2024 VIRTUAL Literacy Volunteer Management Conference

The Volunteer Management Conference (VMC) is a one-day professional development opportunity that brings together Adult Basic Education staff who work with volunteers: coordinators, teachers and managers alike. This year, the conference will be virtual, on Zoom.

• Event Location: Virtual, via Zoom
• Cost: Free for participants in Minnesota; $20 for participants outside of Minnesota. Registration is not refundable, but recordings and materials will be available to registrants after the conference.
• The deadline to register is December 12, 2024.

Get Ready To:

• Learn new strategies and ideas through a keynote presentation and nine concurrent session offerings.
• Get practical resources you can use right away.
• Be inspired by this year's award winners for Excellence in Volunteer Engagement.
• Network and share your professional wisdom with colleagues.
• Earn CEUs.

Questions? Contact Sophie at sphan@literacymn.org or 651-251-9063.

Literacy Minnesota is committed to providing access for people with disabilities at our trainings and events. To request accommodations, please contact Kelly at krynda@literacymn.org or 651-251-9074 at least two weeks in advance.

Conference Schedule:

8:30-9 a.m. | Kickoff and awards ceremony

9:15-10:15 a.m. | Keynote presentation: 

Now What? Emerging Strategies for Leading Volunteers in a Post-Pandemic World
Polly Roach, MAVA
In this session, we’ll explore findings from MAVA’s field-based research report, "Post-Pandemic Volunteerism: Trends and Strategies for Volunteer Engagement in 2023 and Beyond". MAVA’s surveys of volunteer engagement leaders in 2021-2022 delineated differences between organizations that were struggling or succeeding with volunteer engagement, and  uncovered eight emerging trends shaping volunteerism. We’ll also discuss four strategic recommendations for taking charge of changing conditions to meet this moment.

You’ll gain a better understanding of what drives volunteers today, explore how emerging trends can guide development of new tactics, and leave with actionable strategies to lead innovation in volunteerism at your organization.

10:30-11:30 a.m. | Concurrent sessions

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Lunch break

12:30-1:30 p.m. | Concurrent sessions

1:45-2:45 p.m. | Concurrent sessions

Concurrent session topics confirmed (subject to change):

Journey of an Osseo Area Schools Volunteer
Nancy Johnson
Participants will walk through the journey of a volunteer in the Osseo Area Schools ABE volunteer program. Questions will be answered such as, how are volunteer needs determined? How are volunteers recruited? How are volunteers vetted and placed into the best fit? What keeps our volunteers coming back? How are teachers and volunteers supported? And many more!

Learning Coaches: Enhanced Volunteer Roles that Build Learner Independence
Jessica Jones, Andy Francis
Long-time instructors will share their formula for engaging volunteers as classroom facilitators who work directly with classroom instructors to guide students through the learning process. We will discuss the benefits of this model, the required resources and structures, and how to begin implementation.

What is New (and not-so-new) in Volunteer Training
Rob Podlasek
Come get an overview of what’s happening in volunteer training. We'll review the Minnesota ABE training standards and the Literacy Minnesota training resources designed to help volunteers meet those standards. You'll get a chance to ask questions and to provide feedback for future developments. While anyone is welcome, this session is geared towards Minnesota programs. 

First Steps: Onboarding and Risk Management
Matthew Miller
Wait a minute! Before you post that volunteer position, here are some steps to take to make a strong volunteer match. This session will focus on determining the right volunteers for your program. We’ll look at how to align volunteers' interests and your program's volunteer needs  We will also look at how to create a risk management system that will strengthen your program.

Panel Discussion: Volunteer Insights on Their Impact and Contributions
Meghan Boyle
Join us for a candid and enlightening panel discussion featuring a group of volunteers serving in a variety of contexts who will share their personal experiences, highlight their favorite volunteer tasks, and offer valuable feedback on what they wish volunteer coordinators knew. This session will provide a unique opportunity to hear directly from volunteers about the motivations that drive them, the tasks they find most rewarding, and the challenges they face. Whether you're a new coordinator or a seasoned leader, you’ll gain fresh insights into how to better engage, support, and retain volunteers.

Tracking Volunteers in SiD
Jenny Schlukebier, Mary Zimmerli
Learn the basics of creating volunteer records in SiD and tracking volunteer attendance and other information and how to run reports about your volunteer's activities.

Improving Accessibility and Creating Community With Volunteer ESOL Teachers
Rachel Fuchs, Intercambio
Volunteers play a vital role, not just as teachers expanding access to education for English learners in the classroom, but also as community ambassadors fostering connections and creating welcoming environments for English learners. In this workshop, we’ll share insights from our experience running a successful volunteer-led ESOL program and explore best practices for launching or enhancing existing programs that integrate volunteer ESOL teachers. Join us to learn how to support volunteers to make a lasting impact both inside and outside the classroom.

Technology isn't a 4-Letter Word: Supporting Volunteers So They Can Support Learners with Digital Skills
Elizabeth Bennett
We could all use some support managing the digital demands of everyday life! This is particularly true for learners using distance learning platforms and taking online or HyFlex classes. Volunteers could help in these areas, but they often feel anxious about technology or believe that they aren't qualified to help teach digital skills. In this session, we'll push back on some common misconceptions about digital literacy and explore approaches and resources for building digital resilience.

Culturally Responsive Practices for Diverse Adult Learners
Jimmie Heags
This session will explore how cultural identities and experiences impact student-instructor interactions and shape the way we make meaning of the world. Interactions are usually improved when direct instruction is adapted to a learner’s cultural needs and preferences. Participants will explore cultural perspectives and the need for cultural humility related to enhancing the outcomes of adult learners and educators' professional development.