Volunteer Managers of Central Iowa

09/28/2026

Gain actionable volunteer management strategies, network with peers, and earn CEUs. Walk away with stronger, more sustainable volunteer strategies to your organization! Learn more and register:

Embracing the Future of Volunteer Engagement — Building for Resilience and Sustainability

08/11/2026

Fall Kickoff is This Thursday!

Join VMCI at the DSM Biergartens for our annual Fall Kickoff—a relaxed, come-as-you-are afternoon to reconnect with fellow volunteer managers, catch up after a busy summer, and get energized for everything the fall season has in store for our community.

This year is all about sharing wins, swapping challenges, and building a stronger support network in a casual outdoor setting.

When & Where:
August 13, 2026
3:30 – 5:30 PM
Des Moines Water Works Park 2251 George Flagg Pkwy

Register here!

05/12/2026

Join VMCI on Wednesday, June 10th as we celebrate a great year of connection and learning!

We will meet at Des Moines Parks and Recreation at 1551 East MLK Jr Parkway in Des Moines.

For those able to attend, Des Moines Parks and Recreation is offering a tour of the city's greenhouse facility at 2 pm. Located just a block away from the meeting location, the greenhouse is one of Des Moines Parks and Recreation's most significant volunteer engagement hubs. This tour offers a unique opportunity to learn about the city's growing operation, now housed in a newly constructed, solar-powered space.

At 3 pm we will meet back at the Parks and Recreation office for our annual meeting and election of officers.

We look forward to celebrating with you next month!

03/27/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the VMCI Mini Conference! Your energy, curiosity, and commitment to strengthening volunteer engagement made the day truly special.

A special shout‑out to our keynote speaker, Kayla Paulsen, for leading an engaging and insightful workshop on volunteer personas. Your expertise sparked meaningful conversations and fresh ideas we can all take back to our organizations.

Deep appreciation to our planning committee for putting together an amazing event, and to our additional speakers- Michelle Raymer, Benjamin Cohen, and Kamryn Ryan- for generously sharing your knowledge and passion with all of us.

And finally, thank you to Iowa HHS for hosting us in such a warm and welcoming facility. We’re grateful for the support and hospitality.

Looking forward to continuing this momentum together!

02/18/2026

We hope you will join us on Friday, March 26 for the 2026 Mini Conference!

This half-day event will be held at the Lucas State Office Building in Des Moines from 12:30-4:00, with doors opening at 12:00. The afternoon agenda is packed with valuable tools for volunteer engagement, including a Keynote Workshop with Kayla Paulson, CVA, and breakout sessions aimed toward both beginner and more experienced volunteer management professionals.

Registration is required, entry is free for VMCI members and ranges from $15-70 for non-members. Sign up today:

An energizing afternoon of strategy, creativity, and connection for volunteer engagement professionals across Central Iowa.

02/13/2026

Thank you to our panelists from Holmes Murphy, KKR, Workiva, Wells Fargo, Corteva Agriscience, and ITA Group for sharing your time and thoughtful insights on community engagement and employee volunteer initiatives during our February meeting.

A big thank you to our VMCI members for joining the conversation and to the Greater Des Moines Partnership for hosting us. Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected community!

02/09/2026

Join us this Thursday, February 12 from 2-3:30 pm at the Greater Des Moines Partnership. We'll be hearing from representatives from Holmes Murphy, KKR, Workiva, Wells Fargo, Corteva, and ITA Group as they share how their organizations are giving back and fostering team involvement through volunteerism and community initiatives. You won't want to miss this conversation!

01/29/2026

Join VMCI for an inspiring half-day mini-conference!

📅 Friday, March 27 | 12:30–4:00 PM
📍 Lucas State Office Building, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines

This event is designed to equip volunteer managers with fresh tools and strategies for engagement. Whether you’re new to volunteer management or a seasoned leader, there’s something for everyone:

• Keynote workshop with nationally recognized speaker Kayla Paulson
• Breakout sessions tailored to beginner and advanced volunteer managers
• A fun "Blind Date with a Volunteer" pitch session
• Networking with peers from across the region

About the Keynote: Kayla Paulson will share innovative approaches to persona-based recruitment, peer influence models, and creative partnerships in her session, “Finding the Right People.”

Registration is required but free for VMCI members.
Register here:

An energizing afternoon of strategy, creativity, and connection for volunteer engagement professionals across Central Iowa.

12/11/2025

Due to the weather, we will be postponing tonight's social at Putts & Pins to a later date. Keep an eye on your inbox and the VMCI website for the rescheduled date soon. In the meantime, stay safe out there!