Mankato Free Press (February 4, 2025)—In many ways, not much has changed in Mankato’s volunteer world since Paul Horrisberger helped form a nonprofit collaborative group in the early 1980s. But the same can’t be said about cassette tape technology.

Horrisberger, who 45 years ago was working as volunteer coordinator for Blue Earth County Human Services and Corrections when he volunteered to participate in a volunteer meeting, spoke at a 21st century CLOVE meeting.

He shared his memories of helping found the group in the shadow of potential funding cuts proposed by President Donald Trump.

The Council for Local Organizations for Volunteer Enhancement or CLOVE — which at one point Horrisberger called “Council for LOVE” — evolved when that first series of meetings discontinued.

Its remaining finances and mission transferred to the Mankato Area Foundation when it disbanded in 2018, according to AmyJo Lennartson, MAF community impact director. While meetings have been sporadic recently, the spirit behind it has never ebbed, she said.

After failing to get a cassette player to accept the tape that was made of “The Volunteer Song” he wrote with Dick Kimmel, Horrisberger — himself a bluegrass musician of some repute — sang it a capella, reading lyrics from the tape liner notes:

“Volunteer for your community,

“Volunteer it feels fine.

“Help create a bright tomorrow

“Give some money or your time,” is the chorus.

The song (which is linked at the bottom of this article) recorded by local musicians Dave Pengra and Ron Arsenault, was a sort of soundtrack to Horrisberger’s story to the group that included representatives from nonprofits ranging from Lutheran Social Service, Lifework Planning Center and the Good Counsel Education Center to Prairie Lakes Regional Arts and the Lake Crystal Recreation Center, among more than a dozen others.

“You’re still meeting,” Horrisberger said. “And that was like 45 years ago in this group. I know there’s a few new people here, maybe that are just discovering it now, even today. And I think that’s really exciting.”

The idea behind CLOVE was to bring groups together, all of which relied on volunteers, to put together a book to share and provide a location where questions could be asked and answers. They were provided by people who likely also had gone through it, he said.

To show appreciation for volunteers, a small park was created at the intersection of South Front and Warren streets, first across from and then next to what is now River Rock Coffee & Tea. Designated as Volunteer Park, organizations came together to create a mural.

Horrisberger recounted people and organizations available at that foundational time, spoke about recognizing and appreciating volunteers, and about a variety of programs they initiated, including corporate volunteerism. He spoke about recognizing the need, writing job descriptions, recruitment and training volunteers for vital roles.

What he said echoed what Lennartson said in starting the gathering.

“Today is really a great opportunity to be together as nonprofits,” she said. As a supporter of nonprofits, holding the meeting at Shared Spaces at Emy Frentz, she noted that MAF is watching what’s happening in Washington, D.C., and will share what that means for attendees’ organizations.

“(MAF will) support the greatest needs as we’re able,” she said. In doing so, she stressed they will be flexible, creative and innovative.

It was noted by Diane Norland from House of Hope, that everyone will be affected. Even money provided through the state of Minnesota often originates at the federal level. On the flip side, Anna Pollock of Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council reminded attendees their money comes from Minnesota and will continue.

Through his recounting of CLOVE’s origins, Horrisberger reinforced the idea that collaboration is still vital to stay on top of what’s happening.

And Lennartson noted MAF will continue to bring nonprofits and volunteer recruiters — who now often operate under the “community engagement” title — information they need to succeed.

Link to upcoming nonprofit networking opportunities and free Good Governance workshops

The Volunteer Song, by Ron and Dave (top link)
The Volunteer Song, by Sha-Na-Na (bottom link)