Volunteer Services
VOLUNTEER OPPS
There are many opportunities to get involved in the greater Kalamazoo area.
If you are looking to volunteer as an individual, whether for a long term or one-time opportunity, a great place to start is the Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo. To start looking for the right volunteering opportunity, follow this link and click on the “get involved” button on the upper right hand corner.
If you are looking to find a volunteer opportunity for a RSO or any student group, contact Kate Bates directly and she will assist you with finding a good match.
Interested in service learning?
Check out the WMU Office of Service-Learning. They can assist you with identifying service-learning courses, finding or developing service-learning opportunities, and coaching for service-related leadership. The office also offers support for collaborations among students, faculty, and community partners, as well as providing reflection to help you frame your experiences.
Recent Opportunities
Volunteers needed for Kalamazoo Arthritis Walk
The Arthritis Foundation, Michigan is holding its annual Kalamazoo Arthritis Walk the morning of Saturday, May 19th; we are in need of volunteers to help with the event. The success of the Arthritis Walk is directly related to the wonderful volunteers who help make our event raise money and awareness about arthritis. Please post our event on the Volunteer Opportunities website.
The Walk will take place the morning of Saturday, May 19th, at Kalamazoo Valley Community College - Arcadia Campus, starting at 10:00 a.m. The money raised will assist the Arthritis Foundation to fund research to help improve the quality of life for the 10,300 children and 2.5 million adults in Michigan who with live daily the challenges of arthritis. Additionally, the Arthritis Foundation, Michigan offers Camp Dakota, a one-week summer camp designed specifically for children with arthritis and professional education, and in providing public information and physician referrals to our constituents.
Please contact cpogue@arthritis.org or or by phone at 800-968-3030, Ext. 6600.
Face Painting Artists
Need 6-8 volunteers on Saturday, May 12, to staff the Face Painting Station at the First Annual Touch a Truck event a the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds.
Event runs from 11am-4pm. Need 3-4 volunteers for the 10:30am -1:30pm shift and 3-4 more volunteers for the 1:30-4:30pm shift.
We will have some basic designs and paint & brushes available. Creative designs of your own invention (and in response to youth requests) welcome and desirable, but not necessary! This is an opportunity to share your gift and perhaps earn community service or service learning hours. At the very least, it will be a few hours of fun!
Touch a Truck is the new signature event of the Junior League of Kalamazoo. Youth will have the opportunity to check out all kinds of trucks and vehicles up close and personal. Other activities, such as Face Painting, will be available also. Proceeds support the JLK’s prevention of youth obesity advocacy project and “Kids in the Kitchen”, a JLK program to teach students about making healthy food choices.
Fabulous Face Painters (or wannabes), please contact Aileen McMurrer at 314-853-8510 or ajmcmurrer@gmail.com.
Helping Neighbors Administrative Assistant
In partnership with the Consumers Energy Helping Neighbors Program, Community Homeworks needs an Administrative Assistant to help process and record critical program information and data. The volunteer would be responsible for the following:
- Process Consumers Energy Helping Neighbors paperwork
- Verify completed forms
- Create Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet to document installation measures
- Create Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet to document paperwork survey information
- Scan all files and organize them accordingly in database
This volunteer position will require a commitment of 3 hours every Tuesday, in addition to a high level of reliability, computer literacy and an attention to detail. The volunteer will also be expected to maintain confidentiality.
Contact Martha Cavazos for more information. mcavazos@communityhomeworks.org
Education Program Assistant
Community Homeworks needs Education Program Assistants to manage the materials and supplies for the weekly free Home Repair and Maintenance Workshops. The volunteer would be responsible for the following:
- Manage and take inventory of all Workshop props and supplies
- Document supply inventory in a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet
- Buy needed workshop supplies and prizes
- Review Workshop binders, outlines, handouts and other materials and replenish necessary materials
This volunteer position will require a commitment of two days per month for about two hours each. The volunteer will also need to have a high level or organization and good computer literacy and skill. In addition, the volunteer may be required to provide his/her own transportation to purchase new materials. This is an easy way to get involved in an empowering education program!
Contact Martha Cavazos for more information. mcavazos@communityhomeworks.org
Recycling Manager
As Community Homeworks introduces its first recycling program, the organization needs a volunteer to
manage its recyclables and more fully develop the program. The volunteer would be responsible for the
following:
- Manage paper and plastic recyclables
- Organize paper and take to appropriate disposal center
- Organize plastics and take to appropriate disposal center
- Create system to decrease paper waste
- Make notebooks out of scrap paper
- Determine system to use scrap paper for printing and copying
This volunteer position is very low commitment and will require only one hour once a week. It is critical that the volunteer have his/her own transportation to take the recyclables to the appropriate recycling center in the area. This a low commitment way to get involved in creating sustainable practices for a nonprofit organization.
Contact Martha Cavazos for more information. mcavazos@communityhomeworks.org
Database Assistant
Community Homeworks needs a volunteer to help with entering and computing data into the organization’s database system. The volunteer would be responsible for the following:
- Input new client applications and Education program data into database system
Since the volunteer will be working with client information, the volunteer must maintain a high level of confidentiality. In addition, in order to efficiently use the database system, the volunteer must have a high level of computer literacy and skill. The volunteer must also be able to commit for a long term period and be available 1-2 days per week for at least 1 hour each day. This is a simple way to share your time in helping with a critical aspect of Community Homeworks’ development.
Contact Martha Cavazos for more information. mcavazos@communityhomeworks.org
Volunteers
The City of Portage and Kalamazoo In Bloom are looking for volunteers to beautify
the City Centre and to improve the quality of life for Portage citizens and visitors.
Planting Day
Planting day is Friday, May 18 from 8:30 a.m.
to 12 noon. Volunteers are needed to plant
annuals in flower beds in the City Centre.
Participants are encouraged to bring gloves
and trowels, but extra supplies will be on
hand. Meet at Library Lane in the City Centre.
Morning snacks and pizza lunch provided!
Adopt a Bed
“Adopt” a flower bed for the season! Interested volunteers will plant annuals in
a bed and care for the bed throughout the season – weeding, deadheading as
necessary, etc. Watering will be provided by the city.
Volunteers interested in either beautification event are asked to complete the form
below and mail it to the City of Portage. Follow-up correspondence will be sent
by the City of Portage to interested volunteers in early May. Please contact the
Portage Department of Parks, Recreation and Property Management at 329-4522 for
additional information.
Environmental Volunteer
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Schrier Park, 850 West Osterhout Avenue
9 a.m. – 12 noon
Join the City of Portage Environmental Board on April 21 to participate in a community volunteer event to locate and pull garlic mustard weeds at Schrier Park, 850 West Osterhout Road. Garlic mustard is an invasive plant species which threatens the
local plant species and is harmful to the natural environ-
ment. It blooms in the spring and can be identified by
its white flower and garlic scent. Small infestations can be controlled by pulling the
plant/roots during its blossoming period. Locating and pulling garlic mustard plants is an easy, fun way to do something good for the environment! Bring gloves suitable for pulling weeds, wear long pants and sturdy shoes. Light refreshments will be provided.
Please take time on April 21, 2012 to enjoy the beauty and natural features of Schrier Park even if you are not interested in pulling Garlic Mustard weeds. For additional information on this and other environmental issues contact the Portage Department of Transportation and Utilities at 329-4422 or visit www.portagemi.gov >
Boards and Commissions > Environmental Board.
Mentor
Great Lakes PeaceJam is currently seeking Mentors for its 10th Annual Youth Conference! This is an annual 2-day event where high school and college students from across Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio gather to complete service-learning projects, participate in workshops, and spend the weekend with a Nobel Peace Prize Winner.
Mentors receive training in group facilitation and work in pairs to facilitate and guide groups of high school students through the day's activities, playing games, energizing the youth, and helping them process heavy topics.
Considerations:
- To participate as either a MENTOR or a VOLUNTEER, you must be available on April 21 and 22 ALL DAY.
- MENTORS MUST:
a) submit an application to Great Lakes PeaceJam by March 2; Online applications available at www.greatlakespeacejam.org/conference (Decisions will be made by March 10th)
b) attend the entire MANDATORY TRAINING RETREAT: Saturday, March 31, 8:30am-6pm (location TBD)
c) attend the entire MANDATORY TRAINING SESSION: Thursday, April 19, 6-10pm Bernhard Center, Brown & Gold Room - VOLUNTEERS (who are not working as Mentors) may sign up for volunteer shifts throughout the conference and are invited to "Volunteer Nights" work sessions at the Great Lakes PeaceJam office to work on assembling materials and decorations for the Conference (exact dates and times TBD). Volunteers will be assigned specific duties prior to the Conference date. To express interest in volunteering, please contact Kevin at kdodd@greatlakespeacejam.org.
To find out more, come on down to our info session Information Session @WMU: (Feb 21st 8-9pm in Bernhard Center, Room 213)
Crew Member
Whether you are marking the course, setting up a break stop, sagging a rider, or making sure we have everything we need at home base, WAM wouldn't be a success without you! The Make-A-Wish Foundation® provides all supplies needed -- car, food, t-shirt, etc. We just need you to bring your positive attitude!
If you're able to commit to the full 4 days of WAM and are 21 years or older, register as a crew member! Please see below for a listing of crew member opportunities.
Route Crew
Support and Guide Vehicles (SAG) act as our route support team. You will be there to help a cyclist with a flat tire, pull a bottle of water out of your tote of goodies or give enthusiastic encouragement to riders trying to make it to the top of a hill. You and a partner will travel the entire 300 miles with the riders, forging friendships and memories along the way. All Route Crew need to be able to lift 30 pounds and be comfortable driving with cyclists on the road. Some of the opportunities on the route crew:
Break Stop Vehicles
Welcome athletes to your custom-decorated break stop with enthusiasm and encouragement. You will have the opportunity to create a theme for your break stop and your imagination is the limit! The more creative you get the more fun everyone will have!Set up using Foundation-provided snacks and refreshments in an easy-to-grab, sanitary fashion. Answer questions about the route, provide sanitizer, first aid materials and sunscreen. There are a limited number of Break Stop Vehicle Assignments and these will be assigned on a first come first serve basis, so sign up early!
Support Van Vehicles
Drive between two break stops offering support to the riders. Shout encouragements like "looking good", great job" and don't be surprised if riders return the compliment! Watch for a thumb's up or down to gauge how the riders are feeling. As a Support Van you may provide a rider with the last bit of strength needed to get up that hill, a bike pump or a cool place to sit and rest if they would like to be picked up and taken to the next stop. You may also be asked to provide support to your fellow volunteer crew by helping at a break stop. This is the time to get to know some of the dedicated people on this tour, ask them why they are on WAM and how long they have been riding. You never know the stories you'll hear!
Sweep Van Vehicles
As the last van on the route at all times, you will be making sure no one is left behind! You will help the Break Stop crew break down once the last rider has passed and pick up signs along the route.
School Crew
The School Crew serves as the scout on this tour. They forge fearlessly ahead every day to make sure that the next location is ready and equipped for everyone on the WAM tour. While the schools may not feel quite like home, our school crew brings their own sparkling touch and they are always prepared to answer questions or supply volunteers and riders with whatever they may need! Some duties include managing nightly activities; assisting with shuttles and running the Information Booth.
Supply Crew
The Supply Crew is our bread and butter (literally, they are in charge of distributing the food) and we all know how much that watermelon is coveted! So take time and get to know the supply crew because they provide our "fuel." Some of the duties of the Supply Crew are: drive the supply truck, pick up signs along route and load break-stop goods after breakdown, distribute supplies to Route Crew each morning and evening as well to our breakfast, lunch and dinner stops and help to load and unload luggage every morning and afternoon. Please be sure that you are able to lift at least 40 pounds.
Road Crew
The Road Crew, our unstoppable navigators! They rise each morning, while the rest of us are still dreaming, to mark our journey and make sure that there are no last minute surprises. They "pave" the way for all of us to reach the finish line and Heroes Hurrah safely. The Road Crew will wake up first in order to mark the route with paint/signage, put up signs along the road and brush debris out of the biker's path when necessary.
Contact: Tracy Miller, tmiller@wishmich.org to volunteer.
Tour Dates: July 26th-29th 2012. We will be meeting at Michigan International Speedway and driving together as a “CREW” in separate vans provided for the event up to Traverse City where the tour begins.
Web Designer
The SPCA of SWMI is a 501c(3) organization that is run primarily by volunteers and donations from the local community. If you have experience, talent or a gift in the areas of web design or marketing we could use your help.
We currently have a website www.spcaswmich.org to promote our mission of saving helpless animals. However, we could use some suggestions or ideas regarding:
- How to make it more user friendly.
- Suggestions on the overall “look” of the web page.
- Design techniques that will promote our website to the fullest.
We also have a need for individuals with Marketing backgrounds. Since we do not have a budget for marketing purposes we have to think of ways to promote our organization using free media sources. We are currently using facebook, twitter, our website, on-line community calendars, and Plug-Away Thursdays on a radio station to promote events. However, we need individuals to:
- Verify we are utilizing these services to the fullest.
- Suggest additional marketing resources to utilize.
- Provide any tips or techniques that can be used to further promote our organization.
Front Desk Receptionist
Community Homeworks needs a Front Desk Receptionist to handle general clerical work of the office.
This includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Answering and directing calls
- Relaying messages
- Representing the organization to incoming clients and providing necessary materials
- Entering basic contact data
- Managing some mailings
- Making copies to replenish materials
This is an easy and effective way to get involved with a new nonprofit in Kalamazoo, which works to equip low income homeowners with skills and resources so that they are empowered to maintain home ownership. The hours are flexible, and can be based on the individual’s availability. Ideally, Community Homeworks needs a receptionist 2-3 days a week for about two hours. All ages are welcome!
Workshop Instructor
Community Homeworks is a new nonprofit which works to equip low income homeowners with skills so that they are empowered to maintain home ownership.
The organization needs Workshop Instructors for its home maintenance and repair weekly workshops. The workshops currently occur every Tuesday from 6-9 PM and have about 5-8 participants. The following workshops are in need of instructors:
- Fall and Winter Maintenance
- Weatherization
- Hand Tools
- Power Tools
- Home Safety and Security
- Basic Lawn Mower Care
- Heating and Cooling Systems HVAC
- Electrical Systems
- Plumbing Systems
- Spring and Summer Maintenance
The instructor will be provided with the necessary outline with curriculum, handouts and props for the workshop. The instructor will be responsible for the following:
- Articulately presenting information provided in the curriculum outline to low income
homeowners
- Cooperatively answering participants’ questions
- Utilizing props and other provided materials for effective presentation
The ideal instructor does not have to be a licensed contractor, but home maintenance and repair experience is essential. The instructor will also be accompanied by the Education and Outreach Coordinator and/or an additional volunteer. This is a simple way to share your own skills with others!
Workshop Assistant
Community Homeworks is a new nonprofit which works to equip low income homeowners with skills so that they are empowered to maintain home ownership. The organization needs a Workshop Assistant to help with weekly home maintenance and repair workshops such as Fall and Winter Maintenance, Basic Lawn Mower Care and Plumbing Systems. The workshops currently occur every Tuesday from 6-9PM and have about 5-8 participants.
The volunteer will be responsible for the following:
- Arriving early for basic set up and leaving later for take down of the workshop (each takes
approximately 30 minutes)
- Copying handouts and participant outlines
- Arranging handouts and sign-up sheet
- Arranging workshop props
- Setting up PowerPoint
- Collecting refreshments and setting them up
- Setting up prize drawing materials
- Basic assistance with props and materials to the instructor and participants during the workshop
This is an easy way to help out once a week, or at the individual’s availability. All ages welcome!
Prop Builder
Community Homeworks is a new nonprofit which works to equip low income homeowners with skills so that they are empowered to maintain home ownership. The organization needs a volunteer to assist with the construction of props for its weekly home maintenance and repair workshops, like Fall and Winter Maintenance, Electrical Systems and Basic Lawn Mower Care. Prop construction may include the following:
- Building a foundation and adding wheels to a water heater
- Sawing a display toilet in half
- Constructing a window to display weatherization
- Building a storage shelf for all props
The hours for this volunteer are flexible and based on the individual’s availability. Ideally, this volunteer may be available once every two weeks for several hours, depending on the project. All ages are welcome, but construction experience is extremely helpful.
Workshop Promoter
Community Homeworks is a new nonprofit which works to equip low income homeowners with skills so that they are empowered to maintain home ownership. The organization hosts weekly home maintenance and repair workshops for its clients, like Plumbing Systems, Weatherization, and Basic Lawn Mower Care. Volunteers are needed to promote the workshops throughout Kalamazoo neighborhoods and local events. The volunteer would be responsible for the following:
- Be knowledgeable of Community Homeworks’ workshops and general information
- Distribute flyers throughout targeted neighborhoods through individual door knocking or group canvassing days
- Attend special community events to distribute materials
The hours for this position are relatively flexible and based on the individual’s availability to distribute flyers, community events, and scheduled group canvassing days. In general, the volunteer should expect to contribute about 3 hours 2-3 times per month. All ages are welcome!
Group Workshop Promoters
Community Homeworks is a new nonprofit which works to equip low income homeowners with skills so that they are empowered to maintain home ownership. The organization has weekly home maintenance and repair workshops for its clients, like Plumbing Systems, Weatherization and Home Safety and Security. Groups of volunteers are needed to promote these workshops throughout local Kalamazoo
neighborhoods during Saturdays for about 3 hours. The groups will be responsible for the following:
- Be knowledgeable of Community Homeworks’ workshops and general information
- Attend a short briefing before dividing into teams
- Distribute flyers through targeted neighborhoods through door knocking
This is an easy and effective way to become involved in the development of Kalamazoo’s neighborhoods. The hours will be based on specific promotion days. All ages are welcome!
Home Repair Assistant
Community Homeworks is a new nonprofit which works to equip low income homeowners with skills so that they are empowered to maintain home ownership. In addition to its educational workshops, the organization provides basic home repairs to qualifying low income homeowners in the Kalamazoo area. Volunteers that are licensed contractors are needed to assist in basic home repairs. Certified plumbers,
electricians, HVAC and carpentry are ideal. The volunteer would be responsible for the following:
- Assist with basic home repairs throughout the Kalamazoo area
- Work either individually or with the Construction Manager, depending on the job
- Provide own transportation to home in Kalamazoo area
- Understand the basic guidelines for client intake, in case of questions
- Responsibly represent Community Homeworks
This is an easy way to share your specific skills and interests. Hours are flexible and dependent on both the volunteer’s availability and the home repairs needed.