Name: Robby Miller
Position: Volunteer Coordinator
Organization: Hennepin Theatre Trust
MAVA Member Since: 2019
Please describe your volunteer program:
In a nutshell? We’re a team of around 200+ active volunteers that aid us during in-theatre engagements at the historical Orpheum, State, and Pantages Theatres in downtown Minneapolis. This can be anything from providing directional assistance, to running coat check, to aiding bathroom lines as I name a few of the roles – but really, it’s about making sure that the patron experience is smooth and rewarding for all who come. In addition to this, we also have a robust education department that our volunteers will help out with (the biggest ask being our two-night Spotlight Showcase in which hundreds of high school students from all over the state perform at the State Theatre) – obviously, the coordination day-off, and rehearsals the week prior could not happen without the help of several volunteers.
Our volunteers will also aid us in events that happen at our local event center, as well as to the Hennepin Theatre District at large. Whether it be a community resource fair where we are feeding low-income and at-risk populations or giving tours of the event center, our volunteers do everything and we appreciate all the help in making our organization such a strong community asset.
What is your role?
I am responsible for all strategic oversight and management of the volunteer program. This includes scheduling, data management/organization, recruiting and screening, training and all forms of engagement. I also spearhead the communications with the volunteers and generally act as the main liaison.
How did you get involved in Volunteer Management?
Truthfully, it was something that I never envisioned as part of my career path. I did a lot of volunteering within the theatre world prior, but was volunteering for other organizations consistently too. I got my first crack at volunteer management as a sophomore in college when I interned with the Minnesota Fringe. They were going through a pretty heavy redesign of volunteer roles and I was given a lot of responsibility to figure out what that meant – in addition to redesigning the volunteer appreciation event. It was really cool to see the collaborative action that happens when everyone works together for a common goal/purpose – and especially as a theatre person, everything just clicked.
What does it mean to you to be a MAVA member?
For me, being a MAVA member means that I can gain all the skills I need to be the best advocates for my volunteers and myself. The more work that I engage in with MAVA, the better the work that can be done for my volunteers.
Can you recall a time when being a MAVA member directly impacted your work in your organization? What were the outcomes of MAVA’s impact?
I think the minute I joined MAVA, Hennepin Theatre Trust started to realize the impact and importance of professional development within this role. Working with the Professional Development committee, as well as getting the opportunity to network with other coordinators through MAVA events has let me troubleshoot and tackle issues that the organization has continually struggled with for years.
Do you have any advice for new MAVA members/leaders of volunteers?
Always place trust in your volunteers. Volunteers are some of the best advocates for your organization – and if you treat them with that respect, the work that they do will be that much better. Changing the way you frame your thoughts around volunteers might allow for you to think of more creative ways for your volunteers to volunteer. All volunteers want to do good work – it’s you that allows them to do that good work.