NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK
YOU ARE INVITED TO SUPPORT MEHER MOUNT with your volunteer efforts.
National Volunteer Week is a nationwide effort to urge individuals to volunteer in their communities and to recognize and appreciate those volunteers.
U.S. President Richard M. Nixon established National Volunteer Week by executive order in 1974. [1]
Every sitting U.S. president since then has issued a proclamation during National Volunteer Week. The following comments are from statements made by former President Barack Obama:
“During National Volunteer Week, we recognize those who embrace a life of active, energetic, and engaged citizenship, and we reaffirm our belief that all people have something to contribute…
“This spirit of service is deeply embedded in our culture and vital to our national character… Through service, ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact.” [2]
“This week, we celebrate the selfless individuals around our country who channel their civic virtues through volunteerism, and we encourage more people to make service an integral part of their lives.” [3]
Volunteer Commitments Can Vary to Suit Interests & Time Availability
There are different types of volunteer opportunities that appeal to different skill sets and can accommodate volunteers in different geographic locations with different time availability: [4]
- One-time: On-Site & Virtual. A one-time project for which volunteers are needed, such as installing a new website feature, helping to clear a hiking trail, or setting up for a special event at Meher mount.
- Episodic: On-Site & Virtual. Volunteer opportunities that happen periodically, such as working to eliminate Yellow Starthistle or researching the background for a Meher Mount post on the Story Blog.
- Ongoing: On-Site & Virtual. Volunteer opportunities that have a somewhat regular schedule and are ongoing such as posting on a social media site or curating Meher Mount’s photos. On-site volunteering could help with gardening and maintenance.
- Vacation or Break: On-Site & Virtual. A volunteer opportunity that coincides with the volunteer’s vacation or other break, such as being a temporary Manager/Caretaker at Meher Mount. A virtual opportunity could be in-depth research, particularly regarding Meher Mount’s history.
Volunteering at Meher Mount Has Its Own Rewards
Meher Mount depends on volunteers for its maintenance, preservation, and stewardship. For many, volunteering at Meher Mount is an opportunity to render service in honor of Avatar Meher Baba.
For others, volunteering for Meher Mount is a means for connecting with the land and with Meher Baba. For still others, the volunteer opportunity is a form of meditation. And finally, volunteer projects can foster companionship and camaraderie in service.
Specific Volunteer Opportunities for Meher Mount
There are a number of specific opportunities, just click on each Job Title for a full job description and instructions on how to volunteer.
- Event Assistant: Assist with setting up and coordinating one or more events at Meher Mount.
- Google Analytics Analyst: Use Google Analytics to review, analyze and make recommendations based for Meher Mount’s website and emails.
- Photo Curator: File, annotate and organize Meher Mount’s photos on a cloud-based photo storing and sharing site.
- Researcher: Research specific topics related to Avatar Meher Baba's life and words and/or research topics related to Meher Mount's history for the Story Blog and email broadcasts. Assist with a single project or more.
- Social Media Assistant – Facebook & Instagram: Help identify opportunities and post items to Meher Mount's pages on Facebook and Instagram.
- Social Media Assistant - Pinterest: Manage Meher Mount's Pinterest page and boards.
- Website Associate: Help increase the functionality of Meher Mount's website using Squarespace features and integration with third-party software.
- Assistant Salesforce Administrator: Help support and manage Meher Mount's constituency relationship features on the Salesforce NPSP platform.
- Fundraising Associate: Help support Meher Mount's fundraising efforts in a variety of ways suited to interests and skills.
If you would like to volunteer, but don't see a related job, email Meher Mount about how you would like volunteer.
MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK. When the then new water system was being installed in 2004, a group of volunteers joined together to roll the water tank up the hill to sit beside the pool. Because so many joined the effort, it was almost effortless. (Photo: Sam Ervin)
REFERENCES
[1] The American Presidency Project, Richard Nixon, Proclamation 4288 – National Volunteer Week, 1974. Accessed online March 31, 2017.
[2] The Obama White House, Barack Obama, Presidential Proclamation – National Volunteer Week, 2015. Accessed online March 31, 2017.
[3] The Obama White House, Barack Obama, Presidential Proclamation – National Volunteer Week, 2016. Accessed online March 31, 2017.
[4] Idealist, “What Is Volunteering,” Volunteer Resources, accessed March 31, 2017.