Team Member Volunteer Opportunities
MDT teams volunteer to visit several communities each year. You may join a team of 12–20 volunteers for an intensive, charrette-style weekend of learning, sharing, and developing ideas for each community’s future—based o
n the MDT team’s vision. MDT volunteers, with previous visit experience, may participate as a Team Leader. Two to three team leaders act as co-leaders for each visit. Team leaders help communities prepare for the visit, assemble the volunteer design team for the visit, and facilitate the visit weekend process.
Download the Volunteer Guidebook to learn more.
Sign up as a MDT member to receive MDT informational notices and to be selected to participate on MDT Team Visits. Already signed up, but your information changed? Email your updated contact information to Ann Mayhew.
The Minnesota Design Team will use your information for our records only. We do not share your information with other organizations.
Sign up for the Hanover visit in September 14–17
Please consider joining us for the Minnesota Design Team visit to Hanover!
Located 14 miles west of Maple Grove and just minutes south of St. Michael and Albertville is the uniquely positioned City of Hanover with a population of 3,610. Located within both Hennepin and Wright Counties on the western edge of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Hanover does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Council as a majority of the city lies in Wright County.
Primary Topics for the Visit:
— The community has seen significant residential growth in the past two years (15-20%) and will continue to see major growth for the foreseeable future. As a bedroom community, one of Hanover’s challenges is connecting new residents with existing residents and developing a shared community vision.
— Building on a successful restaurant industry, the community seeks to bring in additional commercial business and encourage revitalization of the City’s downtown commercial district.
— There is a major road project planned for the artery through their community in 2024. The community seeks assistance in ensuring connectedness of their Main Street corridor as well as connectivity to the North Crow River (design of a future trailhead) which flows right through its Downtown River District. The Community has several commercial properties in need of development, providing Hanover with a unique opportunity.
Questions: Please contact either Katie Kangas, AIA, or Richard Baker.
Volunteer/Team Member Reimbursement Form
Recently volunteered for a MDT Visit? A volunteer reimbursement form will be emailed to volunteers by the team leads. Contact Ann Mayhew for more information on reimbursements.
AIA members can self-report up to 10 hours of Learning Unit (LU) credits for each MDT visit. Please note that self-reported credits will not be approved for Health Safety Welfare (HSW) credit. Contact Deanna Christiansen for more information.
Monthly Meetings
MDT Committee meetings are open to all those interested in participating in MDT programs. Come to discuss MDT happenings, learn about issues related to Minnesota communities, and find out more about the MDT process. Learn more about committee meetings.
Special Events
MDT usually holds a winter retreat, summer get-together, and holiday party each year. Come socialize with other MDT participants and learn more about MDT. Learn more about events.
Community Application Review
Each year MDT receives applications from Minnesota communities interested in scheduling a visit to their community. Experienced MDT participants review each application, present their findings, and help facilitate a review discussion at a monthly MDT meeting. Learn more about applying for an MDT visit for your community.
Screening Visit
Once a community’s application has been reviewed and appears to be a candidate for a visit, several MDT participants will visit or conference call with members of the community to help them understand the official MDT visit process.
Leadership Team
The MDT Committee is guided by two co-chairs appointed by AIA Minnesota, each serving a two-year term, and has one AIA Minnesota staff liaison.
