Volunteer
Volunteers are crucial to the success of the HSOG’s programs and events. Will you consider helping us? The HSOG continuously recruits volunteers throughout the year.
The volunteers of the HSOG are an important and dedicated group crucial to our operations. They play an important role in helping to tell Ocean Grove’s story.
Whether it’s greeting visitors at Centennial Cottage, working behind the scenes of a new exhibition at the Museum, or inspiring school kids to explore Ocean Grove’s history, we have a wide variety of roles and opportunities to use your special skills to bring our history to life. Opportunities are available to suit multiple interests, time, and skill levels.
All volunteers are encouraged to become Members of the HSOG.
What’s your Work Style?
The first questions you’ll be asked on the Volunteer Application is what’s your style? Do you like to work alone guided by a manager? Do you like to work as part of a team? Do you like to manage or lead a team? Do you like busy interactions with people? Do you like quiet computer- or print-based projects? Do you like organizing things?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a specific time commitment required to volunteer?
Volunteer hours are at your discretion and contingent on the projects that interest you, ranging from once or twice a year to every week. The HSOG is flexible and willing to work with your schedule to find the ideal situation for each volunteer.
What if I have limited knowledge of history? Can I still volunteer?
Yes! There is always a need for people with a variety of skills. We will also work with you to match your skills with an appropriate position. A warm, friendly demeanor and keen interest are often the most crucial skills required to volunteer. Training is provided for all positions before and during your volunteer time with the HSOG.
What are the benefits of volunteering with the HSOG?
By volunteering, you are giving a gift of your time, your effort, and your commitment. As part of the HSOG volunteer staff, you will have the opportunity to present and educate visitors on the history of Ocean Grove. In turn, with ongoing training and support, you will learn about a diverse number of subjects. Volunteering also offers you the opportunity to meet interesting people from all parts of the area who share your volunteer passion and interest. The HSOG honors its volunteers each year with an appreciation event and gifts.
Why do you need my help?
The HSOG operates with a virtually volunteer staff and a limited budget. Without our volunteers, the HSOG simply would not exist. Your gift of time, effort, and commitment allow us to grow and expand our mission into the community.
Roles & Opportunities
Volunteers / Human Resources
Coordinator
This opening is for someone who likes keeping people and schedules on-track, and making sure events, programs, and departments are covered with the help they need.
Development
Manager
There is an opening for someone to manage our Development Department. They would be responsible for creating a development plan; setting up and managing our Appeal and Expansion Campaigns; creating a corporate, government, and foundation development office with volunteers for each area; interviewing, onboarding, and managing volunteers. Someone with a nonprofit development management background would be ideal.
Corporate Volunteers
THe HSOG plans to collaborate more with corporations who are interested in volunteering their time. THe HSOG would consult with companies to identify appropriate and interesting potential projects at the Museum, Centennial Cottage and Garden, and secondary historic sites and help to facilitate successful results.
Education
Extensive training and support are provided for our Education volunteers including orientation, exhibition, and ongoing training.
Educator
Volunteers present educational “trunk programs” at schools, community organizations, at the Museum, and Centennial Cottage and Garden. Docents wear period costumes to enhance the experience. Those with in-depth knowledge of regional history, public speaking, and classroom experience are encouraged to apply.
Museum Docents
Docents staff the Museum, greet and assist visitors, and provide tours. Volunteers work in 3-hour shifts: 11:00am to 2:00pm and 12:00pm to 3:00pm on the days the HSOG is open. Volunteers must attend the Docent Training Program, which is offered at the Donor Social and at other mutually convenient times.
Centennial Cottage and Garden Docents
Education programs are offered at our Centennial Cottage and Garden, which include guided tours by docents. For some programs, docents wear period costumes to enhance the experience. Volunteers are needed to staff during the summer season, mid-June through Labor Day on Fridays and Saturdays.
Museum Store
Front Desk
The HSOG Museum Store sells everything from books, films, and music to clothing, jewelry, and art. Volunteers are helpful year-round by interacting with, assisting, and counting visitors, tidying up after school tours, tidying up display cases, and even arranging effective displays.
Collections, Archives, and Library
Coordinator
There is an opening for someone to coordinate in our Collections, Archives, and Library Departments. They would be responsible for continuing our departmental plan; acting as registrar and restarting our work in cataloging our various collections; interviewing, onboarding, and managing volunteers. Someone with a museum or library science background as a registrar would be ideal.
Exhibitions
Coordinator
This opening is for someone who likes to help produce exhibitions from ideation to interpretive strategy and from design to build. They would work as part of an exhibition team to plan and execute an exhibition schedule, research needed artifacts and components, and spearhead execution of ideas into ready-to-view exhibitions.
Events and Programs
Volunteers
Ideal for people with limited availability, these positions include assisting with a variety of events throughout the year, concentrated in summer, lasting a few hours or day-long. Relevant training is provided and some roles incorporate period clothing.
Operations and Facilities
Gardeners
The Centennial Cottage Garden welcomes individual area gardeners and garden clubs interested in showcasing their talents while heightening the beauty of our lovely garden.
Marketing and Communications
Manager
There is an opening for someone to manage our Marketing and Communications Department. They would be responsible for creating a marketing plan; supervising marketing, public relations, website, social media, and design projects through volunteer staff for each area; interviewing, onboarding, and managing volunteers. Someone with a nonprofit marketing management background would be ideal.
Public Relations
There is an opening for someone to do public relations for the HSOG. They would be responsible for building an online public relations function, perhaps using Prezly; work with or coordinate co-volunteer staff. Someone with a nonprofit public relations management background would be ideal.
Internships
Internships and Fellowships
The HSOG is committed to providing hands-on learning and career experience through our internship program. Interns have the opportunity to work closely with HSOG senior volunteers on a variety of projects to gain practical training in museum work.
Please see below for more information.
Internships
Where can you intern?
Interns are assigned to HSOG departments based on departmental need and the educational background, experience, and interests of the intern.
Departments that have offered internships in the past include:
- Archives and Library
- Collections and Conservation
- Design
- Development
- Education
- Exhibitions and Interpretation
- Marketing and Communications
- Photography
- Public Relations
- Research
- Volunteers and Human Resources
Click here for current internship opportunities.
Who can apply?
The HSOG welcomes candidates who are high school graduates/GED, college level students, graduate students, postgraduates, and professionals.
Benefits
In addition to the experience of the internship, interns are:
- Recognized at an annual party for hours contributed during the previous year.
- Receive a 10% discount in the Museum Store while wearing their badge.
- Eligible after 15 hours for a 10% discount on an HSOG Membership.
Questions?
Please send an email to [email protected] if you have additional questions.
Policy
If you volunteer for the HSOG, we will ask for personal information (name, address, phone number, email, gender, date of birth, education, references, emergency contact names and information, and social security number), permission to run a background check, and to sign a liability release, confidentiality agreement, and photo release.