For over 100 years, the Museum has relied upon talented volunteers in the pursuit of its mission. Volunteers assist with everything from collections care to refreshments to fundraising. Volunteering at the Museum, on a regular or an occasional basis, is a great way to be of service to the community and to the public. It's also a fun way to meet new friends. To apply to become a volunteer or to inquire about intern positions, please contact Betsy Millman, Director of Operations, Fairbanks Museum, 1302 Main Street, St.Johnsbury VT 05819. Tell us about yourself and your interests.

Serving Visitors —

Reception Volunteers greet and orient visitors, answer questions, process admission fees, maintain attendance records, and direct incoming telephone calls. Time commitment: 3 hrs./week or less frequently as a substitute. Usual shifts: 9 am - 1 pm; 1 pm - 5 pm.

Museum Shop Clerks assist customers in the Museum Shop, operate the cash register, restock depleted inventory, process incoming orders, and keep merchandise in good order. Time commitment: 3 hrs./week or less frequently as a substitute. Usual shifts: 9 am - 1 pm; 1 pm - 5 pm.

Greeters welcome arriving bus tours (usually seniors), orient them to the Museum, its history, and its amenities.

Docents research and develop a fifteen minute talk about an exhibit in the Museum and do presentations. Time commitment: an hour or so weekly through the summer and fall.

Facilities Volunteers help the Museum to present its very best face to the public. This requires attention to details such as touch-up painting, grounds work, and other facilities projects. Time commitment: 2 - 4 hours a week.

Caring for Collections —

Collections Team Volunteers assist with collections preservation, packing, cleaning, registration, and record keeping under the supervision of collections staff. You need to be well organized, detail focused and enjoy caring for historical objects. Time Commitment: 2 to 4 hours weekly.

Special Projects Volunteers work under the supervision of collections staff and consultants with special collections such as archives as-needed. Time commitment varies with the project.

Working with Exhibits —

Student Curators, aged 10 - 15, serve as explainers, care for live animals, and maintain exhibits in the summer Children's Nature Corner. Applications are accepted each spring. Time commitment: 3 hours a week in July and August.

Exhibit Technicians work under the supervision of the Facilities Manager on the construction, repair, and maintenance of hands-on exhibits and other exhibit components. With access to the Museum's workshops, these volunteers bring carpentry, electrical, machine tool, and other experience to their service. Time commitment: occasional.

Programs and Events —

Cooperating Weather Observers provide daily weather observation statistics to the Museum's meteorologists in the Northern New England Weather Center, using phone, fax, or e-mail. Both official and unofficial records are useful, especially from sites with special local conditions. Time commitment: about fifteen minutes early each morning.

The Fairbanks Festival Weekend each September depends upon a huge outpouring of skilled volunteer assistance. Traditional crafters, ticket sellers, site supervisors, and logistical support volunteers work with staff and Trustees to make this biggest event of the year a success. Time commitment: a day or two for a weekend.

Other Special Events Assistants may help organize events, prepare and serve refreshments, and host Museum exhibit openings and other events. Time commitment: about 4 hours per event.

The Douglas B. Kitchel Center for Northeast Kingdom Studies provides research and information opportunities in all disciplines related to the Northeast Kingdom. Kitchel Center Volunteers assist researchers, catalogue and shelve the growing collection, and work with the Kitchel Center director to select reference materials. A love of books and computer skills are an asset here. Time commitment: 2 - 4 hours per week.

Around the Office and Behind the Scenes —

Public Relations Assistants prepare and disseminate news releases and fulfill requests for museum information and materials and assist with mailings, tabulate survey information and more. Time commitment: 2 - 4 hours a week.

Development Volunteers assist the Development Officer and Development Assistant with membership and annual fund mailings, data entry, photocopying and other clerical tasks. Time commitment varies.

Office Volunteers assist the administrative staff with bulk mailings, filing, data entry, photocopying, and other clerical tasks. Time commitment: 1 - 3 hours per week or as needed.