The St. Paul VISTA Program gathers VISTA members for professional development trainings twice each month throughout the year, in order to build the capacity of our members to succeed at their service sites.

To view our 2012-2013 VISTA Training Schedule, please click here. 

During your year of service, you may find the following forms useful and relevant to your year of service.

Looking for more information on how to make your year more meaningful?  Here are a few resources to enhance your service experience:

National Service 

AmeriCorps 

VISTA Campus 

• The Minnesota Council of Non-Profits (MCN). “MCN works to inform, promote, connect and strengthen individual nonprofits and the nonprofit sector.”  Visit the MCN website for various networking lunch opportunities that occur monthly. You can also sign up for topic specific newsletters to stay up to date on news from the Minnesota non-profit world. 
• Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration (MAVA). “MAVA is the largest professional membership association for leaders of volunteers in the state of Minnesota. It is an alliance of individuals and networks dedicated to providing support and resources to those who lead volunteers. MAVA firmly believes that volunteers are a critical resource for improving lives and communities. MAVA strives to enhance communities across Minnesota by supporting those who lead volunteers.”  
• Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN-TC). “YNPN-TC supports, educates and connects young leaders in the nonprofit sector by leveraging resources, providing access to professional development, and building a peer network.”  They host monthly happy hours which are great if you are looking to deepen your professional network. 
• HandsOn Twin Cities. “We bring people together to strengthen communities through meaningful volunteer action.  HandsOn Twin Cities trainings and workshops are designed to assist your organization more effectively manage volunteers.”  This is a great place to find helpful trainings, or engage in other meaningful service around the area. 
• Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF). “...Works actively to strengthen and expand philanthropy and improve the vitality and health of our communities. The Council is a regional membership association of family and private foundations, community and other public foundations, and corporate foundations and giving programs.”  This is a great place to start for grant writing tips, trainings and procedures. 
• Amherst H. Wilder Foundation (Wilder). “For more than 100 years, Wilder has combined direct service, research, and community development to address the needs of the most vulnerable people in greater Saint Paul.”
• Minnesota Compass. “By tracking and analyzing trends in areas that affect our quality of life, Compass gives everyone in our state – policymakers, business and community leaders, and concerned individuals who live and work here – a common foundation to act on issues to improve our communities.” 
• Heading Home Minnesota. A statewide initiative to end homelessness and is the umbrella organization for ten regional initiatives. 
• HousingLink. Provides affordable housing vacancy information to ensure that low- to moderate-income families have access to this information, as well as, training and support to housing service agencies. 
• MinnesotaHelp.Info. An online version of the 211 telephone service, providing a statewide directory of community services.
• University of Minnesota-College of Education and Human Development (Educational Policy and Administration) A list of research centers for educational policy at the U of M.  
• Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA). “The Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) connects the resources of the University of Minnesota with the interests and needs of urban communities and the region for the benefit of all.”  CURA is a good place to find research and resources. 

• Corporation for National and Community Service 
• VISTA Campus 
• Ramsey County Financial Assistance Services
• A Guide to the Twin Cities...on the Cheap 
• Groupon 
• Living Social Deals 
• Pocket Your Dollars

If you want to learn more about our AmeriCorps VISTA Program or want to learn how to apply for a position, please contact Willy Tully, VISTA Program Manager, 651.266.8582.