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No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
Aesop
There are many ways to volunteer at RTSC (age 14 and up):
Project Volunteers
Team Leaders
Other Project Roles
Year Round Support
Committees
Project Volunteers
Project volunteers basically show up on the workday and are put to work on a project/task that fits their skill level:
Skilled Trades
Skilled/professional tradespersons do specialized work and/or lead small teams of skilled volunteers. Specialized work may include highly skilled tasks such as installing/repairing plumbing, electrical wiring, new heating system, roofing, or other skilled work as needed.
Skilled Volunteers
We need volunteers skilled in variety of areas including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, roofing, tile work, drywall, flooring/carpet installation, HVAC. Projects include rebuilding porch steps, installing new plumbing or electrical fixtures, laying new flooring or hanging new sheetrock. These skilled volunteers may be skilled trades, retired or former trades, and/or weekend warriors.
Unskilled Volunteers
There is plenty of work for unskilled workers on almost all of our projects, including painting, cleaning, landscaping, etc. Also, there may be an opportunity to learn new skills under the supervision of a skilled volunteer.
Year Round Volunteer
For those that have time year-round to help out and are somewhat handy, consider becoming a volunteer to do basic to intermediate work such as accessibility modifications (grab bars, ramps), or emergency home repairs. We will train you to do work such as installing grab bars, and safety railings.
Workday Photographer
If you have a "good eye" and your own digital camera, you can volunteer to take pictures and document the October and April workdays. The photos taken on those days are used for this website as well as other marketing materials. Also, if you are handy with Adobe Photoshop, photo retouching is needed throughout the year.
Team Leaders
Every RTSC project—whether a home or community facility renovation project—is lead by a volunteer team that manages the project.
House Captain
House Captains are the most important role at RTSC. They are the overall project manager and boss on the project. They decide on the scope of work to be accomplished at the chosen site, plan for a safe realistic and meaningful project, work with RTSC staff to secure necessary materials, recruit skilled volunteers, determining the number of volunteers needed for the job and directing volunteers on the workday. The position requires about 40 hours of volunteer time including the workday.
Co-Captain
If you are interested in becoming a House Captain, but want more experience before leading your own project, consider volunteering as a Co-Captain. You will work alongside an experienced House Captain, and will gain the skills and confidence necessary to be a House Captain in the future. This is a great way to build valuable trade skills and help the community at the same time!
Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinators serve as liaisons between the House Captain, volunteers and the RTSC staff. They perform a variety of duties such as recruiting volunteers, checking in volunteers on the workday, keeping morale up on-site, providing support to the House Captain, and providing food on workdays. The position requires about 20 hours of volunteer time, including the workday.
Safety Coordinator
The Safety Coordinator ensures that all work performed at the work site is done in a safe manner. This person must take preventative measures, such as watching for tripping and falling hazards, ladder safety issues and safe paint prepping practices.
Other Project Roles
There are a number of other roles that often need to be filled at each project:
Homeowner Companion
The Homeowner Companion makes sure that the homeowner is comfortable on all work days and that their concerns are addressed. This role can be done by the Volunteer Coordinator.
Meal Coordinator
The Meal Coordinator organizes breakfast and lunch for volunteers, via in-kind donors, sponsors, or volunteer preparation. This role can be done by the Volunteer Coordinator. Breakfast and lunch should be provided to all volunteers on all prep and work days. The Meal Coordinator should arrange to pick up the food or have it delivered. RTSC recommends that the Meal Coordinator make efforts in advance of to get food donated or discounted.
Runner
The Runner makes runs to stores on the workday for last minute supplies.
Year-Round Support
Opportunities to support RTSC throughout the year:
Year Round Volunteer
For those that have time year-round to help out and are somewhat handy, consider becoming a volunteer year round to perform minor home repairs. We will train you, to do work such as installing grab bars, and safety railings.
Office Volunteer
We can always use an extra hand in our office, particularly when we're getting near workdays. Typical office assistance includes database entry and management, homeowner and facility outreach, coordinating mailings, and marketing and event support.
Materials Volunteer
Help us manage our tools and supplies in our office storage space and get supplies ready for specific work projects. Also, assist with workday supplies as needed, and pick-up and drop offs from project teams.
Join a Committee in Support of the Board of Directors
Project Committee
The project committee meets monthly starting six months before the April workday to coordinate efforts for Rebuilding Together Saratoga’s programs. Roles on the Project Committee include: inspecting and recommending projects, coordinating donation of services and goods, warehousing donations and purchasing needed supplies.
Fundraising Development Committee
The Fund Development Committee works on securing critical funds to keep our organization alive and well. Development activities include identifying and soliciting potential donors, writing grant proposals, hosting fundraising events and sending appeal letters to individuals in the community.
Marketing Committee
Rebuilding Together Saratoga produces a bi-annual newsletter to inform our supporters, volunteers and members of the Saratoga community. If you like writing or have skills in editing layouts for PR materials, lend a hand in getting out the word about Rebuilding Together Saratoga.
Community Outreach Committee
Assist with outreach plan that serves diverse Saratoga community. Identify community resources and contacts, arrange for material distribution, and speak at various social service and community based organizations.
Resource Committee
Solicit in-kind donations of materials, tools, and equipment from local business; recruit skilled labor and volunteers from unions, trade groups, contractors, other organizations; also help recruit new sponsors.
Helpful Resources
If you’re not sure what level of skill you are at, maybe check out a few of these “how to” videos. If you’re unskilled, don’t worry there is plenty of work to do on all the sites. We will be able to find work appropriate to your ability.
http://www6.homedepot.com/tv/hdtv_player.html?videoID=000290
http://www.howcast.com/categories/559-House-and-Garden
How to Volunteer
There are four ways to volunteer with RTSC:
- Sign Up Online
- E-mail us at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Call us at 518.695.3315
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Volunteer
