Annual Volunteer Appreciation October 22:
Let's "Do Breakfast!"
These volunteers came for the big picnic in conjunction with the Folklife Festival on July 6th. We hope to see many of these smiling faces - and more who aren't pictured here - at our annual appreciation event on Saturday, October 22. Please RSVP in EVANS today!
Join us for a sumptuous breakfast together as we look back on all the volunteer accomplishments of 2015/2016. Please RSVP in EVANS for 10 am to 12 noon on Saturday, October 22; we will celebrate in the Discovery Theater. There are some surprises in store, you won’t want to miss it! Although there are several art classes and lectures meeting at the same time, we are working on finding volunteer coverage from among our other (non-badged) volunteers so most everyone can attend. If you happen to be scheduled to volunteer that morning, we hope you can steal away for a bit and join us for part of the party.
Another Fun Breakfast for Associates Volunteers:
Breakfast at the Zoo on Saturday, September 17
This is an annual special event for our Associates Members and their children and grandchildren. This year’s theme is “Going Bananas Over the Great Apes.” We need volunteers to do a variety of things to make it all a swinging good time: greeting and assisting our donors in the VIP tent, making arts and crafts with the kiddos, provide directional help at various animal houses and zoo intersections. Please log into EVANS and request Breakfast at the Zoo as one of your assignments. Jenna will be adding people to the team in the weeks to come!
The Last of the Museum Sleepovers
Need A Few More Activity Leaders
Whether you have helped us host sleepovers this summer already, or would like to try it out, we would greatly appreciate your picking up one of the August Sleepovers as a bonus volunteer shift. It’s a great way to add 5 hours to your logbook for the fiscal year, and you get to go home and sleep in the comfort of your own bed!
Fri. August 12 – American History
Sat. August 20 – Udvar Hazy in Chantilly, VA
Fri. August 26 – Natural History
If you can help with one of these dates, please email Jenna at jonesjel@si.edu as soon as you can. She will send you a confirmation email with all the details you will want to know in advance. Join us in creating a cherished childhood memory for 8 - 12 year olds!
Honorary Rep Position
A New Option for Volunteers with 20+ Years of Service
As announced at the Annual Picnic on July 6th, the Associates is proud to expand our volunteer offerings to include a new category called “Honorary Rep.” In this role, Reps agree to complete at least 6 program shifts a year, rather than 40 hours a year. The shifts are individual instances that you volunteer, so for example, a course that meets 4 times would satisfy 4 of the 6 shifts for the year. Of course you can volunteer more than 6 times a year, but you would not have to complete a minimum of 40 hours. This position is not reversible from year to year, and here is a detailed position description. If you are interested in pursuing this option, contact Jenna at jonesjel@si.edu or 202-633-8596.
Farewell, Cat Aboudara and
Congratulations, Amanda Chavenson
In late July, Cat Abodara finished up here work as a Programmer for the Associates. Many of you Event Reps will recall her science focused lectures, book signings, and the two large scale Innovation Festivals that she planned. She will now be the Assistant Director of Program Initiatives at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was kind enough to send a special message to our volunteers, here is an exerpt:
"...And a very special thank you to all the volunteers I’ve worked with, some of my science programs were quite unwieldy and outside of the box and you handled them with grace and aplomb!
Working at the Smithsonian was always a far off dream and it was a wonderful experience when that dream became reality and I got to move across the country to experience it. I was able to stretch and work with so many passionate, intelligent, creative and driven people while here and I’m so grateful at having that experience and getting to know you in the process. Thank you for your wonderful contribution!...If you are in Philly, look me up and I’ll introduce you to Ben in the Foyer, who is a great reminder to me of why I do what I do!"
Amanda Chavenson, whom some of you know from her work with managing the Concessions Cart Initiative, has been selected to coordinate programs in Cat's place. Her major in college was environmental science, so it is a wonderful opportunity for her - and for Associates audiences and staff. Please congratulate Amanda on her promotion and welcome her as a new Programmer!
