How to promote equity in volunteering

When the individuals listen and learn to better understand the root causes of the problems they care about, the communities and personal experiences of those affected by the problem, and the work already being done, they can find better solutions and honor humanity in the process. Working on and building these skills may seem like a superpower, but how can organizations engage in such a process? We reached out to You scolded BulmanEsq., Executive Director of the Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration (MAVA), to learn more about the important work they do as a listening and learning organization in the area of ​​building more equity in volunteering and services.

What made your organization interested in focusing on listening and learning from the communities you serve?

The Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration (MAVA) claims that structural racism is pervasive in the processes and systems through which most organizations engage volunteers. Most volunteer-engaging entities have little understanding of why their volunteers do not reflect the racial diversity of the communities they serve, and have not dedicated resources to addressing this problem. Many neighborhoods supported by nonprofits are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC), but volunteers are often predominantly white. This creates a host of problems.

First, those receiving support do not have a voice within the organization in terms of how support is offered. Second, support is provided by people who do not appear to be members of the community or have the lived experience of being BIPOC. This is a disservice to the community as the interactions are mostly transactional and do not foster relationships and understanding.

Volunteering in BIPOC communities is more relationship-based, flexible and driven by pressing community needs. It is clear to MAVA that we have work to do.

Tell us more about the communities you partner with and some of the challenges you face.

Minnesota has some of the worst racial disparities in social service and volunteerism nationally. We are failing our fastest growing population of residents with a direct impact on outcomes for all residents. The organizations most in need of MAVA’s services now are those whose volunteers are providing essential services to those affected by COVID-19 and racial injustice. Volunteers play an essential role in providing services and support to Minnesota communities.

MAVA members and organizations in the United States have sought support from MAVA to address both behavioral and systematic racism in voluntary systems. To meet the ever-increasing demand for services, it is essential that these organizations remove barriers to equitable volunteering and that BIPOC communities are incorporated into the non-profit structure in addition to the informal volunteer work that many BIPOC already do.

How is MAVA tackling equality in volunteering so far?

MAVA approached racial disparities in volunteering in a number of ways. We formed working groups, did research and wrote reports and articles. We also host many Do Better Together workshops, conferences and events to raise awareness of structural racism in volunteering and help organizations to eliminate racial inequalities.

At this stage of our work, we are engaged in what may be the most important activity of all: listening. MAVA’s work around asset-building opportunities for marginalized communities through volunteering has so far been led by our committed and diverse working group; we recognize that we now need to seek a wider range of community voices to assess existing systems and MAVA’s current approach to change.

How does listening and learning support these efforts?

Listening to those with lived experience from BIPOC communities is essential. By listening, we will be able to base our future work on a key tenant of promoting justice: first and foremost, engaging people from the communities most affected by the issue. We have done this through our task force and through individual interviews, but we recognize that we need to convene evaluative community focus groups to gain a better understanding of multiple perspectives.

MAVA has never had more people responding to our work on racial equality and asking for more research and education. This work is critical to creating a culture of equity in regional nonprofits. Volunteers need to reflect the communities they serve, and that cannot happen unless systemic racism is actively and intentionally eliminated in the organizations that serve our communities. MAVA has always known that a hearing is the first necessary step before taking action.

In 2020, MAVA put out a call for community members to participate in the listening session using thoughtful language. Find out more for MAVA’s listening sessions and for a list of their upcoming webinars and events, including sessions that focus on racial equity in volunteering, visit MAVA website.