Volunteerism in Immigrant Communities:
Minnesota has experienced dramatic changes in population
diversity over the last 25 years with one of the highest rates in growth
in
diversity in the country. Literature review indicates there are few
resources or research on volunteerism in immigrant and refugee
communities. MAVA has contracted with Mai Moua of Leadership Paradigms
to
do original research on volunteerism in immigrant and refugee
communities as it
relates to building organizational capacity that fuels community
development.
The research addresses:
How can mainstream organizations recruit and retain
volunteers (staff and board directors) from immigrant and refugee
communities; How can organizations in immigrant and refugee
communities
recruit and train volunteers (staff and board directors) within their
own
communities; What types of support should mainstream
organizations
provide to help immigrant and refugee agencies in their recruitment of
volunteers? What issues/challenges do communities face in
volunteer
management and leadership on a cross cultural level? What
systemic issues (organizational, leadership, etc.) are
barriers to the full engagement of volunteerism from immigrant and
refugee
communities? Advisory Committee for the project
Consultant: Mai Moua, Leadership Paradigms Tina
Gonzales, MAP for Nonprofits Heather Cox, Science Museum of MN Rodolfo
Gutierrez/ Andreya Skarie, HACER (Hispanic Advocacy
and Community Empowerment through Research) Pat Kiano, Hmong
American Partnership Celina Martina, Girl Scouts of Minnesota
Wisconsin River
Valley
Sue Moyer, Manager, Greater Twin Cities United Way Funded
by:
F.R. Bigelow Foundation
Initiative Foundation
Morgan Family Foundation
Otto Bremer Foundation
Saint Paul Foundation
Travelers Foundation
The Center for Urban and Regional Affairs
Click on the videos below to view excerpts from our March 25, 2010, panelists.