Volunteer News
February, 2012
Connecting You to Your Community
Quote of the Month
Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion,
unselfish caring, patience, and just plain love for one another.
~Erma Bombeck
One-Time Volunteering
Saturday, February 25th
Brush Creek Restoration work day (ages 8 and up)
Help the Creek Stewardship Program take care of the Brush Creek Restoration Area near Flat Rock.
Learn about native California riparian plants and how they provide food and shelter for fish and
wildlife.
Time: 9:30 to 11:30 AM
Location: Meet at Flat Rock footbridge 4227 Flat Rock Circle (east on Hwy 12 past Brush Creek Rd, rt
on Streamside Dr, rt on Wayvern Dr).
Contact: Alistair Bleifuss at 543-3845 or ableifuss@ci.santa-rosa.ca.us.
Every Friday
Experience Santa Rosa's agricultural past in the middle of the city! The whole family will delight
in barns, hay bales and working community garden in Recreation and Parks newest park, Bayer
Farm, operated by Land- Paths. Visitors are free to stroll through the teaching garden and
community garden plots, help tend the plants, buy produce in the spring and summer months or just
relax and enjoy the view of Taylor Mountain. Bayer Farm is located at 1550 West Ave, across from
Sheppard School. Open Fridays 2:30-5pm, weather permitting. For information about special events
including gardening workshops call 524-9318 or at www.landpaths.org
February
Volunteers are needed to support one of West County Services vital programs that
serve unsheltered citizens through the winter months! The shelter operate at the Vet's Hall in
Guerneville 5pm to 7am, every day of the week, through Feb/March. We need help in the following
areas:

Hosts/Hostesses (evenings 5pm -8pm)

Meals (contact us to sign up if you, your family or your social group would be able to
provide a hot meal delivered to the shelter on a one-time or regularly scheduled basis.)

Meal Servers and Kitchen Crew

Laundry Help (Pick up bedding, wash and dry, deliver back to shelter)

General Facility Maintenance and Janitorial
Volunteers are appreciated for one time service as well as for on-going service! Please contact us for
more information: volunteer@westcountyservices.org
Every Wednesday- Russian Riverkeepers Workday
On the entire 110 miles of the Russian River this is the place to see and participate in riverbank
stewardship. Activities include: planting and caring for native plants, weeding, erosion control,
restoration education and Park cleanup.
Enjoy time on the Russian River every Wednesday except when there is enough rain to need a
raincoat. Please join us from 8:30 - 11:30 am, for all or part of the time. No experience necessary,
however we suggest you bring your own drinking water and wear sturdy footwear. Light refreshments
are provided. Everyone and all ages are welcome to visit or volunteer. Students can receive volunteer
credit for participating.
The Park is located at 16153 Main St., Guerneville on the north bank of the Russian River directly
upstream of the pedestrian bridge. Access is down a driveway in front of Sonoma Nesting Co. At the
bottom of the driveway look for the blue and white sign that says, "Russian Riverkeeper
Demonstration Riparian Restoration Project Future Community Park." Parking is available near the
sign. For more information, contact Victoria Wikle at 865-2474 or VictoriaWikle@usa.net. Website
http://www.russianriverkeeper.org.
Ongoing Opportunities
Looking for more long term opportunities?
Are you looking to volunteer on a regular basis? There are several programs at the Volunteer Center
and throughout the more than 500 agencies we serve.
Fundraising Office Support
PRBO Conservation Science, an environmental non-profit organization based in Petaluma, is
seeking volunteers with phone/people skills to assist with donation solicitation for upcoming
fundraisers such as our annual auction. This is an in-office opportunity at PRBO's Headquarters,
Monday-Friday, between the hours of 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. We are happy to arrange a flexible,
weekly or bi-weekly schedule. Volunteers should be 18 years or older. For more information please
contact Emily Sanborn, Membership & Events Manager at esanborn@prbo.org 707-781-2555 ext 320.
Gallery Attendants
In honor of the 200th anniversary of Fort Ross, Sonoma County Museum will present The Tsar's
Cabinet exhibition. Organized by the Muscarelle Museum of Art at the College of William and Mary, the
exhibition highlights more than 200 years of decorative arts under the Romanovs during the 18th and
19th centuries. The Sonoma County Museum is seeking gallery attendants to assist with this special
exhibit from February 26th- May 25th. If you would like to greet guests in the gallery and answer
basic questions about the exhibit all while enjoying the beautiful and historic artwork please contact
the Visitor Services and Volunteer Coordinator Jessica Knudtzon. 707.579.1500 ext 10
jknudtzon@sonomacountmuseum.org
Assist Senior Activities
Council on Aging, located at the Sebastopol Senior Center, is in need of a few good volunteers who
would enjoy helping seniors with social activities. Duties include active listening, discussion, exercise,
entertainment, pet therapy, games, arts/crafts and serving lunch. Assistance needed Monday,
Wednesday and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. For further information please call 525-0143 x
147 and ask for Michele Leonard, Volunteer Services.
Waiting Room Host and More!
Make a difference in your community. Are you outgoing, friendly, and caring? Do you want to help
spread the word about affordable health services? West County Health Centers is recruiting
volunteers to join our team - you can serve in a variety of roles including waiting room host (greet
patients, share resources), community outreach (tabling at local events-improve access to healthcare
by informing others about local health services), leading iWalk groups, and assisting with emergency
preparedness. Our next volunteer training will be held January 25 & February 1. For more
information about how to join our healthcare team, contact Marty Dekay-Bemis, Volunteer Program
Manager, at 869-5977, ext. 3312 or mdekay@wchealth.org.
Waiting Room Hosts Child Counseling Clinic
California Parenting Institute is looking for volunteers to serve as Waiting Room Hosts in our Child
Counseling Clinic. Shifts are available Monday-Friday from 3-6pm. We ask for a minimum
commitment of once per week for 4 months, but welcome those who want to volunteer more time.
This is ideal for students who need to fulfill community service requirements! Shifts are available
immediately. Duties include supervising children in our waiting area and providing activities to keep
them occupied as needed. Parents who bring their children to CPI are required to remain in the
building during their child's appointment, but there are times when parents need to speak with a
therapist privately without their child present. This position requires flexibility, creativity, a love of
children, an ability to think on your feet, and a playful nature. Please Contact Wendy Hilberman at
wendyh@calparents.org or phone her at 707-486-5648
Prevention Educators
Verity is a nonprofit dedicated to the prevention fo sexual assualt in Sonoma County. Prevention
Educators make presentations in classrooms all over Sonoma County to educate youth in grades K-12
on the topics of sexual violence, sexual harassment, bystander roles, healthy communication, as well
as ways we can help support victims and survivors. All volunteers/interns complete 24 hours of
training where they learn a wide range of skills on public speaking, presenting curricula, classroom
management to deeper issues around supporting a victim of sexual assault who discloses an incident
to them. Through the training, volunteers become Certified Mandated Reporters. All volunteers will be
fingerprinted and must pass a background check prior to beginning their volunteer assignments in the
classroom. All volunteers must be 18 years or older. Training dates are: February 5th, and February
12th. Contact the Prevention Department at (707) 545-7270 ext 13 or email us at
prevention@ourverity.org
Volunteers Needed at Luther Burbank Home & Gardens
Are you interested in gardening and/or history? Train to become a Docent, work in the Gift Shop, or
learn to be a Gardener at this Registered National, State, and City Historic Landmark in Santa Rosa.
Docents and Gift Shop staff volunteer three shifts per month April through October. Gardeners
volunteer morning shifts year-round. Training days include March 3. 10, and 17. To apply, please call
Kris or Phyliss at 707-524-5445, or email BurbankHome@lutherburbank.org, or apply online at
www.lutherburbank.org.
Be a Mentor to a Teen at the Sonoma Humane Society
Forget Me Not Farm Children's Services of the Sonoma Humane Society is looking for volunteers
who enjoy working with teens and animals. We are recruiting adult volunteers to be a one on one
mentor to an at risk teen two hours a week for a year commitment. Your participation in our
Vocational Training Mentoring Program will have a positive impact in the future of a teen's life!
Through guiding the teens in their work site responsibilities in one of animal shelter and veterinary
management volunteer positions you will be providing invaluable vocational and life skills in
preparation for adulthood. Onsite training is provided. Participation in this program requires finger
print clearance through the Sonoma Humane Society. For further information please contact Beth
Karzes at 577-1902 or bkarzes@sonomahumane.org
Adult Literacy League
Board of Directors Opportunities
The Adult Literacy League of Sonoma County has been in our community for over 40 years working
with adults needing help with English as a Second Language. We are looking for new members of the
Board who have enthusiasm and passion for what the League does in the community. There are key
areas that we need expertise in: Advertising, Public Speaking, Fundraising/Grantwriting, Financial
record keeping, Newsletters ... just to name a few. Resumes may be sent to: Adult Literacy League,
4908 Sonoma Highway, Suite B, Santa Rosa, CA 95409; or Email: office@literacyleague.org; or call
with questions: (707) 539-3848
Animal Shelter Pet Store
The Sonoma Humane Society at 5345 Hwy 12 Santa Rosa is looking for volunteers to help in the
shelter pet store "Paws to Shop" retail & merchandising. Help adopters and shoppers shop for pet
accessories and merchandise in our volunteer-operated pet supply store. Shifts are in 3 hour
increments any day of the week between 12pm - 3pm or 3pm - 6pm. All volunteers receive in-store
discounts too. People interested in volunteering need to contact Alice Bunting at
Abunting@sonomahumane.org or 707-542-0882
Be on the Grand Jury
Looking for a way to serve your community? The Sonoma County Superior Court is looking for
concerned citizens to serve on the Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury. The Grand Jury is a citizen's
watchdog organization which oversees government of cities, county, and special districts in Sonoma
County. The Jury accepts citizen complaints and investigates allegations of mismanagement or poor
governance. The Jury may also institute an investigation of its own. Each year 19 citizens are asked
to undertake this important work. Won't you be one of them? For information go to
www.sonomasuperiorcourt.com and select "Grand Jury information". There you can get information,
view a video and print an application blank.
Office Support
Office/General Volunteer needed 3-5 hours/week, Monday-Friday for Easter Seals of Northern
California, a well-established non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and
adults with disabilities. Day and time are flexible depending upon the need and your availability. This
can be done by an individual volunteer or a small group of volunteers wanting to work together. Office
work will include providing assistance with faxing, word processing, filing, photocopying, and
assembling marketing/donor/report materials for mailing as well as using agency postage machine.
General work will include helping staff prepare for activities, events and programs. Volunteer should
be able to lift 10-20 lbs. as they will occasionally need to move boxes and other supplies. We are
located in Novato, http://www.noca.easterseals.com To volunteer, contact Pat Straub at 707-5841443 or email pstraub@noca.easterseals.com
Train as a Hospice By The Bay Volunteer
Apply by February 24 to train as a Direct Care Volunteer with Hospice By The Bay and help improve
the quality of life for seriously ill patients and their families throughout Sonoma County. Training is
March 7 -21 at the Hospice By The Bay Satellite Office, 3550 Round Barn Blvd., Santa Rosa.
Application and in-person interview required. Materials fee is $75. To apply, call (707) 935-7504, or
complete an application online at www.hbtb.org/SupportUs. Bilingual speakers needed.
Youth Volunteer Opportunities
Looking for Youth Opportunities?
These exciting opportunities are fun ways to beef up your resume or college application while meeting
people in your community!
Tax Prep Service Greeter
Be a "greeter" at a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) tax clinic sponsored by United Way of
the Wine Country. Empire College, a VITA tax clinic site, 3035 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa. The
VITA tax clinic at Empire College will be open on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:30-5:30 pm and
Saturdays from 9 am - 12 pm starting January 26, 2012 and ending April 14th. Choose the
day(s)/time(s) that work best for you. Each volunteer is asked to commit to volunteer regularly
(between 2-4 hour shift/week and a minimum of 20 hours for the season) beginning late January
through April 15. For more information or to sign up, go to: www.unitedwaywinecountry.org/eitc Or
call Rachel Olsen at 707-528-4485 x 123 or Carol Reinke at creinke@empirecollege.com
Work with Kids
Volunteer with an afterschool program, helping kids with their homework, assisting staff with activities
or simply play games with the children. For an afterschool program in your area, contact Rachael with
the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County at 573-3399 x125 or rmcdavid@volunteernow.org.
Day Care Assistance
COTS Friends, we are looking for 3 hearty volunteers on Monday nights to help with some of our
children. This is also part of our Rent Right program. While the parents are going through their class,
you can help our staff entertain the kids. There will be about 18 children, ranging from toddler to
grade 6. The class starts this Monday at San Antonio High School (500 Vallejo St. Petaluma) and runs
through March. Timing is from 5:45PM till 8:45PM, and includes dinner. For this service, we welcome
responsible young adults grade 11 and up. Previous childcare experience is a must, including
babysitting, and we will need two references. Please let us know if you can help! Contact Indigo at
765-6530 X111.
Waiting Room Host
California Parenting Institute is looking for volunteers to serve as Waiting Room Hosts in our Child
Counseling Clinic. Shifts are available Monday-Friday from 3-6pm. We ask for a minimum
commitment of once per week for 4 months, but welcome those who want to volunteer more time.
This is ideal for students who need to fulfill community service requirements! Shifts are available
immediately. Duties include supervising children in our waiting area and providing activities to keep
them occupied as needed. Parents who bring their children to CPI are required to remain in the
building during their child's appointment, but there are times when parents need to speak with a
therapist privately without their child present. This position requires flexibility, creativity, a love of
children, an ability to think on your feet, and a playful nature. Please Contact Wendy Hilberman at
wendyh@calparents.org or phone her at 707-486-5648
Want to learn about volunteering? Visit our "Just for Teens" section!