Volunteer

 

The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.   ~ DeAnn Hollis


                                                                                       
Volunteers are vital to the success of the Garden and are an integral part of the education program. Please do not hesitate to join us and make a difference in our community. There are many fun opportunities available to participate involving varying degrees of hourly commitment.

If you would like to send a request to become a volunteer at the garden: Please click here for the volunteer application form. 

 

2013 Volunteer Opportunities
 
If you are interested in any of the below opportunities please contact Jana Zawadzki at (619)232-2721 Ext. 101, or email at volunteer@niwa.org. Also, please fill out the volunteer application(link above) and indicate your area of interest in the 'Comment' section of the form. More specific information on each event, program, and project can be provided over the phone and via email. 
 
Perks of Volunteering
 
  • Get discounts on Garden membership. Volunteers can get an Individual membership for only $15.00
  • Get honored at our Annual Volunteer Dinner
  • Enjoy the comradery of fellow volunteers
  • Learn and experience something new  
 
June
June 28 – Summer Luau
In past years, the Garden has done a Summer Luau, Concert Series, or Cultural Festival. Volunteers will be involved in facilitating different areas of the event and helping with set-up, and/or clean-up of the event.
 
*Free Tuesday Program
 
July
(July – August) – Summer Camp
Summer Camp is a four week, five days a week, cultural program catered towards 1st through 8th grade. Students are able to immerse themselves in the Japanese culture with a variety of traditional and non-traditional activities/topics such as ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement), tea ceremony, karate, sushi-making, sumi-e (brush painting), Japanese games, and anime. If you like kids, or have a background in child development, this is a great opportunity!
SEE BELOW FOR SPECIAL PROJECT NEEDS AND OUR FREE TUESDAY PROGRAM
 
August
August 15 – August Moon
August Moon is the Garden’s annual Gala and Awards Dinner, which invites roughly 300 guests from a wide range of community organizations and corporations.  Areas of need for this event are primarily silent auction and live auction assistance, which includes facilitation and processing payment.  
 
SEE BELOW FOR SPECIAL PROJECT NEEDS AND OUR FREE TUESDAY PROGRAM
 
September
SEE BELOW FOR SPECIAL PROJECT NEEDS AND OUR FREE TUESDAY PROGRAM
 
October
October 26 – Halloween Family Day
Halloween Family Day is a Park-wide event and presents a “spooktacular” array of hands-on activities, crafts, costume parades, tours, storytelling, and other free goodies. As with Science Family Day, children 12 and under are free with a paid adult. The Garden offers environmental and cultural activities, a scavenger hunt, demonstrations, Japanese storytelling, crafts, Garden design workshops, lunch specials, and Koi feeding for kids and their families.
 
SEE BELOW FOR SPECIAL PROJECT NEEDS AND OUR FREE TUESDAY PROGRAM
 
November
November (9-10 &16-17) – Shi-Chi-Go-San
Shi-Chi-Go-San, which literally translates to 3-5-7 is a Japanese festival held in November that celebrates the growth and well-being of young children. Children ages 3, 5, and 7 celebrate their passage through childhood by dressing up in traditional kimonos and taking photos. The Garden offers this unique opportunity for parents and their children with a Japanese style garden as a backdrop.  Volunteers are needed to facilitate photo taking and assist with kimono changing. Background knowledge, or experience in kimono wearing is preferred.
 
December 
December 6th & 7th- December Nights
Special Event volunteers and cooks are needed to assist with December nights festivities.
 
PROJECT NEEDS:
 
General Office Assistance:
-          Assist in photocopying documents
-          Printing brochures
-          Data entry
-          Organizing files
-          Updating the JFG website
 
*Qualifications: Basic computer skills including Word and Excel, basic knowledge with copy machines, independent and can-do personality preferred.
 
Marketing:
-          Assist with creating promotional material
-          Promote Garden events and activities
-          Assist in market research
 
*Qualifications: excellent written and verbal communication skills, graphic design background preferred, comfortable with various social media platforms.
 
Membership:
-          Conduct surveys
-          Assist with processing membership and renewal forms
-          Assist with compiling bi-monthly newsletter
 
*Qualifications: excellent written and verbal communication skills, research skills preferred, must be familiar with google apps.
 
Collections Management & Exhibitions:
-          Library archiving
-          Background/historical research
-          Exhibit installation and de-installation support
-          Art reception support
 
*Qualifications: archiving background, or experience preferred, research skills preferred, must be physically adept for moving objects, installing fixtures.. etc. 


 

 Have you volunteered for the JFG?  Please take our volunteer survey .  Thank you!

VOLUNTEER SURVEY
These surveys are anonymous.