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Short-Term Volunteer Opportunities
and Orientations

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November 2009 - April 2010

Orientations and Training:

Animal Care Volunteer Orientation - Volunteers assist with special events, handling and exercising dogs and cats, pet grooming and bathing, office work, adoption clinics and education.  Volunteer orientations are offered the second Wednesday of each month from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm.  For information and to reserve your space at the next orientation, contact Claudia Schlachter, Volunteer Coordinator at (916) 808-8166 or cschlachter@cityofsacramento.org.

For more information about the Animal Care Services Division, visit their web site:  www.SacPetSearch.com.

Volunteer Orientation – Please come to a volunteer orientation on Friday, November 20th or Friday, December 18th at 4 pm to learn more about the volunteer opportunities with the Discovery Museum – Science and Space Center, located at 3615 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento, 95821.  To reserve your place, please contact Janice Wagaman at (916) 575-3943 or email:  volunteers@thediscovery.org

Become an Art Docent Tour Leader - Sacramento Metro Arts Commission (SMAC), Art in Public Places (APP) docent program is looking for new prospective docents to be trained to lead tours of public art to school and adult groups. The information session for new docents will take place on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at the SMAC offices located at 2030 Del Paso Boulevard  from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Training will begin Thursday, February 4th from 9:30-12:00 and will continue for six Thursdays.  For more information contact Dixie Laws, Art in Public Places Education Coordinator, at (916) 386-8240, or dixie@dixielaws.com.

Docents for The Sacramento History Museum  - The Sacramento History Museum in Old Sacramento is recruiting docents (volunteer tour guides) for the spring school year. Docents lead school programs and guided museum tours, act as gallery guides, and help engage our visitors and teach them about our local history. Training is provided and will take place over the course of a few months. Mornings and afternoons preferred. For questions or to sign up please call Janessa West at: (916) 808-4980 or email jwest@cityofsacramento.org.

Short-term Opportunities:

The City of Sacramento and its non-profit partners have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for youth and adults.   These include on-going volunteer positions as well as short-term activities. Some of the short-term and special event options coming up soon are listed below.  Please check with the contact first before completing the Short-term Volunteer Agreement form.

For additional opportunities with the City of Sacramento, contact Mary Lynn Perry, Volunteer Coordinator at (916) 808-8317 or mperry@cityofsacramento.org

Holiday Carol Singers and Musicians in Old Sacramento - Help us bring in the holiday cheer this November and December by volunteering your talents as a singer or musician. School caroling groups and performance groups are encouraged to apply. Please submit a cd, tape, or come in for a rehearsal. Please call Janessa West (916) 808-4980 or email jwest@cityofsacramento.org for more information.

Seeking Santa – The Old Sacramento Living History Program is looking for someone to play the part of Santa in a light and sound show in Old Sacramento on Friday nights in November and December. If you look the part or would like to dress as Santa this holiday season please give us a call. Shows take place in the evening beginning at 6:30. Please contact Janessa West at (916) 808-4980 or jwest@cityofsacramento.org .

California International Marathon - The California International Marathon needs your help in serving over 12,000 runners!  Each year, on the 1st Sunday of December which is December 6th this year, more than 2,000 community-minded men, women, and children impact the event with their time & attention.   The Sacramento region simply couldn't host such an event without the generous efforts of all these community leaders.  Please join the effort to support the 27th Annual California International Marathon.  Volunteer opportunities include course monitoring, aid station captain/crew, finish line assistants, etc...  Give me a call or send an email - I'll get you and/or your group plugged in!  Contact:  Brett Freeman (916) 549-2749 or email:  bfreeman@cityofsacramento.org.  For more information about the marathon please visit: www.runcim.org

Music Instructors for Oak Park Teens – The Teen Program at the Oak Park Community Center, located at 3425 Martin Luther King Boulevard, is seeking volunteers to instruct teens on guitar, rhythm (with a variety of small shakers, tambourines, etc.), and also to teach congas.  The program runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 4-7 pm and teaching time would be during the regular program session.  For more information and to sign up to help, contact De Dee Cornelius at: (916) 808-6114 or email: dcorneli@cityofsacramento.org.

VITA Tax Aides - Recruitment is now underway for volunteers to train through the IRS to be VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) volunteers with the City's award-winning program.  Volunteers must pass an open book test in order to be authorized to prepare returns. Volunteers who have a background in math, accounting, bookkeeping, engineering, economics, or related fields have been very successful in completing the training and passing the test.  Training and testing will also be provided on-line through the fall and winter.  Training needs to be completed by January 31, 2010.  Tax assistance is scheduled from February 1, 2010 to April 15, 2010.  If you have an interest in learning how to become a VITA volunteer for the City’s program, please contact Mary Lynn Perry, Volunteer Coordinator at (916) 808-8317 or email:  mperry@cityofsacramento.org.

Re-enactment Volunteers - The Old Sacramento Living History program keeps the past alive through historical re-enactments, activities, marching in parades, walking tours, ghost tours, and many fun events. Training is provided. All that is needed is a love of history and a willingness to learn! For more information and to sign up to help, contact Janessa West at: (916) 808-4980 or e-mail jwest@cityofsacramento.org.

Senior Center Self Assessment – The Ethel Hart Senior Center is working towards national recognition from the National Institute of Senior Centers and needs community members who will help with a self-assessment. There is much work to be done in records & report, and governance, which requires a wide range of participation from the community. To find out more, please contact Linda Hoschler at (916) 808-5462 or lhoschler@cityofsacramento.org.

Volun-Teen Program at Fairytale Town -  This new program was added to the Volunteer Program this year and is set up to teach teens how to inspire and educate children in the arts, cultural and literary programming all while learning introductory job skills that will make them more prepared to enter the workforce when they are ready.  Requirements and details for the program are: volunteers must be between the ages of 13 and 19, must commit to working a minimum of 3 hours a week for 3 months, will be given uniform t-shirts and a dress code that they must follow, learn how to sign-in and out daily, how to track their hours, and will be responsible for turning in a time sheet every 2 weeks, and must attend monthly staff meetings.  For more information and details on how to sign up for the Volun-Teen Program, please contact Sharlene Lal at:  volunteers@fairytaletown.org

Sacramento Historic City Cemetery – Fundraising - Persons with experience raising money for non-profits are encouraged to apply with the Old City Cemetery Committee to work with volunteers with ideas but little experience.  Events in the cemetery are generally involved with history or gardening, but new ideas are welcome.  Time Required:  Flexible Duration:  Long or Short Term.  Contact Sharon at (916) 455-8166 or email patricianone@att.net.

Sacramento Historic City Cemetery - Actors - Persons with acting experience and a keen interest in old Sacramento history are needed for special fund-raising events at the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery.  Events are generally held in the evening, and actors in period costume do re-enactments of events affecting persons buried in the cemetery.  Time Required:  4-5 hours per event.  Duration:  Short Term.  Contact Lynda at (916) 804-1446 or email SayLynda@aol.com.

Art Access Advisory Committee - The Crocker Art Museum is inviting new community members to join the Art Access Advisory Committee.  The committee meets every other month and works to advise the staff on how to make the museum more accessible to individuals with learning, emotional, and physical disabilities, to those that don't speak English as their first language, to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities,  and to those who may not have the finances to visit the museum, (either as a group or as individuals).  If you are interested in helping with this committee, please contact Hannah Goin at (916) 808-6730 or hgoin@cityofsacramento.org

Crocker Art Museum Teen Action Team – If you are between the ages of 13 and 17, join a group of your peers to actively create and plan activities for teens at the Crocker Art Museum and on-line as part of the Teen Action Team.  For more information about the teen action team call Emma Moore at (916) 808-1961 or email:  emoore@cityofsacramento.org. 

Parks Volunteer Program - Volunteers are invited to help with various one day or short-term stewardship activities in city parks, trails, and natural areas.  Activities vary by season, and training and tools will be provided, so no prior experience is needed, only the desire to help. Opportunities are available in all neighborhoods, and many activities are great for large groups, families, or youth groups with adult supervisors. Volunteers should wear closed toed shoes and are encouraged to bring a pair of work gloves.  Service activities are available weekdays, and on occasional weekends.  To help or for more information, please contact Julie Mier at (916) 808-2285 or email: jmier@cityofsacramento.org

Special projects are listed below:

  • Land Park Gardens - Volunteers are needed weekday mornings to help with gardening activities in the WPA and other gardens around the park.  Many activities are geared toward individual volunteers or small groups.  To help or for more information, please contact Julie Mier at (916) 808-2285 or email: jmier@cityofsacramento.org

 

Graphic Designer - The Ethel Hart Senior Center is looking for an individual with good graphic design experience who could design and complete a flyer to promote our activities. For more information please contact Linda Hoschler at (916) 808-5462 or email: lhoschler@cityofsacramento.org.

Marketing Volunteer - Ethel Hart Senior Center is looking for an individual with a marketing background to assist with developing a marketing plan. Please contact Linda Hoschler at (916) 808-5462 or email: lhoschler@cityofsacramento.org.

Interior Decorating- The Ethel Hart Senior Center building is 48 years old. We'd love for you to share your ideas about a new high-end style look, on a shoe-string budget. Please contact Linda Hoschler at (916) 808-5462 or email: lhoschler@cityofsacramento.org.

Graphic Designer for Animal Care - The City's Animal Care Services Division is looking for an individual with good graphic design experience who could design and complete a volunteer brochure.  For more information please contact Claudia Schlachter at:  (916) 808-8166 or email:  cschlachter@cityofsacramento.org.  For more information about the Animal Care Services Division, visit their web site:  www.SacPetSearch.com.

Receptionist - Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center is looking for a volunteer to help answer phones, take messages and greet patrons of the archives.  Schedules are available 8am to 12 noon or 1 pm to 5 pm weekdays and Saturdays.  This is an on-going position and is located at 551 Sequoia Pacific Blvd., off Richards Blvd., between I-5 and N. 7th Street.  For more information, contact Patricia Johnson at (916) 264-7072 or email:  pjohnson@cityofsacramento.org

Greeter Program - Keep History alive by welcoming people to the Historic District of Old Sacramento! Greet visitors from near and far and show people the way to a variety of museums and historical spots of interest. Discounted parking is available. For more information please contact:  Janessa West at: (916) 808-4980 or e-mail jwest@cityofsacramento.org.

Information Technology Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Internship - The Central GIS Unit is offering student internships (unpaid) to assist with the collection, verification, and update of the City's Master Addresses.  Internships are currently available for 2009 with possible continuation into 2010.  Students will gain training and mentorship opportunities to build skills in data collection, field experience, data maintenance, and quality control for GIS data that is used throughout the City.  No experience needed, but fundamental knowledge of GIS and ESRI products preferred or enrollment in the GIS certification program a plus.  A 10-20 hour commitment per week is required and a regular schedule throughout the internship is preferred.  For information contact Nathan Jennings at (916) 808-7857 or email:  njennings@cityofsacramento.org. 

Cover the Kids, Sacramento's Children's Health Initiative - Volunteers are needed on an on-going basis to assist with client follow-up phone calls.  The purpose is to help collect data on children who are enrolled in a health program and those who are not.  This data will allow the project to assist families by providing them access to various health programs.  Volunteers are also needed to assist with various jobs at one-day events to reach families with uninsured children.  Parents will be enrolling their children in affordable health coverage programs and learning about health services by attending a short class.  Volunteers will assist at these events by facilitating children's activities, childcare, staffing a registration table or an information table, and making copies for families.  Events will be scheduled periodically at different locations.  For more information and to volunteer, please contact Mary Corum at (916) 808-3810 or email:  mcorum@cityofsacramento.org.

Sacramento START - (Students Today Achieving Results Tomorrow) Learning Today...Leading Tomorrow. Sacramento START is an after school program and is located on school campuses where 50% or more of the children receive free or reduced lunch. START has volunteer opportunities existing for individuals on a short or long-term basis. Volunteers will be able to work with small groups of children through homework assistance, recreational and enrichment activities. Volunteer assignments include START Pal, Enrichment Specialist, Special Events Assistant, Inspirational Speaker, Homework Helper, Cluster Assistant, Yard Duty Assistant, Site Director Assistant, Reading Buddy, Community Outreach Assistant, and START Office Assistant. For additional information call the Volunteer Coordinator at: (916) 808-6156 or email: volunteersacstart@hotmail.com

Water Conservation - Volunteers are needed stuff brochures containing information related to water conservation.  This project can be done at the Water Conservation office as a group and works well for youth groups and families.  Contact Carol Tao at 808-5618 or ctao@cityofsacramento.org Thank you for your generous response. This opportunity is at capacity and is closed at the present time.