No One Right Way: Creating New Systems for Volunteer Engagement

Workshop from the Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement (MAVA):

One characteristic of white supremacy culture is the idea that there is “one right way” to do things. There are many ways in which volunteer engagement systems reflect this characteristic; for example, the formal processes for onboarding volunteers, the requirement of an ongoing commitment for certain roles, and the limited voice volunteers may have in how services are delivered. MAVA held a series of listening sessions with BIPOC volunteers in the Twin Cities to learn more about the barriers put up by the “one right way” mentality, along with brainstorming other ways of engaging volunteers that are more inclusive and equitable. In this session we’ll discuss the key themes of what interviewed volunteers had to say and share their ideas – along with ways we’ve seen these ideas in action – for making “many different ways” a norm in volunteerism.