Plan now to attend the Volunteer Management Conference on

Friday, November 21, 2008.

What: A one-day conference focusing on volunteer management issues in adult literacy programs. This year's theme is volunteering through the generations.

Who Should Attend: Volunteer coordinators, managers, teachers, and other staff members involved in volunteer management/support.

Where: Earle Brown Heritage Center, 6155 Earle Brown Drive, Minneapolis, 55430. Click here for a map to the conference.

How to Register: Click on the sidebar at right to register online. Contact us if you need a paper form (cgrady@theMLC.org or 651-645-2277 x208).

Cost: $50.00

Schedule:

8-8:30 Continental Breakfast and Registration
8:30 Welcome

8:45 - 10 Keynote

10:15 - 11:30 Concurrent session

11:30 - 12:45 Lunch

1 - 2:30 Concurrent session

2:45 - 3:30 Concurrent session

3:30 - 4 Wrap-up, door prizes, CEUs

Sessions

Keynote: Creating Communities of Service - Jim Scheibel

We build our communities and strengthen individuals and families through our service and volunteerism. How can we increase the number of volunteers in our program? How do we all do “public work?” Can we create a national movement of service? 

Mr. Scheibel will lead an interactive concurrent session after his keynote.

Jim Scheibel is the former mayor of St. Paul and currently teaches at Hamline University and serves as Interim Executive Director of Campus Compact. His career in public service includes time as Executive Director of nonprofits, Director of VISTA and the Senior Corps, Mayor and Councilmember in St. Paul, and community organizer. As Director of VISTA, he identified literacy as one major area volunteers could have an impact.

Using Volunteers to Help Your Students Transition to Work or College

Volunteer Issues Committee of Literacy Minnesota

This session will explore the range of ways volunteers can help learners transition to work or post-secondary education. Volunteers can be invaluable to helping your students explore careers, practice interview skills, find college/technical school information, improve their resume, and apply for financial aid.  In this interactive workshop, learn about how you can implement a “transitions” volunteer program at your site.  Participants will receive a CD of materials to help them get started.

Cross-Cultural Training Activities for Volunteers

Claudia Holt, English Learning Center

Typically, volunteers come to us with noble intentions- to give back to the community and experience other cultures- but sometimes the cultural experience can cause confusion or even conflict in the classroom. Learning about other cultures means more than just trying out new ethnic foods. We can’t transform all of our volunteers into cultural gurus overnight, but this session will present some simple activities to encourage volunteers to think outside of their normal cultural paradigm.

Preparing and Supporting Volunteers Who Work with Victims of Torture 

Jane O'Brien, Center for Victims of Torture

Adult ESL learners, as we all know, bring a variety of life experiences to the classroom. For some, this history may include being a victim of torture. What does this mean for volunteers? What do volunteers need to know about trauma's effects on living and learning? How can they support students in gaining the skills to build new lives? In this practical and interactive workshop presenters and participants will discuss these and other questions about how to best prepare and assist ESL tutors and instructors in this important work.

Risk Management: When Volunteers Do Things You Don’t Expect

Debbie Cushman, MLC

In this session, we will talk about those times when volunteers surprise you by doing things you wish they wouldn’t. While the vast majority of volunteers bring us commitment, passion  and expertise, sometimes we need to more actively manage – or even end – the volunteer’s relationship with our organization. We’ll consider cases of poor match, poor performance and misplaced enthusiasm.

Recruiting People You Need and People Who Need You

Allison Runchey, Bailey Craft, and Linda Vinz, MLC

What are some ways to attract learners to our programs?  How can we find volunteers?  Through resource sharing and discussion, this session will explore the similarities and differences between learner and volunteer outreach.  Whether it’s through the Internet, outreach fairs and special events, newspapers, or flyers, there are multiple ways to spread the word about ABE classes and how volunteers can be involved in them.  Come to hear what is working for others and share your own top strategies. 

Web 2 What? How You Can Use Web 2.0 To Enhance Your Program

Susan Wetenkamp-Brandt and Cathy Grady, MLC

Even if you’ve never heard of Web 2.0, you can start using it soon to better connect your staff and volunteers, to promote your program and volunteer opportunities, and engage your learners. Web 2.0 may be particularly appealing to Generation Y right now, but it’s quickly catching on with people of all ages. In this session, you’ll find out the philosophical underpinning and practical uses of Web 2.0, and get help figuring out how it will best work for you.

Positioning Your Volunteer Program for Success

Heather Cox, Science Museum of Minnesota

Developing a successful volunteer program that contributes to your overall organization depends on a solid internal process and interaction with key management and staff. Learn how to “vision” your ideal volunteer program and build the internal relationships you need to make sure your volunteer program supports your organizational goals and is supported by your organization.

Accidents, Illness, and No Shows, Oh My!  Dealing with Volunteer Gaps

Brad Hasskamp, MLC and Kara Schommer, Neighborhood House

How often have you faced this situation:  it's 15 minutes before class, and you realize that you are short a couple of volunteers for the evening.  If you are a volunteer coordinator, this can be a regular occurrence.  But, does this chaos have to be "just part of the job?"  This session will lay out some immediate, intermediate and longer-term strategies to help prevent or at least minimize emergency volunteer gaps.  Please bring your own ideas and experiences to help evaluate which solutions will work best for you, your volunteers and your program.

Elements of a Volunteer-Led Curriculum

MLC Training Staff

A textbook is not a curriculum and a curriculum is not a lesson plan. Come get some ideas for designing a manageable teaching system for volunteer-led courses.

Ongoing Training and Support for Volunteer Tutors

MLC Training Staff

Volunteers don’t become great teachers by just taking a class or reading a book - they need ongoing support, training, and resources. In this session, we will explore and share ways to help your volunteers go from good to great.

Models of Volunteer-led Instruction: Pros and Cons

MLC Training Staff

1-1? Group Instruction? Classroom Assistant?  What tutor roles are most beneficial to your program, your volunteers, and your students? Explore the pros and cons of various tutor roles and discuss how to find the right balance for your program.