Today we have a super fun episode! We’re going to be talking about how people from different generations view volunteerism, zoning in on Gen Z. Suzetta Cannon volunteered at her first three-day, 50 mile walk two weeks before she was born. That's because her mom, Teri Cannon, has been planning nonprofit fundraising events for three decades and Suzetta was born into volunteering.
Teri Cannon has a wealth of experience with volunteers as she currently works as the Senior Major Gifts Officer for Children’s Hospital, she was previously the Executive Director for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and before that a VP with the National MS Society. Both women talk about how they see volunteerism differently, and the same.

Today we have Karen Casanova, the Chief Development Officer of the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ), with us.

NAZ exists to permanently close the achievement gap and end generational poverty in North Minneapolis. What have been the recent effects of the pandemic, distance learning, racial reckoning, on scholars and their families.

How can the community continue to support?

Today we have Carolyn Deters, the Executive Director for Gifts for Seniors with us.

Carolyn is fiercely passionate about alleviating social isolation and leads Gifts for Seniors, a local nonprofit striving to improve the wellbeing of older adults in our community. Through her consulting practice, Indelible Aging, she advocates for innovative, inclusive, social aging options that honor choices, preserve dignity, and prioritize human connection.

Today we have Deb Moses, the Former Executive Director of House of Charity/St. Stephens joining us.
The merger of St. Stephen’s Human Services and House of Charity represents an opportunity to integrate services more fully in support of people experiencing homelessness, hunger, mental health issues, and substance use disorders. The merger aligns with the core missions of both organizations and will create a comprehensive continuum of care for those we serve, as well as a stronger voice as we advocate for equity and social justice issues at the local, state, and national level.

Today we have Jonathan Palmer joining us. Jonathan is the Executive Director of the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, a 92-year old African American nonprofit social service agency in Saint Paul, MN. Tune in to hear Jonathan talk about the extended need for food, Hallie Q’s response to that growing need, and how they maintained customization of food items to meet dietary/cultural preferences and needs in the community.

Today we have Mary Hammes joining us. Mary is the Environmental Stewardship & Volunteer Manager at Mississippi Park Connection. The environment impacts everything around us. Mississippi Park Connection provides opportunities for people to get to and on the river—and have a national park experience in the Twin Cities. How does the health of our environment impact the health of our extended community? Mississippi Park Connection strengthens the enduring connection between people and the Mississippi River by enriching the life of the river and the lives of all who experience our national park, the Mississippi National River, and Recreation Area. In partnership with the National Park Service, Mississippi Park Connection will ignite discovery and a lifelong relationship with the Mississippi River. Through youth education, environmental stewardship, and community engagement, we will mobilize residents and visitors, and serve as a model for operating a national park in an urban area where people are part of the landscape.

Tune into this episode for practical tips for engaging children in volunteerism and ways to practice empathy-building, which are also helpful for nonprofits. Family volunteerism is so impactful, and Sarah Aadland has joined us today to tell us why.

Sarah Aadland, MPP is striving to make family volunteering a meaningful habit for her three animal-loving, social-justice-seeking, mud-pie-making kiddos. As Director of Doing Good Together's Big-Hearted Families™ Program, she creates resources for families that want to develop a kindness practice at home. For her own family and for participants in the Big-Hearted Families Membership Circle, Sarah has watched family volunteering create empowered kids, more connected families, and stronger communities.

There is nobody better to help us crack the limits of volunteerism wide open than today’s guest, Tomme Beevas. Tomme is the founder and Chief Strategic Officer of Pimento Jamaican Kitchen. He leads the company’s growth strategy to become the top provider of authentic Jamaican food experiences. Tomme also leads Pimento Relief Services and the Pimento Foundation. He has literally done it all, from working at Points of Light, directing Community Involvement at Cargill, becoming an entrepreneur and starting a nonprofit.

It is important for each of us to reflect on the preconceptions and biases that we may have about the community before engaging – because when we possess a sense of our own strengths, weaknesses, and values, it will lead to more intentional and beneficial engagement.

We are going to be doing a LOT of unpacking of these concepts today with an incredible human and friend, Seena Hodges AKA, The Woke Coach. Seena is a connector who loves people and is passionate about equity, intersectional feminism and access to brave spaces for all. Seena founded The Woke Coach™ as she witnessed the nation’s awakening to racial injustices. She saw an opportunity to help shepherd people through their transformational journeys. She has dedicated herself to helping clients move from Ally to Accomplice.

Today we have Heather Whelpley joining us. Heather is a speaker, coach, and author of the book An Overachiever’s Guide To Breaking The Rules: How To Let Go Of Perfect and Live Your Truth. Heather has learned to let go of the inner critic telling her that she always needed to do more and be more – and reconnect to her TRUE inner voice that knows she is worthy for who she is, not what she does. Seeing her own challenges in so many women led her to facilitate webinars and workshops on imposter syndrome, overcoming perfectionism, and creating your own rules for success with thousands of people across the United States as well as launch Beyond Perfect, her small group coaching program for women to let go of proving, pleasing and perfecting.