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Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: What is MVMA all about?
A: Want to know the basics of MVMA? Please visit our About Us page to get the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY and HOW of our organization.
Q: What is the mission and vision of MVMA?
A: Please visit our Mission page to read our mission and vision.
Q: How is the organization run and who are the leaders?
A: Please visit our Leadership page to view MVMA’s organizational structure and to find out more about the Board of Directors.
Q: How much does it cost to be a MVMA member?
A: MVMA membership is $50 for all categories of membership: Active, Associate, Sustaining and Student. Each meeting offers a lunch for a fee of $15 per meeting. Members may opt to pay the $50 membership fee and pay for meeting lunches prior to each meeting or they may opt to pre-pay for the entire year for $185 ($135 for lunches and $50 for general membership). Non-members may attend a meeting as a guest for $15 one time before making their decision to join. For more information about MVMA membership, please visit the Membership section of our website or click here to download a membership application.
Q: What happens at monthly meetings?
A: Monthly meetings primarily consist of two parts: networking and education. Meetings offer members the opportunity to meet and talk with other individuals from the field of volunteer management and share a great lunch – a different caterer is selected each month. Each meeting also consists of an educational session with a speaker, small group session or panel where members have the opportunity to learn more about a specific topic in the field of volunteer management. Topic examples include how to reward volunteers, how to plan special events, how to budget for a volunteer program, dealing with difficult volunteers and risk management. Meeting locations vary so that members have the opportunity to check into different event and meeting spaces in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
Q: How are members of the Board of Directors selected?
A: Board member terms are two year terms. Board members must be nominated by members of MVMA and must be active members of MVMA in order to hold office. Voting takes place each Spring for a portion of the Board positions in order to ensure that only half of the Board is newly elected each year. Only active members may vote. For a description of Board members and a listing of current Board members, please visit our Leadership page.
Q: Is there a discount for students/interns/volunteers?
A: MVMA dues and meeting fees have been set to ensure that MVMA can provide quality programming each month for our members. Dues and meeting fees have been set to be as cost-effective as possible for all members, and we are unable to provide discounts. Students and interns can join CVD, but are not full voting members. Volunteers may join as a full member if they have an active role in the volunteer management of their organization.
Q: Can I come to the meeting and not pay if I don’t eat lunch?
A: Providing quality programming each month for our members is important to MVMA. Your meeting fee of $15 per meeting covers not only the cost of food, but the cost of the programming that you are learning from, room rental fees, premiums and other items crucial to providing you with a great meeting. Therefore, all people joining us for the meeting must pay the full price.
Q: If I am prepaid, do I have to RSVP?
A: In order to ensure that we have enough handouts and food for all in attendance, all those who plan to attend the meeting must RSVP by the date indicated in the meeting notices.
Q: If I prepay and RSVP, do I have to cancel a reservation if I am unable to attend?
A: Yes, canceling a reservation, whether prepaid or not, is required. Canceling as a prepaid member is a courtesy and good communication with those who are planning and implementing our MVMA monthly meetings.
Q: Can I pay by credit card at the meeting?
A: Unfortunately, at this time MVMA does not have the capability to take credit card payments. The membership will be informed if credit cards become an option. Until then, MVMA accepts Cash or Checks, and we can provide you with a receipt.
Q: Why does it cost extra if I RSVP and cannot attend?
A: The additional fees are in place to discourage members from RSVPing and not attending. MVMA incurs additional costs for those who do not show up for the meeting. In addition to paying regular meeting costs, MVMA spends time and postage trying to recoup debts. The additional $5 charge will be waived for no-shows, those who change their RSVP after the deadline (including prepaids) and those who do not bring payment to the meeting, if the $15 meeting fee is paid/postmarked within 2 weeks of the missed meeting.
Q: Why does it cost extra if I RSVP late?
A: The additional $5 fee charged to walk-ins and those who register after the deadline is in place to discourage members from waiting until the last minute to RSVP. Depending on the program, a variety of individuals must be informed to accommodate changes in the number of members attending the program, and catering often adds an extra charge for late additions to the order.
Q: May I bring a guest to a monthly meeting?
A: Guests may attend once as a non-member, and the same registration process and cost applies to guests.
Q: Can someone else from my agency attend the meeting if I don’t attend?
A: Others from your agency may not attend in your place, but may attend (one time) with a member as her/his guest. MVMA is a professional organization and membership is in the individual's name whether paid for by the agency or individual. Members have voting rights and the privilege of serving of committees and the board.
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