How to Volunteer with Gaithersburg HELP

Leadership Roles

• Executive Director is there as a resource to all the other volunteers; provides direction, inspiration and Leadership that keeps the organization functioning.
• Assistant Executive Directors provide back up to the Executive Director and take on specific areas of program management as needed.
• Delegates serve as representatives of member congregations on the Board of Directors.
• Financial Managers handle banking and bills, prepare budgets and reports, and maintain records.

Telephone Screening

• Food Coordinators work 1-2 days per month returning requests for food, scheduling pick-ups and entering data on laptop computer.
• Bilingual Translators work 2 days a month returning calls to Spanish speaking clients and coordinating the delivery of the requested assistance with the appropriate volunteers.
• Prescription/Financial Coordinators work 1-2 days a week returning requests for help with prescriptions or other financial assistance.
• Transportation Coordinators work one week per month handling requests for transportation, finding volunteer drivers or arranging for taxi service.
• Infant Needs Coordinators: One of the fastest growing programs in Gaithersburg Help is Infant Needs.  We supply diapers for babies up to the age of 3 years, and formula and baby food up to the age of 1 year.  In January 2010, 178 babies received diapers and 39 received formula.  We are looking for volunteers who would be willing to call the clients who have left a request for diapers and formula, schedule those clients for Monday, Wednesday, or Friday pick-ups, then fill the orders for distribution by our pantry workers.  A supply of diapers, formula and baby food is available at our food pantry.  The time requirement is 5-6 hours per day, 1-2 days per month.
   

Pantry

• Pantry Workers prepare food packages for pick up by clients based on information provided by Food Coordinators.
• Pantry Organizers inventory, sort, and shelve food at the pantry.
• Stock Coordinators assist Pantry Chair with ordering and picking up supplies for the pantry.
  

Drivers

• Food Drivers go to the pantry and package food for delivery to homebound clients.
• Transportation Drivers work as needed to drive clients to weekday medical or social service appointments in the local area.
  

Administrative Tasks

• Volunteer Schedulers develop the monthly schedules for each group of volunteers in the different program areas: Food Coordinators, Transportation Coordinators, Pantry Workers, and Food Drivers.
• Roster Coordinator prepares the mailing of our monthly Volunteer Roster.
• Newsletter Coordinator prepares the mailing of our semi-annual Newsletter.
• Back up Secretary attends meetings of the Board or Executive Committee to record minutes when the regular secretary is not able to attend the meeting.
• Publicity Coordinator prepares flyers, press releases, and brochures for distribution to the media and the community at large to publicize events and educate the public about the mission of Gaithersburg HELP.
  

Program Management

• Grant Writers help complete Grant applications and investigate fund raising opportunities.
• Translator Coordinator Chair schedules, trains, and mentors our Bilingual Translators.
• Food Chair supervises and trains Food Coordinators and handles problems to ensure smooth functioning.
• Pantry Chair supervises and trains Pantry Workers and Food Drivers, coordinates operation of the Pantry, maintains inventory, and ensures smooth functioning.
• Transportation Chair supervises proper functioning of transportation services.
• Telephone Chair supervises the general telephone workers and ensures coverage.
• Youth Coordinator supervises youth volunteers in various activities.
• Volunteer Chair screens volunteer applicants, refers for appropriate positions, prepares recruitment materials and public service announcements and handles volunteer issues.
• Thanksgiving in February Coordinator represents Gaithersburg HELP in this county-wide fundraising effort.
• Mini-walk Coordinator organizes mini-walks in the local schools as part of fall Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walk.
• Volunteer Recognition Event Planners assist with events to honor our volunteers.
• Food Drive Coordinator solicits food drives at schools and other community organizations.
• United Way/CFC Coordinator organizes our efforts to increase our United Way/CFC participation and represents us at agency events.