June 2, 2022 – Current Volunteer Opportunities – Learn More at the Open House

Want to learn more?  Join us at our upcoming open house

Are you interested in contributing your time and talent and want to know some of the many options open to you?  Do you have a skill or talent you think may be of benefit to advancing our mission?  Are you interested in volunteering now and then for specific projects or are you looking for an ongoing commitment?  Then consider some of the possibilities below and be sure to join us for the upcoming Open House.

Archives, Genealogy and Research:

• Scanning of photos, documents, maps and other ephemera
• Checking artifacts inventory in storage and exhibits
• Creating digital archives
• Accessing and cataloging new acquisitions.
• Responding to requests for family or other historical research
• Conducting research in our archives and online
• Solving mysteries!
• Finding photos to accompany written articles, signage and promotional materials

Docents:

• Greet visitors, answer their questions or find a volunteer/staff member who can, keep track of visitor counts, monitor exhibits, and lend a hand as needed.
• Do you have an agriculture background?  We’re looking for farmers interested to serve a docent shift(s) in our new Agriculture Pavilion.  This could be a one-time activity or ongoing.
• Benzie Area Historical Museum shifts are 11:00-2 and 1:45-4:30. Substitutes also needed to fill in for regular docents.
• Drake School is open in July and August on Saturdays and Sundays, 1-4 p.m.  Volunteers can select one shift/day or multiple days/shifts at Drake.

Photograph, Videotape, Edit

• Photograph board, staff, and leadership volunteers for website and publications
• Photograph and/or videotape:Museum exhibits
  • Museum activities, programs and events
  • Junior Historians programs and activities
• Video Support:
  • Editing program and event videos
  • Recording and editing oral history interviews
  • Technical assistance for live-streaming and recording Benzonia Academy Lecture Series and other programs
• Oral History Program
  • Scheduling and tracking oral history interviews
  • Scanning photographs, documents for oral history interviews
  • Locating photographs and other media to support oral history interviews
  • Recording and editing oral history interviews

Education/Outreach:

• Junior Historians administrator: Coordinate elementary school program, contact teachers and administrations to set up tours, and working with staff to ensure educators have the materials and information needed to manage classroom programs
• Middle School SS Milwaukee Tour Coordinator:  Work with the executive director to expand the SS Milwaukee field trip opportunity to Benzie Central Schools and coordinate both district field trips with BAHS and SSM/May 2023
• Business/Civic Organizations/Community Group Presentations:  Help to schedule and coordinate BAHS historian presentations to local and regional organizations including Rotary and Lions Clubs, chambers of commerce, churches, PEOs, and other organizations

Programs, Events & Tours

• Event planning and coordination
• Welcome and registration of guests
• Snack/food/drink acquisition for events
• Event set up/clean up
• Remote gift shop

Administration/Mailings

• Join our mailing team:  Labeling or hand-addressing envelopes, folding mailing inserts, stuffing and stamping envelopes
• Write thank-you notes to program attendees
• Data entry
• General administrative tasks as needed

Buildings & Grounds and Craftspeople

• Help to maintain our Museum garden and grounds
• Handyperson:  Capable of basic handy work such as repairing furniture or equipment, painting
• Craftspeople:  Do you have a special skill such as woodworking, sewing, or antique repair/restoration?
• Join our Buildings and Grounds Committee and help maintain our historic Museum home and the Drake School.

Communications

• Website and social media support

Current BAHS Board of Directors Committees:

• Archives
• Buildings & Grounds
• Collections Review
• Communications
• Finance
• Programs, Education & Outreach

If you’re interested in joining a committee or want to learn more about what they accomplish, please contact Barb Mort, executive director, at (231) 882-5539 or by emailing info@benziemuseum.org.