Volunteer Opportunities

Depot Docents host visitors to the Depot Museum by explaining the exhibits and answering questions about local history using a card packet of information provided. Docents volunteer for two (or more) hours at the Depot Museum during a time of their own choosing. The Depot Museum is open every Friday 9-5, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (during the summer months) and Sundays (during summer) from 2 to 4 p.m.

Fundraising and Grant Writing are essential for the Society to realize its potential for our community. While an experienced fundraiser and/or grant writer is needed, anyone who is willing to devote time and energy in acquiring new funds for the Society is welcome. For the beginner, there are often special seminars and other opportunities (such as those sponsored by Legacy Fund and other organizations which aid non profit groups) to attend to learn grant writing. In this way, the volunteer learns to identify new funding opportunities, both for existing Society programs and other programming that can be made possible with increased funding.

Part time clerical help at the Society office is needed. Whether copying materials loaned to the Society for that purpose, or working for longer periods with specific collections (in preservation, cataloguing, etc.), this help is essential to the work of the Society. It is preferable that volunteers for this position schedule fairly regular hours (length of time and work schedule of their own choosing) so that Society office duties can be done in a timely and effective manner.

Restoration, conservation and general care of manuscript, photo and other collections is an ongoing need for any historical society and the CCHS has many collections which are of utmost informational value and rarity. Basic instruction is available to any volunteer who wishes to adopt a conservation project whether long or short term. As with all volunteer opportunities, volunteers are encouraged to select their own work schedule and amount of time spent during each work session. A few specific areas of need are continually important:

• Cataloging otherwise unprocessed collections large and small to both compose finding aids and ascertain conservation needs.
  
  
• Undertaking timely or long-needed single-focus projects which meet specific needs at the Depot Museum and/or the Society office and archives (such as continuing the Society’s survey of Carmel Cemetery, cataloguing the map collection, organizing reference, correspondence and other files for the best effectiveness).

Restoration of artifacts, and help occasionally in constructing exhibits, are very important work required for the Society to preserve and maintain artifacts and to present exhibit concepts in the Depot Museum and elsewhere. Artifacts include those made of wood and/or metal and range from a pewter spoon to a buggy wheel to heavy-duty railroad artifacts. For the beginner, consultation on proper methods and materials used in restoration can be arranged. As with all volunteer opportunities, volunteers can choose the amount of time and the schedule they prefer.

General Maintenance of the Society’s Depot Museum, office and archives facility, and grounds is essential work to enhance the visible and behind-the-scene appearance and functions of the Society. The Society’s grounds include beautiful flower gardens designed and overseen by master gardeners of Greenspace. But periodic maintenance is still required. Basic carpentry and painting is needed occasionally, and cleaning on a regular and/or an on-call basis. There are also opportunities for volunteers to select maintenance projects of their own choosing which they then pursue and complete at their own schedule. These volunteer duties are open to men and women of all ages and experience levels, and to young people too.

Transportation for members wishing to attend Society functions but who no longer drive or do not drive at night is needed. Also, light hauling is needed occasionally during some projects involving exhibits, acquisition and restoration of large artifacts, or other activities. Proof of appropriate vehicular insurance is required to augment liability insurance coverage carried by the Society.

Special events and activities in which the Society wishes to engage (on a one-time or long term basis including quilting, period crafting and cooking, re-enactment, etc.) often require members or others with special expertise. The Society wishes to know of particular historical interests, hobbies and activities of members and others which can be organized for classes and other gatherings which produce period products or experiences.

Holiday Home Tour (serving and preparing meals, ticket takers, etc.)