Volunteer

The key to the strength of the revived Friends group will be a broad base of residents working together. One of the secrets to success is a clear set of responsibilities and, where possible, specific job descriptions. Below you can see a brief list of what we need Friends to help us with.  If you are interested in volunteering, simply check out our online volunteer form and check the boxes for jobs you are interested in or send an email to ferndalefriends.org@gmail.com.

Special Events

This committee proposes, plans and coordinates logistics for Friends parties, events and other large gatherings. Works closely with membership and publicity.

  • Chair: Beth O’Connor
  • Job descriptions:
    • Event Coordinator: Plan and oversee 2-3 events per year.  About 10 hours per month.
    • Event Team Members: Work with vendors of food and beverage, obtain donations and in-kind contributions. 5 hours per month, find performers and coordinate timing, facility needs, decorations, signage, devise and coordinate small-scale fundraisers work with publicity committee to produce and distribute all necessary publicity materials and work with membership committee to find volunteers for tasks above. As much or as little time as necessary.


Programming

This committee proposes, plans and coordinates book, music, arts and cultural programs for library patrons. Works closely with publicity and the library director.

  • Interim Co-Chairs: Kevin Deegan-Krause, James Hanks
  • Job descriptions:
    • Program Leader (several needed): Takes the lead in devising and/or implementing plan for specific program or program series (speakers, movies, performances, exibitions). 10-20 hours per month during program period.
    • Program Assistants (many needed): Works with program leader to invite participants, coordinate schedules, work with publicity committee to attract audience. 5-10 hours per month during program.
    • Membership Liaison: Work with membership committee to recruit audience members and volunteers (see below). 5-10 hours per month


Bookstore

This committee collects book donations; sorts, organizes and sells books in the library’s bookstore and the annual book sale. Works closely with membership and the library staff.

  • Chairs: Angela Thompson
  • Job descriptions:
    • Sale Coordinator: Set dates and conditions for annual sale and smaller sales, and for meetings and work periods leading up to the sales. 5 hours per month, 10 per month before annual sale.
    • Store Coordinator: Coordinate hours and workers for the store, oversee plan for shelving and display of materials. 5-10 hours per month.
    • Donation Sorters (many needed). Organize received books in library storage space according to category. Variable 1-10 hours per month.
    • Cashier. Handle receipt of cash at book sales, and store during store hours. Devise system for payment of Friends items with library circulation staff. 5 hours per month.
    • Store clerk/Book sale clerk. Staff book store and book sale. Variable 2-10 hours per month.


Membership

This committee develops membership, coordinates recruitment efforts and data, tracks members and dues, and maintains communications among members;

  • Co-chairs: Cassie Sweetnich
  • Job descriptions
    • Program Committee Liaison: Maintain connection with program committee, and make sure Friends membership information is promoted as appropriate at all Friends of the Library events (see above). 5-10 hours per month
    • Publicity Committee Liaison: Develop and maintain inventory of Friends marketing information including brochures, flyers, and other materials as appropriate to market and promote friends membership. Maintain Friends display in the library and the Friends bookstore area (see below). 5-10 hours per month.
    • Membership Welcome Team Member: Develop, maintain and distribute “welcome packets” for new Friends members, including follow up with those new members who indicate they want to be active in the organization. 10 hours per month in initial month, 5 hours per month thereafter.
    • New Member Outreach Team Member: Actively seek out new members in particular settings (organizations, assemblies). Encourage existing Friends to recruit friends and neighbors. 5 hours per week.
    • Meeting Coordinator: Schedule meetings, facilitate needed materials and refreshments.
    • Membership Committee Coordinator: Maintain communication among all members of membership committee, take minutes at meetings, liaison with Friends leadership. 10-20 hours per month.


Publicity

This committee provides basic public relations, marketing, web and social networking services. Works closely with all committees and coordinates with library marketing director.

  • Initial organizers: TBD
  • Job descriptions:
    • Graphic designers: Produce graphics, event invitations, posters, flier templates. 5-10 hours per month.
    • Webmaster: Maintain web-based list of events and activities and engage on Friends website and social media sites and engage directly with participants. 10 hour per month.
    • Press liaison: Contact local news sources and others regarding Friends events, issue press releases. 5-10 hours per month.
    • Downtown liaison: Work with local businesses, government and nonprofits to post flyers and find other means for increasing visibility of Friends events. Maintain Friends entries on community calendars. 5-10 hours per month.
    • Schools liaison: Work with school district and private schools to increase visibility of friends activities. 5 hours per month.
    • Membership Committee Liaison: Communicates with Friends members in coordination with Membership Committee (see above)


Special Projects

Not a committee but a set of tasks coordinated by the Friends in close cooperation with the Library Director. Potential tasks include:

  • Processing library material for the move (May and June)
  • Providing volunteer support for the reference desk, circulation desk and material stacks.
  • Working with the library board on Fund Raising
  • Developing plans for tutoring, book delivery to the homebound and related service (eventually to become a Service Committee).
Develop, maintain and distribute “welcome packets” for new Friends members, including follow up with those new members who indicate they want to be active in the organization.

Once initial tasks have been accomplished, we envision adding a Fundraising Committee to raise funds for the library and Friends activities and an Outreach Committee to engage in library-related social service activities.

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