Events

When: Thursday, May 8 | 12 - 2 p.m.
Where: Allen Neighborhood Center | 1611 E Kalamazoo St, Lansing, MI 48912
Cost: Free 

Enjoy a FREE lunch — dietary restrictions can be noted in the registration form, and we’ll do our best to accommodate all needs.

Register Here

Volunteers, AmeriCorps members, interns, fellows, staff—your organization likely depends on a mix of these essential roles. But how do we define them clearly, manage them sustainably, and retain them effectively?

This workshop digs into the real-world dynamics of volunteer engagement, sustainability, and retention. Led by professionals with experience across nonprofit service, community development, and arts education, the session will offer insights and tools to help you. Whether you're building a new program or refining a long-standing structure, you'll leave with ideas, tools, and relationships to support your people-powered work.

After the session, we’ll share a meal and make space to connect with fellow organizations doing similar work across the region.

Meet Your Presenters: 

Maria Paton:  As CEDAM’s AmeriCorps program coordinator, Maria supports CEDAM’s AmeriCorps members during their service in partnership with Michigan nonprofits and municipalities. Maria provides day-to-day support and assists the AmeriCorps program manager with training and data management. Additionally, she supports recruitment and selection, providing technical assistance and program administration. An AmeriCorps alum herself, Maria served communities throughout the country recovering from disasters with FEMA Corps. After completing service to Seattle Public Schools, she received her bachelor’s degree in community development from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Before working at CEDAM, Maria developed the emergency preparedness program for Disability Network Capital Area while providing on-call medical advocacy through End Violent Encounters (EVE, Inc.). Most recently, she managed the Disaster Cycle Services Program at the Mid-Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross, where she led volunteers in facilitating emergency preparedness education, free smoke alarm installations, and immediate assistance for disaster survivors.

Ethan Schmitt is the Volunteer & Communications Manager for ANC, and has been a resident of the Eastside since 2020. He understands that our important work could never happen without volunteers, and wants to make sure that their experience is a great one. He also understands the importance of keeping everyone in the loop and excited about the work with strong and accessible communication through social media, newsletters, and more. Ethan has a deep passion for helping the Eastside both as a staff member at ANC and as head of Prospect PLACE Neighborhood. In his spare time, Ethan enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring the River Trail with his partner, Cheyenne. He's also a big Trekkie if anyone wants to come by and talk to him about Star Trek!

Shari Merten: Shari’s varied professional experiences include positions in arts, history, education and community engagement. Prior to joining the Art Council’s AmeriCorps position in September 2024, Shari was the Learning and Engagement Coordinator at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, New York. There she ran a number of community programs including managing over 40 docent volunteers, as well as summer camps and workshops with local artists. In both her professional and personal life, Shari has always sought to break down barriers of access to ensure that everyone feels like they belong and have a voice in the art community, which is why Shari is super stoked to be helping art communities thrive with the Arts Council of Greater Lansing. When she is not working, you can find her exploring Lansing’s amazing natural spaces or at home snuggling with her cat.