Volunteering with the Western Development Museum is available all year round, but the staff will be hosting a catch-all information session to gather potential volunteers for 2020 and answer their questions.
It’s called the Volunteer Blitz, although it’s meant to make the details about volunteering more readily accessible, said programs coordinator Karla Rasmussen.
“We always say we have something for everyone, no matter how much time you're able to commit, and this is kind of a nice way to learn kind of an overview,” said Rasmussen.
The free session will take place on Jan. 18 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will cover all the essentials that new volunteers need to know about getting involved with the WDM. This includes not only how to sign up, but also what kind of opportunities are available.
Volunteers decide what kind of time they can commit to giving, said Rasmussen, and there are a variety of opportunities to fit every schedule and personality.
“Some folks really enjoy working with children, other people would rather work behind the scenes. Some are great public speakers and would make excellent tour guides,” said Rasmussen.
WDM volunteers can provide their time for a number of different programs, from helping out with kids programming or events to taking part in restoration projects. There are spots working as a conductor for the K + S Short Line 101, helping passengers on and off the train and sharing facts about the locomotive.
Some volunteers even spend time on the museum floor, escorting groups on guided tours of the exhibits, and the WDM is looking for more volunteers willing to do demonstrations of things like butter churning or ice cream making at events.
The WDM usually has about 130 volunteers on paper each year, and Rasmussen emphasized that there’s really no limit to the number of people the WDM will accept.
“That sounds like a big number, but there's events where we need 30 to 40 volunteers to help make it run,” said Rasmussen.
The Volunteer Blitz will be a perfect opportunity to learn more about volunteering with the WDM, and those in attendance will be treated to refreshments and a tour of the restoration workshop that isn’t normally open to the public.
New volunteers need to fill out a form before getting involved with the WDM, which can be done at the Volunteer Blitz or by stopping at the WDM during their regular hours. There is also more information about volunteering on the WDM’s website.
