Volunteer

Volunteers Make a Difference and We Welcome You!

Marin History Museum New Volunteer Orientation
Click here for more information

Mark Twain once said, “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines...Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Do you have an interest in history or would you like to learn more about Marin County? Perhaps you have a special skill, or a lifetime of experience, or a little free time?

We invite you to come explore the opportunities of volunteering with the Marin History Museum. This year's schedule of new exhibitions, events and educational activities has generated much enthusiasm here at the Museum, and we hope you will join us in helping to bring the history of Marin alive for both children and adults. We respect, value and appreciate our volunteers and understand how each plays an important role in every facet of the Museum. Volunteers help make it possible for MHM to fulfill its mission through exhibitions, educational programs, library archives and collections.

We are flexible and will do our best to work with your schedule. A variety of opportunities are available, both working with the public and behind the scenes:

• Gallery Docent:
  The Museum is presently open *every* Saturday, thanks to the generous support of our volunteers. With expanded hours we do need extra sets of hands to keep the doors open and the exhibitions available to the public. Gallery docents assist the Boyd Gate House staff by interpreting exhibitions to visitors, maintaining the Museum gift shop, and opening/closing the Museum. Presently, this is a critical need for the Museum and volunteers interested in this position will be given priority placement.
  
  
• Story Reader
  This position is well-suited for a retired educator, student, or any lover of children's literature. The Story Reader will commit 30 minutes - one hour of reading at the Marin History Museum, at least one Saturday a month. Opportunity for week day morning reading is also open. Children books will be provided, although suggestions are welcomed. This position does not require childcare; all children will be supervised by their parents or guardians. Storytime will take place on Saturday mornings in our Community Room at the Boyd Gate House, 1125 B St., San Rafael.
  
  
• Social Media Volunteer
  Work from home, Minimum: 3 hours a week. This position is for the web-savvy individual who loves to post on Facebook, tweet on twitter, pin on pinterest, review on yelp, upload on Youtube, and surf the web for history, Marin, or museum-related topics! This position is suited for the individual who wants to work from home and has access to the internet and a personal computer. The Social Media volunteer will contribute to the MHM facebook and twitter account and help to develop other channels of social media and establish a more solid web presence. This is a great opportunity to build experience working with social media. Students are welcome to apply.
  
  
• Volunteer Blogger
  Work from home. Minimum: 3 hours a week. Marin History Museum seeks a competent writer and fresh voice to represent MHM on the web! This volunteer will work closely with the MHM Programs Manager to choose a blog platform, develop a voice for blog and update the blog once-twice a week. This is a great opportunity for any avid blogger and writer who may want to expand and develop his/her portfolio. Volunteers must have access to internet and a personal computer. Students are welcome to apply.
  
  
• Special Events Volunteers
  Marin History Museum hosts many exciting programs and events every month and we are looking for capable volunteers to help us make these events a success! We need volunteers to help the following: assist Programs Manager with coordination and facilitation set up and/or break down greeting and interacting w/ event attendees, sign-in and ticket sales, selling merchandise at the Museum Store booth, this position gives volunteers the chance to attend a wide range of fun community events and special programs, free of charge. Opportunities to head a volunteer committee for special events are available. This is an excellent way to get involved with the Museum community!
  
  
• Museum by Moonlight: Thursday Night Docent
  Min: at least one Thursday evening a month (4 or 5-8pm)The Marin History Museum stays open late each Thursday evening to welcome the public to tour our exhibitions and attend our special programs. We seek a volunteer to greet visitors and interact with guests. This is a fun position for anyone interested in history and special events.
  
  
• Event Promotion
  Min: 2 hours a week. This is a great opportunity for those looking for marketing, and public outreach experience. The Event Promotion volunteer will work with the Programs Manager to collect information about each Museum program, exhibit, and event and then distribute the information to the public. We seek a volunteer who is capable of posting posters in stores and cafes in downtown San Rafael and distributing flyers around town. If interested, the volunteer will have the opportunity to assist in writing press releases and then will submit press releases to promote the Museum's events and exhibits.

Preserving our past for future generations is an incredible legacy and we invite you to be part of making this happen. For information and an application please contact Marcie Miller, Museum Manager at (415) 454-8538, or e-mail volunteer@marinhistory.org.

Back to top