Save the Date: Monday, October 5th

Our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event

We will “Rock Around the Clock” from 7 to 9 pm on Monday, October 5^th to celebrate volunteer accomplishments in the past year.

It’s the 50^th Anniversary of The Smithsonian Associates, so we will honor it with a 50’s theme! Join us in period attire or come as you are; back by popular demand will be the photo booth and we will have some 1950s props for you to include in your pictures.

At the party we will honor all ongoing volunteers (badge holders.) Those with milestone years of service in FY 2015 will receive pins, and one volunteer from each category (Event Rep, Studio Art Rep, Bus Tour Rep, Office Volunteers, and Ambassadors) will be recognized with “Excellence in Service” Awards.

To RSVP, please request the party event in your EVANS calendar for October 5^th.  (You can access it by clicking on "EVANS" on the top bar of this blog entry). After August 14, you will be able to see it on your calendar.

So, in the parlance of the 1950s, “Be there, or be square!”

________________________________________

TWO LARGE SCALE SPECIAL EVENTS THIS FALL
NEED VOLUNTEERS! Can you assist us?

Breakfast at the Zoo
Saturday, September 19th
6:30 am to 11:00 am

Animal Lovers who like young families and can be wide awake at the crack of dawn: We need you to help us host our next Breakfast at the Zoo for Associates Members on Saturday, September 19. The fitting theme is “50 Animals for 50 Years!”

The volunteer activities range from providing directional help and announcing presentations at a variety of animal exhibits, to helping kids make zoo themed crafts, to assisting at the VIP Pavilion and more. These shifts are from 6:30 am to 11:00 am, so it is best for volunteers who can drive in, as the Metrorail doesn’t open in time to get there for the 6:30 am volunteer briefing. (Although there is a bus that comes to the Connecticut Entrance of the Zoo at that early hour.)

We need plenty of volunteers to adequately cover all the activities and zoo locations, so if you are “an early bird” and comfortable with crowds, come join us for a fun morning! Sign up by requesting the Breakfast at the Zoo in EVANS. The date again is Saturday, September 19th.

The 2nd Annual
Innovation Festival
In partnership with the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

The weekend of Saturday and Sunday,
September 26 and 27^th
The New Wing of the American History Museum

This event celebrates the innovations and inventions that use science and technology. It is designed for thousands of attendees of all ages, and volunteers will assist the presenters and work behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly. We seek volunteers for 2 of the 4 half-day shifts: they are from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, on Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th. If you decide to do both shifts on the same day, lunch will be provided.

If you are interested and available, please sign up for two or more shifts in EVANS (you can access it by clicking on "EVANS" on the top bar of this blog entry). More details will follow in the weeks ahead via email to those who have requested the shifts in EVANS.

________________________________________

NEW SMITHSONIAN SECRETARY HAS ARRIVED!
Meet Dr. David J. Skorton

On July 1^st, the Smithsonian’s 13^th Secretary had his first day on the job, and what a great way to begin his work by enjoying the Folklife Festival!

You can read Dr. Skorton’s career background here.

At the All SI Staff Meeting on July 16^th he spoke to a standing room only crowd at NMAH’s Warner Bros. Theater, and shared some of his first impressions of the Institution, and more recent ones, and gave staff a sense of his initial priorities as Secretary. He also displayed an engaging sense of humor.