Southern California Genealogical Society: Volunteer Opportunities

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS - Volunteer Opportunities

Job	Description	Skills and Interests	Contact
Audio/Visual Specialist	Maintain and set up digital projectors, screens, the telephone conference speaker phone, and the microphone and speakers (PA system). Be part of a team that provides A/V set-up in support of meetings and special programs.	Some A/V experience would be helpful as well as an interest in keeping up with changes in equipment. Appropriate for someone who can come to the library when needed for setups on weekends.
Book Committee Member for Southeastern States	Select appropriate books or other media for MD, VA, WV, NC, SC, GA & FL to balance the library's holdings . Meet several times a year with other committee members to propose and discuss possible acquisitions.	Appropriate for someone with a love of books and a special interest in southeastern genealogy sources.
Computer Technician	Perform regular maintenance of our computers as well as updating software.	Requires a basic understanding of computer hardware, software, and networks. The work provides an opportunity to learn more about these areas, and training can be provided.
Data-Entry for SCGS Database Development Projects	Provide data entry in support of projects initiated by the SCGS such as The 1890 Project or the Genealogy Resources Online (GRO) database.	For persons with keyboard skills who can use their home computer for data entry. Typing must be accurate, but does not have to be fast. SCGS can send materials to be typed to anywhere in the U. S.
Fundraising Chair	Identify market segments for both one-time and continuing donations. With the help of others, design and implement fundraising plans; prepare fund-appeal letter.	Requires excellent organizing, communicating, and social skills as well as a willingness to ask for donations and conduct events. Fundraising or marketing experience as well as writing skills are desirable.
Indexer	Prepare indexes for publications and databases that have never been indexed to make these sources more useful. Some indexing projects, such as those pertaining to rare books in our library or back issues of The Searcher, are part of SCGS' database development effort; others, such as the 1940 Census Project, are cooperative undertakings shared with the wider genealogical community.	Requires concentration, accuracy, legible handwriting or basic computer skills. Speed is not necessary. An indexer can work at the SCGS library or at home anywhere in the U.S. Training will be provided. A Windows PC is required for those projects that use special software.
Jamboree Committee Member	Work closely with others to plan, organize and coordinate the SCGS' annual convention.	Typically, each committee member has responsibility for at least one aspect of Jamboree. The committee members meet on a monthly basis year-around to report on progress and discuss any problems.
Jamboree Volunteer	Serve as a volunteer for specific jobs at SCGS' three-day annual convention, which is usually held on a weekend in early June.	Volunteers should contact Jane Van Tour at the earliest possible date to find out how they can help. Volunteers who register to attend lectures will be given a chance to attend selected lectures if at all possible.
Librarian	Open and close the library. Assist library patrons by answering questions, suggesting sources, and finding library materials. Handle phone calls, re-shelve books, and transact sales.	Appropriate for persons who are familiar with basic sources and who enjoy sharing their hobby with others. Usually two librarians work together. New librarians will be assigned to work with more experienced librarians. The job provides a chance to become better acquainted with the library's collection.
Membership Records Staff	Maintain member contact information and record and process new memberships and dues payments.	Requires basic computer skills and a willingness to work with others.
Membership Development Chair	Plan and carry out ways to attract and retain members. There is a particular need at this time to engage new members who join because of Jamboree and the Jamboree Extension Series webinars.	Helpful attributes for this job would be an enthusiastic, outgoing personality as well as the ability to match interests and needs of people with SCGS activities and volunteer opportunities.
Proofreader for *The Searcher*	Join a group at the library to help proofread The Searcher four times a year.	Attention to detail is required as well as an eye for typos and incorrect punctuation, grammar, spelling, and dates. The job does not require editing or rewriting.
Proofreader for The 1890 Project	Proofread the many databases that have been developed by SCGS volunteers. This is an important step prior to publication on our website.	Attention to detail is required as well as an eye for typos and other transcription errors.
Publicity Chair	Publicize SCGS events, activities, and organizational information, using a variety of media directed at various times toward SCGS members, the genealogical com-munity, and the general public.	Requires writing skill and creativity. Some computer graphics and clip-art capability would be helpful.
Sales Manager or Assistant Sales Manager	Manage or assist the sales operation at the library, which includes sales of SCGS publica- tions as well T-shirts, decorative charts and other genealogy-related merchandise. The job entails ordering, labeling, pricing, taking inventory and displaying items for sale.	This job would be particularly attractive to someone with a flair for marketing. The sales manager works closely with volunteer librarians, who conduct the sales transactions.
Webinar Host	Represent the SCGS at the initial airing of Jamboree Extension Series Webinars.	The host introduces the presenter, selects and restates audience questions for the presenter, and makes a few closing remarks. Some previous experience with "Go-to-Webinar" software would be helpful, but not necessary. Training and practice sessions will be provided.