Volunteer Materials | Special Events | Volunteer Positions | Other Ways to Help
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Volunteers are essential to the success of MCUM’s programs. All aspects of our operation benefit from the time, expertise, and enthusiasm that volunteers contribute, from the childcare kitchen to our monthly newsletter, and especially our volunteer-run, client-choice food pantry. We welcome individuals, families, and groups as volunteers, accomplishing one-time projects or making an ongoing commitment.
Are you ready to get involved? Send an e-mail to our Volunteer Coordinator Madison Silvers at msilvers@mcum.org or call (812) 339-3429 x16. Click the blue links below for more information on volunteer positions, or visit MCUM’s page on the Bloomington Volunteer Network here.
VOLUNTEER MATERIALS
Self-Sufficiency Center Brochure
Childcare Brochure
Food Pantry Training Handbook
Compass North Training Handbook
Compass Downtown Training Handbook
MCUM’s History
OFFICE POSITIONS
Maintenance Assistant
Purpose: Help keep buildings and equipment in good working order.
Results:Your assistance can add life to buildings and equipment and save MCUM money on maintenance and replacement costs.
Suggested Activities:
- repair and mend equipment
- grounds keeping, painting, and light maintenance work
Measures: Area or equipment to be maintained should be in good working order to the standard expected by the supervisor.
Qualifications:
- Minimum age 18
- Dependability
- Pride in work
- General fix-it skills
Timeframe: 3-4 hours per week during the hours of 8am-noon and 1pm-4pm, Monday- Friday
Site: Administrative building, Childcare building, and a small single-family home
Supervision: Executive Director
Office Assistant
Purpose: Help keep the office running smoothly.
Results: Staff will be free to attend to other tasks.
Suggested Activities:
- answer telephones, route calls, take messages
- assist clients and donors
- copying, filing, assisting with bulk mailings, and other office tasks
Measures: Work should be done efficiently and completed to the standard expected by the supervisor.
Qualifications:
- Minimum age 18
- Dependability
- Able to follow directions
- Appropriate dress
- Office skills or experience preferred
- TB Test and Physical (for preschool only, if hours exceed 8 in a month)
Timeframe: 3-4 hours per week during program hours
Site: Administration or Preschool Office
Supervision: Office Manager or Childcare Administrative Assistant
Newsletter Team
Purpose: Prepare monthly newsletter for mailing.
Results: Monthly newsletter is mailed in a timely manner, ensuring communication with more than 1,000 supporters.
Suggested Activities:
fold and label newsletters
Measures: Work should be done efficiently and completed to the standard expected by the supervisor.
Qualifications:
- Able to follow directions
- Appropriate dress
Timeframe: 3-4 hours per month, team meets one morning a month, during the last week of the month, schedule set one month in advance.
Site: Administration Building
Supervision: Development Associate or Office Manager
Volunteer Supervision
Purpose: Experienced volunteers can take on more responsibility and assist the Volunteer Coordinator in day-to-day activities by mentoring new volunteers within a familiar job or program.
Results: Volunteers gain new responsibilities and experiences while helping the volunteer program to grow.
Suggested Activities:
- Volunteer orientations
- Volunteer supervision and evaluation
- Other activities as suggested by the volunteer coordinator
Measures: Volunteer coordinator and volunteers will be satisfied with the volunteer supervisor’s performance.
Qualifications:
- dependability
- above average reading, writing, and comprehension skills
- good problem solving and organizational abilities
- ability to follow directions
- ability to follow through with a project
- attention to detail
- ability to work self directed
- minimum 4 months experience for individual volunteer supervisors and 2 months
- experience for Winter Food Drive supervisors
Timeframe: minimum 3-4 hour shift per week in either the Childcare Program or the Emergency Food Pantry
Site: Administrative building or Childcare building
Supervision: Volunteer Coordinator
CHILDCARE POSITIONS
Cafeteria Assistant
Purpose: Help prepare and serve nutritious meals to the children.
Results: Children and staff will be served warm food quickly.
Suggested Activities
- wipe and set tables
- prepare and serve food
- shop at the Hoosier Hills Food Bank or grocery stores
Measures: Children staff should be served quickly to the satisfaction of the supervisor.
Qualifications:
- minimum age 18
- TB test and physical (if hours exceed 8 in a month)
- drug test within 30 days of start date (if hours exceed 8 in a month)
- dependability
- able to follow directions
- enjoy and relate well to young children
- Timeframe: minimum 2 hour shift per week, 8am-10am or 11am-1pm, Monday through Friday
- Site: Childcare Kitchen and Dining Room
- Supervision: Cook
One to One Companion
Purpose: Meet a child’s special needs by providing individual attention. Special needs include language barriers, behavioral management, history of abuse, and delayed development.
Results: The child will gradually improve in communication and behavior.
Suggested Activities:
- engage a child in an activities such as reading, drawing, etc.
- assist the child as s/he participates in class activities
- help the child interact with other children
- work with teacher to carry out planned activities
Measures: The child will enjoy the volunteers company. The teacher should approve of the volunteers activities.
Qualifications:
- minimum age 18
- TB test and physical (if hours exceed 8 in a month)
- drug test within 30 days (if hours exceed 8 in a month)
- knowledge of child development or interest in working with small children.
- knowledge or skill relating to the need particular need of a child.
Timeframe: At least one shift per week at 9:30-11:30am or 2:30-4:30pm Monday thru Friday. Length of commitment will vary according to the needs of the child and availability of the volunteer.
Site: Childcare building
Supervision: Classroom Teacher
Playtime Supervisor
Purpose: Ensure the safety of children while playing with them indoors and outdoors.
Results: Children will develop physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually.
Suggested Activities:
- play with several children at one time
- encourage children to try new activities
- promote safety
- teach a variety of games and activities
- assist teachers as needed
Measures: Children should enjoy interacting with the volunteer. The teacher should approve of the volunteers activities.
Qualifications:
- minimum age 18
- TB test and physical (if hours exceed 8 in a month)
- drug test within 30 days (if hours exceed 8 in a month)
- enjoy and relate well to children
- have knowledge of child development
Timeframe: minimum 2-3 hours per week from 9:30-11:30am or 2:30-5:30pm, Monday thru Friday.
Site: Childcare building
Supervision: Classroom Teacher
Teacher’s Assistant
Purpose: Help teachers and children during and between activities throughout the day.
Results: Children will benefit from additional supervision and attention. Teachers will benefit from the extra help. Activities and transitions between activities will run smoothly and quickly.
Suggested Activities:
- assist teachers in putting out cots, cleaning up, and other daily routine tasks
- play with several children at one time
- encourage children to try new and different activities
- promote safety
- plan, organize, and carry out special projects or activities
Measures: Children should enjoy interacting with the volunteer. Teachers should approve of the volunteer’s performance.
Qualifications:
- minimum age 18
- TB test and physical (if hours exceed 8 in a month)
- drug test within 30 days (if hours exceed 8 in a month)
- knowledge of child development.
- enjoy and relate well to children.
Timeframe: minimum 2-4 hours per week, various shifts are available Monday thru Friday:
- 6:30-9:00 A.M. – greeting children as they arrive, A.M. snack and breakfast, free play
- 9-12 P.M. – play time outside or inside, organized group activities, lunch
- 12-2 P.M. – lunch and nap time
- 2:30- 5:30 P.M. – children wake up from nap, afternoon snack, outside or indoor playtime
Site: Childcare building
Supervision: Classroom Teacher
Special Interest Group Leader
Purpose: Teach children new skills through a creative project
Results: Children will learn something new and exciting through hands-on participation in a group or individual project.
Suggested Activities:
- plan, organize, and carry out project for a small group of children
- teach children proper use of tools and/or materials used in project
- work on project for a specific amount of time or until finished
- work with teachers to develop a curriculum for each age group
Measures: Children should enjoy the project. Teachers should approve of the project.
Qualifications:
- minimum age 18
- TB test and physical (if hours exceed 8 in a month)
- drug test within 30 days (if hours exceed 8 in a month)
- knowledge of skill that can be taught to small children.
- enjoy and relate well to children
Timeframe: Lessons should last 30 minutes and be taught between 9:30am. and 11:30am. or 2:30pm and 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday. Volunteers are encouraged to present their topic to several classrooms at one time. Length of commitment will vary according to the project.
Site: Childcare building
Supervision: Preschool Director and Classroom Teacher
Storyteller
Purpose: Expose children to stories from various cultures and historic periods while they develop listening skills.
Results: Children will learn about a different culture or time.
Suggested Activities:
- work with teachers on themes, stories, and presentations
- stories should be enjoyable and age appropriate
Measures: Children should enjoy the story. Teachers should approve of the story.
Qualifications:
- minimum age 18
- TB test and physical (if hours exceed 8 in a month)
- drug test within 30 days (if hours exceed 8 in a month)
- experienced in telling stories
- enjoy and relate well to young children
Timeframe: Stories should last 30 minutes and be presented between 9:30am and 11:30am or 2:30pm and 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday. Volunteers are encouraged to read stories to several classrooms during one volunteer session.
Site: Childcare building
Supervision: Classroom Teacher
Music or Dance Instructor
Purpose: Help children appreciate the enjoyment that comes from music and dance while developing coordination, rhythm, and musicianship.
Results: Children will be exposed to different forms of music and dance.
Suggested Activities:
- make instruments from household materials
- teach children a particular style of music and/or dance
- work with teachers to develop age-appropriate lessons
Measures: Children will enjoy the activity. Teachers will approve of the activity.
Qualifications:
- minimum age 18
- TB test and physical (if hours exceed 8 in a month)
- drug test within 30 days (if hours exceed 8 in a month)
- knowledge of particular music or dance
- enjoy and relate well to children
Timeframe: Lessons should last 20-30 minutes and be taught between 9:30am and 11:30am or 2:30pm and 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday. Volunteers are encouraged to instruct more than one classroom during each volunteer session.
Site: Childcare building
Supervision: Classroom Teacher
Arts and Crafts Instructor
Purpose: Stimulate thinking and interest by exposing children to a variety of art projects.
Results: Children should feel satisfaction from a finished product.
Suggested Activities:
- preparation and cleanup of activities
- work with teachers to develop projects
Measures: Children will enjoy the activity. Teachers will approve of the activity. Appropriate areas will be used for messy projects and projects will be appropriate for age group.
Qualifications:
- minimum age 18
- TB test and physical (if hours exceed 8 in a month)
- drug test within 30 days (if hours exceed 8 in a month)
- enjoy and relate well to children
- knowledge and enthusiasm for art
Timeframe: Projects should last 30 minutes and be worked on between 9:30am and 11:30am or 2:30pm and 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday. Volunteers are encouraged to instruct more than one classroom during each volunteer session.
Site: Childcare building
Supervision: Classroom Teacher
SELF-SUFFICIENCY CENTER POSITIONS
Food Pantry Assistant
Purpose: Keep the pantry well stocked, clean and organized.
Results: Shelves will be well organized and bags of groceries will be ready for clients to pick up.
Suggested Activities:
- weigh and log food donations
- sort donations of food
- stock pantry shelves as needed
- rotate stock to prevent spoilage
- sort & stock paper bags
- prepare sacks for distribution
- Clip labels and box tops
- assist in food donation pick-ups
- shop at the food bank
- clean freezers
Measures: Work will meet the expectations of the supervisor.
Qualifications:
- dependability
- simple math skills
- able to lift up to 40 lbs.
Timeframe: minimum 2-3 hours per week during the hours of 8am-noon and 1pm-4pm, Monday thru Friday
Site: MCUM Food Pantry
Supervision: Emergency Services Coordinator
Food Bank Shopper
Purpose: Purchase items at the Hoosier Hills Food Bank to keep pantry shelves stocked.
Results: MCUM will have enough food for clients.
Suggested Activities:
- read and follow Hoosier Hills Food Bank guidelines
- choose food from food bank that is needed for pantry
- load purchased food in van
- unload and stock items on the shelves
- record weights
Measures: This job will be done to the standard expected by the supervisor.
Qualifications:
- minimum age 18
- good driving record
- dependable
- able to lift up to 40 lbs regularly
Timeframe: 2-3 hours during the Hoosier Hills Food Bank hours. The food bank is open Monday – Thursday 9:30am-noon.
Site: MCUM Food Pantry and Hoosier Hills Food Bank
Supervision: Emergency Services Coordinator
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
Financial support from the community is crucial to the ongoing success of our programs and is the type of support we need most. Food donations are also essential to MCUM’s Emergency Food Pantry. However, there are many other ways you can contribute. If you have questions about any of these options or want to know more about how you can get involved, please contact us.