Current MAVA Networks
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MAVA AFFILIATED NETWORK: MAVA seeks to form formal alliances with all geographic and sector networks or groups of leaders of volunteers. The geographic networks give leaders of volunteers the opportunity to meet in their local area to share ideas, learn from each other and hold programs. Sector networks give leaders of volunteers working in the same field a chance to share information. Through affiliating with MAVA they connect on a statewide level to be a statewide voice for volunteerism.
How does a network of leaders of volunteers affiliate with MAVA?
MAVA welcomes groups of leaders of volunteers to affiliate with MAVA. If your group of leaders of volunteers is interested in affiliating with MAVA, please contact the MAVA office. MAVA will discuss with you the benefits of affiliating with MAVA, and show you a sample letter of affiliation.
Would you like to start a network of leaders of volunteers in your area?
MAVA has a tool kit available for purchase that provides valuable information on starting a network of leaders of volunteers. You may also contact the MAVA office to be connected up with someone who can give you additional advice on starting a network of leaders of volunteers
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MAVA PARTNERSHIP: A MAVA Partnership is a formal agreement between MAVA and an existing organization that strengthens cross-disciplinary respect and sharing and assures professional leadership development. Members of the partnership come together for the purpose of working on a specific project or goal. It does not include MAVA membership although often members of the collaborating organization are also members of MAVA.
MAVA’s formal partners for the Volunteer Resources Leadership initiative are:
Girl Scouts - Land of Lakes Council
Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
ServeMinnesota
Volunteer Centers of Minnesota
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MAVA COLLABORATION: A MAVA Collaboration is an informal flexible relationship that fosters working together around shared values and goals. A Collaboration recognizes the benefits of keeping lines of communication open and the advantage of sharing resources. Annually MAVA works in collaboration with over 20 organizations or groups annually and highly values how much can be accomplished through working together. We are seeking collaborations to host training on volunteer management across Minnesota. For example, MAVA hosts the best practices training series in collaborations with United Ways, Volunteer Centers and other local resources. We are also eager to join in venture or collaborations around advancing volunteerism in Minnesota.
How do I collaborate with MAVA?
MAVA recognizes that by working together so much more can be done to advance the leadership of volunteers in Minnesota. We are seeking collaborations to host training on volunteer management across Minnesota. We are also eager to join in venture or collaborations around advancing volunteerism in Minnesota. If you have ideas for projects or ways to collaborate with MAVA, contact the MAVA office.
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Screening your Volunteers
The McDowell Agency, Inc. has set the standard for volunteer background checks throughout Minnesota. Their screening program was developed to assist schools, youth sports organizations, churches, and volunteer driven organizations to screen out predators and criminals from having direct contact with children and other vulnerable populations. The MAVA recommended program pairs a comprehensive personal consultation to determine the best program for your needs and budget and a comprehensive Criminal Background Check Search to provide your organization with quick, accurate, and complete results (an average of less than 2 business days in 2007).
This MAVA recommended program includes the following searches:
- Social Security Address Trace
- Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Search
- County Criminal Record Search
- National Sex Offender Registry Search
- USA Criminal Index Search
The McDowell Agency, Inc. has over 25 years of experience in conducting criminal background checks. We are a licensed private investigation firm that specializes in criminal background checks in the non-profit sector. Our knowledge and experience was instrumental in developing a much needed and affordable program for MAVA member organizations. The McDowell Agency, Inc. has been recognized as pioneers and experts in the Volunteer Screening Industry. This past year alone, The McDowell Agency, Inc. has performed a number of presentations and educational seminars for numerous educational and volunteer conferences. In addition to our partnership with MAVA, The McDowell Agency, Inc. is proud to be endorsed by and partners with the following organizations as the premier provider of background check services for their members:
- Minnesota Association of School Administrators
- Minnesota Association of Charter Schools
Child abuse, domestic assault, and other forms of abuse occur every day and, unfortunately, volunteer organizations are not immune. This is a complex issue which requires every organization that works with vulnerable populations to become proactive. An alarming number of volunteers have a history of involvement in incidents of violence and/or sexual misconduct which can lead to crimes perpetrated against innocent victims.
The McDowell Agency strongly believes that it is not merely information we handle, but peoples’ lives and futures. We are committed to accuracy. We require a trained expert to interpret all results; reports are never forwarded to a client until a licensed account representative has reviewed it. Your account representative will be a licensed private investigator with training in how to interpret the results.
A Successful Partnership
At The McDowell Agency, Inc. we are very excited about our continuing partnership with MAVA. We have partnered with MAVA for nearly two years, and we currently work with 25 MAVA members.
Our corporate philosophy is to provide our clients with the ultimate client experience. We achieve this by providing our clients with top of the line customer service (no automated responses or answering machines: we actually answer our phone), fast turnaround time (in 2007 our average turnaround time was 42 hours) and the most competitive pricing in the industry. With a client retention rate of over 99%, we have proven success in providing that experience to every one of our clients.
Schedule a Free Consultation of your Background Check Program Today
To request a copy of MAVA’s reference check on The McDowell Agency, Inc., contact Mary Capuzzi at (651) 266-4015.
To take advantage of this great benefit, or to request additional information from The McDowell Agency, Inc., please contact:
Tim Landsberger
Director, Sales and Marketing
The McDowell Agency, Inc.
Toll Free: (877) 644-3880
Office: (651) 644-3880
Cell: (651) 248-3182
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