Cheers to Volunteer Coordinator, Howard Waxman, for his dedication to CCAC and using VolunteerSpot!
1. Please tell us about your organization and your volunteer needs.
The Chocolate Church Arts Center (CCAC) has served Mid-coast Maine for more than 30 years by offering a rich program of live music, gallery exhibitions, theatre for young artists, lectures and workshops. Today, the CCAC is moving forward as a community-centered performing and visual arts center.
We depend on our 50-60 volunteers to staff performances with technical support, ushers, box office assistance, running concessions, acting as artist liaison, etc. Volunteers also engage in the maintenance of the overall facility, including cleaning the performance space, the backstage area and the art gallery; making repairs to the building and overseeing utility usage. In addition, they support office functions, such as membership drives, ticket sales, and publicity for performances. In addition, volunteers also organize and direct a variety of musical and theatrical programs.
2. Explain how you use VolunteerSpot to coordinate these volunteers.
While about a dozen of the volunteers have ongoing roles in facility and production management, about 40 rely on VolunteerSpot for updates on the jobs that need to be done. As Volunteer Coordinator, I use the site to invite them to sign up for staff positions, such as ushers, greeters, box office helpers, etc. I list the specific jobs and number of people needed for every position. I also reach out to these volunteers for special occasions, as we did recently to put together a crew for four shifts over two days to help get out our semi-annual membership mailing.
3. Why did you decide to use VolunteerSpot?
It was recommended to me by three of our volunteers who had used it with other organizations. I had never heard of it until then. As soon as I went through it I knew it would be a tremendous asset to my work. And it absolutely has been!
4. What’s one piece of advice you have for volunteers or their leaders out there?
Be specific about what the jobs entail and try to give as much lead-time as possible.
5. Anything else you’d like our readers to know about your organization or volunteering?
We face many challenges at the CCAC, including maintaining a very large facility, a landmark Gothic Revival Church that is almost 170 years old. But we have a great core of people, almost every one a volunteer, who are deeply committed to making it a success! There is always a core of people who were committed to each other and to getting the job done with a spirit that went far beyond what was in our pay envelopes.
We salute Howard and all the other teachers and volunteers making a difference in their communities. Check out how VolunteerSpot’s Volunteer Software can save you time and stress and boost parent involvement in your school. Take a tour today!
*Photo courtesy of Chocolate Church Arts Center's facebook page
