Gateway Arch Park Foundation. She leads the National Park Friends Alliance Co-Managed Volunteer Programs affinity group, is a Certified Interpretive Guide, and writes articles about interpretation and volunteer engagement. Grace has a Master's in American Studies from Saint Louis University and a Bachelor's in History and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Grace enjoys hiking, reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Additional Details:

Complimentary lunch will be provided to those attending. To ensure we have enough food and beverage, please register for this meeting by Thursday, July 9.

Parking & Entrance:

You may park in the guest parking lot on Belt Avenue (marked with a red P on the map) right across the street from the main entrance. Street parking is also available on Belt Avenue. All parking is free. The main entrance to the Delmar Divine is off of Belt Avenue. It is marked with a blue star on the map.