Volunteer Service Areas

Volunteer Applications

• General Volunteer Application

ARCHIVAL ASSISTANTS

ARCHIVAL ASSISTANTS

QUALIFICATIONS: Interest in Kansas History, able to work independently and self-motivated. To work in the library, a volunteer needs the ability to work with the public, have a basic understanding of library/archives procedures, and become familiar with library/archives research tools. For the “behind the scenes” projects, computer skills are helpful but not necessary.

TRAINING: Staff provide individualized training for each project/task.

SUPERVISOR: The division volunteer coordinator, Kirsten Goodman, oversees all division volunteer projects and will assign volunteers to direct supervisor with whom they will work.

BENEFITS: An opportunity to learn and share knowledge, help preserve and make available Kansas History, and be actively involved in an exciting part of the Kansas Historical Society; a keener understanding of Kansas history, close working relationships with professional staff, free admission to all training activities, including lectures, workshops, notification of upcoming museum events prior to general public announcements through a monthly newsletter, reduced admission to programs; an annual recognition event; a 10 percent discount at the museum store; income tax deductions for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of volunteer service; job references upon request.

There are several areas in which a volunteer might contribute: ARCHIVES – Processing government records for patron use; LIBRARY – Assisting in preparing library materials for use by patrons; MANUSCRIPTS – preparing private collections for use by patrons including readying the actual documents, transcribing letters and diaries and creating finding aids; REFERENCE – Assisting patrons in the research room with microfilm; PHOTOS – Assisting in preparing photos for patron use and may involve data entry; PRESERVATION – transfer materials in to acid free file folders and boxes; DATA ENTRY – generally providing better access to materials of interest to Genealogists.

DISCOVERY PLACE VOLUNTEER

DUTIES: In general, Discovery Place volunteers greet museum visitors of all ages and help them participate in the hands-on activities in the gallery. Volunteers help check out Discovery units, monitor romm capacity, record visitor statistics, and maintain the area. They should arrive at least 15 minutes before their shift and make sure everything is in its proper place before leaving. Volunteers are responsible for securing their own substitutes and notifying the staff supervisor of any changes in their work schedules.

QUALIFICATIONS: Volunteers must be friendly, outgoing, and have good verbal communication skills. Discovery Place volunteer should enjoy working with people of all ages and should be flexible.

TRAINING: Read "Discovery Place Training Manual." Volunteers are required to attend a Discovery Place training course offered once a year. Volunteers are encouraged to attend monthly service meetings held the first Monday of the month, September through May. Each volunteer should spend additional time becoming familiar with all aspects of the Discovery Place.

TIME COMMITMENT: At least two half-days per month, plus assist with reserved visits. Volunteers are asked to dedicate one year of service to the Discovery Place. Time requirement may be amended by mutual agreement.

SUPERVISOR: Education coordinator

SECURITY: All Historical Society staff and volunteers are required to be fingerprinted and to wear name tags while working.

BENEFITS: An opportunity to learn and share knowledge and be actively involved in an exciting part of the Kansas Historical Society; a keener understanding of Kansas history, close working relationship with professional staff, and training sessions; fre admission to all training activities, including lectures, workshops, and field trips; notification of upcoming museum events prior to general public announcements through a monthly newsletter; reduced admission to programs; a spring field trip for all volunteers to a historic site; a holiday volunteer recognition party; 10 percent discount at the museum store; income tax deductions for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of volunteer service; job reference upon request.

DOCENT

DUTIES: Conduct guided theme tours and general gallery tours. Serve as a living history interpreter at gallery locations for special occasions. Docents are required to observe all standard touring procedures such as arriving one-half hour ahead of scheduled time for tour, wearing name tag, signing in, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS: Love of history and an enthusiasm for sharing history. Enjoy teaching people of all ages about material culture and be sensitve to different cultures and issues. Docents serve as volunteer educators.

TRAINING: Docents are encouraged to attend monthly service meetings and historical lecture programs, September through May. New docents are required to attend special theme tour training sessions as scheduled; others are strongly encouraged to attend. Read Kansas: A Land of Contrasts. Read training manuals for theme tours as appropriate. Conduct sample tour to staff supervisor for all new tours.

TIME COMMITMENT: Conduct three tours per month. Dedicate two years of service to the docent program.

SUPERVISOR: Education supervisor

SECURITY: All Historical Society staff and volunteers are required to be fingerprinted and to wear name tags while working.

SUBSTITUTES: Docents who are unable to give a tour for which they have been scheduled are required to find their own substitutes and to notify supervisor of such change.

BENEFITS: An opportunity to learn and share knowledge and be actively involved in an exciting part of the Kansas Historical Society; a keener understanding of Kansas history, close working relationship with professional staff, and training sessions; fre admission to all training activities, including lectures, workshops, and field trips; notification of upcoming museum events prior to general public announcements through a monthly newsletter; reduced admission to programs; a spring field trip for all volunteers to a historic site; a holiday volunteer recognition party; 10 percent discount at the museum store; income tax deductions for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of volunteer service; job reference upon request.

INFORMATION VOLUNTEER-MUSEUM

DUTIES: Information volunteers are stationed at the front desk to greet visitors and conduct orientation sessions to groups not receiving a tour. They assist staff in counting visitors.

QUALIFICATIONS: Enjoy meeting people. Possess good communication skills.

TRAINING: Read "Volunteer Training Manual." Volunteers are encouraged to attend monthly service area meetings, September through May. New volunteers must attend an annual special training session and/or receive on-the-job training with a staff person and an experienced information volunteer.

TIME COMMITMENT: Work one half-day per week or one weekend afternoon per month. Commit one year of service.

SUPERVISOR: Education coordinator

SECURITY: All Historical Society staff and volunteers are required to be fingerprinted and to wear name tags while working.

SUBSTITUTES: Information volunteers who are unable to work on the day they have been scheduled are required to find their own substitutes and to notify their supervisor of such change.

BENEFITS: An opportunity to learn and share knowledge and be actively involved in an exciting part of the Kansas Historical Society; a keener understanding of Kansas history, close working relationship with professional staff, and training sessions; fre admission to all training activities, including lectures, workshops, and field trips; notification of upcoming museum events prior to general public announcements through a monthly newsletter; reduced admission to programs; a spring field trip for all volunteers to a historic site; a holiday volunteer recognition party; 10 percent discount at the museum store; income tax deductions for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of volunteer service; job reference upon request.

INFORMATION VOLUNTEER-MISSION

DUTIES: Information volunteers are stationed in the exhibit gallery to greet visitors and provide tours of the mission.

QUALIFICATIONS: Enjoy meeting people. Possess good communications skills.

TRAINING: Read "Potawatomi Mission Volunteer Manual." Volunteers are encouraged to attend monthly service area meetings, September through May. New volunteers must attend an annual special training session and/or receive on-the-job training with a staff person and an experienced information volunteer.

TIME COMMITMENT: Work one half-day per week or every other week or half-day on a weekend per month. Commit one year of service.

SUPERVISOR: Education coordinator

SECURITY: All Historical Society staff and volunteers are required to be fingerprinted and to wear name tags while working.

SUBSTITUTES: Information volunteers who are unable to work on the day they have been scheduled are required to find their own substitutes and to notify their supervisor of such change.

BENEFITS: An opportunity to learn and share knowledge and be actively involved in an exciting part of the Kansas Historical Society; a keener understanding of Kansas history, close working relationship with professional staff, and training sessions; fre admission to all training activities, including lectures, workshops, and field trips; notification of upcoming museum events prior to general public announcements through a monthly newsletter; reduced admission to programs; a spring field trip for all volunteers to a historic site; a holiday volunteer recognition party; 10 percent discount at the museum store; income tax deductions for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of volunteer service; job reference upon request.

MUSEUM STORE VOLUNTEER

DUTIES: Assist store manager with operations including pricing, display, inventory of merchandise, and sales.

QUALIFICATIONS: Ability to work with people of all ages and backgrounds. Procure understanding of operating a cash register.

TRAINING: Attendance at monthly service area meetings, September through May, is recommended but not required. On-the-job training in store. Attendance is required at training sessions arranged by store manager.

TIME COMMITMENT: Arrangements are made on an individual basis with store manager.

SUPERVISOR: Museum store manager

SECURITY: All Historical Society staff and volunteers are required to be fingerprinted and to wear name tags while working.

SUBSTITUTES: Museum store volunteers who are unable to work on the day they have been scheduled are required to notify the store manager, and the manager will find a substitute.

BENEFITS: An opportunity to learn and share knowledge and be actively involved in an exciting part of the Kansas Historical Society; a keener understanding of Kansas history, close working relationship with professional staff, and training sessions; fre admission to all training activities, including lectures, workshops, and field trips; notification of upcoming museum events prior to general public announcements through a monthly newsletter; reduced admission to programs; a spring field trip for all volunteers to a historic site; a holiday volunteer recognition party; 10 percent discount at the museum store; income tax deductions for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of volunteer service; job reference upon request.

SPECIAL PROJECTS VOLUNTEER

DUTIES: Job description will vary depending on the project. Special projects volunteers are expected to report hours worked on a monthly basis.

QUALIFICATIONS: Ability to complet project.

TRAINING: Kansas Historycourse (optional). On-the-job training. Attendance at monthly volunteer meetings is encouraged.

TIME COMMITMENT: Hours and duration of project will be decided on an individual basis.

SUPERVISOR: Volunteer reports to supervisor of the division in which he or she is working. The education supervisor assigns the volunteer to the appropriate division and will serve as liasion between the volunteer and the assigned division.

SECURITY: All Historical Society staff and volunteers are required to be fingerprinted and to wear name tags while working.

BENEFITS: An opportunity to learn and share knowledge and be actively involved in an exciting part of the Kansas Historical Society; a keener understanding of Kansas history, close working relationship with professional staff, and training sessions; fre admission to all training activities, including lectures, workshops, and field trips; notification of upcoming museum events prior to general public announcements through a monthly newsletter; reduced admission to programs; a spring field trip for all volunteers to a historic site; a holiday volunteer recognition party; 10 percent discount at the museum store; income tax deductions for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of volunteer service; job reference upon request.