Date of opportunity: Fri, May 18, 2012
Dump and Run keeps six semi-trailers worth of unwanted goods out of Champaign-Urbana’s dumpsters and landfills each year. This project reduces litter and consumer waste, saves space in landfills, lowers dumping costs for certified housing and apartments, provides inexpensive items for folks to purchase in the fall - and acts as a major fundraiser for the University YMCA.
On May collection days, the University YMCA collects reusable items from move out and spring cleaning. You’ll help collect ans sort items donated by students and the community.
From August 15-18th, we collect again and sell the items at the big SALE on August 24th and 25th at the U of I Stock Pavilion.
Volunteer 6+ hours for first dibs during the August pre-sale. Sign up now to volunteer or learn more by visiting our Dump & Run Volunteer page.
Date of opportunity: Sat, May 19, 2012
Coinciding with Historic Preservation Week, this FREE and award-winning event gives children and families an entertaining and educational introduction to the building trades and our community’s rich heritage in architecture and historical preservation. It provides an educational and discovery-based introduction to the tools and skills that help to build a community. The Orpheum is looking for volunteers to help attendees at the Building Fair get a hands-on experience in both the art and science of the "built" environment. Under the guidance of volunteers in more than 20 ’city-based’ activities, Building Fair features activities for the whole family and offers unique opportunities to explore carpentry, painting, engineering, conservation, transportation, science, and the arts.
This opportunity is ongoing and runs until Thu, May 31, 2012.
TUTORS / MENTORS NEEDED!! We are looking for tutors who can volunteer at least 1 1/2 hours per week (for the semester). You will work with middle and high school scholars in Champaign County Schools, beginning in January. Please email volunteer@tapinacademy.org for more information.
TAP In Leadership Academy’s vision is to cultivate better scholarship and responsibility in youth to become contributing leaders in their families, their communities, and in the world.
How is TAP In Leadership Academy different from other enrichment programs?
By serving scholars as early as 5th grade, TAP In Leadership Academy is able to afford youth early opportunities to grow and learn in a multiage environment. Through interactive lessons, hands-on activities, and engaging field studies, TAP In scholars are exposed to a holistic and worldwide assortment of options. Via peer mentoring, and one-on-one tutoring, scholars are given the time and attention they deserve to achieve excellence in academics and healthy ways to navigate relationships. Leaders are born through these experiences, and TAP In Leadership Academy strives to maintain and sustain communication with our scholars as they travel through these multiple levels of learning.
The interwoven thread throughout the program is respect for multiculturalism, as scholars journey through their educational experiences. Therein lies the strong undercurrent of pride and dignity for their own cultural backgrounds, as well as for those of others. In addition, scholars are engaged in culturally-integrated literacy curricula (CILC), which brings to the forefront the importance of respecting differences.
TAP In is making its mark in cultivating critical relationships with key campus and community leaders. With the evolution of campus programs, aligned with growth of TAP In, collaboration and resources continue to fuel curriculum development to best fit the needs and aspirations of TAP In scholars and their success. To date, there exists no other campus or community program like TAP In Leadership Academy. At TAP In, we continue to seek and provide experiences that teach to the whole child, that offer them opportunities for service-learning, and that increase civic engagement and social consciousness in our world.
This opportunity is ongoing and runs until Thu, May 31, 2012.
Become a mentor to a 4th grade student without ever having to leave your home!
In this program, local seniors exchange letters back and forth with 4th grade students in Champaign, Thomasboro, Fisher, St. Joseph, Urbana, and Gifford. Seniors continue to write their student throughout the course of the school year. Ideally, a letter will be exchanged once a month between the student and senior, so seniors are asked to respond within 2 weeks of receiving a letter from a student. All letters are confidential between the student and senior, so any issues that may arise, (though few and far between), must be reported to the Pen Pal Coordinators immediately. Seniors are asked to keep the letters educational, light-hearted and most of all to have fun! Seniors will also have an opportunity to meet their pen pals in person at the end of the school year, (and no gifts given to the students, please!)
Please note that this program has traditionally been for seniors aged 55 plus, but we are willing to take other adult volunteers.
For more information please either call Jean Smith at (217) 356-1972 or Marsha Reardon at (217) 359-6500.
This opportunity is ongoing and runs until Thu, May 31, 2012.
Help SHARE help horses by assisting us with our morning chores. Every morning we refill waters and distribute hay and grain to approximately 35 rescue horses awaiting adoption, being rehabilitated, or in sanctuary care. After the horses have eaten, we walk them outside to their pastures and turn-outs so they can spend the day outside. We look to get 1 person per day of the week, for example, volunteer to help with our Monday morning feedings. We also have an afternoon feeding which is a separate opportunity. We try to manage our volunteer shifts using this web site, so if interested you can drop us an email with questions, or head here to sign up: https://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/643913/login/
This opportunity is ongoing and runs until Sat, June 30, 2012.
The Board of Directors of Rape Advocacy, Counseling, & Education Services is seeking interested candidates. The Board provides administrative oversight of the agency via their monthly meetings. Board service includes membership in one of two committees: Development or Finance. Both committees are also open to interested community members who are not wishing to serve on the Board.
Board meetings are held on weeknights with the majority on Thursdays. However, dates and times are currently scheduled on a meeting to meeting basis to ensure a quorum. Development Committee meetings are held the fourth Thursday of the month at noon. Finance Committee meetings are on an as needed basis, but meets more often during the spring for budgeting purposes.
This opportunity is ongoing and runs until Sat, June 30, 2012.
Are you passionate about sports? Be a volunteer coach! Share your love of the game with kids in the community. In our youth sports programs, we believe that winning has less to do with the scoreboard and more to do with core values of Sportsmanship, Opportunity, Fun and Instruction. As a Champaign Park District coach, we expect that you’ll emulate these values and hopefully keep fit and make friends along the way. For further information visit our website and read the Volunteer Coaching Info Flyer or contact Hsuing Marler, Youth Sports Coordinator, 398-2571 or hsiung.marler@cparkdistrict.com.
This opportunity is ongoing and runs until Sat, June 30, 2012.
*Our upcoming event...BLUES, BREWS and BBQ FESTIVAL JUNE 29-30, 2012*
Join the fun! There are volunteer opportunities for people of all interests and abilities.
Volunteer Descriptions
In order to continue to keep the BBBBQ Festival free to the public, it is imperative that we gain support from volunteers and non-for-profit organizations.
ACCESS: Assist people with disabilities in a variety of situations. Post signs, maintain access areas, ability to push wheelchairs over rough terrain, ability to work extensively with the public, have a commitment to teamwork and posses a sense of humor.
*If you need special assistance, call 217-359-6960 or email us at specialassistance@fluidevents.org
BEER TENT SERVER- Fill beer cups, serve alcoholic beverages and collect tickets for said beverages. Recognize and refuse alcoholic beverages to inebriated patrons. Maintain cleanliness of beer tent area and restock beverages after use. Must have a valid driver’s license and be at least 19 years of age.
VENDING COORDINATOR ASSISTANT- Help coordinators to set up booth spaces, welcome vendors and assist vendors in finding their assigned booths. Help vendors with whatever they need to ensure a simple and easy set up. Help food vendors with specific needs during the festival, making sure all prices are clearly marked and displayed, dispensing of ice to the vendors and keeping track of number of bags sold, check to make sure site is tidy and trash/recycling are put in appropriate containers, and supervise clean up at the end of the festival.
BEFORE & AFTER: Assist in setting up and tearing down banners, barricades, poles & displays, deliver and collect tables & chairs, assist as needed with signs, set up pop up tents, and drop electrical cords. Must be physically fit, be able to work in extreme heat, be able to work early and late hours, and lift over 50 lbs.
BOX OFFICE (Food & Beverage): Provide customer service, event information and make change and sell Food & Beverage tickets. Coordinator reserves the right of approval on all volunteers. Prior cashier or bank teller experience a plus but not required.
MERCHANDISE: Volunteers will assist at artists or BBBBQ merchandise booth. Stock and oversee tables of merchandise. Assist customers and check out customer purchases. Retail knowledge and cashier experience is helpful but not required. (Merchandise crew is chosen pre-festival. There are only a couple of openings for this crew. If you are interested please make a note on your application).
LOUIE’S PLAYLAND: Assist in supervising Louie’s Playland with children’s activities. Will help facilitate kid’s programs throughout their shift, and make sure parents do not leave their children unattended. Volunteers should be comfortable working with children and with assisting in various children’s programs (Background checks may be required for this area).
HUMAN RESOURCES: The central nervous system of BBBBQ Festival, working around the clock with radios and phones, to keep key personnel connected and vital information flowing. Assist in greeting & checking in the arriving volunteers, vendors and artists. Assist in signing out and checking in hand held radios. Knowledge of tax forms, excel and word a plus but not required. Must enjoy working with people. Strong verbal communication skills with a professional and outgoing demeanor.
ELECTRICAL CREW: This committee brings the electrical power to the festival. They will cover exposed power lines to avoid tripping hazards. This committee’s job is to lay down the cables from the access points to the place where it is needed as well as install any necessary distribution boxes. After the festival we also pick up cables and boxes, clean them off, and pack them away until next year. This requires some heavy lifting, lots of walking, lots of hand work, and some working on heights and overhead. Prior experience in this line of work is preferred but not required.
FIRST AID: Required to have an EMT license, a cell phone and a valid driver’s license. Provide minor first aid when needed. After each call, restock and replace used supplies, cleans all equipment following appropriate disinfecting procedures, and carefully check all equipment to ensure availability for next response. (Will need to provide copy of EMT and driver’s license).
BBBBQ MARKETING: Preparing and implementing marketing work to promote the festival including: creating posters, putting up fliers and distributing festival guides. All the work on this committee will be done in advance. Some volunteers will be asked to come in to the Fluid Events office. Computer, Internet and social media experience a plus but not required.
INFO BOOTH: Booth attendants provide detailed information about the music line up, artists and the BBBBQ festival, as well as provide directions and pass out printed materials to festival attendees. Be knowledgeable of the Champaign-Urbana area. Oversee lost and found. Help direct volunteers to appropriate check in locations. Keep information booths stocked, cleaned and organized. Creating a positive impression of both the festival and performers is critical to this role.
SECURITY: Traffic & crowd management, gate assistance, and facility security. Watch for vandalism and improper behavior. Requires a mature, calm and responsible individual. Many assignments require extensive walking. Prior security experience highly recommended but not required. Teams will be assigned on a first come first served basis.
ARTIST HOSPITALITY: The hospitality room is an area where artists can take a break and re-fuel. We need people to make coffee, ensure that the food and drink is available to the artists and keep the area clean. Look after the artist per their contract (Rider) This area is also used for an instrument check, so our performers can leave their instruments in a safe place while they enjoy the festival. Must be willing to be flexible with shift scheduling and work additional hours as needed. Requires good humor, high energy and a team attitude! Prior experience with festival or concert hospitality preferred but not required.
ARTIST TRANSPORTATION/RUNNER: Transport artist & equipment onsite & off, to airport & hotels while also running errands such as getting groceries and dropping off laundry. We need licensed and insured drivers for this job. Must use own insured vehicle, have a valid driver’s license and a current form of insurance. Requires vehicles with 5+ seats, Vans or SUVs preferred . High energy and knowledge of Champaign and Urbana is a must.
GREEN TEAM: Collect items from the festival grounds to help keep the festival site clean and make routine rounds to empty trash cans.
JOATMON-(Jack-of-all-trades, master-of none)- Flexible hours, many different tasks. Act as a fill-in at sites that need assistance during the festival. You never know where you’ll be assigned with this one. Requires physical vigor, not necessarily great strength.
BACKSTAGE ASSISTANCE - Lifting, carefully moving equipment, high energy environment. Requires co-operative, hardworking people who take direction well. Music/backstage experience preferred. Must be 19 years of age or older.
FRONT GATE OPERATIONS: Welcomes guests, takes donations and hands out event information/schedules. Help to maintain gate security. Preferred to have knowledge of the local area. The amount of donations raised at the BBBBQ festival depends on the involvement of our gate volunteers. Enthusiasm is a must!
RUNNER: Will be running errands and assisting in anything to help the festival run smoothly. We need licensed and insured drivers for this job. A valid driver’s license is necessary.
Volunteer Orientation:
It is beneficial and necessary of all volunteers to attend the volunteer orientation. This event will provide you with all the necessary details of the Festival and will allow you to meet other volunteers. Attending this training will be vital to understanding your volunteer role and other logistics that are pivotal to the success of the festival. Other arrangements can be made if you cannot attend the orientation.
Attendance:
Since we truly rely and depend on each person’s commitment as a participating volunteer, we ask that all volunteers please arrive on time to any event (at least 10-15 min. before assigned time). Timeliness has proven crucial to maintaining organization and it insures that this event will be successful. For any last minute emergencies or if you cannot show up at your assigned time, please contact Tara Martin at 217-359-6960 ASAP. Thank you in advance for your time!
FESTIVAL COMMITTEES – VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Each year, The Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival looks for individuals to volunteer during this exciting event! The BBBBQ has repeatedly been complimented for Festival volunteers on their commitment and passion. Our volunteers make up a large portion of the Festival staff and help to manage this BBBBQ weekend. We value and depend on each and every volunteer, as they are an integral part of the production and success of this event. We look forward to working with you! In order to get to know you and your preferred placement preferences for the festival, we ask that you please fill out a volunteer application. We are accepting applications on February 10th, 2012. Email volunteers@fluidevents.org for more information.
Volunteer as a team! Recruit a group from your office, church, school, or social organization for a fun and rewarding experience and also as a unique team building exercise. Please contact the Tara Martin at 217-359-6960 for more information.
Our volunteers are known by guests as always having smiles on their faces and displaying a pleasant attitude at all times! We look forward to continuing that tradition.
Volunteer Benefits & Perks:
-Festival T shirt and a limited edition, numbered and signed by the artist, poster (with a minimum of a three hour shift)
-Festival T shirt, a limited edition, numbered and signed by the artist, poster and a BBBBQ Mug (with a minimum of a four hour shift)
-Festival T shirt, a limited edition, numbered and signed by the artist, poster, a BBBBQ Mug, and a meal ticket (with a minimum of a six hour shift)
Arrival and Check-in
Please keep in mind that you MUST check in at the festival headquarters BEFORE beginning your volunteer shift. Please try to arrive about 10-15 minutes before your shift begins to find a parking spot and orient yourself around the festival grounds.
All volunteers must have one form of ID and their social security number or you will NOT be allowed to participate.
NOTE: It is essential that our volunteers fulfill their commitment. Ask your coordinator, Tara Martin, for particular shift arrangements ahead of time. With the exception of unforeseen emergencies, if you do not fulfill your 2012 volunteer commitment, we won’t be able to accommodate you in the future.
This opportunity is ongoing and runs until Thu, July 26, 2012.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is seeking community members for one-to-one mentoring opportunities with children and youth. Mentors will be screened and trained to work in a one-to-one relationship with a child or youth in either our community-based or school-based mentoring opportunities. Big Brothers Big Sisters will provide ongoing support to the volunteer and child for the duration of their relationship. Volunteers are asked to give a minimum of a one year commitment, but the relationship may last until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school.
Read about one of our successful matches by copying and pasting the following the links into your web browser http://www.bbbscil.org/_webapp_3881606/Jill_and_Breanna or http://www.bbbscil.org/_webapp_3226169/Keyonna_and_Danielle
This opportunity is ongoing and runs until Thu, July 26, 2012.
Enrichment Activity volunteers work with a group of about 10-15 middle school scholars providing leadership for a 1.5 hour time period in the activity of their choice once a week for 6 weeks. Activities would be in the afternoon. Tap In stresses active learning, so you would not be teaching, as much as advising! Some past activities have included cheerleading, magic tricks, drawing, music lessons, and chemistry experiments. The best activities tend to build up a skill over the 6 weeks for our scholars to display at the end of the program. Do you have any talents that you would be interested in sharing with our scholars? Let us know!