A close-up of two small, pale-colored mushrooms with distinct, almost cartoon-like shapes. The mushrooms have thick, fuzzy, whitish-grey stems and flat, pale grey caps. They are growing side-by-side on a forest floor, surrounded by dark soil, a piece of wood, and a dry, curled-up leaf. The background is a soft, blurry mix of browns and greens.

Events Committee

At the heart of the Minnesota Mycological Society is a vibrant community. The Events Committee is what brings that community together in fun, meaningful, and celebratory ways. From honoring outstanding members to hosting fundraisers and rolling up our sleeves for public service, we organize annual events that help connect, recognize, and inspire.

Whether you’ve attended our banquet, submitted a stunning mushroom photo to the photo contest, donated a raffle item, or participated in one or our highway clean-ups, you’ve experienced the impact of this committee.

Our Annual Events

We organize and coordinate key MMS events each year, including our:

  • MMS Photo Contest
  • Annual Awards Banquet
  • Silent Auction & Raffle Fundraiser
  • Annual Meeting, Potluck, and Craft Fair
  • Mushroom Cooking Demonstration
  • Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup

These events are open to all MMS members and offer great ways to celebrate our shared love of fungi — and give back to our broader community.

Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup Event
Stroganoff Banquet Event
A Woman signing up for the Silent Auction
Black Trumpets

Committee Roles

The Events Committee is made up of dedicated volunteers who each bring their own magic to our gatherings:

Chairperson

  • Leads committee planning and meetings
  • Coordinates with the Board and presents committee updates
  • Drafts the annual committee budget
  • Oversees all event efforts and supports event coordinators
    We’re currently looking for a new Events Chairperson — let us know if you’re interested!

Events Assistant

  • Helps the Chair manage logistics and event coordination
  • Assists with purchasing, setup, transportation, and communication

Banquet Coordinators

  • Plan the MMS Annual Awards Banquet
  • Secure the venue and chef, gather mushroom donations, and plan the menu
  • Oversee banquet registrations and awards

Photo Contest Coordinator

  • Sets the rules and collects submissions for our Annual Photo Contest
  • Creates the slideshow, facilitates voting (if applicable), and prepares awards

Silent Auction & Raffle Coordinator

  • Collects donations, prepares raffle baskets, and sets up the auction
  • Helps manage the auction at the banquet and distributes items to winners

Adopt-a-Highway Coordinator

  • Organizes spring and fall highway cleanups with Anoka County
  • Schedules volunteers, coordinates safety vests and gear, and ensures return of materials after the event

Want to Help?

Do you enjoy event planning, organizing, or simply want to support the fun side of MMS? We’re always happy to welcome new volunteers! Reach out to the Events Committee chair via our contact form and help us continue creating meaningful, mushroom-filled memories.

Contact Us