The Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement Presents:

2022 Virtual Conference
Dismantling Inequities in Volunteerism:

Beyond the 101

December 8 & 9, 2022 - 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM CST

Welcome to the 3^rd Annual MAVA 2022 Dismantling Inequities in Volunteerism Conference! The conference features presenters representing many regions of the United States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Oregon and Virginia.

Workshop topics are focused on the implementation of DEI practices, and attendees will experience hands on activities to build skills and apply tools within their organizations and volunteer programs immediately. Many of these topics have never been presented before and have been customized to reflect current trends and needs for Volunteer Engagement Professionals. This conference is geared towards all levels of the organization, and we recommend executive leadership, boards of directors, and funders attend the conference to learn how they can support volunteerism.

Experience 2 keynote speakers, a group learning session, an unconference, and 18 concurrent sessions designed for YOU in all areas of volunteerism to choose from. Please consider inviting your volunteers, as well! This conference is unlike any other as it propels you to create action plans to dismantle inequities within your scope of work, the field of volunteerism and your communities.

Engaging Native Communities: A Tool Kit for Volunteer Professionals & Nonprofits

Dr. Anton Treuer

Thursday, December 8, 2022, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. CST

Join celebrated author and educator, Anton Treuer, for a fresh look at nonprofit and volunteer work and the rapidly changing dynamics of tribal communities. Racial disparities persist across the economic, educational, political and social fabric of America. Native American voices have often been marginalized from critical conversations. We need new tools, strategies and perspectives to be effective in engaging with Native communities and to deliver on our shared values and missions.

Understanding Bias and Blindspots in Volunteerism

Sandra Garcia

Thursday, December 8, 2022, 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. CST

Become aware of the common barriers and challenges to volunteering with a lens toward marginalized groups. During this session we will create a common language and give participants an overview of bias and blindspots along with interactive knowledge checks to gauge understanding. This session will improve attendee awareness of unconscious bias, blindspots, microaggressions, and stereotypes by facilitating opportunities for participants to discover common examples of everyday aggressions as well as develop ways to avoid the remarks that tend to offend and create unwelcoming environments.

Together we will explore bias and how it impacts volunteer teams, their environments and work relationships. We will discover how our own values, lens, culture, and experiences affect interactions with colleagues, attitudes about work, and understanding of organizational values. 

Unconference: What Are You Doing to Dismantle Inequities in Volunteerism?

Karmit Bulman

Friday, December 9, 2022, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. CST

Please join all conference participants in an unconference where we will be exploring the question: what are you doing to dismantle inequities in volunteerism? Each participant is invited to initiate a topic for discussion about this question. You may consider topics such as: getting buy-in from leadership for dismantling inequities work; including volunteers in DEI work; or creating more inclusive spaces for those identifying as LGBTQI. Your job as a topic initiator is to go to the breakout room where your topic will be discussed, make sure the initiator form is completed with highlights of the discussion and action items and get the conversation going. 

All participants (including topic initiators) can stay in one room or visit as many rooms/discussions as you would like. After the allotted discussion time, each group will report out highlights and action items and then the group will vote to prioritize topics. After the conference, each conference attendee will receive a "Book of Proceedings" including written notes from all the discussion groups and the prioritization of the topics.

This is My Story...

Brianna Miller

Friday, December 9, 2022, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. CST

The number one, most effective way to dismantle inequities is to get personal with one another. We must share our stories to break down prejudices and stereotypes to do this work. Join Brianna Miller as she shares her life’s journey as a bi-racial woman and how this dichotomy has inspired her to build bridges across cultures. Ms. Miller will address her own personal biases growing up with nobody that looked like she did. She will describe the challenges and wins she has faced to unite our society into a collective unit focused on wellness and infinite possibilities.

View Conference Schedule

View Session Descriptions

View Speaker Biographies

Keep checking back for more details!

View the 2021 Dismantling Inequities conference page here!