The 39th Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference
Where and When
Camp Chamberlain, Maine National Guard Joint Force Headquarters. Address: 23 Blue Star Ave, Augusta, ME 04330
Take exit 112 off Interstate 95. Link to Google map
August 6, 2025 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
About the Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference
Since 1986, organizers of Maine community volunteer efforts have gathered to learn, network, and share thought-provoking discussions with regional and national leaders in the volunteer sector.
The Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference (MVLC) is Maine’s only statewide educational event focused on engaging citizens in volunteer service. The conference is organized by Volunteer Maine as part of its professional development for leaders of community volunteer programs.
Volunteerism: Embracing Civic Engagement & Stewardship
Volunteerism: the act or practice of doing volunteer work in service to a community
Civic Engagement: the ways citizens participate in their communities to improve conditions and shape the future
Stewardship: the responsible management of something entrusted to one's care
Volunteer Maine and our sponsors have worked hard to keep the conference registration fee at $120 per person.
Scholarships are available -- contact service.commission@maine.gov if the cost is an impediment to attendance.
- Sponsorship Opportunities
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Frequently asked questions
How many people attend the conference? Between 150 - 200 leaders of community volunteers..
Is this only open to volunteer managers? No, anyone who works with volunteers or wants to work with volunteers is encouraged to attend.
Options to support
Option 3: $2,500
- Logo on Volunteer Maine website event page
- Logo on promotional materials
- Thank you post on Volunteer Maine social media (2)
- Logo on sponsorship board Logo on conference hand outs (day of)
- Logo on event signage
- Your company’s promotional materials in conference hand out materials
Option 2: $1,000
- Logo on Volunteer Maine website event page
- Logo on promotional materials
- Thank you post on Volunteer Maine social media (2)
- Logo on sponsorship board
- Logo on conference hand outs (day of)
Option 1: $500
- Logo on Volunteer Maine website event page
- Logo on promotional materials
- Thank you on Volunteer Maine social media (1)
- Logo on sponsorship board
Ready to contribute? Have questions?
Contact Michael Ashmore at Volunteer Maine by phone 207.624.7792, or by email michael.ashmore@maine.gov.
- Conference Agenda
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View and download agenda below
- Speakers
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Keynote Speaker: Angela Stone, Founder & Executive Director of Maine Needs
Maine Needs is a community fueled donation center based out of Portland and serving all 16 Counties. Angela began with an interior design career in Chicago. However, while moving back to Maine in 2018, she pivoted from interior design to supporting other families after witnessing those seeking asylum being separated at the border. From this pivot, Maine Needs was born in 2019 as a Facebook group to help local asylum-seeking families and quickly grew from there. Maine Needs partners with over 125 Organizations and welcomes in over 3000 volunteers a year to meet the basic material needs of over 36,000 people. This still includes immigrant families, but also local Maine families, unhoused neighbors, and people leaving incarceration and domestic violence. Angela lives with her husband, 3 kids and dog in Cumberland, Maine.
Keynote Speaker: Jeannette Andre, President & CEO of Maine Philanthropy Center
Jeannette brings a deep commitment to equity to her work,, centering humanity, cultivating authentic relationships, and advocating for a sector that leads with love. She is particularly passionate about advancing equity in philanthropy, reshaping how power flows in the sector, and building infrastructure that supports historically excluded communities. She has deepened MPC’s commitment to authentic community engagement, helping philanthropy listen more closely, and respond more meaningfully to the needs of Maine’s communities. Jeannette also serves on the boards of CEI, Inc., the MANP, Maine Initiatives, and Point32Health Foundation and on the steering committee for the Maine Economic Development Strategy and the Asian American Community Center. When she's not at MPC, you can find her taking on a house project that is too big, admiring the magic of her garden, or adventuring with her wild, thoughtful, and funny family.
Closing Plenary: Nicholas F. Jacobs, Director, Colby Public Policy Lab & Goldfarb Center Faculty Associate Director, Associate Professor of Government, Colby College
Nicholas is an expert on American politics and policymaking. In 2024 he led the Goldfarb Center’s involvement in developing Strengthening Maine’s Civic Life: Trust, Belonging, and the Future, a report on state of civic health in Maine. He has published dozens of scholarly articles and book chapters on topics including the American presidency, school segregation, and economic inequality. His latest book, Subverting the Republic, with Sidney Milkis, was published this spring.
- Conference Planning Committee
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Volunteer Managers interested in participating the Conference Planning Committee should contact Michae.Ashmore@maine.gov
Michael Ashmore – VM Staff; Diane Lebson – Commission member; Cory Long – Public member; Jennifer Crittenden – Public member; Tilan Copson – VM Staff; Lucy Martin – VM Staff; Tom Meuser – co-chair – Commission member; Lisa Morin – Public member; Kelsey Preecs – – Commission member; Pamela Proulx-Curry – Commission member; Julia Van Steenberghe – co-chair – Commission member