The Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration recognized Robert Tereba, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Winona with the Excellence Award for Executive Leadership Nov. 5 at the MAVA annual meeting.

According to a press release, the MAVA Award for Excellence in Leadership was established to reinforce the importance of strong executive leader and volunteer program relationships. The award honors an executive leader who demonstrates cooperative, supportive, enthusiastic and well-defined relationships with the volunteer program.

During Tereba’s 15 years of leadership, Catholic Charities has been a recognized leader in providing competent, compassionate social services throughout 20 counties in southern Minnesota. Through seven regional and field offices, Catholic Charities provides a wide range of social services. During his tenure, Catholic Charities has also been recognized leader in providing competent, compassionate social services throughout 20 counties in southern Minnesota. Through seven regional and field offices, Catholic Charities provides a wide range of social services, including clinical counseling; pregnancy, parenting and adoption services; child advocacy; emergency financial assistance; parish and community social action; common good retired and senior volunteer program; guardian and conservator services for adults; medication application service; and refugee resettlement services.

While all agency programs benefit greatly from Tereba’s encouragement to mobilize volunteers and his ongoing support for volunteerism, Tereba added Common Good RSVP to the agencies’ portfolio for this purpose specifically in 2004. Directly supporting the agency’s mission, Tereba envisioned an opportunity to improve the lives of many by mobilizing volunteers for the common good.

Under his leadership, Common Good RSVP has grown to mobilize more than 1,400 volunteers serving more than 170,000 hours annually. Through building partnerships with more than 100 nonprofit agencies and schools in southern Minnesota, thousands of individuals benefit from the service of volunteers annually.

Tereba encourages and supports agency staff and volunteers with his steadfast and unwavering servant leadership. His support for the field of volunteer management is evident as he has long supported Common Good RSVP program staff who have served in leadership roles with the Minnesota Senior Corps Association, the National Senior Corps Association and most recently, as a member of the MAVA Board of Directors. With his support and encouragement, agency staff contribute to the common good as they move the field of volunteer management forward.