Washington State Historical Society VOLUNTEER WITH US

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1 Washington State Historical Society VOLUNTEER WITH US Volunteers with the Washington State Historical Society provide a vital service to our state s cultural community and make an essential contribution to our operations. Volunteers are key to presenting the rich history of Washington State to the public. Volunteer Benefits Include: Free admission to the Washington State History Museum Complimentary parking during volunteer shifts Meet visitors from around the world Work with others who share your interest in Washington State History Notification of new exhibits and public programs Continuing education opportunities Visits to other museums and historical sites Opportunity to help at WSHS special events and celebrations Annual Volunteer Appreciation Potluck National Volunteer Appreciation Week with reciprocal free admission to other Puget Sound area museums. In Return, We Ask For... A minimum volunteer commitment of one year A regular commitment of one 3 to 4 hour shift per week; or a minimum of 100 hours of service. Schedules and hours may be adjusted to accommodate seasonal volunteers and vacations, as approved by the Volunteer Coordinator. Advance notification when unable to fulfill a scheduled shift A willingness to adapt to change and assist in other roles, as needed A commitment to observe all policies and procedures. All volunteers receive orientation and training in their assigned task when they begin work. Task assignments are evaluated on a regular basis to insure a good match of the volunteer s skills and interest with the requirements of the task. Requirements for Volunteering: Submitting a completed application A personal interview to discuss volunteer options, determine interests, goals, and availability An agreement to a criminal background check A minimum commitment of time Attendance at all required training sessions. WSHS Volunteer Application 1

2 Washington State Historical Society VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT at THE HISTORY MUSEUM The Washington State History Museum is located at 1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma WA The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. On the third Thursday of each month, the museum is open until 8:00 pm. The main telephone number is (253) There are a variety of roles that volunteers may be asked to fill, as needed. Special Events This task involves helping with programs and events that occur irregularly, through greeting, crowd control, and/or assisting a program facilitator or instructor with specific tasks. Examples include supporting public programs like Family Camp, special events such as In the Spirit, or even joining the staff offsite at a community festival where WSHS may have a table or a booth. These can occur during traditional work days/times as well as evenings and weekends. School Groups The morning hours bring our largest influx of visitors through our school visits program. Staff and volunteers work together to greet groups, provide visit guidelines, highlight areas of interest, and support school chaperones in knowing how to guide youth through the exhibits. A special opportunity for school groups is History Lab: History Lab Gallery Interpreter This program takes place on the fifth floor and targets school aged youth. Volunteers support staff in engaging students in active history investigations with a focus on helping them understand how objects and artifacts tell stories. It involves working with youth, teachers, and parent chaperones. Gallery Interpreters A gallery interpreter engages with members of the public to enhance their experience within an exhibit space. This includes both sharing information and also encouraging visitors to ask questions and share their own knowledge, through individual two way conversations. We do not have scripts or scheduled narrative talks. The focus is on direct engagement with individual visitors. WSHS Volunteer Application 2

3 Main Exhibits Gallery Interpreter Individuals who elect this task will spend their time in both the Great Hall on the 3 rd floor as well as within the changing exhibit spaces on the 5 th floor. These volunteers will work with members of the general public as well as visiting school groups through informal dialogue and engagement. This can include answering questions about the collections, sharing information about a favorite area or topic, or encouraging visitors to ask their own questions and stories. This role requires strong social skills and an ease in approaching and talking with others. Gallery Cart Interpreter We are in the process of creating more Gallery Carts, which are movable stations with objects and artifacts that visitors of all ages can handle. A Gallery Cart Interpreter is responsible for encouraging open exploration of these items, use questions to prompt visitors to look closely and draw their own conclusions, as well as share content about the items on the cart through informal dialogue. Carts will be either on the 3 rd floor or the 5 th floor in the History Lab or in temporary exhibits. Information Specialist The information specialist assists visitors with questions about the museum or the local area: navigating the museum space, local dining, getting around downtown, membership inquiries, etc. Our ability to assign any particular role in a shift is based on the number of volunteers available that day and the quantity of visitors present in the museum. Volunteers are expected to be flexible in responding to a given situation. COLLECTIONS ASSISTANCE at THE WSHS RESEARCH CENTER The Museum Collections Departments are located in the Washington State Historical Society Research Center, 315 N. Stadium Way, Tacoma WA General hours of operation are 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. The main telephone number is (253) Projects range in size and scope depending on assignment. For assignments in the Research Center, prior familiarity with historical documents/artifacts handling and archival techniques is desired. Commitment to a regular schedule is required. Cataloger Catalogers, using a computer information management system, record information about artifacts. These records require high attention to detail and accuracy, and skills with computerized data management. Catalogers may work with new accessions or with categories of artifacts previously added to museum collections. Marker Each artifact in the collection is marked with a unique number for identification purposes. This task may be combined with another, or done independently. WSHS Volunteer Application 3

4 Photographer/Cataloger This task requires prior familiarity with techniques specific to artifacts photography, and may include large format scanning. This role is responsible for completing the entire recording process, from photographing the artifact to cataloging the digital record and returning the artifact to the collection. Stitcher This task requires someone skilled at hand sewing, and involves labeling and/or necessary minor repair of textiles as they are added to the collection. This task may be undertaken on an intermittent or regular basis. WSHS Volunteer Application 4

5 Washington State Historical Society Volunteer Application Form Instructions: The Washington State Historical Society offers two locations for volunteer opportunities in Tacoma. Please indicate the site that you are interested in. [Please note that you will be required to complete a Washington State Patrol Request for Criminal History Information Background Check at your initial interview.] Submit application to Susan Hesselgrave, susan.hesselgrave@wshs.wa.gov. Fax (253) Tel. (253) I. The Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA II. The Research Center, 315 No. Stadium Way, Tacoma, WA Information Name Street Address City ST ZIP Code Home Phone Work Phone E Mail Address Washington State Historical Society Volunteer Policy 1. Minors age may volunteer WITH a parent or guardian. (Both must pass background check and application process. Both must be present as a team during shifts when the minor is at the museum.) 2. Minors age may volunteer with parental/guardian s written permission. Background check and application process required. 3. Adults 18+ must pass background check and complete the application process. WSHS Volunteer Application 5

6 Age Determination for Volunteer Applicants Please select one of the following categories: I am 14 or 15 years old. I am 16 or 17 years old. I am at least 18 years old. Signed Date: PARENTAL PERMISSION for minor child (under 18) to volunteer with WSHS: Signed Date WSHS Volunteer Application 6

7 I. THE WASHINGTON STATE HISTORY MUSEUM Availability During which hours are you available for volunteer assignments? Weekday mornings Weekday afternoons Thursday evenings (until 8:00pm) Saturday mornings Saturday afternoons Sunday mornings Sunday afternoons On Call/Special Events Interests What roles do you think you are interested in? Museum Galleries School Groups History Lab Information Special Events II. THE RESEARCH CENTER Opportunities are limited Availability The Research Center is open from 8:00 5:00 with three hour shifts. During which hours are you available for volunteer assignments? Please circle morning or afternoon. Monday morning/afternoon Thursday morning/afternoon Tuesday morning/ afternoon Friday morning/afternoon Wednesday morning/afternoon Skills/Interests Tell us in which areas you have prior experience and are interested in volunteering. Detail your experience below. Cataloging Artifact Photography Sewing Scanning Artifact Labeling WSHS Volunteer Application 7

8 RESEARCH CENTER APPLICANTS ONLY Prior experience (required): ALL APPLICANTS: Special Skills or Qualifications Summarize special skills and qualifications you have acquired from employment, previous volunteer work, or through other activities, including hobbies or sports. Computer Skills Data entry Database management Word processing Emu Graphic design HTML Scanning Other WSHS Volunteer Application 8

9 Previous Volunteer Experience Summarize any previous volunteer experience. References: List two people who we can contact. (Volunteer or professional reference preferred.) Name City/State Phone How do you know this person? Name City/State Phone How do you know this person? Work Restrictions or Limitations Please list any restrictions that might affect your availability for volunteer work (i.e. vacations, work schedule, family, etc.) WSHS Volunteer Application 9

10 Person to Notify in Case of Emergency (Must be updated annually) Name Street Address City ST ZIP Code Home Phone Work Phone Cell Phone address Relationship Agreement and Signature By submitting this application, I affirm that the facts set forth in it are true and complete. I understand that if I am accepted as a volunteer, any false statements, omissions, or other misrepresentations made by me on this application will be sufficient reason for rejection of my application. Name (printed) Signature Date Signature of parent or guardian if applicant is under age 18 It is the policy of the Washington State Historical Society to provide equal opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual preference, age, or disability. WSHS Volunteer Application 10