MONTHLY MUSEUM POLL RECAP

September 2010 Poll: Do you Volunteer? 

We all know museums rely on volunteers - from board members to the friendly faces who greet visitors. In September 2010, CAM wanted to know how many of our CAM e-News subscribers are volunteers.

All of the subscribers who responded to our poll are volunteers! Fifty-seven percent of our respondents volunteer for informal learning, such as museums (not including their employers), 33% volunteer for other artistic or cultural programs, such as performing arts or a regional arts council. Twenty-seven percent volunteer their time for professional development and advancement (like at the CAM Conference—thank you!). Fourteen percent volunteer for social services, 16% support schools or universities, 12% volunteer for religious education and participation, and 10% volunteer for environmental education.

Additional responses:

“Advisory board of a local theater company Two social clubs WMA Volunteer for my granddaughter's Brownie troop”—Anonymous

“Apparently I cannot select "other" as a category, so I had to fit animal welfare into one of the categories listed. That is a shame.”—Anonymous

“Botanic Garden of native plants, education”—Anonymous

“Governing board member at major cultural institution in Southern California; "hands-on" volunteer work with collections conservation and restoration staff at local military history/historical site and museum.
I am a committee chair for a national history organization. I chair sessions at the annual meeting every year and work on initiatives with fellow committee members such as writing articles for publication, conducting surveys, hosting list serves, etc. However, by far the greatest number of hours that I devote to a non-profit is at the institution where I work. Invariably I work more than the required 40 hours per week for no overtime or compensatory time off. I know that many of us in the museum field do this and it is hardly ever recognized. CAM is certainly one place that can recognize and celebrate this dedication and passion. ”—Anonymous

“I am retired, but I volunteer almost full time, for the Costa Mesa Historical Society, for the Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries, and the Costa Mesa Library Foundation. ”—Anonymous

“I am the newsletter editor for a local "friends" group in support of a large local open space. I volunteer regularly with our downtown business association, and as a Rotary member, I volunteer for several events and activities each year, in addition to being the club's historian.”—Anonymous

“I feel that it's important to help other non-profits in my community by using my background and experience to help them be successful too. I have a big list of volunteering for when I retire!”—Anonymous

“I guide accessible outdoor adventures for people with special needs and youth-at-risk. Additionally I train new white water rafting guides in hard and soft skills including swift water rescue certifications, environmental education and boat adaptation techniques for people with different needs. www.etctrips.org” –Lindzy Bivings, Manager of Enhanced Museum Visits, California Academy of Sciences

“I have more than 10 years experience in the museums field. I work now in the for-profit realm. I collaborate for free with 2 non-profit cultural institutions helping them with their strategic goals, website design & content, and creative special events. Institutions with social purpose are my weakness.”—Anonymous

“I have volunteered for a national non-profit patient support and advocacy organization for more than 10 years. In that time I have been a peer counselor, writer/editor, and Board member. Since leaving the Board in 2009, I have become involved in local fundraising and awareness activities for the organization.”—Anonymous

“I practice what I preach - but service led me to my profession”—Deirdre Araujo, Manager Volunteer Services, Exploratorium

“I serve on the Board of Directors for the Santa Barbara Performing Arts League. I also volunteer on the Steering Committee for the Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative.”—Anonymous

“I volunteer at three other regional museums and for Habitat for Humanity”—Anonymous

“I work part-time and have two children, thus I wear many hats, including: Elementary and Middle School - setting up and chaperoning field trips, and presenting programs; Boy Scouts of America - I'm a Cubmaster, a Troop Committee Member, and Merit Badge Counselor; Religious Education -I'm an assistant catechist in a youth education program; Professional - I've assisted small museums in grant writing and collections planning.”-- Bryn Potter, BBP Museum Consulting

“My present main volunteer work is co-coordinating the project to return a theatre pipe organ to the historic Oroville State Theatre. This includes a partial restoration of the interior where the original organ grill work is. The plan is for the organ to be used for silent movie accompaniment, pre-show enhancement, concerts, and school musical education. Other volunteer work includes assisting the Butte County Historical Society, and the Oroville First United Methodist Church.”-- David Dewey, Curator, Cultural Facilities, City of Oroville, CA

“Organize archives - answer questions from the public at the National Steinbeck Center, Salinas, CA”—Anonymous

Our railway museum is 100% - everyone and everything done by volunteers and donations.”-- Jim Lundquist, Community Relations Manager, Pacific Southwest Railway Museum

“Pacifica Mothers Club, a local non-profit organization for parents of children 0-5. Currently on the Board as Treasurer.”—Anonymous

“Public Art advisory committee in my hometown”—Anonymous