1.Before you do anything else, determine how much time you want to or are willing to give to the museum. An hour a month? Twenty hours a week?
2.Short term or long term help? The museum needs to know your volunteering plans. Is this a one-time thing, something to last a summer, or are you planning on volunteering for several years?
3.Why do you want to help? Think about what you want to accomplish by volunteering. Do you want to help the museum finish a specific project? Help the museum get funds? Earn college credits for you? Learn something?
4.Choose a museum. If you are volunteering for a special project, you have probably already chosen a museum. If not, choose a museum that will best help reach your objective above. You might have to call several museums before you narrow it down.
5.What can you offer the museum? Are you a warm body they could put to any task or do you have an expertise or talent for a particular job? Figure out (before you contact the museum) some positions you would like to hold.
6.When you know the answers to the questions above, call the museum. Tell them you are interested in volunteering; they will likely transfer you to a volunteer coordinator.
7.Don't expect the museum to bow down and kiss the ground you walk on. They will likely thank you for your interest but be skeptical of your reliability.
8.The volunteer coordinator will probably ask you in for an informal interview. Like all interviews, dress nicely (perhaps not as formally - depends on the museum) and be on time.
9.Sometimes a resume or application is recommended / required. This is not meant to scare you off; instead, it is meant to help the museum best match your skills and expectations with a position in the museum.
10.Just as the museum is examining you, you should examine the museum. Does this museum have a position that would suit you? Will you be happy volunteering here?
11.Once you have started, make sure you are always on time and act professionally. Though you are not getting paid, you should respect your position and the museum you are helping.
12.Be honest with the person in charge of volunteers. Are you happy in the position you were given?
13.Volunteering is a wonderful thing. Enjoy your new responsibility of helping others.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Top 6 Reason to Visit a Museum
1) Museums make you feel good.
Times are tight in this economic climate, and it’s often easy to use a museum admission price as an excuse to stay at home. But, studies have shown that people are happier when they spend money on experiences rather than material purchases. Visiting a museum, can also become a meaningful part of one’s identity and contribute to successful social relationships in a manner that material items cannot. So consider foregoing an outing for items that you may not need; going to the museum will make you happier in the long run.
2)Museums make you smarter.There is no doubt that a primary role of museums is to engage and educate the community. Museum exhibits inspire interest in an area of study, item, time period, or an idea– but there’s more going on in museums in regard to education than one might think. Even the museums themselves often have interesting histories to inspire you. It becomes nearly impossible to exit a museum without having gained any information or insight during your visit. Remember, knowledge is power and how much fun will the conversation be after empowering your children with some amazing educating information from a day at your local museum?
3)Museums are community centers.Museums are a lot more than collections of artifacts; they allow you to meet with neighbors, discuss thoughts and opinions, and become and become an active part of the community. There are often yoga class, Rock Band Summer Camps, Farmers Markets, Book Signings, BBQ’s, Glass Blowing Classes, Seminars and festivals all their own. Just pull up all the museums on Chicagofun.com and see what they have to offer in your area.
4)Museums inspire.Museums provide inspiration through personal connections with visitors, and through physical community outreach efforts. Through donating your time and skills, you create memories that never expire. Share 1 day a year or 1 day per month and teach your children the gift of giving that will last a lifetime.
5)Museums are a great way to spend time with friends and familyMuseums provide a great excuse to spend time with friends and family in a positive way. Personal connections can be made easier at a museum by giving your family something interesting to discuss and learn about together. Make it a family date each month.
6)Museums are free… sometimes.Several museums nationwide offer free admission during specified hours or days of the week. Visit the chicagofun.com and search museums to see if they feature something like this near you. Several museums offer free events as well. OR….Check out the Chicagofun.com Facebook page this week and enter to win FREE museum tickets just by being clever and sharing it with your friends.
Times are tight in this economic climate, and it’s often easy to use a museum admission price as an excuse to stay at home. But, studies have shown that people are happier when they spend money on experiences rather than material purchases. Visiting a museum, can also become a meaningful part of one’s identity and contribute to successful social relationships in a manner that material items cannot. So consider foregoing an outing for items that you may not need; going to the museum will make you happier in the long run.
2)Museums make you smarter.There is no doubt that a primary role of museums is to engage and educate the community. Museum exhibits inspire interest in an area of study, item, time period, or an idea– but there’s more going on in museums in regard to education than one might think. Even the museums themselves often have interesting histories to inspire you. It becomes nearly impossible to exit a museum without having gained any information or insight during your visit. Remember, knowledge is power and how much fun will the conversation be after empowering your children with some amazing educating information from a day at your local museum?
3)Museums are community centers.Museums are a lot more than collections of artifacts; they allow you to meet with neighbors, discuss thoughts and opinions, and become and become an active part of the community. There are often yoga class, Rock Band Summer Camps, Farmers Markets, Book Signings, BBQ’s, Glass Blowing Classes, Seminars and festivals all their own. Just pull up all the museums on Chicagofun.com and see what they have to offer in your area.
4)Museums inspire.Museums provide inspiration through personal connections with visitors, and through physical community outreach efforts. Through donating your time and skills, you create memories that never expire. Share 1 day a year or 1 day per month and teach your children the gift of giving that will last a lifetime.
5)Museums are a great way to spend time with friends and familyMuseums provide a great excuse to spend time with friends and family in a positive way. Personal connections can be made easier at a museum by giving your family something interesting to discuss and learn about together. Make it a family date each month.
6)Museums are free… sometimes.Several museums nationwide offer free admission during specified hours or days of the week. Visit the chicagofun.com and search museums to see if they feature something like this near you. Several museums offer free events as well. OR….Check out the Chicagofun.com Facebook page this week and enter to win FREE museum tickets just by being clever and sharing it with your friends.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)