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Volunteer and make  a difference!

 

Below is a list of just a few of the volunteer opportunities available at MCUM. 

If you would like to volunteer, please email us at mcumhelp@bloomington.in.us or call Cliff at 339-3429.

 

Administrative Positions:

Maintenance Assistant

Winter Maintenance Assistant

Office Assistant 

Volunteer Supervisor

 

Emergency Services Positions:

Food Pantry Assistant 

Food Bank Shopper

Each One Feed One Volunteers

 

Childcare Program Positions:

Cafeteria Assistant 

One to One Companion

Playtime Supervisor 

Teacher’s Assistant

Special Interest Group Leader

Story Teller

Music Or Dance Instructor

Arts and Crafts Instructor

 

Title:

Maintenance Assistant

Purpose:

Keep buildings and equipment in good working order.

Results:

Add life to buildings and equipment and save MCUM money on maintenance and replacement costs.

Suggested Activities:

  • Repair and mend equipment

  • Grounds keeping, custodial duties, 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 8 A.M.-NOON and 1 P.M.-4 P.M., Monday thru Friday. 

Site:

Administrative building, Childcare building, and three single-family homes. 

Supervision:

Executive Director

  

Title:

Winter Maintenance Assistant 

Purpose:

Remove snow and ice from sidewalks. 

Results:

Clients, children and staff will be able to enter buildings safely. 

Suggested Activities:

  • Shovel snow

  • Apply de-icing materials

Measures:

Sidewalks should be safe for pedestrians and meet the supervisor’s expectations. 

Qualifications:

  • Minimum age 18

  • Able to shovel snow

 

Timeframe:

On call as needed. 

Site:

Administrative and childcare buildings. 

Supervision:

Executive Director or Daycare Director

  

Title:

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

  • Typing and record keeping as needed

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 Childcare only)

Timeframe:

3-4 hours per week during the hours of 8 A.M.-NOON and 1 P.M.-4 P.M. Monday thru Friday. 

Site:

Administration or Childcare Office 

Supervision:

Office Manager or Daycare Administrative Assistant 

  

EMERGENCY SERVICES 

Title:

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

  • Stock pantry shelves as needed

  • Rotate stock to prevent spoilage

  • Prepare sacks for distribution

  • Remove Campbell’s Soup labels

  • Assist in food donation pick-ups

  • Shop at the food bank (see job description)

  • Clean freezers

Measures:

Work will meet the expectations of the supervisor. 

Qualifications:

  • Dependability

  • Simple math skills

  • Able to lift up to 40 lbs.

Timeframe:

2-3 hours per week during the hours of 8 A.M.-NOON and 1 P.M.-4 P.M., Monday thru Friday. 

Site:

MCUM Food Pantry 

Supervision:

Emergency Services Coordinator

  

Title:

Food Bank Shopper 

Purpose:

Purchase items at the Hoosier Hills Food Bank to keep our shelves stocked. 

Results:

MCUM will have enough food for clients. 

Suggested Activities:

  • Read Hoosier Hills Food Bank guidelines

  • Choose food from food bank that is needed for pantry

  • Unload the van and stock items on the shelves

  • Record weights on chart

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 9:30-12:00. 

Site:

MCUM Food Pantry and Hoosier Hills Food Bank 

Supervision:

Emergency Services Coordinator

           

Title:

Each One, Feed One Food Drive Volunteer

Purpose:

Help to make MCUM's annual two-day food drive a success. More than 200 volunteers are needed for this event year year.

Results:

MCUM will have enough food for clients. 

Suggested Activities:

  • Join the organizing committee for the event.

  • Collect food and distribute information about local hunger at area grocery stores.

  • Collect donations at stores and drive them to MCUM.

  • Sort collected items. 

Measures:

This job will be done to the standard expected by the supervisor. 

Qualifications:

  • Minimum age 14 (younger children can participate under adult supervision)

  • Good driving record (for drivers)

  • Able to stand/sit outdoors for 3-hour shift

  • Groups and families are welcome

Timeframe:

Choose a 3-hour shift that works for your schedule during the weekend of the drive.

Site:

MCUM or various grocery stores

Supervision:

Food Drive Planning Committee

Childcare 

Title:

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 food bank and Kroger

Measures:

Children staff should be served quickly to the satisfaction of the supervisor. 

Qualifications:

  • Minimum age 18

  • TB test and physical

  • Dependability

  • Able to follow directions

  • Enjoy and relate well to young children

Timeframe:

2-3 hours per week at 8-10 A.M. or 11-1 P.M. Monday through Friday.

Site:

Childcare Kitchen and Dining Room 

Supervision:

Childcare Cook

   

Title:

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 slow development. 

Results:

The child will gradually improve in communication and behavior.

Suggested Activities:

  • Engage a child in an activity like reading, drawing, etc.

  • Assist the child as s/he participates in class activities

  • Help the child interact with other children

Measures:

The child will enjoy the volunteers company.  The teacher should approve of the volunteers activities.

Qualifications:

  • 18+ years old

  • TB test and physical

  • Knowledge of child development or interest in working with small children

  • Knowledge of a skill relating to the need particular need of a child

Timeframe:

At least one shift per week at 9:30-11:30 A.M. or 2:30-4:30 P.M. Monday thru Friday.  Length of commitment will vary according to the needs of the child and availability of the volunteer.  

Site:

Childcare 

Supervision:

Classroom Teacher

 

Title:

Playtime Supervisor 

Purpose:

Ensure the safety of children while playing with them or supervising them during playtime. 

Results:

Children will develop physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually. 

Suggested Activities:

  • Play with several children at one time

  • Encourage children to try new and different 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

  • Enjoy and relate well to children

  • Have knowledge of child development

Timeframe:

2-3 hours per week from 9:30-11:30 A.M. or 2:30-5:30 P.M. Monday thru Friday. 

Site:

Childcare

Supervision:

Classroom Teacher

  

Title:

Teacher’s Assistant 

Purpose:

Help teachers and children during and between activities through out 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 as needed

  •   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

  • Knowledge of child development

  • Enjoy and relate well to children

Timeframe:

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 naptime.

·        2:30- 4:30 P.M. – Children wake up from nap; afternoon snack; outside or indoor playtime.

 

Site:

Childcare 

Supervision:

Classroom Teacher

 

Title:

Special Interest Group Leader 

Purpose:

Teach children a skill 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

  • Knowledge of skill that can be taught to small children

  • Enjoy and relate well to children

Timeframe:

Lessons should last 20-45 minutes and be taught between 9:30 A.M. and 11:30 A.M. or 2:30 P.M. and 4:30 P.M. Monday thru Friday.  Length of commitment will vary according to the project. 

Site:

Childcare 

Supervision:

Childcare Director and Classroom Teacher

  

Title:

Story Teller 

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

  • Experienced in telling stories

  • Enjoy and relate well to young children

Timeframe:

Stories should last 20-30 minutes and be presented between 9:30 A.M. and 11:30 A.M. or 2:30 P.M. and 4:30 P.M. Monday thru Friday. 

Site:

Childcare 

Supervision:

Classroom Teacher

 

Title:

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

  • Knowledge of particular music or dance

  • Enjoy and relate well to children

Timeframe:

Lessons should last 20-30 minutes and be taught between 9:30 A.M. and 11:30 A.M. or 2:30 P.M. and 4:30 P.M. Monday thru Friday. 

Site:

Childcare 

Supervision:

Classroom Teacher

 

Title:

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

  • Use of appropriate areas for messy projects

  • Geared to the age group appropriately

  • Make projects fun and enjoyable

Measures:

Children will enjoy the activity.  Teachers will approve of the activity.

Qualifications:

  • Minimum age 18

  • TB test and Physical

  • Enjoy and relate well to children

  • Knowledge and enthusiasm for art

Timeframe:

Projects should last 20-45 minutes and be worked on between 9:30 and 11:30 A.M. or 2:30 and 4:30 P.M. Monday thru Friday. 

Site:

Childcare 

Supervision:

Classroom Teacher

  

Title:

Volunteer Supervisor 

Purpose:

Experienced volunteers can take on more responsibility and assist the volunteer coordinator in his/her day-to-day activities by mentoring new volunteers within job or program that they are familiar. 

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:

One three to four -hour shift per week in either the Childcare building or the food pantry.   

Site:

Childcare Building or Administration Building 

Supervision:

Volunteer Coordinator

 

 
Monroe County United Ministries
827 W. 14th Court
Bloomington, IN 47404
(812) 339-3429
Fax: (812) 339-2912
mcum@bloomington.in.us