Get Involved in MCDA
Professional Development Opportunities
Gain connections, experience, and knowledge
Here are the ways you can get the most out of your MCDA membership, and increase your professional development and networking opportunities:
Attend the MCDA Monthly Roundtables
MCDA offers monthly Roundtable meetings that focus on selected professional development topics to help us become better practitioners. Roundtables also serve as a time for us to network with colleagues working in a variety of sectors.
Join the MCDA Mentoring Program
The mentoring program pairs career development professionals together for a one year partnership focused on achieving the professional goals of the mentee.
More about the Mentoring Program.
Run for an MCDA Board position
The MCDA Board of Trustees is a group of elected volunteers who provide leadership for the association.
Serving on the Board offers opportunities to build relationships with a diverse group of career development professionals, develop new skills, and contribute to the profession of career development and the community.
Trustees serve for a three-year term, during which they attend monthly two-hour Board meetings and participate in working groups.
Contact Irene Rossman (irene.rossman@cpiedge.com) to express interest in joining the Board.
More about the Board of Trustees.
Engage in LISTSERV Discussions
The MCDA LISTSERV is an e-mail “discussion group” that MCDA members can use to share career development ideas, research, and tips, and to ask questions of their colleagues. It’s also used to provide information about upcoming MCDA events and related events of potential interest to MCDA members.
More about the LISTSERV (Topica).
Participate on MCDA Committees
The following committees are where the bulk of the MCDA work gets done!
- Membership
- Technology
- Professional Development
- Sponsorship
- Finance
- Audit &Budget
- Fall Event
- Winter Event
- Spring Careers Conference
Fall Event Committee — Plans MCDA’s Fall Event. The committee is formed in June and organizes the event. Members choose the topic, secure speakers, arrange facilities, and oversee advertising and registration. Those who help in the planning of the event get free registration. If you’d like to be involved in planning the 2010 Fall Event, contact MCDA President Irene Rossman (irene.rossman@cpiedge.com).
Minnesota Careers Conference Planning Committee (Spring Conference) — Plans the annual Minnesota Careers Conference. The committee organizes all aspects of the conference. People are needed to help plan a theme; secure speakers; coordinate the Call for Presentations; design advertising, registration, and booklet materials; organize mailings; coordinate food and facilities; recruit and organize vendors; coordinate registration; and plan Professional Development Institutes (PDIs). Committee co-chairs and members get free conference registration. Contact Committee Chair Mike Haugen (mikelhaugen@gmail.com).
The Finance, Audit, and Budget Committee — Prepares MCDA’s annual budget and presents it for approval to the Board of Trustees, tracks monthly financial transactions, and oversees the general financial health of MCDA. Advises on event pricing and membership dues. Discusses and recommends financial procedures. Initiates financial planning. Contact Angie Schmidt Whitney at 612-626-0380 (awhitney@class.cla.umn.edu).
The Sponsorship Committee — This team is responsible for developing the sponsorship plan for the annual Minnesota Careers Conference (Spring Conference) and achieving goals set forth in the plan. This includes both financial goals, as well as increasing the number and variety of organizational sponsors. Contact Bill Baldus (William.Baldus@metrostate.edu).
The Professional Development Committee — This committee focuses on growing and developing new leaders in all areas of the career development field. The MCDA Mentoring Program is a great opportunity for mentors and mentees to develop themselves professionally while expanding their network. The Professional Development Committee is involved with everything from developing the mentoring program, and hosting monthly roundtable discussions, to implementing, evaluating, and continuously enhancing other activities for MCDA members. Contact mcdamentoring@yahoo.com.
The Technology Committee — The technology committee is responsible for reviewing and maintaining the MCDA Web site and other technology needs. The committee works closely with the executive board, other MCDA committees, partner organizations and members to ensure relative and informative Web site content is accessible. It also investigates new online technology and guides the board on technology related decisions. If you are interested in playing a role in this process please contact Denise Felder (Denise.Felder@iseek.org).
The Membership Committee — The membership committee is responsible for the recruitment and retention of MCDA members as well as the development and promotion of MCDA’s benefits. It performs various outreach initiatives to promote the association and its member as maintains the membership lists and dues. Contact Paul Timmins (timmi004@umn.edu).
Attend Special Interest Groups (SIGs)