The 40th 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
Planned for August 4th, 2026 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
REGISTER HERE: Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference Registration Link
Please note that there is no public WiFi at Camp Chamberlain
If you are a member of the Maine Volunteer Managers Network, Maine Climate Corps Network, AmeriCorps or Fellow, AmeriCorps program partner, or a student please email lucy.martin@maine.gov for a discount code for registration
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.
This year's theme: 40 Years of Mainers Helping Mainers
For 40 years, Mainers have come together to support one another through service, generosity, and community connection. This year’s conference celebrates that legacy while looking ahead to the future of volunteer engagement across our state. We invite you to share your knowledge, experiences, and innovative ideas to help strengthen and sustain volunteerism in Maine.
- Agenda
- Keynote Speakers
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Keynote Speaker: Kaira Esgate, Senior Vice President Reimagining Service at Points of Light
Kaira Esgate serves as Senior Vice President, Reimagining Service at Points of Light. In this role, Kaira oversees the implementation of the National Volunteer Strategy that seeks to double volunteering in the United States by 2035. Previously, Kaira was the CEO of America’s Service Commissions (ASC), the national association for the 52 governor-led state service commissions. Prior to leading ASC, Kaira served as the executive director of the initial Reimagining Service effort – a national multi-sector coalition dedicated to converting good intentions into greater impact through effective volunteer engagement strategies. With Reimagining Service, Kaira led efforts to bring new data and insights to volunteering and developed the nationally recognized nonprofit service enterprise model. During her tenure with California Volunteers, the state service commission in California, Kaira served in a variety of roles, including overseeing the agency’s program development and grantmaking activities, leading planning efforts with the service and volunteering field in the state, and serving as Chief of Staff to the nation’s first cabinet-level Secretary of Service and Volunteering.
Keynote Speaker: Mary Herman, Community Volunteer and Former First Lady of Maine
Mary Herman served as the Director of Special Projects in the Office of the Commissioner. Some of her projects included staffing the Prevention Task Force of the Office of Opioid Response, working with Commissioner Makin on the Wabanaki History and Culture work group, revision and support of Children’s Cabinet legislation and serving on the DOE staff support team for the Children’s Cabinet, working with Maine DOE Student Cabinet, supporting our Office of Innovation projects such as ConnectKidsNow!, and the $19.5 million U.S. DOE Grant culminating in Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures (RREV), COVID-response, expanding school-based health centers, supporting our pre-K—12 career exploration/career readiness and much more. Mary began serving her community as a middle school social studies teacher, and later became a special Ed/ learning disabilities specialist. After moving to Maine in 1973, she attended nursing school at University of Maine at Augusta and has enjoyed exploring all corners of public service, including healthcare, education, and public policy.
- Sponsorship Information
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Sponsorship packet can be found here: Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference Sponsorship Package.pdf